By Al Jones
I woke up on this year's Lone Butte Rocks just before the alarm at 6 a.m. to the sound of rain pounding down on our metal roof.
It was a depressing feeling when you consider all the work that went into the planning and preparation of such a community event.
Resisting the temptation to roll over and go back to sleep, I had a cup of coffee and went to open Water Tower Park.
Howie McMillan, Ken and Chris Schmidt were already putting up signs in the early morning rain. Thankfully, Victoria Manson showed up at 7 a.m. to help set up some tables and tents. Slowly, a few more people started to arrive to set up barbecues and bake tables.
Most of the garage sale items had to remain in the tower, as the rain kept coming down. The mood was definitely down as volunteers gathered under the tents to keep dry until Mark Allen arrived early and started playing his guitar.
Somehow the music, including Creedence Clearwater Revival's song Have you Ever Seen the Rain lifted the mood.
By 10 a.m., the rain slowed down and folks were in a better mood. The usual annual garage sale was held mostly inside the tower this year as people rummaged through the boxes looking for hidden treasures.
A few other groups cancelled because of the rainy conditions, including the Bouncy Castle, Cariboo Country Ramblers and half the Tai Chi members.
Fortunately, the rain held off for the rest of the day and reportedly everybody really enjoyed the event so all the planning and preparations were well worth the effort.
The 100 Mile Cruzers "guesstimated" 500 people viewed the 13 old cars in attendance at Carter's Cones. Group president Jim Williscroft made a tribute speech to former member Lloyd Carter and all the cars sounded their horns together in a final salute to Lloyd.
Mary Carter was moved by and appreciated the gesture.
Thanks to everyone who attended and made this Lone Butte Rocks another success. We hope to see you next year on July 1 for our Canada Day event.
Al Jones is the Lone Butte correspondent.