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THE BEEMER
BMW Hotline 595-6203
President Buddy Burnett 356-7842
Vice President: Terry Elliott – 776-2626
Secretary: Dave Sparkman 799-6249
OCTOBER 2006
Treasurer: Mark King -790-8038
Newsletter Editor: Polly Wright – 794--4280
Activities Dir: Ron Brant: 223-1311
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Buddy Burnett
I LIKE TO GO FAST
We were having dinner with some of Mary’s
friends a few weeks back and the conversation turned to
motorcycles, as it frequently does. Most people that
know us are aware we are active motorcyclists. The
man of the couple mentioned that he would like to own
a motorcycle and was interested in a rider course. My
comment was, “motorcycles are extremely dangerous
and you can be killed or seriously injured in the blink of
an eye.”
“What did you just say?” Mary asked
incredulously.
And I repeated my statement. “Motorcycles are
extremely dangerous and you can be killed or seriously
injured in the blink of an eye.” And I added, “just think
back for a minute, I have lost three friends in the last
four years in motorcycle accidents. Mike Stein and
Sherry Glover were killed in 2002, and Charlie
Derrington was killed last summer. And what about
Larry Grodsky last spring?”
Fortunately, the conversation turned to less weighty
matters. But since that conversation took place I had
another friend killed in a car wreck, which was more a
case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Of
course, the same argument could be made for Larry
Grodsky, Sherry Glover and Charlie Derrington.
Sherry and Charlie were both killed in head-on
collisions with drunk drivers, and most of you know the
story about Larry Grodsky and the deer.
Now I don’t mean for this to break down into a
breast beating artic le on how we are so pitiful and how
I’m going to quit riding and the like. I’m 54 years old
and have already taken to reading the obituaries on a
daily basis, so I feel I am experienced at weighing my
own mortality. But I have to own it, motorcycling is a
dangerous sport. There aren’t many people that die on
golf courses of anything other than a heart attack, with
the exception of an occasional lightning strike.
I do not enjoy stick and ball sport participation. I do
enjoy things with wheels, and it doesn’t take me too
long to find out how fast the wheels will turn. I found a
drawing booklet that my Momma saved from when I
was in first grade at Martha Vaught School. It’s a
picture of my first bicycle with the following
inscription: “My name is Glenn Burnett. I have a
bicycle. I like to go fast.” My friends these days call
me Buddy Burnett, and only the occasional insurance
salesman calls me Glenn, and the wheels are more
likely propelled by 50 horsepower or more. But the
thrill is the same.
Just don’t do anything stupid and be careful out
there.
L.G. “Buddy” Burnett, Jr.
a/k/a The Packmeister
Me, Connie, Tom and Jan at Blue Ridge Motorcycle
Campground
Mike Gillespie cooking for us at the September
meeting at Bloodworth’s.
World’s Fastest Motorcycles
BY
SOMER HOOKER
Letter from the Editor
I’ve been to the Bonneville Salt Flats four times. On its own
it is a very alluring spot. It is so vast and flat that you can
actually see the curvature of the earth. It was also the training
center for the Enola Gay, the B29 that dropped the Atomic
Bomb.
Add some of the highest tech machines in the world and it
really becomes something.
This was the third year for the BUB motorcycle shoot out. It
was an all motorcycle speed meet, unlike the Southern
California Timing Association which caters to cars, trucks,
motorcycles and electric vehicles.
Polly Wright
I hope you are all thinking about next year. We will be
electing Officers in a couple of months so be prepared
to accept the challenge if you are asked to hold an
office. If you would like to be considered for one of the
positions, please let me know as soon as you can.
Please get permission before you nominate someone.
I also need to know if you plan to attend the next
meeting at the Caney Fork Fish Camp restaurant on
October 3rd. We need to give them a head count.
KERMIT CHAIR COMPANY
Call us toll-free at 1-(888)-729-9836
or visit us at www.kermitchair.com
The meet had 162 entrants this year. It was pretty exciting
with three different film crews and a scenario that not even
Hollywood could have scripted. The motorcycle land speed
record has been at 322 MPH since 1990 when a dual engine
Harley Davidson set it under the sponsorship of Easy Riders
magazine.
FOR SALE
1.2001 Honda Shadow - garage kept, back,
luggage rack engine guard. great condition.
$3,500. call Kathy @ cell - 202-6767,
home - 969-3689.
On Monday a motorcycle streamliner with two Suzuki
Hayabusas went 342 MPH. The bubbles were barely off the
Champagne, when another streamliner driven by Chris Carr
of HD fame went 350.88! Both of these were two way
averages. You must back up a run within 3 hours to set a
record. During this time you can only change tires, plugs
etc... Not 12 hours later another streamliner went 355 MPH!
Unfortunately, he blew a tire going through the lights. He
drove on the flat tire until it dissolved and then when it went
to the rim, he went down. Driver walked away with no
problems. It takes 12 hours to change a tire, so there was no
way he could back it up.
2006 "Street Rod" Harley Vrod. The color is
Black Cherry (burgundy), has 1440 miles on it,
and has a one year warranty. He paid
$18,000, and is asking $15,400. Call: Graham
Baker at: (248) 391-4424.
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BMW MOTORCYCLE CLUB
CALENDER OF EVENTS 2006
October 3rd Club meeting at
CANEY FORK FISH CAMP 6:30 PM
Oct 6 - 8 - Return to Shiloh Rally
Oct 7 – Nashville Oktoberfest
Oct. – 14 – Nashville Supermoto - Music City
Motorplex
Oct 21 – Club Ride
There was plenty of innovative machinery as well as a “Run
what you brung class”. Here you could ride your street bike
down and see what it would do. I saw many touring bikes
with their number still on leaving. Several actually set
records. You did have to tech and have leather riding gear.
BMW brick motors seem to do well there. Several “Box
Stock “ones were able to set records. San Jose BMW had an
old airhead there that did 164 before the end of the meet.
Along with the competition came lots of other interesting
bikes and people. A chapter of Biker Build Off was being
filmed with Matt Hotch .I got to speak to him for a while
about his Vincent chopper (all repop). He was actually a
pretty nice guy.
Those of you who saw “The World’s Fastest Indian “;
probably remember the name Marty Dickerson. I’ve known
Marty for a long time. I asked him about the movie. He said
it was really nothing like reality of the events but then he
added that’s what Hollywood does when they have to cram
11 years into 100 minutes.
October 20, 21 & 22, 2006 - Fall Off-road Trail Ride at
Loretta Lynn's Ranch
Oct 20-22 AHRMA Historic Racing & Barber Vintage
Festival
Oct 28 – Camp out and Ride at Lee Waggoner’s in
Centerville (more details later)
November 4 th – Bloodworth Rider Training
in conjunction with the Minnie Pearl at the Nashville
Speedway
November 7 th Regular Meeting - The Italian
Market at 51 st and Charlotte. 6:30 PM
Nov 11 – Club Ride
Nov 24 – After Turkey Day Ride – meet at
Bloodworth’s
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December 5 , Christmas Party–
PIG & PIE
BELLEVUE MALL – 6:30 PM.
CLUB WILL TREAT YOU TO THE MEAL.
Club Meeting
The October BMW Motorcycle Club of Nashville
meeting will be held at the Caney Fork Fish Camp on
Tuesday night October 3rd starting at 6:30pm.
There were lots of older bikes there. Some were doing some
rather respectable times. A friend on a Vincent did 154.
Another streamliner with a 50CC motor did 135mph! It was
on gas to boot. There were two electric motorcycles there. I
was standing there when one got ready to go down. The
official told him he could start his bike. He looked up and
said it was running!
If you want to go out, it is pretty simple to get there.
Southwest Airlines goes to Salt Lake City which is 110 miles
from the Salt Flats and go on into Wendover. The State line
runs through the town. On the Nevada side there are
numerous casinos and cheap lodging. BUB had a special with
one casino where rooms were 19.99 a day during the week.
Or you can ride out and “see what it’ll do”!
The Caney Fork Fish Camp is a great new restaurant
that is across from the main entrance of the Opryland
Hotel. (we suggest you take the I-65 route to Briley
Parkway instead of the I-40 route because of the
construction) We have our own separate room at the
back of the restaurant with a clear view outside of the
parking lot where you will park. Caney Fork Fish Camp
not only has great Catfish but they also have Grouper,
Chicken, Ribs, Meatloaf, Pot Roast, Ham Stake and
Chopped Steak with all the fixens you could want. This
will be a meeting you will not want to miss.
3
WEBSITES
BMW Club email: [email protected]
BMW Motorrad USA
Return to Shiloh Rally
www.bmemotorcycles.com/home
www.bmwmoa.org
www.bmwmoga.info Georgia Mountain Rally
www.bmwrams.com - Rally
"Best Rally by A Dam Site"
Celebrating our 32nd Anniversary
Rally
October 6-8, 2006
ALABAMA CLUB: www.bmwmoal.org
www.curvecowboyreunion.com
Pickwick Dam, Tennessee
www.barbermuseum.org
www.amadirectlink.com
www.hondahoot.com
speedtv.com/index.php
www.bmwra.org
Bloodworth Motorsports: bloodmotor.com
Knoxville
http://tailofthedragon.com
www.bmwrok.org/rok_on_rally.htm
www.bmwclub.org
BMW Motorcycle USA
www.motorcycleevents.com
Located at the base of Pickwick Dam
(east bank of the Tennessee River)
Highway 128,
14 miles south of Savannah, Tennessee
Registration includes:
Here is a new website for you to visit.
www.29Dreams.com
Helen Two Wheels Packing Systems
http://www.helen2wheels.com/
Rally Pins (first 250 registrants) Door Priz
www.blueridgemotorcyclecamp.com
Rider Awards, Two nights primitive camping
in the Pines with heated showers and flush
toilets on site TVA campground.
Carolina Beemers website change
www.carolinasbmwmoa.org
Hot Coffee, Cocoa and Lemonade Friday
night BBQ Supper (until gone) Field events,
self guided tours
WWW.MUSICCITYPOWERSPORTS.COM
www.tdot.state.tn.us/tdotsmartway
http://www.kymotorcycle.com
Registration Fee $15.00 per person
Please contact Charlie Parsons for
more information.
http://www.amadirectlink.com/amrace/2006/mx/
06inde,
www.southernwoodsrider.com/x.asp
http://www.mxsports.com
4
AMA SUPERMOTO
COMES TO MUSIC
CITY
Vintage Road Racing, Moto Cross, Trials and Cross
Country by (AHRMA) American Historic Racing
Motorcycle Association
Concours/Vintage Displays by Confederate Chapter,
Antique Motorcycle Club of America, Vintage
Japanese Motorcycle Club and The Penton Group
Museum Benefit Auction by J Wood and Co
See and Hear Exotic Motorcycles from the Barber
Vintage Motorsports Museum
Park Admission Includes All Events Excluding
Museum (Museum Admission Extra, Special 3-Day
Weekend Museum Pass available)
Gates Open to the Public at 7am each day Events
start at 8am. Special Museum hours start at 8am daily
An all-star international field of riders, including
some of the top riders of the AMA Supermoto
Championship are slated to compete in Nashville
at the Music City Motorplex on Saturday October
14th.
General Information Contact:
Deana Whitfield
205-702-8736
[email protected]
Bloodworth Motorcycles & the
Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation at
Nashville Superspeedway
Travis Pastrana, who is competing in
supermoto, rally car and freestyle, will be
battling multi-time AMA Supercross and
Motocross Champion and current AMA
Supermoto Championship points leader Jeff
Ward, along with Doug Henry and Mark
Burkhart, who are second and third place in
the standings, respectively. In an extremely
competitive AMA season, Ward and Henry
each have four wins and are separated by
only 11 points.
More details on this year’s event will be in the
next newsletter.
Bloodworth BMW Motorcycles is working with the
Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation to put on another track
th
day. The event will be held on Saturday November 4
at the Nashville Superspeedway. This is all part of a big
day to raise money for the Minnie Pearl Cancer
Foundation and will include a Driving Academy, Safe
Driving Academy, Motorcycle Clinic, Celebrity Ridealongs, and a concert. It is possible that even more
activities will be added to the roster.
This event will be held in conjunction with the Phil
Wicks Driving Academy. The track day will include both
classroom sessions and on track sessions. Cost for the
track day is only $100. Pre-registration is required and
can be done by calling David Bloodworth at 321-3311,
emailing David at [email protected] or going
by
Bloodworth
Motorcycles
or
going
to
www.bloodmotor.com and click on Track Day.
To attend a Track Day you will need proper riding
attire, which includes a Snell 95 helmet, leather or
textile pants and jacket, gloves, and boots.
5
Bloodworth Motorcycles Pre-owned
Motorcycles
OCC in
America Tour
Bloodworth Motorcycles is actively seeking used BMW
motorcycles to buy. If you or someone knows of
something you would like to inquire about, please call
or come by and see Glenn Hawkins or Steve Catania
for further details.
The OCC in America Tour has selected Nashville as one of
four host cities for its 2006 tour, slated for Oct. 6-8. As the
official host hotel for the Nashville festival, Gaylord
Opryland Resort & Convention Center is offering exclusive
VIP events and vacation packages .
Pre-owned BMWs:
2004 R1150R Silver 6,100mi
$ 9,900
2004 K1200GT Green 1,600mi
$12,490
1981 R100S Corbin seat, exhaust, brown $ 2,990
Stand, larger front rotors, bag mounts, shocks
15,000 miles showing
2001 K1200RS Mandarin/Grey 24,000mi $ 8,195
2005 Kawasaki Concours Gold 3,100 mi $6,490
Corbin seat, C-Bailey windshield, GIVI top case
Orange County Choppers, best known for their outrageous
custom-built motorcycles, is showcased on the Discovery
Channel's American Chopper television show. Everyone
from the entertaining cast and crew, including Paul Sr.,
Paulie and Mikey, will be on-hand to build a bike live on
stage that will be given to one lucky fan, give how-to tips
during OCC Garage Sessions and party with motorcycle
enthusiasts in Music City. Activities will take place at
Gaylord Opryland Resort, Riverfront Park and Wildhorse
Saloon.
The following two bikes we are putting out there for
someone to make us an offer.
1998 R1200C Ivory 24,800
$ 4,990
2000 K1200LTC Blue
$ 5,990
Pre-owned Ducati:
2005 749 Red 11,000mi, SOLD
The three-day event kicks off at
Riverfront Park, where the Nashville
bike will be built. Live entertainment, including the “OCC
The Band”, will rock into the night. And party-goers can
continue the fun at the official post-event party at the
Wildhorse Saloon. On display for the first time in Music City
will be bikes that have been featured on the hit show: Fire
Bike, POW -MIA Bike, Comanche Bike, the Mikey-Vinnie
Bike, NASA Shuttle Tribute Bike, IRobot, Black Widow and more.
Gaylord Opryland is also holding
events for this bike-centered weekend.
A VIP Sneak Preview Party will be
held Fri., Oct. 6. Fans that purchase the
VIP package will be able to catch an exclusive glimpse of
these popular bikes before
anyone else in Nashville as
well as meet the cast
members.
OCC vacation packages are
available for two- or threenight
accommodations,
starting at $229*. A limited
number of VIP vacation
packages are also available at
Gaylord Opryland, allowing rare one-on-one time with the
cast and the first viewing of exclusive bikes before anyone
else in the Southeast. Two-night VIP packages start at $499*.
For more information or to book your OCC vacation
package, please call 1-877-234-OPRY .
$11,290
For information on other pre-owned motorcycles,
go to our web site at www.bloodmotor.com
Bloodworth Motorcycles
Fall Open House
Saturday October 28th
On Saturday, October 28th, Bloodworth
Motorcycles will be hosting a Fall Open House
to celebrate the new 2007 BMW Models and
to introduce the new R1200R.
There will be special activities all during the day.
Food and refreshments will be available. Come in
to learn about the latest offerings from BMW and
the new all-new ABS and automatic stability
control system that will be available for select
2007 models. Be sure to register for the “Get
Serious Sweepstakes
For general admission event tickets in downtown Nashville,
please visit www.gettix.net.
6
Qualifier, with over 200 amateur riders expected, as
well as Pro ATV competition.
Local riders can be on the same track, the same
weekend as Jeff Ward, Doug Henry and Mark Burkhart.
They can even be a factory rider for the weekend,
renting and competing on a KTM 450SMR!
Tickets for the Supermoto can be purchased at
Bloodworth Motorcycles. A group will be leaving
Bloodworth Motorcycles on Saturday Oct 14 at 4pm
and head over to the Nashville Motorplex to enjoy
the afternoons events.
BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER
The 2006-2007 Cycle World International Motorcycle
Shows Presented by Toyota will be bigger and better
than ever with expanded showcases, new displays and
EVEN MORE ENTERTAINMENT!
The Atlanta Show will be held at Georgia World
Congress Center, February 23 -25, 2007.
The 17 new motorcycle manufacturers represented at
the shows have increased their display areas by more
than 100,000 square feet - the largest manufacturer
displays ever - which translates into even more models
for you to see.
A brand new Welcome Center will greet you as you
arrive at the shows this year. The Welcome Center will
provide guests with all the tools they need to make the
most of their day at the show with exhibitor lists and
floor plans, show information and register-to-win
opportunities as well as resources for the new or
returning rider.
Advanstar has pulled all the stops this year as
they expand the show by launching BRAND NEW
display areas for the custom sport bike, ATV and
motocross enthusiasts.
The new display areas will feature some of the most
unique and impressive custom bikes from local and
national builders and Advanstar, in conjunction with the
AMA Heritage Museum, is bringing elements of the
museum's Motocross America display on tour. From
early-period bikes ridden by past champions to currentday machines raced by some of the best riders in the
sport today. Attendees will be able to see how the sport
and technology have evolved over the past several
decades.
th
Starting on Friday, October 13 , there will be a practice
day for both pros and amateur riders all day.
th
On Saturday, October 14 , gates will open at 2pm.
During the afternoon, there will be SuperMoto Practice
taking place. New this year will be Freestyle Motocross
And Freestyle Street Bike Demonstrations going on
during the afternoon. The SuperMoto Races will start at
7pm.
Bloodworth Motorcycles will be putting together a
trip down to next years Atlanta event which will
include chartered bus travel, hotel reservations,
and special events. Additional details will be
coming in future months, so stay tuned.
th,
On Sunday, October 15 the track will feature a
NASMOTO AMA Grand Championship Regional
7
Big Ride 2006
Going to the Sun
By Mark ‘Buck’ King
Greek mythology records one story of going to the sun. Daedalus and his son
Icarus were imp risoned in the Labyrinth from where there was no escape. So,
Daedalus created wings to enable them to fly out. As you probably remember
they attached their wings to their shoulders with wax. Daedalus warned Icarus
not to fly too close to the sun. Daedalus made a safe escape, but poor Icarus,
despite his father's warning, flew too close to the sun, melting the wax of his
wings and went crashing into the sea.
Our story began not with wax and feathers, but with motorcycle seats and iron
butts. Needless to say, it is a long way from Nashville, TN to the icy ridges of
Glacier National Park in the northwestern corner of Montana. The park
actually crosses the Canadian border, but our friends to the north call it
Waterton Lakes National Park. Our trip there and back encompassed 5,200 miles over ten days. Our challenge was to get there and
back without melting our wings.
The road across Glacier is known as the Going to the Sun Road. This is a fitting name for the 52 mile road that bisects the park east
and west. The steep inclines of the road eventually lead across 6,646-foot Logan Pass and afford breath-taking views of 10,014-foot
Mount Siyeh, Cataract Peak (8,180'), the Piegan Mountains (9,220'), and the road’s namesake, Going-to-the-Sun Mountain (9,642').
The scenery is simply spectacular.
An added dividend of the trip was the opportunity to re-visit some of our favorite western destinations along the way: Fairplay, CO;
Jackson Hole, WY; The Grand Tetons; Yellowstone; Bear Tooth Pass; The Chief Joseph Highway; Cody, WY; and Deadwood, SD.
In our book this had become a near perfect itinerary. What motorcyclist out there could resist this? Certainly, not one of us!!
Our quest for the Sun began on Friday, July 14, 2006. The first leg was an iron-butt run on the super slab to Salina, KS. A run that
was punctuated only by a brief stop in St. Louis for a picture at the Gateway Arch, the usual gas stops, and some infernal
construction zones on I-70. Those construction delays cost us at least an hour and pushed our arrival time in Salina to 7:30 pm.
Still, not too bad for a 764.4 mile run.
We passed up a perfectly good Holiday Inn to stay at the rather rough Salina Inn. Sometimes those choices produce a charming stay
at the local alternative to the big chain motels. But sometimes you get one that leaves you wishing for a less adventurous spirit and
a much nicer room. The later was the case with the Salina Inn. But, you know, these chances are what make life interesting.
Remember, as Forrest Gump said, “Life is a box of chocolates”.
Even with its other shortcomings, the Salina Inn’s swimming pool did provide some cool
relief to the summer temperatures we experienced across Missouri and Kansas. The three
of us shared one large room at the Salina Inn. It had two double beds and a sofa bed.
Bruce volunteered to take the sofa bed before he saw it and realized it was more like a love
seat than a sofa. When he opened it up it couldn’t have been more than five and a half feet
long. He looked a little funny stretched out on it, but somehow managed to get some sleep.
At the start of a long trip your excitement and adrenaline make up for minor discomforts
like this. I know a few guys who would have agreed to sleep on a bed of nails every night
if they could only have gone along with us on this ride to the sun.
The next morning, Saturday, July 15, we packed up and mounted the bikes for the ride across the remainder of Kansas and to our
destination for the evening of Fairplay, CO. Before we returned to the super slab we made a quick stop for breakfast at a little café
named Bayard’s. This was an excellent choice with great food and service. Somehow a good café choice at breakfast can set the
mood for the whole day. We were feeling like kids on Christmas Eve as we made our way to Fairplay.
8
The 527 miles to Fairplay literally melted away. I’m not kidding; it was another very hot day across western Kansas. I am happy to
report a successful crossing of Kansas which in our book is defined as making it across the state without getting close enough to a
cattle truck to get peed on by a cow on its way to his last reward.
Some clouds began to at least offer a little shade as we crossed the
Colorado state line and approached Denver. From the south loop
around the Mile High City we at last were able to leave the super
slab behind. But not before we had the opportunity to ‘cheese off’
a couple of toll-booth ladies on the south 470 loop around Denver.
As many toll booths as we have been through, we are yet to figure
an easy way to stop on that oil-soaked spot, balance the bike, pull
off a glove, pull out your wallet, pay the lady and reverse the
procedure and ride off without some complication. This time we
thought that the first rider through would pay for all three at least
simplifying the process somewhat, but even that seemed to be a
problem for at least one of the ladies who was definitely on some
sort of authority kick.
US285 took us right into Fairplay. At this point we had arrived in the Rocky Mountains that had been on our horizon for at least the
last 200 miles. US285 is a gorgeous road even if its proximity to Denver makes it a very well-traveled road. A brief, very brief rain
shower cooled us down and gave us an energy surge that made the last few miles to Fairplay a complete joy. The mountain view
and the cool air continued as the clouds parted and gave way to a
beautiful
afternoon in Fairplay. The town rests at just over 10,000 feet in altitude
and there is
almost always a cool breeze there even on the hottest summer day.
We arrived early in the
afternoon
and had plenty of time to pay
our respects
at the shrines honoring two
of the most
famous Colorado burros:
Prunes and
Shorty. Burros played a very
important
role in the mines and as the
most loyal
partner a prospector could
possibly
have. Prunes was said to
come off
the mountain by himself with
a note tied
to his bridle that let the store
owners
know what provisions were
needed by
his owner "Rupe" Sherwood at the mine. After visiting each store and
being
loaded with supplies Prunes would amble back up the mountain all by
himself.
Shorty was the beloved town mooch of Fairplay. His best pal was a dog
named
Bum. When Shorty died and was buried on the courthouse lawn, Bum
was griefstricken. He lay down on Shorty's grave and refused to move or eat until he died as well. Shorty was then dug up, and Bum was laid
to rest alongside his friend.
I gotta tell you there’s just something special about burros like that. There are a lot of preachers around that will tell you that
animals don’t have souls and can’t go to heaven, I just have to say that burros like Prunes and Shorty are bound to have a soul and
will surely be found within the Pearly Gates. Any preacher that will tell you different don’t
know what the hell he’s talking about. And in true
Forrest Gump fashion, that’s all I got to say about that.
We noticed the sound of live music coming from The
Park Bar and Grill. A guy with a great voice that
reminded me of James Taylor was accomp anied by a
female vocalist and a very skilled guitarist. They were
churning out just the kind of music that we Boomers
love. We walked down there and enjoyed some ginger
ale while they performed. During a break we talked to
the guy whose name was Richie Parsons. He said he
had been to Nashville a few times. We wondered how
someone with this much talent wound up playing this tiny Colorado town. I’m sure Richie has a story that would explain
everything.
9
We had come to Fairplay to stay at one of our favorite places in the world, the Hand Hotel. The Hand is more like a bed and
breakfast than a hotel. They serve a great breakfast that comes along with the room. Each of the rooms upstairs are named instead
of numbered. The last time we were here our room was the Outlaw room. This time I’m a little embarrassed to say that Stinky and
I shared the China Mary room. Bruce got the worst end of it though; he had to stay in the School Marm. It will take a long time for
him to live that down. They have a great website (http://www.handhotel.com/) that gives a good glimpse of the place. If you plan a
visit, be sure and reserve your room in advance.
Sunday morning, July 16, we left Fairplay headed for Jackson Hole, WY. It was a gorgeous morning as we left on CO9. The route
would first take us over Hoosier Pass (11,542 Feet) to the ski town of Breckenridge. We then stayed on CO9 headed north through
Frisco and Silverthorne to Kremmling where we made the turn onto US40 headed toward Steamboat Springs. To this point the
scenery was spectacular. But as we headed north on CO13 which becomes WY789 as you cross the state line the scenery became
more like the high desert terrain as we made our way up to I-80. The high desert
terrain continued as we rode about 80 miles west to Rock Springs where we
headed north on US191. Just past Pinedale the road merges with US189 and takes
you the rest of the 65 miles into Jackson Hole. Needles to say, the closer we got to
Jackson Hole and the Tetons – the better the scenery got.
We stayed at the Kudar Motel in
Jackson. This is a great little place
right out of the 50’s. Each room is a
little log cabin. The best thing is
that it is very economically priced in
a town where motel rooms can get
very pricey. You are also just a
block off Jackson Square adorned
with those famous antler arches.
We walked downtown and ate a
cheeseburger at Billy’s which is renowned for their skill in preparing this culinary
delight.
We enjoyed the rest of the evening just walking around town visiting the many
shops of all types that cater to the year-round tourist trade.
The next morning, July 17,
we headed for Jenny Lake
and our favorite view of the
Grand Tetons. The
weather was beautiful and
we enjoyed the fantastic
view of Teton Range
peaks: Grand Teton,
Mount Owen, Middle
Teton, Mount Moran,
South Teton, Teewinot
Mountain, Tepee Pillar,
Thor Peak, Cloudveil Domb, and Buck Mountain. The last time we were here
smoke from forest fires in
Yellowstore partially obscured
our view. From Jenny Lake
and the Tetons we headed
straight for Yellowstone.
We made a brief stop at Old
Faithful but kept moving
toward the west gate as our
destination of the day required
a 541 mile ride.
As we approached the park entrances I was usually in the lead. More often than
not, Ron would be the second rider. Just for fun I usually made up some kind of
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story for the park ranger at the gate about Ron. At one park I told them that he was deaf and dumb and that they should use sign
language to communicate with him. At another I told them that he was riding his motorcycle erratically and I suspect he was
drunk. Ron said each time he pulled up to the gate he’d just say, “I don’t know what he was saying about me, but it wasn’t true.” I
think all of the rangers picked up on the gag by the time I finished the yarn. Most winked and smiled.
By the time we got to Yellowstone’s West Gate it was lunch time and we knew our food choices would be limited later so we ate at the Outpost
Restaurant. Convenience was its only redeeming factor.
From Yellowstone we took US191 about 90 miles due north to I-90 near Bozeman, MT. Then a 120 mile run northwest on I-90 got us to
Garrison, MT. From Garrison US12 and MT141 took us another 50 miles to MT83 which would take us almost all the way into Columbia Falls.
With the turn onto MT83 we were now finally returning to more mountains and the terrain resembled that around Denver. It was
cooler and the last 100 miles yielded a wonderful ride into Columbia Falls. Along the banks of Swan Lake we encountered a delay
at an accident scene. Apparently two men were carrying some gas cans they had just filled in the back seat of a car.
For unknown reasons the car had flipped over and the gas from those cans leaked and ignited. One of the guys was killed and the
other had severe burns but may have managed to save himself by jumping into the lake. The last we heard he was in critical
condition in a local hospital.
We arrived at the Glacier Inn in Columbia Falls around 7:30 with plenty of light still in the western sky. The Glacier Inn turned
out to be one of the best pieces of candy in that box of chocolates. You know, the ones that you want to remember once you know
what’s inside. That was exactly the case, the outside was a little rough, but all of the rooms had just been redecorated with new
furniture. It was great.
We asked the desk clerk about restaurants and without any hesitation or long list of choices he simply said, “Go to the Back
Room.” It turned out that we were so impressed with the Back Room
that we ate dinner there two nights in a row. Whatever you order as an
entrée comes with a huge chunk of fry bread. Fry bread is a cross
between a donut and a Sopapilla. You eat it with butter and honey. Just
thinking about it is making my mouth water.
The next day, Tuesday, July 18, we did a short loop of 230 miles that would
take us over the Going to the Sun Road, up to Waterton Lakes National Park in
Canada and then back to Columbia Falls.
We would ride the famous Going to the Sun road in both directions. The
morning was cool so we layered clothing knowing that it would be cold at the
higher altitudes in Glacier. We were as giddy as teenagers on a first date as we
stopped at the Apgar Visitor Center and looked at the 3-D map of the road.
The first few miles of the road run beside Lake McDonald and this beautiful
mountain lake is like a delicious appetizer before a grand meal. It takes at least
a couple of hours to get to the eastern side of the park and those two hours seem
to pass too quickly. Like a great book or fantastic movie that leaves you wanting more at the end. The scenery is as beautiful as I have ever seen –
anywhere.
Psalm 19:1 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork." You can't see all that
God has made and not conclude someone made it. Design implies a designer. Again, in Forrest Gump fashion, that’s all I
got to say about that.
John Muir said, "Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will
blow their own freshness into you... while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." I wish I was as eloquent as he so that I could pen similar words,
but I cannot. I suppose what is more important is that I felt it. The peace does flow in, the freshness does come in, and the cares do drop off.
That’s why we came. That’s why we ride.
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PRESIDENTS CORNER:
Articles by: Buddy Burnett, Mark King,
Somer Hooker,
Calendar of Events
Meeting Dates
Classifieds
Websites
MEETING
CANEY FORK FISH CAMP
MUSIC VALLEY DRIVE
6:30 PM
OCTOBER 3, 2006
BMW MCON
P O Box 158265
Nashville, TN 37215
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