In
April
of 2006 we traveled to Key West to join over
20 other MGAs in the second annual Key West
Regional. NAMGAR's George Merryweather
organizes the Regional held each year
and schedules it during the "Conch Republic
Festival", which is Key West's version of
Mardi Gras.
We
drove the A to DC in a driving rainstorm
and stayed overnight with friends Deb and
Al Gray. On Monday we boarded the AMTRAK
AutoTrain in Lorton VA and arrived the
next day in Sanford, FL, about 30 miles
north of Orlando and 400 miles from Key
West.
After
staying
over in Key Largo, we hooked up with the
other MGAs in Marathon Key and formed a
caravan over the old railroad bridge to
Pigeon Key. This bridge has been closed to
traffic for decades, but we were given
special permission to use it. Many thanks
to local resident (and owner of the
legendary 100,000th MGA) Fred Skomp for
arranging that!
Thursday night was the big
parade down Duval street, and we
were the guests of honor - tossing
beads and getting cheers from the
crowd. After a car show and
banquet on Saturday we all headed
home, sunburnt but loaded with great
memories. If you ever get the
chance, this is one MGAdventure you
just can't miss!
