Folks started coming in on Friday, July 15.  First to arrive, was Stan.  He creamed a deer in his pickup, on the way from Alamogordo but he was ok and his pickup had minimal damage.  I am amazed at the progress he's making, after the stroke and the accident.  Keep up the great work, Stan!

Chuck Rhode came in later (from Wisconsin) and then everyone else started showing up towards evening.  Bob (our Canadian friend) & Elzi, Jim, Lisa, Morgan, Maggie & Duane, Louie & Gayle, Ari (our SS1000+ rider), a few of the locals and then some NARTers made it here, close to 10 p.m.  <waves at Dirk & Mark>

We had a nice dinner at Potter's on Friday evening, talked and listened to music.   Some rode their bikes, while I took Stan with me, in the car. (Note to Stan: You're a terrific passenger.  You didn't scream once. <g>) After we got back, some of us were up till nearly 4 a.m., talking about whatever came to mind.

Saturday, the 16th, we all had a good breakfast at the L&L Restaurant.  The manager opened up the large dinning room for us and most of us ate from the breakfast buffet.  Rob & Erin found us there.
While I, Maggie, Lisa and Gayle began preparing the feast for the evening, everyone else enjoyed the afternoon, visiting and generally having a good time. 

There's was plenty of beverages, so no one got thirsty.  Stan brought 5 case of "Alien" Ale from New Mexico, Mark brought a bottle of "Patron" (to die for) and John brought cases of Shiner and other goodies.  I had sodas and bottled water available and others brought beverages of their choice.

Aside from a very short summer rain shower on Saturday afternoon, the weather could not have been more perfect.  It was warm but not unbearably hot and I heard no major complaints.  We enjoyed the awning that Louie & Gayle provided, as the brand new screened tent that I had erected, folded like a house of cards, in a sudden strong wind gust.  Darn it.

After a short afternoon ride, dinner began after 7pm.  Dinner consisted of smoked brisket, smoked chicken, squash casserole, baked beans, tater salad and peach cobbler for dessert.  After dinner, Jim Smith of the CMA, gave a short sermon and blessing of the bikes.  After dark, those of us that remained, sat up until the wee hours of the morning, talking and trying to cram in a lifetime of memories and friendship, into the few remaining hours.  Maggie and I enjoyed a couple of Margaritas and Dirk and then Dirk was nice enough to drive her back to the motel, where Duane was resting.  I managed to be up and see Ari off on his mad dash back to the northeast.  Hang on to those gloves, darlin'! ;-)

By late Sunday morning, the few remaining guests were gone but they gave me and Joe some lasting memories and friendships that we will treasure always.  < Sunny throws a kiss>