Hi
Gang, Well, we all met at the Best Western Inn in Manteca, at the cafe next
door. John and I arrived around 10:20, which meant we had a little over an hour
to spend, while we waited for all the others to show up. So we sat there
staring at each other, and telling what ever story that came to mind, plus we
had a real nice young lady as a waitress, who had a very good sense of humor,
so needless to say we gave her a pretty hard time. Finally everyone started
showing up, after they all arrived we went out side so the smokers could drive
another nail into the old wooden box, at 1:40 we mounted up and I led us all
down to Ripon. We had to ask for directions twice, we finally got parked,
but found out we were about six blocks from the food booths, we knew if we moved
the bike, we would never be able to park again, so we walked all six blocks,
thank god they were short blocks. We tried to kinda stay together, but
there were so many people there we got separated pretty quickly, we all checked
out the booths that the vendors had set up, especially the ones with the food,
the prices reminded me of the Fresno County fair. There were lots of booths
with lots of little trinkets to choose from, John bought his wife & daughter
a gift and promptly left it hanging on a barricade, although I can't say it
was all his fault. We were watching the parade go by, lots of old
model fords, and a few other old cars, there was one 55T Bird that was a dream.
Anyway back to the story, we were watching the parade and John got tired of
holding the bag of gifts, so he hung them on the barricade and told me to remind
him to pick them up when we left. Now telling me to remind you to do something
is like telling a Harley Davidson not to vibrate, my memory is shorter
than (you know what) and yes we both walked off and left the gift bag hanging
on the barricade .I know who ever found it was very delighted with them, because
they were both nice gifts. John remembered them when we were going south through
Livingston. He was going to return to the place where we were standing,
but the city was picking up the barricades when we left, so I know almost for
sure they were gone for good, and we were close to an hour away by than.
Any way everyone enjoyed them selves, got to do a little shopping, eat fattening
food and watch a real live small town parade, lots of pretty girls riding horses,
& floats, several ROTC cadet groups, and three or four Veterans organizations.
After the parade I was going to suggest we go someplace for lunch, than I remembered
all the food we had been stuffing down our throats all day, so I decided to
keep that suggestion to myself. Rex & Dannette were there with us,
Don & Doris were home with the flue, (poor kids), Rex and Dannette decided
to go back to the bike just before the parade was over, so I told them we would
see them back at the bikes.
Well when we got back they were gone must have had a date later on and had
to run. We all said our goodby's and some headed north, some west, and some
south. But I think everyone who showed up enjoyed the day out away from all
the traffic and hollering/screaming kids and nagging mother in laws. Next
month we will be going south to the Pinnacles, for our first camp out of the
season, you will find all the information you will need on the web site.
I will be out of state from the 3rd through the 16th, so if you need anything
you can contact Bob Webb, he is the VP and the man in the know.
Also please remember to give me a head count of how many people we will have
going down there, plus we need to know how many vehicles will be going, just
send Bob an E-mail if you are planning to go, I have a few already, so those
of you who haven't made up your minds yet, you can tell Bob. Keep the
rubber side down, and may the lord ride with you.
Uncle RayWalls
President
Nor Cal Voyagers