I believe I might have been the first one to Lincoln City and the meeting spot, it was about 2:20. I didn't see anyone else, so I went to the McMenamins. There was a line to get in so I hit the Fish N' Chips pub next-door. I had a good chat with a few guys who drove up from Albany in their BJ9 to see the "parade" of British cars. I think they may have been disappointed, as I only saw the brown TR6 while eating and the blue numbered MGA at 3:30 while starting to head back home to Portland.
One of the problems with something new and creative is that it is difficult to overcome people's preconceived notions about how it is going to go. A few people contacted me for "details about the arrival" in Lincoln City and it was actually difficult to get it across to them that there was no such thing. I guess some people were expected a 50-car convoy arriving amid ticker tape and confetti and a cheering crowd.
As I said in the drivers' meeting, when I drive away, the event is over - at that point you're on your own to follow the printed "Route Suggestions" or not, to go to the destination listed in the suggestions or not, and to stop where and when you want for as long as you want. Different people did different things, pairing up with others - as suggested at the drivers' meeting - or striking out on their own. When I drove away I noticed the vast majority of cars still in the parking lot, so people were, by and large, making those arrangements with their friends for where they'd go and how they'd get there.
I got lots of emails from very happy people and so I'll arrange another All British Road Meet next year. Since it costs nothing and there's no registration required, it doesn't matter if 2 cars or 100 cars show up. The worst that can happen is that I spend the day driving the car of my choice on the route of my choice to the destination of my choice. A lot of people seemed to like that format (anti-format?). As it says on the website, "For those who don't like a lot of 'structure' in their auto hobby events, your prayers have been answered. You can literally wake up the morning of the event and decide to participate."
Here's a pic of just some of the action on the 1st Annual All British Road Meet:
Really, it is from the event. Maybe next year I'll make a commemorative poster for the event, and this will certainly be the picture on it!
P.S. Apologies to Richard Mayor, another Austin-Healey Club of Oregon member who showed up for the event. He drove an Alfa Spider. As the website says, "To be part of this, the first ALL BRITISH ROAD MEET, just show up in your British car -
or in any car you like if your Brit car isn't roadworthy in time." No harm, no foul. Good to see you Richard.