Like most of you, my focus has been extremely scattered this past month. With the days getting shorter, it seems like I am trying to squeeze more agenda items into that diminishing block of time between sunrise and darkness. Needless to say, I am not getting as much done as I would like.
We carried a lot of action items from the September meeting all the way through to the October meeting, so we have a lot on our plate to finish out the year.
Our January meeting will mark the beginning of our second year of existence as a Chapter, and it has been a great start. We have participated in some memorable events and rubbed elbows with some new friends and acquaintances over the past year, and the agenda for 2008 promises to be even better.
On November 17th, the day our next regular meeting is scheduled, there will be a”Feed the Children” food drop at the White Center Food Bank. Our Chapter will meet up at the Kitsap Bank / Port Orchard Marina parking lot at 7:00 am, and then ride to the Southworth Ferry to catch the 7:40 boat to Fauntleroy. We will have our Chapter Meeting during the crossing, and then ride to Renton Motor Sports where we will form up with all the other participating chapters to escort the truck to White Center. This is one of the reasons we ride as members of STAR Touring and Riding Association, and I am looking forward to participating in this event.
We are in the process of considering nominations for our 2008 Chapter Officers, and have put together a nominating committee which will meet this week to offer a list of members’ names. Of course, any member can offer a nomination, so I encourage everyone to participate. (Update: We did meet, and I will send out a brief description of our discussion.)
If you have any warm blankets, sleeping bags, or coats/jackets/sweaters that you are no longer using, please drop them off with Cindy at the Brother’s Power Sports in Bremerton. Cindy is involved in feeding the homeless, and your donations will be greatly appreciated.
Much more to come.
Ride safely.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Saturday, September 15, 2007
September Ride
Our original ride was supposed to be to Hurricane Ridge, but Pete mentioned that the low clouds would likely obstruct any view we hoped to enjoy…so, after a brief discussion, we decided to have Jim Johnson lead us on the Purdy Canyon ride which had been previously abandoned due to weather.
Greg Sandstrom, Doug Mountjoy, Pete and Sue Inman, Dan Foy, Jeff and Anita Loehmer, “Dez” Deshotel, Richard Huff, and Dick Lamphere joined Jim Johnson for a total of nine motorcycles.
We rode along the canal as far as the Skokomish River, and then followed the river up to Highway 101 then past Shelton to the Little Creek Casino. We committed ourselves to the luncheon buffet, which was much better than “very good”.
From the casino, we rode to Allyn where we stopped to see Roy and Kris at “Twisted Angel Biker Wear”. They let us know that their winter hours will be week ends only, and they hope to be busy every week end until they get back to normal hours in the spring. They usually have a pot of coffee on, so plan to stop by when you are in their neighborhood.
A few of us stopped at Starbucks in Belfair, and the rest scattered for home. It was a good day to ride, and a great group to do it with.
Greg Sandstrom, Doug Mountjoy, Pete and Sue Inman, Dan Foy, Jeff and Anita Loehmer, “Dez” Deshotel, Richard Huff, and Dick Lamphere joined Jim Johnson for a total of nine motorcycles.
We rode along the canal as far as the Skokomish River, and then followed the river up to Highway 101 then past Shelton to the Little Creek Casino. We committed ourselves to the luncheon buffet, which was much better than “very good”.
From the casino, we rode to Allyn where we stopped to see Roy and Kris at “Twisted Angel Biker Wear”. They let us know that their winter hours will be week ends only, and they hope to be busy every week end until they get back to normal hours in the spring. They usually have a pot of coffee on, so plan to stop by when you are in their neighborhood.
A few of us stopped at Starbucks in Belfair, and the rest scattered for home. It was a good day to ride, and a great group to do it with.
Safety Training
Safety training scheduled for Sunday, September 16th has been cancelled, and will be rescheduled.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Update 9/10
Pete, Lonnie, Doug, and I got together for a social lunch at The Corner Deli in downtown Port Orchard today, and we had a free-for-all discussion regarding a number of topics that pertain to all of us (and you).
Our September Meeting will be this coming Saturday (9:00 AM at The Brother’s Power Sports in Bremerton) with a scheduled ride to Hurricane Ridge directly following the meeting. We have also planned to stop at the Seven Cedars Casino for a late lunch on the way back. Note: There is probably a fee to ride into the park on our way to Hurricane Ridge. I will check into that, and post a comment on the Yahoo Group.
On Sunday, September 16th we will convene on Pete and Sue’s place near Port Townsend for a 12:30 PM training session that we encourage everyone to attend. This gathering will address Road Captain, Tail Gunner, and Group Riding issues that will emphasize SAFETY. We will also have an opportunity to consume some groceries and visit with our remarkable co-members of Chapter 403.
The Port Orchard contingent will meet at, and leave from the Marina parking area. We will pull out at 11:00 AM Sunday morning to ride to Pete and Sue’s.
Please let us know if you plan to attend, so lunch can be properly planned.
We are already making plans for the ride to Post Falls, Idaho next June. If you plan to attend the NW Star-B-Q 2008, make sure you are part of the conversation now (when it counts).
There will be a State-wide meet-up of Star Touring and Riding members at Soap Lake next summer that promises to be great fun. It won’t be elaborately structured with side events or rides, but it will be an opportunity to rub elbows with some good folks we don’t bump into very frequently. Hey…it is a ride somewhere and back, and that is always a good thing.
Be safe out there...
Our September Meeting will be this coming Saturday (9:00 AM at The Brother’s Power Sports in Bremerton) with a scheduled ride to Hurricane Ridge directly following the meeting. We have also planned to stop at the Seven Cedars Casino for a late lunch on the way back. Note: There is probably a fee to ride into the park on our way to Hurricane Ridge. I will check into that, and post a comment on the Yahoo Group.
On Sunday, September 16th we will convene on Pete and Sue’s place near Port Townsend for a 12:30 PM training session that we encourage everyone to attend. This gathering will address Road Captain, Tail Gunner, and Group Riding issues that will emphasize SAFETY. We will also have an opportunity to consume some groceries and visit with our remarkable co-members of Chapter 403.
The Port Orchard contingent will meet at, and leave from the Marina parking area. We will pull out at 11:00 AM Sunday morning to ride to Pete and Sue’s.
Please let us know if you plan to attend, so lunch can be properly planned.
We are already making plans for the ride to Post Falls, Idaho next June. If you plan to attend the NW Star-B-Q 2008, make sure you are part of the conversation now (when it counts).
There will be a State-wide meet-up of Star Touring and Riding members at Soap Lake next summer that promises to be great fun. It won’t be elaborately structured with side events or rides, but it will be an opportunity to rub elbows with some good folks we don’t bump into very frequently. Hey…it is a ride somewhere and back, and that is always a good thing.
Be safe out there...
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
The Ride was fantastic
Our schedule was extended by about four hours with numerous extra stops, but the ride was as good as any we have had as a group.
We took the Kingston ferry to Edmonds, stopped in Leavenworth to wait for the straggler (Blaine Inman), had lunch in Cashmere at Rusty's Drive-in, wandered around Roslyn for an hour, and beat ourselves silly from there to highway 18. The I-90 portion of the trip was the least pleasant (especially the grooved pavement part) because the view goes by too quickly at 70 miles per hour, but that didn't detract from the rest of the trip.
I have a few pics that will get posted on our Yahoo Group, but my camera needs a tune-up, so I didn't get as many good photos as I would have liked. There were more cameras this trip, so perhaps some of those pics will get posted also.
For those who weren't able to participate in this ride, I highly recommend it. I know it will show up on the schedule next year, so plan to be there.
Thanks to everyone who did show up.
Monday, August 13, 2007
The Ride is on
The weather should be perfect for our three pass ride this coming Saturday, so get your grin on.
The Port Orchard riders will be meeting at Brother’s around 7:00 AM or so, and the plan is to leave from there for the Kingston ferry dock by 7:15 AM.
We will meet at the ferry dock at 8:00 AM to ensure that we all make it on board the 8:35 AM departure for Edmonds. If anyone is planning to accompany the group in a vehicle rather than motorcycle, let us know ahead of time so we keep you informed regarding scheduled stops.
Using our arrival at Kingston at 8:00 AM as the starting point, we will cover approximately 290 riding miles in about eight and a half hours (including two one hour stops). Leavenworth will show up on the highway at 11:15 AM or so, and that will probably be our first major stop. The next major stop will be North Bend at somewhere around 2:00 PM. At that point, we will have about 220 riding miles behind us. North Bend to Port Orchard is about 70 miles, so the last leg won’t be too rough.
Make sure you bring sun glasses for that last stretch in case we hit I-90 later than I expect. The setting sun can be brutal going west. Bring money for the 50/50 also.
Pete and I are hoping that someone (Bill Culbertson or Doug Mountjoy) will show up that can guide us through Edmonds to Monroe without using too much freeway. There will be about 50 miles of I-90 that we can’t avoid.
Comments, questions and suggestions are encouraged over at the Yahoo Group.
The Port Orchard riders will be meeting at Brother’s around 7:00 AM or so, and the plan is to leave from there for the Kingston ferry dock by 7:15 AM.
We will meet at the ferry dock at 8:00 AM to ensure that we all make it on board the 8:35 AM departure for Edmonds. If anyone is planning to accompany the group in a vehicle rather than motorcycle, let us know ahead of time so we keep you informed regarding scheduled stops.
Using our arrival at Kingston at 8:00 AM as the starting point, we will cover approximately 290 riding miles in about eight and a half hours (including two one hour stops). Leavenworth will show up on the highway at 11:15 AM or so, and that will probably be our first major stop. The next major stop will be North Bend at somewhere around 2:00 PM. At that point, we will have about 220 riding miles behind us. North Bend to Port Orchard is about 70 miles, so the last leg won’t be too rough.
Make sure you bring sun glasses for that last stretch in case we hit I-90 later than I expect. The setting sun can be brutal going west. Bring money for the 50/50 also.
Pete and I are hoping that someone (Bill Culbertson or Doug Mountjoy) will show up that can guide us through Edmonds to Monroe without using too much freeway. There will be about 50 miles of I-90 that we can’t avoid.
Comments, questions and suggestions are encouraged over at the Yahoo Group.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Wisdom shared by Sue
I spent some time going through my pictures this morning (everything related to Star Touring and Riding), and it came to mind that Pete, Sue, John, Lonnie, and Marty spend a lot of time riding to where ever we are going to meet up...so they can ride some more...with us. I know they all enjoy riding as much as anyone, but they also have busy lives outside our club.
I just got an email from Sue that put it all in perspective for me:
A MAYONNAISE JAR AND 2 CUPS OF COFFEE
When things in your life seem almost too much too
handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough,
remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had
some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very
large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill
it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the
jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and
poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the
golf balls. He then asked the students again if the
jar was full they agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured
i t into the jar . Of course, the sand filled up
everything else. He asked once more if the jar was
full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from
under the table and poured the entire contents into
the jar, effectively filling the empty space between
the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
"I want you to recognize that this jar represents
your life. The golf balls are the important things-
your God, family, your children, your health, your
friends, and your favorite passions--things that if
everything else was lost and only they remained your
life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your
job, your house, and your car.
The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.
If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued,
"there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life. If you spend all your time
and energy on the small stuff, you will never have
room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your
happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get
medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner.
Play another 18. There will always be time to clean
the house and fix the disposal."
Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that
really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just
sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what
the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just
goes to show you that no matter how full your life may
seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of
coffee with a friend."
Please share this with someone you care about.
I JUST DID
I just got an email from Sue that put it all in perspective for me:
A MAYONNAISE JAR AND 2 CUPS OF COFFEE
When things in your life seem almost too much too
handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough,
remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had
some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very
large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill
it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the
jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and
poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the
golf balls. He then asked the students again if the
jar was full they agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured
i t into the jar . Of course, the sand filled up
everything else. He asked once more if the jar was
full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from
under the table and poured the entire contents into
the jar, effectively filling the empty space between
the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
"I want you to recognize that this jar represents
your life. The golf balls are the important things-
your God, family, your children, your health, your
friends, and your favorite passions--things that if
everything else was lost and only they remained your
life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your
job, your house, and your car.
The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.
If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued,
"there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life. If you spend all your time
and energy on the small stuff, you will never have
room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your
happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get
medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner.
Play another 18. There will always be time to clean
the house and fix the disposal."
Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that
really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just
sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what
the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just
goes to show you that no matter how full your life may
seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of
coffee with a friend."
Please share this with someone you care about.
I JUST DID
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