Full, Loaded, Chocked, and Packed - and all FUN!

Today's MG Adventure was fun - full of energy, loaded with curvy MG roads, chocked with learning, and packed with good food.  Yeah, packed with good food is how I felt at the end of the day!

The morning's weather was foggy but no rain.  We put the top up anyway because we couldn't be sure that the no-rain situation would hold.  We pulled out of the driveway at 7:20am with 161,133 miles on the odometer.  Here we are with Doug and Kim.  They spent the night at our house. 

2 MGs and 4 people

We drove just up the road to the next town where we met up with Norm and Pat and Ken and Deanna.

Now we are 4 MGs and 8 people

Soon enough the fog lifted and it was clear skies all the way to our lunch time Noggin & Natter at Mike and Anita's cabin in Independence, VA (really just outside Galax).  It's a single lane road leading to their place.  Around one corner of the road we met headon a garbage truck who, luckily for us, knew the territory and backed up so that we did not have to back up our parade of MGs.  We ate at the picnic shelter along the New River right next to the pasture.  The cows in their pasture came to greet us, along with the other MGers already gathered for lunch. 

Mike said the cows are just nosey

We picked up 3 more MGs and 5 more people to add to our parade

We ate fried chicken, baked bean, potato salad, brownies, and drinks.  And we had a car show - the New River MG British Car Show (there was a mini in the group)!  And we were all excited to see one another and to meet new friends.

After lunch, we turned left to take the back part of the loop road back to Hwy 58.  We hadn't gone but a few yards when a car coming in the other direction told us the road ahead was blocked by a fallen tree.  So we turned around on the single lane road and went back to Hwy 58 the way we came in. 

Looked like the road had just been widened and resurfaced

The road from there to Abingdon, VA (US Hwy 58) is known as the Daniel Boone Trail, the J.E.B. Stuart Hwy, the Mountain Hwy, National Scenic Hwy, The Mighty Python.  It crosses Whitetop Mountain and Mount Rogers (Virginia's highest mountain).  So, yes, it was curvy.  But not as twisty, turney as The Tail of the Dragon which we have traveled at MG2006.  Still, Ron had a great time driving - even in the rain and on wet roads.  So, it was a good thing we had kept the top UP!

Curvy roads

We made it to Abingdon, checked into the hotel, and got to Town Hall on time.  We were met by Alexandra Veatch who introduced us to Greg Kelly, Town Manager.  Using FaceTime, we connected with David Wardell in the UK so that we could have an interactive session for the MG90 worldwide celebration.  The Town Manager has visited Abingdon, UK.  We listened to and watched a presentation about the history of the two Abingdons.  We learned new things about Abingdon, UK - more than being the center of MG manufacturing.

Then we decided (with the recommendation of Greg) to go to the Tavern on Main Street.  We really enjoyed it. The proprietor was most hospitable to quickly set up a long table so that all of us could sit together.  Good food, good price, great service.  We liked it!  Finally, some of us went back to the hotel, some to the Barter Theater, and some to the Blues concert at the Farmer's Market.  I think we all agreed this is a place we would like to visit again when we have more time to enjoy it.