The 4th annual NOVAMOG Fall Scenic Cruis is a wrap! We counted 27 XRs plus several TurboBirds, a hot Tempo, one really nice 92 Mustang GT, a twin turbo Audi TT. Okay, okay, several of the XRs were in Dave Planakis' shop for repairs/parts but there still were a gang of very nice XRs. I think that makes it the largest Merkur gathering right after Carlisle. We had some good food also.
We left Dunkin Donuts in Chantilly, VA at approx 9:45 am, somewhat behind schedule but no worse for the wear in a formation of 10 XRs and one Audi TT. It was the first time ever that we didn't have a Scorpio in the mix! We drove through absolutely beautiful Virginia countryside via Route 50 to our first driving break at the Sheets Fuel Stop near Winchester, VA. Here we met up with our 11th XR. If you could only see the looks of the other patrons of this gas stop with all those MURKERs pulling in! From there, we meandered south to Front Royal, VA and on down to Dave Planakis' shop in Hartwood, arriving some 119 miles and three hours from our starting point.
Dave fired up the gas grill, although due to a slight mishap, the grill was charcoal fired and our group of almost 30 Merkheads (several met us there) feasted on burgers, dogs and other assorted goodies (can't forget to mention that awesome crab dip). The comraderie was as tight as it gets and there was no lack of fat chewing under the hoods of our XRs.
Perfect weather, perfect companions, Merkurs everywhere, it doesn't get much better than this!
If you missed out this time, join us next year! |
