So, here it was. A fall weekend in the Midwest, and the second meet of the Midwest Esses (but there were some "E's" there as well ) It was supposed to rain, but it didn't. It was supposed to be cold, but it was only cool, and the cars were hot and the friendship was overflowing.
We were all to meet at the Weathervane Inn in Montague. Brian, Dwight (and his lovely wife Candice) and I met in New Buffalo, IN for a lunch and a caravan to the Inn.
That evening was a gathering of friends, old and new. The final talley was:
Brian (fryardds)
Larry (larry47us)
Dwight - and wife Candice (scargo70)
Curt - and wife Kim (curtegerer)
Randy - and fiance Barb
Dave - and wife Melissa (cornpanzer)
Jim - and wife Charlie (SWBS)
George (GeorgeK)
Jared - (JCR)
We all joined in for dinner at a restaurant called Scales - Fish and Steaks, just a short hop from the hotel. It was a caravan of early cars going there, and the service was good, the food excellent, and the company unmatched. Brian was going to leave to pick up George at the Grand Haven airport, but a phone call allowed Brian to finish dinner, as George's plane was delayed in Cleveland. A couple of hours in Cleveland is like a day anywhere else - or so Jay Leno says. The evening finished up at Randy and Barb's room with wine, beer, cheese and cheer.
The hotel was a smashing selection. Every room had a fireplace and a jacuzzi. But not everyone had a partner to share the amenities with.
That afternoon, while we were schmoozing about the cars, a local resident drove up - It was Bob, who had his own 993, and offered to take us on some lesser known roads, and seeing the sights. The next morning we were all to arrive at Gary's Restaurant. Jared and Brian got a headstart to the restaurant, and called us to inform us that they had landed at the Lumberjack Restaurant. Bob's eyes rolled. Oh, well, How bad can you mess up a breakfast??? Well, Kim chipped in at the Lumberjack, dealing out napkins, silverware, water and coffee. Finally the waitress came over and told us that she had called in reinforcements. Boy were they needed. Breakfast was ok, depending on who you spoke to. Dave had his issues with the meal - bathrooms just weren't close enough together on Saturday. For me, the pancakes were larger than the plate, and it was suggested that they were a fine addition to houndstooth fabric and vinyl sportseats. I passed.
We then lined up at the hotel and got ready for our drive into the hills and dales.