Drifters Newsletter September/October 2015
Message from our President:
Greetings all from Amarillo Texas. After a delightful trip to Deadwood, it seems I’ve ruined the remainder of the good riding days by WORKING (yuck). Flight training the newbies has taken me first to Georgetown, TX, then back home, then to Charlotte SC (got out of there before the flooding), now in Amarillo, and leaving for ten days in New York next week. Whew! I’ll be back in Planet Utah by November at best. My current student is off for her first of two cross country training flights, so I have a couple of hours to wait it out.
Well, enough about my troubles. I’ll reflect back to the absolute great time a dozen or so of us had in Deadwood, SD. Many, many thanks to Vern for putting this all together way back in the early days of January. Except for the unplanned road construction in front of the motel, everything was simply excellent. The hotel, while small and compact in some rooms, was very hospitable. They even waived their no-pet policy and allowed us to bring our geezer basset, Huckleberry.
I’ve travelled most parts of the country in one way or another, but I’d never been to the Black Hills. I can now understand why the area is considered a favorite for motorcycle touring. While it was a bit of a “cruise” from Southern Utah, the ride there and back was somewhat of an adventure of its own (read John Marshall’s account). Even I-70 on the return was a great run up to the Utah border, save of course the Bronco’s traffic on I25 north of Denver. Any other route to avoid that would be well advised.
But back to Deadwood – everyday Vern had a circular route of interest planned. Plenty of restaurants to choose from in the evening from casual to “two-credit card” spreads. Barbara and I chose the latter the first evening to celebrate our anniversary (she paid!). We looked at airplanes at the nearby SAC base, Vern and Susan took on a buffalo face-to-handlebars on one day, we had a full-throttle short run on another afternoon, and a drizzle settled in for a rest day for us to visit the final resting place of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Local wines were purchased, consumed, and tall stories told.
Last weekend, I missed the annual Chili cook-off. I’m told that the three entries placed first, second, and third. Go figure. Maybe we’ll have to extend the categories to flaming burritos to bring in more interest. I’m sure all had a belly full of fun – and probably more.
We’re putting the final touches on the Christmas banquet, so watch for that in upcoming posts.
My remaining task is to attempt to upload a few more pictures of Deadwood, just incase there isn’t enough on the site yet. Enjoy, and I look forward to seeing my riding friends in just a few more weeks.
Enjoy the ride!
Blue skies, tail winds……
John
Secretary’s notes:
In case you hadn’t heard, on our return trip home from the Drifter Trip to Deadwood, South Dakota, Mark and I had a bit of an accident. We were in our truck, hauling our trailer with both our bikes, when we connected with the guardrail and began whipping wildly back and forth across highway 85 in Wyoming. The axle broke on the trailer, and the resulting force caused the tie downs holding our bikes to snap. We swerved across both lanes twice, while the trailer and bikes dragged behind us carving a nice double-S groove in the asphalt. When we finally came to a stop, the trailer was toast and both bikes were totaled. Our Dodge Dakota truck sustained only minor damage. I got out of the truck and a young guy came running up to me, saying he had seen the whole thing and asked if we were okay. I told him we were just fine, no injuries, actually not even a hair out of place. He said that the semi that had been following behind, just missed us…we never even saw it! Another passing driver took me to her home so I could use her telephone to call for a flatbed tow truck, since there was no cell service in the area. Mark was my hero, he managed to bring the whole mess to a stop without rolling, going over the side, or hitting anyone else! Believe me, that trailer was trying to flip us, but Mark won the battle!
Long story short, the highway patrolman was very kind, our bikes and trailer were towed to a small town in Wyoming and we drove home without them. I was heartbroken – felt like I was abandoning my child in a strange town. A few days later, our insurance company settled with us (quite generously, I might add) and our search began for new rides. I test rode a few in town, but nothing suited me. I finally decided on a Honda VTX1300 and Mark chose a Honda VTX1800, both from private parties on Ebay. Yes, Ebay! My bike is coming from Texas and Mark’s is coming from Colorado. We are having professional vehicle transport companies deliver them to us. I did due diligence on my purchase – looked up car fax information, spoke to the owners, and even had my bike inspected by the service manager at the local dealership in Texas. Looks like we should be really happy with our new toys. Mark gets his bike tomorrow and I get mine the following day. The photos below show the goods…the red/black is Mark’s VTX1800, the Silver is my VTX1300.
In commemoration of our big event, we have decided to lead a ride, so we can break-in our new bikes with proper Drifter company. We’ll meet-up Wednesday, October 21st – 11:30 am at the Bloomington Chevron. We’ll ride south to Mesquite, Nevada for lunch at the Casa Cafe inside the CasaBlanca Casino. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll choose an alternate date. Please come and help us celebrate our new “bundles of joy” during “The Mark & Dawn Crash Memorial Ride”. Hope to see you all there! Keep the shiny side up! Dawn
Webmaster’s notes:
Lots of happenings coming down the pike…besides all the events listed below, Mike has submitted Chapter 7 of his epic cross-country ride. Please take the time to read and be thoroughly entertained! It’s good stuff! (Just wait until you read the teaser for Chapter 8!) As always, please call or email me if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions.
Dawn
NEWS….
Last Month’s Drifter Dinner at Panda Garden on Wed, Sep 9th was delicious. About a dozen drifters attended and the food, company, and conversation was awesome!
Ride to Fall colors on Saturday Sep, 26th was attended by Bill L & John M. The rest of the Drifter bunch bunch missed out on a gorgeous ride and great weather. Be thinking of where you want to go next year.
Chili cook off this past Saturday October 3rd was great! Lots of food (including Margrete’s famous garlic bread)! Cook-off winners were: 1st place – Lynne Piper, 2nd place Dawn Derenski, 3rd place Trish Roe.
Since attendance was down, maybe everyone is getting tired of Chili? Sooooo…next year we’re doing something different. A suggestion of a gourmet BBQ burger competition was mentioned, as well as a burrito competition. Let me know if that sounds good, or feel free to submit any other original ideas. Anything goes!
Also, Drifters Eric & Cletha are undertaking some amazing motorcycle adventures. Here is a link to Cletha’s blog for two rides that she is hosting next year: One in the German/Swiss/Italian Alps and another in Alaska, and she would love to have some Drifters join her and Eric! She’ll send more details as she gets them ironed out. Here’s the link to her blog:
http://cletha-adventures.blogspot.com/2015/10/countdown-for-2015-cross-egypt-challenge.html
Cletha’s Adventures: Countdown for the 2015 Cross Egypt …
Cletha & Eric are leaving in ten days and still have a boatload of “stuff” to do before they head out. Yup, they’re headed to Egypt for the Cross Egypt Challenge (“CEC”)! Check out the link above for the latest!
EVENTS:
Sat 10-11-15 – Vermillion Cliffs Ride – 9am
Hey Drifters, come enjoy the beauty of Vermillion Cliffs along with some great company. Maybe we’ll see an endangered Condor, as they nest in the area. For some gorgeous pictures of the area, click on this link: http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/natmon/vermilion/photos.html We’ll meet up at Hurricane McDonalds. Be ready to ride by 9am sharp. See you there!
Wed 10-21-15 – The Mark & Dawn Crash Memorial Ride
We’ll meet-up Tuesday, October 13th – 11:30 am at the Bloomington Chevron. We’ll ride south to Mesquite, Nevada for lunch at the Casa Cafe inside the CasaBlanca Casino. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll choose an alternate date. Please come and help us celebrate our new “bundles of joy”!
Wed 10-28-15 – October Drifter Dinner 6pm
Hey Drifters – Halloween dinner get-together will be held at Ichiban Seafood Buffet located at 969 N. 3050 East, Saint George at 6:00pm. The food is great and you can choose from a huge and delicious selection of Asian dishes, and price is reasonable too! You can check out their menu at http://www.ichibanut.com Please RSVP Dawn so we can arrange seating. See you there!
Sat 11-7/Sun 11-8-15 – Page Balloon Regatta – overnight – 10am The 13th Annual Page Lake Powell Balloon Regatta takes place from November 5, to November 8, 2015 and is free to the public. Drifters usually ride as a group Saturday morning and arrive in time for dinner and the Balloon Glow. Meet at Hurricane McDonalds at 10am and stay overnight 1 night, Saturday, Nov 7th, at either Day’s Inn* or Comfort Inn & Suites**, Page Az. These hotels are literally around the corner from each other. (FYI – Clarion Inn, formerly Holiday Inn Express where we used to stay now has bedbug reports!) Get up early to watch the morning launch on Sunday, then meet for breakfast, & we’ll leave for home shortly after. There are no rooms reserved for the Drifters – please make your own reservations and give a head’s up to John or Dawn, so we know how many are going. Events are: Saturday, November 7, 2015 SPONSOR and Competition Day- Morning Launch 7:00am at the Regatta Fields on Hwy 89. Regatta Street Fair 11:00 am to 10:00pm in the Elm Street Mall Parking Lot – Beer Garden, live music, games and rides! Balloon Glow 6:30pm to 8:30pm from South Navajo to Vista Ave. Sunday, November8, 2015 Crew Appreciation Day- Morning Launch 7:00am at the Regatta Fields on Hwy 89. All flights are weather permitting. *Days Inn – Page – Includes Breakfast, free internet, refrigerator, outdoor swimming pool $85.00 per night as of 7/12 on Trivago 961 N Hwy-89 Page, AZ 928-645-2800 for reservations **Comfort Inn & Suites – Page – Includes Breakfast, internet, indoor pool, exercise room, coffeemaker $90.00 per night on Trivago 890 Haul Road, Page, AZ 86040, 928-645-6931 for reservations
Wed 11-18-15 – November Drifter Dinner 6pm
Come join us at Casa Dona Maria for great Mexican Food (possible Margaritas?) and great conversation! Casa Dona Maria is at 700 E. 700 South in St. George. Dinner is at 6:00pm and menu is varied and reasonably priced. Please RSVP Dawn so we can all sit together!
Wed 12-16-15 – Christmas Party! 6:30pm
Drifters Annual ChristmasParty! We’re starting a new Christmas Tradition…our Party this year will be held at the beautiful Cliffside Restaurant Wednesday evening December 16th at 6:30pm. Cliffside is located at the old Saint George Airport location and has amazing views of the city. Street address is 511 S. Airport Rd, Saint George, 84770. Dinner buffet will include your choice of Penne Pasta Rustica, Chili Glazed Salmon or Cliffside New York Strip Steak. Appetizer, sides, and a signature desert are included as well. For an extra fee you can sample the beer and wine offerings. As always, bring a white elephant gift for our gift exchange. Please RSVP to Dawn.
Fri 1-1-16 – New Year’s Day Ride to Los Lupes – 11:30am
Help us celebrate the New Year with our annual ride to Los Lupes Mexican Restaurant in Mesquite Nevada. Meet up at the Bloomington Chevron at 11:30 am. We’ll ride if the weather is nice, we’ll drive if it isn’t. Los Lupes has great food and the price is right! Bloomington Chevron is right of I-15 at exit 4. Kickstands up (or cage engines running) at 11:30 am. See you there…Happy New Year! For a peek at their menu, click on this link: http://www.loslupesrestaurant.com
Sun 1-31-16 – Annual Business Meeting/Potluck 4:30pm
Our annual Drifters Business Meeting and Potluck will be held on Sunday January 31st at the Sky Mountain Clubhouse in Hurricane, UT. Arrive at 4:30pm to set up your potluck dishes. We’ll eat and have our social hour at 5:00pm, and the Business Meeting will commence at 6:00pm. During the meeting, we will elect new officers and decide upon Drifter rides and actives for 2016. Please bring a check for your 2016 dues to the current Treasurer Lynne Piper. Anyone wishing to become a new Drifter Member, please plan on being there to meet everyone and submit a Drifter Application. Feel free to submit your suggestions for rides and events ahead of time to our Secretary Dawn Derenski.