Early Saturday morning, 23 May, thirty BMCU members were enticed to the South Jordan meeting place pavilion, by the aroma of fresh, hot coffee and newly baked donuts. The forecast for rain wasn’t going to stop this group from having fun! Jim handed out tickets for the raffle drawing as Gary Meldrum had us drawing naughty playing cards for our Poker Run.
We arrived in Nephi right on schedule with only one serious problem encountered going past the NSA facility on Redwood Rd. That problem, as it turned out, would haunt us most of the weekend. One dead skunk! Seems that skunk wanted to accompany Barry and marked his trailer with the VERY distinct skunk scent. To Barry’s credit, at every stop along the way, he went to the local car wash and attempted to extinguish the stink. This gave the title of Skunk Works, a whole new meaning.
As we passed though Salina, we were joined by Doug and Peggy Wright in their beautiful Jaguar, bringing our caravan to 32 people. The Shotgun Lunch in Richfield worked out perfectly. Everyone drew another card and was ready to be on their way. It was a good thing, because we finally were receiving the rain that had been predicted. After a couple of hours driving through scenic roads, having a throttle cable break and be repaired, the Utah Highway Patrol pulling over a semi-trailer truck that seemed intent on causing harm to our group, we arrived at the Red Hills Best Western hotel in Kanab. Smoothly checking into our rooms, the club scattered throughout Kanab for dinner. It was when we were on our way to the Asian Fusion restaurant, that we saw Ron & Kathy Jensen driving, what else, their Jensen. We were now up to 34 in our group!
Sunday dawned, well, the sky got lighter, and a fairly large contingent was on its way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It rained on us and it rained HARD. The Drain & Gain stop at Jacob Lake found us realizing that we were lucky not to be riding the motorcycles that were there, also. The temperature had dropped to cool/cold because of the rain and gain in elevation, 7920′. Leaving Jacob Lake behind us, we cruised into the Park. I asked the Ranger as she checked my Lifetime Pass when they were going to turn on the Sun. Instantly, without batting an eye, she said, “two-thirty.” It wasn’t to be.
When we did gather in the Visitor Center parking lot, however, the rain did stop! In fact, it did not rain on us the entire time we were at the North Rim. The diffused light was dramatic and made photography really fun. The views from the North Rim are simply awesome! Returning to Kanab, we again, encountered heavy rain. Who cares? We were having fun and our cars were not over heating!!!
Sunday night, we literally walked across the street to have dinner at the Rocking V restaurant. Victor was expecting a group of 30 and we were now 36 with Mike’s parents coming in from St George to see him. The professional that he is, Victor accommodated our ever growing throng, with no problem. Even received an email from him when I got home stating that he looks forward to seeing us again.
As has become a BMCU tradition, Sunday night is devoted to live entertainment. The MAD Brothers entertained us into the wee hours. Who are the MAD Brothers? Why they are Mike, Ari, and Drew! Our very own, BMCU, traveling troubadours! To encourage audience participation, I had brought two dozen kazoos to hand out so everyone could join in.
At the intermission, Gary M and Cindy, our newest member, announced the results of the VERY popular Poker Run. Gary, you’ll have to do this with your assistant, Cindy, more than once a year. The Poker Run was a BIG hit. BTW, our newsletter editor, Rob Foye, won the $100 gift certificate from Moss Motors, with a hand of five of a kind. Great drawing, Rob!!
Monday morning the weather Gods were smiling on us. The sky was clear and the sun was a welcome site. Jill and I wished everyone a safe trip home as we stayed an extra day and explored the Coyote Buttes South area on a guided tour. It was spectacular and well worth the extra time. Ask Jill for details when you see her.
From what I’ve heard, the Monday trip home was not without some inclement weather, but that everyone made it with no problems. Our trip home on Tuesday was a dry one until we were on the west side of Utah Lake where we encountered at fierce rain storm. A few miles later, the sun was back out and we even got the Alpine washed and in the garage before more rain came.
The brave group on this year’s Memorial Day Tour were: Ari Ioannides & Roy, Drew Frink, Jim Stover & Linda, Mike & Laura, John & Joan Cowan, Kevin & Marie Cowan, Barry Engstrom & skunk 🙂 , Pugs and Diane Pivirotto, Larry & Margaret Farrington, Frank & Vicki Mousley, Jon Hermance & Alison, Susan Hermance, Gary Meldrum & Cindy, Rob & Mary Foye, John Foye, Rob & Nan Green, Doug & Peggy Wright, Bill & Jan Howes, Ron & Kathy Jensen, Roger & Jill Davis.
Hope to see you touring with us next year on the Memorial Day Weekend. Start planning now, we have!
Addition photos from Ari:Â https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-0DYqRb8eSYanBjZndCVXFYYWM&authuser=0
