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When I last left off I was heading up boring old I-95 towards Satch's. It 

was late afternoon when I arrived. Like the other places I've visited, 

Satch's was easy to find by the Minis in the driveway.

Satch's Pickup



    We chatted for a while and then Satch made some phone calls. Not only was 

he able to catch up with Mike and Joyce Priest but he found out that several 

of the Orlando area Mini folk were going to do the traditional Saturday Night 

Cruise, held where the Spring Thing hosted by FLAME takes place. So, we 

planned on heading for Orlando. But first, we headed to Satch's garage to 

look at some of his other cars and to make a stop for gas for me. I figured I 

had 10 miles before an empty tank. Satch said we'd be at a station in 6 or 7. 

Twelve miles later after much breath holding we made a station, and then went 

on to the garage where Satch showed off a number of interesting cars; as well 

as a Turbo Mini and a genuine 998 Cooper.

Satch and two of the Minis he has in stock. Note: he put on his best 

shirt for company.



    Following Highway 192 into the setting sun we made good time until we 

started getting into the "Mouse" area. Between the normal Florida drivers, 

the many Disney tourists and the torn up roads, going got slow. Fortunately, 

it was time for a break. I figured out I hadn't eaten since what was jokingly 

called a continental breakfast at the hotel at 6 AM. It was now 7:30 PM! Back 

on the road again, Satch eventually found his way to the "staging" area for 

the cruise. We had to drive on the ugliest stretch of highway I've ever seen. 

No. The road was torn up, but it wasn't the road that was bad but the 

surroundings. Think of your worst nightmare of hotels, motels, neon lights, 

fast food places, and every type of tourist trap and you haven't begun to 

understand this road. Suddenly, even Miami was looking good!



    Things got better fast when we joined four other Minis and many Mini 

fans. Everything was jumping, but I did get some time to check out the other 

cars and talk with some of the owners. That was between answering questions 

from passersby who were curious about all the Minis, and especially the one 

with the funny front end. I'll forget somebody, but here goes. Mike and Joyce 

Priest were there with their very nice, low mileage (14,000), very standard 

Mk III (+). Dion Jardine and 4 of his family were there, but without a Mini. 

I think he has five, but showed up in the family (and Mini) hauler instead. 

Dean and Sharron Priep had two cars there. A nice, white Clubman Estate (the 

only version of a Clubman that looks good with the square front, IMHO) and a 

purple beast that seemed to only want to run on three cylinders. Satch had 

driven up in a MK III (+) which is for sale and Nelson and his wife were in a 

Mini Mascot.



    Things were happening fast so I didn't get many photos and all of a 

sudden we were called to join the que for the Cruise around "Old Town." Mike 

joined me in EG, after I pitched the detritus of the day's travel into the 

back seat. This Cruise has to be experienced. The crowd watching is very 

close to the narrow drive and comments can be heard clearly. The usual, of 

course. I just can't imagine what this is like during the Spring Thing with 

not 6 but 60 Minis! Plan on being there next February if you have a chance.

Dion Jardine and the non-Mini



    Mike and Joyce had invited me to stay with them for the night and by the 

time all the excitement was over I was crashing fast. My 5:00 AM start on the 

day and the long drive was catching up. Joyce rode with me (just in case Mike 

lost me on the way home -- she's ridden with him before!) and we made our way 

to home and bed -- eventually. I had to spend time admiring their collection 

of Mini paraphernalia. Just the model collection alone is awesome. I have a 

large number of Mini models (around 500 at last count) but nothing compared 

to this collection on display! I wish Dorothea could have seen it. It would 

have made me look a bit more normal! Oh, by the way, even with all the 

models, Mike is looking for one of the large Solido Minis with the Scottish 

flag on the roof. Anybody know of one?



    Thus ended Saturday, August 12th.