New updates coming soon!
Hi everyone - sorry about the lack of updates, but they'll be coming soon I promise. Our last meeting and the last ride should be posted today...
First, let me thank everyone for the chance to "excel"
as your reluctant Road Captain for Sunday's Ride to Anywhere. After our
breakfast at the Marlboro VFW, there was a lot of discussion on how to
get to our destination, The Bridge of Flowers. I spoke up and suggested
a route we have used before on our way to Curtis' in Putney, VT. Bill was
right, don't say anything or volunteer, because the next thing I knew I
was appointed ride captain.
Riders met at the Dunkin' Donuts in Framingham
around 7:30 AM. It was a very nice turnout for this year's Memorial Day
Escort. After spending some time admiring each others' flag mounts [nice
mounts, Fran!], we unfurled our flags, mounted up and headed over to the
staging area at the rear of Memorial Hall where we met up with the veterans.
We lead the escort to several area cemeteries where wreaths were placed,
we heard words of praise & thanks and a eulogy was delivered. At each
location, shooters performed their duty to honor those veterans that have
passed. The sound of Taps filled the air followed by our national anthem.
Our route ended at the Framingham Memorial Building where a crowd had gathered.
Cub Scouts lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance and several state representatives
& councilmen spoke to all who were there. Those who participated in
the parade, as well as the many people who helped organize the events of
the day, were recognized and thanked. As always, it was a humbling experience.
Being a part of this yearly event is our small way of expressing great
appreciation to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. I am sure I
can speak for every one of us who attended when I say how very proud we
all are to have been a part of this important day.
I would just like to take a minute to thank everyone
who turned out to help our post place flags on the graves of Marlboro's
veteran's buried in the IC Cemetery. Your help was invaluable and very
much appreciated by me and everyone at the post. I would especially like
to thank Fred who took the time to come and help as well. It was really
nice to have the opportunity to talk with Fred and to ride with him again.
Tonight was our monthly meeting at Red
Streak. If you're a member of the chapter you can find the minutes
in the usual place on our Yahoo Group. Pretty much the same as usual
but this time Red Streak ordered us some pizza.
This was our first meeting of the year
at Red Streak, absent our president. Wayne(3) did a fine job of running
a short meeting. Jack did a great job designing a logo for the t-shirts
we're going to print up. We discussed a few more details about the
BVQ ride and that was about it. A few brave souls rode over but unfortunately
it was just too cold and raw to ride for most of us. Hopefully next
month!
What a great day for
a ride! It was a maiden voyage for the season for some of us.
We had a blast! Wayne, please tell your friend Doug again how much
we all appreciated him taking the lead down some roads that rivals Magellan's
sense for direction and navigation. There were roads I've NEVER been
on and beautiful to boot! Mark Weinburg road with us as a guest today
and I believe he's home safe and sound and also had just as much fun as
the rest of us.
Saturday was our March meeting, this time
the pot luck was at Bob and Sue's place. What can I say? Good
food (more than usual?), good friends, good times. Heck, the business
part of the meeting wasn't even very long, and Cida and I won a pin, a
keychain, and $22 in the 50/50 raffle. Sorry about the bad picture
- all we had with a working battery was my cell phone.
The January pot luck dinner was at Bill
and Cida's house. Rosie and JD couldn't make it but we covered business
anyway under Wayne(3)'s able leadership. Here we are hard at work
signing the charter (no, Ray wasn't sleeping.)
Rain suits on, rain suits off, rain suits on........................oh,
let's just keep them on! Good thing we did. And on our way home through
Lancaster and Clinton we went through some pretty weird sections of rain,
then no rain, then rain. We saw it rain across the street but not on us.
Then down the road it rained on us, then the sun came out full force. But
the roads were bone dry when we got close to home. However, the skies are
getting dark here now. Looks like there is going to be a downpour pretty
soon. But this time I won't have to put on my rain suit. I'll just stay
inside.
We also had a great time today. The weird weather made for an interesting
day. As long as there was no lightning........or hail, we really can't
complain.
Another good ride to add to the list of good rides.
It has been said that, 'all men have fears, but the brave
put down their fears and press on. Sometimes to death, but always to victory.'
Today four brave souls put down their fear of inclement weather and pressed
on to Curtis' BBQ. Led on the first half of the trip by Wayne, who took
us through some beatiful back roads through Princeton, Barre and several
other towns no one has ever heard of. We followed the trail of smoke and
the smell of BBQ and had a wonderful lunch of chicken & Ribs. Got to
meet Curtis and his pet pot belly pig.
Ray and Fran led the return trip. Leaving at 1:30 we all took a quick shower
to rinse off any remaining BBQ sauce and then air dried. Ray led us down
route 9 through Keene and Winchendon.
I want to say thank you to Wayne, Ray and Fran for a great day of riding
and food. And thanks for making me feel at home on my 2nd ride with Chapter
239. Look forward to riding with you again soon.