Cheryl: Tomorrow morning we’re on the road on Starship Snoopy at 8:00 a.m., so we thought we’d update you on today’s happenings and what’s up for Tuesday. Don’t miss reading Frank’s early morning blog for today that follows this one.
I love coming to Norton rallies because the women here are so down to earth, outspoken and don’t mind getting their hands dirty or greasy. They either ride their own bikes or tag along with their enthusiast husbands without complaint (well, maybe a few ripe comments here and there). It’s a relief to find out how much our husbands have in common in the relationships department and swap stories of how we deal with it all. Someone said today she told her husband, “You better be glad I love you so much or I wouldn’t put up with _________!” Fill in the blank with something about a m/c project currently and perpetually in progress that he spent too much money on in the first place. Spoken like a true “biker chick.”
Our friends, Barney and Claudia, arrived from Phoenix today as well tons of other friends we loved catching up with from years past. We hung out at the registration tent for awhile, and Frank was interviewed by a reporter for a local rag about the beginnings of the INOA. That was cool and also it was sweet that the rally organizers saved the 0001 registration wrist band especially for Frank. (I got 0005, and I didn’t realize Frank had been married that many times.) Oh well, to be 0002, I guess I’d have to at least own a Norton of my own.
I didn’t get any hiking done today as the weather started out looking rather threatening with lots of wind. I convinced Frank to take down the trailer’s awning so, of course, it almost immediately cleared up leaving white puffy clouds all over a deep blue sky. Where those thunderheads disappeared to I really can’t imagine, but I swear I saw them, honey! (Nope, haven’t killed each other yet – close- very close)
We’ve been riding the bicycles around the campground and the hill right before the registration tent is steep. At an altitude of over 7,000 feet, we are really huffing by the time we top that hill. The good news is that flying insects don’t especially like high altitude; so unless you run out into a field and mingle with some cows, you won’t find any flies or mosquitoes.
Mornings have been crisp and pleasant, early afternoons hot and breezy, but evenings quickly chill out when the sun goes down making nights perfect for sleeping. You can imagine how much we appreciate the change from 115 degrees in Phoenix.
The ride tomorrow takes us up the million dollar highway from Durango to Silverton and then home through Ouray and Telluride for a more than 200-mile twisty-turney day clinging to the edge of mountain roads with no guardrails. It’s highly unlikely that anyone will see us at Casino Night in town for dinner and gambling tomorrow evening! We’ll probably hang around here for beer and burgers at the Echo Basin Resort restaurant.
We’ve hired a teenager named Josie to keep the dogs company since we’ll be gone all day tomorrow, and they aren’t used to all the wind and trailer noises (you will remember our trailer-eating dog experience from last year.) Peanut and Buddy love the woods and the smells of night critters they find during our morning walks. Except for barking at the horses and an occasional stranger, they’re behaving well so far. Everyone in the campground wants to pet Peanut and take him home – Buddy just rolls his eyes.
We’re having chili in the big tent with the rest of the Norton crowd this evening, and I’m thinking of making Frank sleep out in the truck tonight. (Frank Sez: Ain't be happening!" We’re expecting to see our Albuquerque friends, Hal and Sally, from many, many Norton moons back at the gathering tonight.
My rally pin now graces my Kokomo Kid ball cap along with two other Norton pins, including a Union Jack, I bought from Lois’ annual Norton regalia display at the big tent. Also got two matching cranberry windbreakers sporting the Norton logo. They stuff into the pocket in front making a neat package for carrying on a bike, so now Frank and I are properly decked out.
Don’t expect to hear from us tomorrow since we’ll be on the road again - two up on two wheels.
Later gators!
Love, F & C – B & P
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