Harley Picnic & Olympics

Today we went to Huntley for the Beartooth HOG Chapter picnic and olympics. It was alot of fun and we got to have a good time with our new friends. There is another couple from Hardin in the group. In fact they are neighbors of ours just around the corner. We had good food catered in. We ate burgers, hot dogs, chicken, potato salad, broccoli salad, fruit, chips and drinks. There must have been about 30 of us there. It was a family picnic, so there were a few kids present. After we ate, the games began. We got in on the balloon toss. The balloons were filled with water and had been sitting in water, so nobody got a dry balloon. We made it to the final round, but I didn't throw the balloon far enough for Gary to catch it. He didn't get wet, the balloon landed on the ground. You should have seen one catch I made with the balloon. I caught it between my pinky fingers and didn't drop it. Just laid it on the ground to get it back in my hands to toss back. For the bike wash game, the driver had to go under a rope and the passenger had to throw a water balloon over the rope and catch it without breaking. We were going to do this together, but one of the kids really wanted to play, so he was Gary's passenger. He threw the balloon too hard. It hit Gary on the shoulder and then fell to the ground. Neither one of them got wet with a water balloon. Some of the drivers did get wet when the balloons landed on them. The next game was the plank race. You got into teams of 4 and you have your feet strapped onto a plank. You have to work together to make it across the finish line. It was alot of fun to watch. We were going to get in, but let a couple kids get in on the fun. The third game was to see how slow the driver could go before putting his foot on the ground. Gary didn't get in on this game because he has the advantage. With a trike, he could go as slow as a snail and his foot would never touch the ground. The highlight of the games was the pie eating contest. Only 4 people got in on this and one was a kid. It sure was fun watching these guys eat the pies, but what a mess. There was pie in their hair and one guy has a beard and mustache. One was a kid and he did pretty good at first but then he got too full. The other two people were father and daughter. They had 5 minutes to eat as much pie as they could. The lone female won, at least according to the official. To me it looked like the father ate the most. He only had the bottom crust left of his pie. The pie eating was the highlight of the games. The prizes were pretty good stuff, from the Harley dealership. There were cups, water bottles, mouse pads, coasters. Afterwards everyone left. It was hot today, but at least a breeze was blowing to cool things off just a bit and the park was shady. It sure was a fun day for all. Next year we both are going to be more prepared.

I almost forgot, we got to Huntley early so we stopped at the local bar to get a diet coke. Gary stayed outside and was checking things out on the bike, so I went in to get the coke. There was a guy in there talking to me and welcoming me to their little town and then he asked me to have a seat. I told him that my husband was outside waiting for me. He assured me that he wasn't hitting on me and I told him of course he wasn't. I thought I was going to have to take Gary inside just to prove to the guy that I really have a husband. It was funny. Gary has been teasing me about getting hit on. I figure what the hey, I still got it.

Dr. Appointments, State Games, Harley Meetings

Life is just busy as the summer moves along. What a busy week we had last week. On Wednesday the head wolf had his annual doctor appointment at the VA. We both took the whole day off from our jobs and it sure was nice. Nothing like driving 85 miles to the VA, but it was a nice day. His appointment was at 11 am, but he had to have all of his lab work done 2 hours before his appointment. The lab opened at 7:30, so we got there as soon as it opened. He had to fast before the lab, so afterwards we went out and ate breakfast. He got a great checkup, said that he is as healthy as a 20 year old. Boy was the wolf gloating. The doc took hypertension off of his chart and just told him to keep up what he was doing. Next week he has to see a dermatologist. He has a spot on his back that has changed and a new one has appeared on the back of his leg. Now he is not worried about it and thinks I'm crazy to have him check it out. He will thank me. I have to go to show the doc which one to check out. The first doc didn't see anything wrong, but he was looking at the wrong spot.

Friday was an exciting day. We had 3 of our martial arts kids have a promotion test, so we had to be there. It was also the opening ceremonies for the state games. I decided to go to the test instead of going to opening ceremonies. It was a good choice. That afternoon a storm came through fast and hard for about 30 minutes. We had golf ball sized hail and heavy rain. The rain coming off the roof of the court house looked like a waterfall. I've never seen that much water come off the roof. My car looked like a boat in the parking lot. So much water that the drain couldn't handle it all. I literally had to take off my shoes, roll up my pant legs and wade through the water to get into my car. Later that night while I was at the test, high winds came through and a rain shower fell on the people at the opening ceremonies. At least I was warm and dry.

Saturday was the day of the tournament and we had 7 students competing. This is a different format than what we are used to. Usually we are done by 3 in the afternoon, but there were so many competitors that we didn't get done until 6:30 that night. Naturally one of our student's was the very last competitor. We are proud to say that every one of the students received a medal. Unfortunately one of them was in a big mess. They first awarded her a medal, the took it away from her. Needless to say we were upset and so were her parents, but we got it all straightened out. It was after the tournament was over that we got it straightened out, and they had already left. We have her medal for her. It sure was a long day, but at least it wasn't beastly hot. Usually it is in the triple digits for the state games and this year it was in the 90's.

Sunday we had a Harley chapter meeting in Roscoe. We've never been in Roscoe, and why should we. It's just a little spot on the map and off the interstate. It sure was a nice ride on the bike getting there. For the group rides, we stay on the little two lane roads. We are never going to leave the state on the bike, so many two lanes roads in the state to check out. We ate a very delicious lunch at the Grizzly Bar. After our meeting was over, we headed over to Red Lodge to see some of the Iron Horse Rodeo festivities. By the time we got to Red Lodge most of the people were gone. There was some vendors still there and a few bikers. The head wolf wants to go to the festivities next year. Sounds like we need to be there on a Saturday. There was some controversy about the event in Red Lodge this year. Seems like the locals hate it because of all the noise and lack of parking when the bikers come through. They are afraid that it will start turning into another Sturgis as the event gets bigger every year.

For now life is back to normal, but will start to pick up again on Sunday. That will be for another post. August is filling up fast too.

Patriot Guard Riders

So far this month we have had two missions for the Patriot Guard Riders. Our first mission in July was in Laurel. Kimberly Johnson was an active member of the Navy. She was stationed in Virginia and was killed in a motorcycle accident. We got the call for the mission but it was short notice. Her funeral was on the 3rd. We went because we were both off anyway and we figured that they needed as many members as they could get. There were about 15 of us for her family.

The mission today was for Donald Wolfe who was from Hardin. He was killed in action in Viet Nam in 1967 and was laid to rest today. For many decades his remains were lost and was just recently identified. His daughter was born about a week after he died. His family was here in town today and he was buried at the Little Bighorn Battlefield. Our group was called and we ended up staging in two different areas. We stationed with about 30 others at Bullis's funeral home and we escorted him to the cemetary. The family came out and talked to each and every one of us. We were even invited to come inside for part of the service. Gary had the honor for the missing man formation. When the motorcycles escort to the cemetary, they are side by side. There is one spot saved for the missing man and we got that honor today. The only problem with being in this spot, is we don't get to see the procession.

There were about 100 other Patriot Guard Riders who has staged at the cemetary. Not only were the Patriot Guard Riders there, but also some Viet Nam veterans. It sure was a sight to see all the flags. Gary and I were both honored to be a part of this.

Quite a few of us came into to town to eat lunch at the 4 Aces. We do have support vehicles and one lady in her vehicle was having problems. Some of the guys with us are mechanics, so they went out got her car going and brought it into town. We took it to the Chevy dealer for her Ford vehicle. It was determined that her fuel filter wasn't working properly, anyway she got fixed and on her way home to Billings. About 8 of us stayed with her to make sure that she would make it home. I told her that if needed we would give her a ride back to Billings. The others made sure that she got home ok, they followed her on their motorcycles.

There were at least 65 motorcycles at the cemetary, some came from all over, Wyoming, the Dakotas, Nebraska and one woman came all the way from Florida. She had a MIA bracelet and it was Donald Wolfe. She felt that she needed to come. We did get to meet her and she was a very nice lady. She couldn't believe how friendly everyone was and she felt right at home. The photo is from today of the Patriot Guard flag line.

We are both honored to be able to perform this duty for our fallen veterans and service members.

Happy Birthday America

Just wanted to take this time and wish America a Happy Birthday. Want to wish a Happy Independence Day to all the men and women serving our country.

Trying the Blog Thing

Here I am trying a new venture, blogging. I got the idea from my sisters who have their blogs. I enjoy reading them and can catch up on family news. I have many adventures here in the wolf den, even though my children are all grown. Two have left the den, one is still here. When she is not working, she stays in her lair most of the time. She comes out just to let us know that she is still here.

Thought life would be easier when the cubs left the den, but life seems to be busier. I always have something on my calendar.

Not only do I work full time, the hubby and I also run the martial arts school here in town, so we are never bored.