bs0410-2

Boxer Shorts October, 2004 - 2 of 4

MOA National Rally - SPOKANE 2004 - A Rally Review

by Irene Boettcher

Red Lodge, MT by Irene Boettcher THE LORD GIVETH, AND THE LORD TAKETH AWAY. If there's anything I've learned over my riding career, it is that plans are fluid. I was originally going to leave a week early to attend the Lunatic Fringe rally in Alberta en route to the MOA national in Spokane. My usual partner in crime was available to ride with, and I began scoping out the maps. Two weeks before departure, John's plans changed and he ended up striking out early on July 1st. Solo again. Sigh.

Thanks to the YB message board, though, I was able to field two delectable offers, Gail Hatch of NH was also planning to leave Friday, July 9th, and was going through Canada. The wild card was a young woman recommended to me by Jeff Stein who was looking to go west, but hadn't tackled a serious road trip yet. Chace Wessling [left] had just graduated college, had one or two rallies under her belt, and had lots of time. We finally met at Pemi, and she rode back to Maine with Fred and me, planning to visit her sister for a few days. The ride went well, and we exchanged contact information and began trip planning in earnest. Chace was very willing to camp, which was the tie breaker, and Gail was happy to strike out on her own, planning to hotel it. Chace's one request was for a proper trip itinerary to give to her VERY nervous father and somewhat less anxious mother. I cribbed one up based on my KOA intensive route out to Missoula in 1999, and hoped it would approach reality!

One week before launch, Kit Wise called-he would be departing near our time frame, but had already bought passage on the new fast ferry across Lake Michigan to Milwaukee. The ferry was booked tight, so Chace and I planned to ride through Chicago and meet the ferry upon docking at noon Sunday the 11th.

Chace Unseasonably cool temperatures were the saving grace. I had admonished Chace to get a hydration pack and be prepared for high heat. It didn't materialize. All through Wisconsin and Minnesota, the locals commented on the relative cool, and there was standing water in a lot of the cornfields. This dovetailed nicely with the standing traffic in Chicago. But we enjoyed a short wait on the Milwaukee waterfront sipping iced chai tea, and eventually met the ferry. Striking west, we became a well oiled touring machine, up and packed by 7am, with minimal time spent at gas stops, even though Kit and Chace had lots to talk about, discovering that they both attended the same prep school.

We started seeing groups of other beemers as we approached Mitchell, SD, where poor Garth Epply's tour had run aground the week before. Even the obligatory Wall Drug stop was foregone in favor of quality time to be spent later. The hour time changes were working in our favor, and we arrived in the Black Hills of South Dakota on Monday night, ready to stop and smell the roses. We did the cheesy tourist photo session at Mount Rushmore, and enjoyed burritos and beer back at the campsite.

Tuesday began the fun, much less highway, more scenery. We briefly stopped at Devil's Tower, and then shot across Wyoming to Red Lodge, Montana, positioning for a shot at Beartooth Pass in the morning. Chace opted to break free at this point to visit a friend in Idaho, and would rejoin us Thursday at the rally.

I had been telling Kit about Beartooth Pass, wanting to return ever since the trip home from Missoula, when I rode with the Sled Dogs and stayed at that same KOA Kampground. Kit and I got a very early pre-traffic start on the pass. It did not fail to satisfy. We paused for a photo op where the US ski team trains, and pressed on into Montana, staying in Darby and poised for Lolo pass Thursday morning. Lolo, too, was well worth the ride out. Hours and miles of mountain twisties left me quite weary but happy.

Drawing nearer Spokane, we rode to Lewiston, ID, where route 95 takes a dramatic detour around town spiraling waaaayy up high onto the plains above. The temperature dropped dramatically as we climbed, a welcome relief. Rolling fields of golden wheat spanned horizon to horizon for the next two hours. Kit and I arrived in Spokane ahead of Chace and registered. The usual rally packet was encapsulated into a very professional, spiffy spiral bound booklet. Luckily for us, Shirley Faucher was on duty at registration and told us where YB Central was located. It was easy to spot, with more help from Brad Barrus, across the walkway from Jim "Mad Dog" Faucher's Honda Transalp, festooned with pink flamingos.

The fairground was located right near the railroad tracks, probably a throwback to days of yore when circuses traveled by rail. A back corner of the grounds even held a few retired locomotives and a railway museum. There was shaded camping, but even by Thursday afternoon camping space was already tight.

Maurice The Washington State club, camped beside YB Central, set up a pair of Easy-Up striped awnings outfitted with misting devices, and offered a veritable oasis shaded by inflatable palm trees. There was a wading pool complete with floating lounge chair, which proved nearly irresistible as the hot late day sun beat down. Temperatures had been expected to be 75-80, but shot into the 90's just in time for our arrival, and held there. But our own Rob Nye and Peter Munro had set up a very nice hospitality area, with tarp and picnic table. Jim Bud Budlimya, Maurice Kornreich [pictured with boots], Roy Bertalotto, Phil Keppelman, and John Davis were all there to greet us. Kermit chairs were deployed and tents pitched. Dave and Tina Swider checked in, ahead of the planned MOA Forums gathering in the beer tent that evening. Then Chace arrived, much to our relief, having enjoyed her first night of NOT camping in six days on the road. We all moved on into the beer tent to socialize with the MOA Forums mavens-- I got to meet a bunch of the people behind all the clever avatars and handles, including Gambrinus, BradfordBenn, and Boxergrrrlie.

Friday morning, Gail arrived on site early with a friend in tow and several boxes of Krispy Kremes in her top case. They didn't last long. Duly fortified, I went shopping. And the shopping... a nice air conditioned vendor exhibition hall was accompanied by a slew of vendors outside, all the usual suspects except the BMW Demo fleet and apparel trailer. Oh, well. I got a new nametag printed, bought some deerskin gloves to wear and caught up with Josh Ascher, Ray McKenna, and John and Andrea Borella. Dr. Fred Castelluci was there with a friend who had come all the way from South Africa to attend. This gentleman, who may be more adept with the English language than he thinks, came up with a great word to describe a hopelessly messed up situation... "Confuculated!"

I volunteered for a shift in the beer tent with the MOA Forums group, it was a real education. Sure, I've DRUNK beer, but seldom served it! Jim "Santa" Klas and the Manic Mechanic taught me the finer points of pulling microbrew, and left me in the good hands of a lass named Kathy who had actual bartending experience, and we did a stint late Friday afternoon. I only dropped ONE bottle of good Cabernet Sauvignon, and didn't injure anyone, although I was sorely tempted.

I am embarrassed to say that I didn't spend any time riding in or scoping out the city of Spokane. Saturday I did go off site midday to do laundry, but that was the extent of it. I was able to buy oil change supplies on site, and despite Rob Nye's generous offer to help, I was able to manage (almost) by myself at the oil change area with some help from Gail and bystander Mark Zimmer from the BMW Club of Colorado. It is a nifty setup; the volunteers provide the filter wrenches in the various sizes, the oil drain pans, oil disposal, rags, hand cleanser, and encouragement. Gail lent the surgical gloves and Mark talked me through it. Voila!

As for facilities, some of the hot showers on site were courtesy of a nifty stainless shower trailer-- I had the chance to chat up the driver, who told me that his company usually served "hot shot" firefighters, and that they had lost one of their expensive custom rigs in a wildfire last year. The fair staff did a great job with the sanitary facilities; washrooms were plentiful, tidy, and well stocked.

We attended closing ceremonies Saturday evening, which involved a parade of flags with riders on horseback and Native American dancers in full regalia. Then our rally chair moved us on to awards. Despite the earnest efforts of three Yankee Beemer women to snap up a long distance solo award, a less than 2,500 mile performance took it. But we were comforted by a very credible club win for Most Members Miles by a Chartered Club: 1st place: Yankee Beemers, Club #153 - 20 attending -51,388 mi. And we had a show in the 5 Farthest Chartered Clubs with Five or More Members Present: 3rd place: Yankee Beemers, Club #153 -2,569 mi. A professional announcer was employed for introductions, and Tina and Dave Swider [pictured right] were among the presenters, along with Paul and Tricia Taylor (he of Iron Butt fame) and it never ceases to amaze me how comfortably some ordinary people can project and e-nun-ci-ate in front of crowds! They moved things along pretty well, but it was apparent by repeated prize drawings that a lot of folks who could have been winners had made other plans for the evening.

Paul and Voni Glaves were recognized with A Friend of the Marque plaque, and Dave Swisher was hot on the trail of his second million miles. The Inland Northwest Candlelighters (INC), in support of families dealing with childhood cancer and its aftermath, gratefully received our charitable donations.

Flush with club victory, we returned to YB central in time for a bountiful feast prepared by the Sheepshagger, Rob, Mike Andrews, Dr. Raoul Laguarda, and Chris DiRienzo involving stir fried steak, vegetables and ponderous spices. Just as I had anticipated, a better offer for a homeward trip came as Chace received an irresistible invitation to continue her summer in the saddle by accompanying the Sheepshagger and Rob to the Adventure Riders' campout in Colorado, which she wisely accepted.

I opted out of the Saturday night festivities in the beer hall, and hit the sack for an early departure for BC and Alberta on Sunday. Fresh oil and filter, clean clothes... two more weeks of vacation.

Life is good.

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