CAA: My heartfelt thanks to ALL the Gateway folks for the effort and time they put in to planning and coordinating the many events during the FIRST CAA GATHERING. There is only one FIRST and with no previous GTGs of this size and distance involved, you gals and guys did a magnificent job of organizing and preparing the events and social activities. Ruth and Rick being the tour guides and MC at the dinner, Franc for letting his shop be used for the Eurocharged dyno tunes, supplying the washateria for getting rid of the dirt and grime of many states, hosting the B&B cookout and vittles, the rest of the Gateway team who I apologize for not remembering all the names, the whole event went off without a glitch. Mother Nature was not the most cooperative, but all else went off without any problems. Eileen and I enjoyed the tours and tast centers we visited and Danl’s Boon docks. Great meeting so many folks I only knew from internet discussions, and also seeing those I knew from the TMS runs from last year. It was certainly a great start of what I hope will be many more events. Kudos to all involved in the preparation.
Not to be left out, to the many drivers and passengers that put thousands of miles on their xfires, taking time off from work and Sandgrounder for not being sent to CUBA. Glad you had your passport. Lorne, glad to meet someone my own age, us being surrounded by all those young kids and their fast mobiles.
Eileen and I spent an extra two days after the meet and visited with a friend we hadn’t seen in many years.
We then took our time and went to Branson MO for three days and had our own brush with what could have been a very shocking experience. Heading back to the motel after a Paddle Wheel showboat dinner cruise, the sky got very dark and a serious thunder storm opened up. I was passing under a pole mounted transformer when a flash/bang happened. The car started buzzing and all my LED lights fried. I was afraid the transformer was going to explode but we got past it.
Leaving town the next day we got tied up in traffic and learned there was a police standoff with a wanted capital murderer down the road. Fortuneatly we got directions on how to skirt the activity. The police talked him out after 8 hours. No shots fired. Took three days to make it home from Branson. Torrential rains in a number of places slowed us down considerably. Felt like I was water skiing a few times.
Arrived safe and sound Thursday afternoon and gave Blue a kiss and a rubdown for doing a great job on the trip. Thanks to all but there’s no place like your own bed.

John and Eileen P
FTroopChief
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