St.
Johns Austin-Healey Club 
St.
Johns Austin-Healey Club
Jacksonville, Florida
Chapter
of the Austin-Healey Club of America
| Home | Officers | Calendar of Club Events | Review of recent Club Events | Monthly Meeting Minutes | Links to other Clubs | | Club Member Cars |
January 8th & 9th Cedar Key Overnight Event
SJAHC members,
Two sunny dry days, cool temps, 250 miles in rural Florida, great food
in awesome atmospheres, unusual and tasty adult beverages, and twelve
dedicated Healey
enthusiasts in 5 "Big Healeys" (and one chase car) made for an
unforgettable weekend drive to picturesque Cedar Key. After a slight amount
of confusion
on the initial join up, the herd of Healeys headed west mid morning on Saturday
to enjoy miles and miles of almost totally empty roads. The Great Outdoors
Restaurant in High Springs had our table ready upon arrival and cold libations
as well as delectable entrees made it an exceptional lunch stop. Rick and
Marilynn Stevenson were the bravest of the brave and enjoyed the entire trip
with the
top down and the cool breeze in their faces. Mark and Janelle Young dropped
their top about half way to advertise their adventurist spirit in true Healey
style. We think that the newest (not yet born), member to our Healey Family
enjoyed it the most as he was toasty warm in the womb. The last 45 miles
was almost completely void of any traffic and allowed us to appreciate the
wild
Florida wilderness and all the natural animals that inhabit it (almost hitting
some of them).
Everyone of our rooms at the Cedar Cove Inn had wonderful views of the Gulf
coast and were distinctly different in design which made for a fun parade
of inspections
to see who had the most interesting floor arrangement. John and Nancy Leenhouts
set up the refreshments upon arrival so that the first impressions of our hotel
were positive ones. The waterside porch of the Black Dog Pub provided the perfect "men's
waiting room" while the ladies scoured the town in search of undiscovered
treasures. With several libations under our belt and numerous stories of earlier
exploits told, we adjourned to refresh ourselves for the evening dinner event.
The Island Room Restaurant lived up to it’s reputation as a truly Four
Star establishment by providing not only superb and delicious cuisine, but outstanding
service in an elegant setting on the water. Our cups and camaraderie overflowed
with embellished stories of yesteryears Healey heroics and plans for the next
outing with our "Big British Beasts".
Sunday morning was an eye opener with very brisk weather and the temperatures
so low that even Rick Stevenson (with the help of several others) put his top
up for the first time in years. Bill Young convinced Allison Young to bundle
up like an Eskimo and ride in his 100 with the windows off while Judy Young
enjoyed the warm comfort of their SUV with Cindy Bridger as the chase car.
A real home
style breakfast of grand proportions at Annie's Café on the island got
everybody's mind and body right for the trip home and ensured that there would
be numerous "rest stops" to get ride of all that hot coffee. Thanks
to Sandy Onsager for ringing the "pull over" bell so everyone else
could relieve the pressure before someone burst from bladder bloating.
All in all it was a super way to start 2011 and enjoy our Healeys the way they
were intended…on the back roads in search of good times with good friends!
Erling Onsager, our official photographer, will post all the photos he took on
our web site so that those that could not make it can enjoy a "virtual trip" to
Cedar Key.
John Leenhouts
