Tuesday 7-10 After dropping Jim off at the doggie hotel, Judy and I rode to Kennewick. Hwy 5 to Hwy 84 E along Columbia River. It was hot, 107deg. and the Best Western hotel was full so we had to stay at Wingate Inn which was new and very nice. We both made use of the swimming pool.
Wed. 7-11 We rode Hwy 90 through Idaho to Missoula and then south to Lolo, Montana to spend the night with friends Ted and Mary. It was pretty country and they have a beautiful home. We made good use of their swimming pool after a fantastic dinner. I really enjoyed the ride past Coeur d'Alene Lake. I'd like to return and spend more time there.
Thur. 7-12 We rode Hwy 90 to Billings, Mt. It was through some pretty country. We stayed at Best Western and Judy made use of the pool while I took notes and answered e-mail.
Fri. 7-13 We rode Hwy 94 to Bismark, ND and decided to continue on to Jamestown (another 100 mi.) of mostly desert. We had to pass the off ramp and double back due to construction. We stayed at Comfort Inn (Couldn't find Best Western due to construction. Temp. was in the mid 90's today. This is the day we came across two flat bed truckers driving 93 mph side by side comparing speedometers. We did find the DQ. After dinner Judy and I checked out the local Casino but it was so smoky that we didn't stay.
Sat 7-14 Underway at 0630 local time N. Dakota. We rode east to Fargo, where we ran into a light rain (Rain gear not needed) and then south through Sioux Falls, west on 18, and south on 81 to Yankton, S. Dakota (on the border of Nebraska and So. Dakota). We will visit Nebraska tomorrow so we can put a diamond in the map and then back to Sioux Falls.
Sun 7-15 Rode across the Yankton bridge to Nebraska and back again. (The bridge has been declared of historical value and will be closed to traffic as soon as the new bridge is built. The Yankton bridge will remain open to foot traffic). The roads in South Dakota stink. They're rough and full of potholes and patches. We returned to Sioux Falls and found the wrong Holiday Inn and were directed to the right one. When we arrived at the City Centre Holiday Inn it was full of bikers. The "Make a wish Ride" had just ended so all the rooms still had to be cleaned and we couldn't check in until after 3 PM. We rode over to the Cracker Barrel for breakfast where we ran into Marty and Carmen who told us the story about Bud, Gariann, Jack & Neva. Boy what a tragedy. We also met Rose & Nolan while in camp.
Judy and I rode to the Battle Ship, USS South Dakota memorial, and spent some time looking at all the memorabilia. Then it was time for ice cream. We realized that we had some cheese in the cooler that would just go bad so we went back to the camp ground and gave it to Rose & Nolan. That's when we saw Dick, Joyce, Terry and Michele. We returned to the Hotel and found lots of people waiting for rooms but fortunately ours was ready. Patrick & Joann, Tim & Diana, Jack & Harriet and Gail & Lillian were already checked in. We moved into our rooms and were told that the dinner would be at 5 PM and not 6 PM as advertised so I passed the word. Made a fool of me. Well, someone must have been on East Coast time because it was 6 PM as scheduled. We were able to visit with lots of old friends from far and wide and did enjoy everyone's company. The dinner was Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, vegetables, ice tea and coffee with some large cup cakes, each with a candle, to follow in celebration of the 20th birthday of GWTA.
Mon 7-16 Today was opening ceremonies and loads of fun. Region A made a great showing and lots of noise. After the opening everyone went over to the venders to see what's new and or to replace those worn parts. Several seminars were held and some went on rides of the countryside. That evening was a dance to 80's music and then a Birthday Surprise ice cream ride at 10:30 PM. Judy and I missed the dance (don't care for 80's music and missed the ice cream ride because we were under a thunder & lightening warning until 11 P.M. and I didn't want ice cream at 11 P.M.)
Tue 7-17 After breakfast we visited the vendors and then I assisted Paul Carrol with the bike SRC course. We only had two bikes in the class. We finished in time to go to the water park which included lunch. After a brief rest we went to the local Honda dealer for the tailgate party prior to the ball game. Everyone had a great time at the ball game. The local team is the Canaries and the Bow Wow Girls and other ladies rode each team member out on trikes and sidecars. The light Parade was cancelled due to a Nature supplied sky Light Show. Lots of lightening.
Wed. 7-18 Wow! We had 8 trikes (including Carmen) show up for the trike SRC class. I was really surprised at such a great turnout. After the training it began to rain. The rain stopped and we shared a terrific dinner with Chapter P at the Cracker Barrel. After dinner we did walk downtown for the Hot Summer Nights and looked at a whole lot of Corvette's and Harley's. Then it really started to rain hard so we returned to our room for the night. Harry and Karen were judges at Falls Park for the light show and only a few showed up due to the weather.
Thur. 7-19 Judy and I had breakfast at the hotel and then rode to the Convention Center to watch the Skill Rider competition. One fella took a pretty hard fall but was in OK shape at closing ceremonies. The challenge of the Regions was great fun and I learned that Region A needs to start going to more Chinese restaurants and fewer DQ's so they can practice with chop stix. The skits during closing were great fun and then everyone got to join in an auction using TA bucks. Oregon pooled their bucks and got a polisher for our next State Rally. Then came the part I like best which was the 50/50 drawing. I won $635.00 Bonnie had made a $20 group purchase with some chapter members each kicking in and won $300+ to split among investors. Then came what everyone was waiting for and that was the bike drawing. A lady from Calif. won the scooter and a guy who works as a maint. Mech. for Honda up around Clear Lake, Calif. won the bike.
Fri. 7-20 Judy and I rode 13 hours from Sioux Falls to Billings, Montana, 700+ Miles. Upon arrival it was 101 deg and we were tired but couldn't find a room. Never go to a major town on a Friday night and try to find a room. We finally found one at the Picture Court Motel but after Judy showered we discovered the AC didn't work so we repacked and moved to a smaller room and I had to sleep in a chair all night.
Sat. 7-21 Judy and I rode 12 hours to Ritzville, Washington and stayed at the Best Western and I had a bed. We had planned to ride to Kennewick but after the previous experience decided to stop short and early so as to get a room. As it turned out we got the last room available. We had dinner, showered and early to bed.
Sun 7-22 3:30 A.M. I woke up rested and after answering mother nature I came out of the bathroom and there was Judy up and dressed. Judy is never up and dressed by 4 AM. We wanted an early start so we could be sure to get home in time to pick-up our dog Jim by 3 PM. We had a great and un-eventful ride home and did get home around 2:30 P.M. We've heard lots of great stories, some not so great and some not good at all but this is our story and we'll let others relate their experience good or bad. We do know that there were a few injuries and we really want to wish those people a speedy recovery.
We both hope that everyone is enjoying life as much as we are and wish everyone well.