If you're a former Pony Trailer, this trail may look familiar. We've done it before, and had a good time and great success in keeping 100-plus cars and trucks together. Therefore, we looked back fondly on the trail to Cedar Key and decided we wanted to go there again.
As trails go, this is a favorite of ours. National Parts Depot offers a great start location and a cool museum to tour after returning from a long day of trailing. This year, we're planning to do something new: award a trophy for the best-looking Ford on the trail. NPD's Rick Schmidt and Mustang & Ford's Jeff Ford will pick the car while everyone is gorging themselves at Cedar Key; then we'll award the lucky winner the prize (calm down, no money will change hands) back at NPD at the close of the day. So now you have even more incentive to join us on the trail!
Also, don't forget the reason for our trail. The Silver Springs All Ford show is an event that has really grown over the years. Last year, over 900 cars and their owners braved the cool Saturday temperatures and cold temps of Sunday to make the show a great success.
The TrailPony Trails: Friday, January 9, 2004Pony Trails Cost: FreeRegistration Cost: None for the Trail!Departure Time: 9:00 a.m.; drivers' meeting at 8:30 a.m.Start Location: National Parts Depot, 900 SW 38th Ave., Ocala, FL 34474; 352/861-8700End Location: SameTrail Boss: Jeff Ford, 863/644-0449; jeff.ford@primedia.com
DirectionsFrom the National Parts Depot parking lot, we'll head north (turn left) onto 38th Ave. At State Road 40, we'll turn right. If we're lucky, we'll have some of Ocala's finest escorting us out of town. We'll pick up Interstate 75 North and run the super slab all the way to SR 326. At 326, we'll turn left and blaze our way through Morriston, where 326 turns right, then left-so watch for the signs to make sure you stay on 326. If you pass 326, turn left on 323 and follow it to U.S. Highway 41. Turn right at 41 and look for 326; turn left onto 326 and pick up our route again. We'll run 326 until it smacks into U.S. Highway 19. At 19, we'll turn left and head northwest to SR 24. At 24, we'll turn left again and follow it to Cedar Key and the main pier. Reverse the instructions to return to NPD.
Official DisclaimerAs we say at the beginning of each trail, we are going to a specific location. If you choose to follow our route, you do so of your own free will. Should something befall you while on the trail, you are solely responsible for your actions and deeds. Mustang Monthly and Mustang & Fords are not responsible.