Riding That Rocks in Every Issue GWTA New Members 3 GWTA Chapter Listings 6-8 Gold Rush XXVI Info 12-15 Event Calendar 16

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Riding That Rocks In Every Issue GWTA New Members 3 GWTA Chapter Listings 6-8 Gold Rush XXVI Info 12-15 Event Calendar 16

GWTA Contact Information 17 Riding That Rocks GWTA Membership Application 34 Congratulations to the winner of the June “Touring News Cover Contest” Taken on the way to Escalante Canyon, Utah by Dick Holdsworth in July of 2011, Region A, Chapter V, Wa. Dick and Bonnie ride this 2003, 1800 Gold Wing.

ARTICLES National Family Of The Year 4 Advertiser Listing Rally Tickets 5 Region E, Mystery Rides 9-10 Region D, Sharring the Lime Light 10-11 Neosho Fiberglass 14 Rider Education 18 AIM 29 Big Sky Letter 19 Lees Leisure 32 A Life In The Days Of A Biker Pt. 6 20-22 Cover Picture Contest 23 Region E, The Wall Escort 24-25 Region D, Visiting An Old Timer GWTA Member 26 Jubilant July Dates 27 Board Of Directors New Election Application 28 My Last Ride 30-32 Gold Rush Events 35-36

Send articles, photos & changes to: Touring News Magazine, P.O. Box 42403 Indianapolis, IN 46242-0403 Email: [email protected] Touring News is published online 12 times per year for Gold Wing Touring Association (GWTA) in the United States of America. The known office of publication is GWTA, 2415 Directors Row, Suite K, Indianapolis, IN 46241. Postmaster: Send address changes to: GWTA, P.O. Box 42403, Indianapolis, IN 46242-0403. Periodicals postage paid in Indianapolis, Indiana and at additional mailing offices.

2 July 2013 Big Bike Parts New Product Release

TireGard Get’s Some Skin!

Rice Lake, WI – Big Bike Parts is now offering a Silicon Protective Skin to fit over its line of TireGard Wireless Tire Pressure Monitors. These high quality silicon skins are said to encase the TPMSLNAME monitor to minimize damageFNAME or scratches. SPOUSE STATE This Silicon Protective Skin fits all three models: 2 Wheel (13- 315), 3 WheelMIXER Trike Monitor (13-316), and J. Bike and Trailer Anne CO Monitor (13-317).VIENS Kevin J. Sandra L. CT BARCLAY John Katherine IL KNAPP Marv NE SPRY David NE LightYEARLEY Your Mike Night D. Kim ON BARIL Norman Claire ON HalogenSKALKO Dennis or LED.Shoana ON Experience safer and brighter riding with lower fog light kits JEFFREY David G. Carmen ON • DOT Approved • 3 ½” Lights • StandardCANNON GL1800 & Airbag Models Eldon Haley OR

1 ▼ 2 • Easily Installed • Adjustable 0 PAK 8 Ben Diane PA 1 9 1 1

STEVENS ★ 3 Larry oYEARS ★ Pat WA

LABONTE ANNIVERSARY Maure Ruth WA ★

FOR DETAILS AND THE LOCATIONS OF YOUR NEAREST AUTHORIZED DEALER, CALL OR VISIT US ONLINE TODAY! a product of • 1-800-826-2411 • www.bigbikeparts.com

Add On Accessories www.addonaccessories.net AIM www.ON-A-BIKE.com Americade www.tourexpo.com Big Bike Parts TOURING NEWS www.bigbikeparts.com 3 Deal’s Gap Motorcycle Resort www.dealsgap.com Road Runner Magazine www.roadrunner.travel TOURING NEWS 9 Hi GWTA Folks,

Our summer so far…..Enjoying our Gold With the birth of our first granddaughter, Wing and 900 Kawasaki Vulcan Avery. cruisers,Cleaning them down from top to Pushing to finish decorating to make ready bottom. Beauties! for company. Preparing for and participating in a Holding down the fort at work, while others neighborhood garage sale. Showing off are vacationing. “his, hers, and ours” to several curious Preparing for Gold Rush! garage sale shoppers. No, the bikes are Which described activity do you find most “not for sale!!” interesting? Come on over for dinner and Researching six area nurseries for the best we’ll go for a nice leisurely motorcycle ride landscaping treatments, choosing and then follow it up with a dish of ice shrubbery, and solar lights for the front walk. cream! Stop by for a game of checkers on Wow, now we’ve got “curb appeal.” Finding our front porch. God is good. Life is good planter boxes for the front railing and here. planting red geraniums, purple petunias and We sincerely hope that you’re having a good yellow marigolds. summer and that you’re making time to Don’t forget to water the tomato plants. attend Gold Rush next month. We are very Water, water, water. Feeling sorrow for folks much looking forward to a wonderful week who have lost their homes in the Black spent together with you. Forest areas and have nothing to water. If you watch TV try to catch the new Thankful for the folks that live in our documentary called “North America.” It’s neighborhood. Strangers soon become some of the very best nature photography friends. Grateful for Dan’s outgoing and ever caught on camera. friendly personality. We now have come to Oh, remember to bring your camera to Gold know more and more wonderful people Rush too.Beautiful scenery! living within walking distance of our front Hey, hey, hey, Dan says to be safe out porch. Growing in knowledge and faith in there. the Lord Jesus. Attending weekly Bible studies, searching for a church to call our See you at Big Sky! own. Anticipating another surgery on Dan’s left Dan & Kathleen Barker thumb. Looking forward to grandparenthood GWTA Family of the Year 2012

4 July 2013

Celebrate!! Buy Tickets & get

BIG Bangs for your Bucks GWTA Grand Prize Drawing Donation $1.00 (U.S. Funds) Grand Prize: $10,000 CASH (U.S. Funds) or 2013 Harley XR1200 Sportster or 2013 Honda NT700V Drawing will be held July 18, 2013 at the GWTA National Office in Indianapolis, IN ***Winner need not be present to win***

Winner is responsible for any taxes and additional charges. Winner responsible for arranging pickupin Indianapolis, IN if Harley is selected or Plymouth, IN if Honda is selected. Official Rules are posted at www.gwta.org Support our organization by purchasing and selling tickets!! TOURING NEWS 5 REGION A Director St Ch Chapter Name Chapter Director Phone Director Email OR A Rogue Valley Wings Kenneth C. Krois 541-474-1178 [email protected] OR M Mountain Valley Riders David Norton 541-582-3705 [email protected] OR P Columbia Wings Michael Speer 503-690-9783 [email protected] WA A Emerald City Wings Bill Perkins 206-368-8966 [email protected] WA B Stilly Valley Wings Bonnie Brunner 360-722-0035 [email protected] WA C Evergreen Wings Mark & Brenda Waterman 425-316-0783 [email protected] WA D Northwest Wings Al Mitchell 253-468-6759 [email protected] WA E Lake Washington Gold Phil Auberg 206-755-3294 [email protected] WA G Lilac City Wings Wally Youmans 208-733-3902 [email protected] WA I Whidbey Island Wings Garry & Connie Mollerstuen 360-720-2734 [email protected] WA Q The “Q” Crew Charlotte & Andy Manes 360-273-0309 [email protected] WA S Skagit Valley Wings Lee & Jean Eklund 360-630-4021 [email protected] WA U Okanogan Valley Wings Greg & Terry Bolingers 509-422-3450 [email protected] WA V Auburn Valley Wings Vonda & Gary Brest 206-854-9341 [email protected] WA Z Sequim Valley Wings Ed & Jennie Bourassa 360-681-0372 [email protected]

REGION B AZ F F Troop Bob & Sandy Howell 602-615-2459 [email protected] CA NA Grapestompers Manny Bernstein 209-472-9503 CA NB Redwood Wings Tom Garske, Jr. 707-933-9799 [email protected] CA NE Yosemite Wings Bill & Fran Jamison 559-999-4754 [email protected] CA NF River City Wings Kathy Honig 916-366-1436 [email protected] CA NL Clear Lake Road Riders Lynn Hollenback 707-245-4270 [email protected] CA NO Shascade Wings Les Long 530-365-8107 [email protected] CA NP Diablo Valley Wings Harry & Karen Davis 925-686-3774 [email protected] CA NR Monterey Bay Wings Doug & Lori Green 831-338-6804 [email protected] CA NS Gold Country Riders Christy Sonneborn & Dennis Therien 530-877-4279 [email protected] CA NT Tri-County Travelers Thomas (Skip) Trautman 530-633-0857 [email protected] CA NV Woodland Roadrunners Stephen & Christie Cue 530-383-0706 [email protected]

CA NX Lassen Riders Dennis C. Garton 530-200-1984 [email protected] CA NZ Golden Gate Wings Donald Tolbert, Jr. 650-952-7240 [email protected] CA SL Antelope Valley Wings Gary Biddy 818-352-1777 [email protected] CA SO Channel Islands Wings Charles H. Burton 805-647-7382 [email protected] NM A New Mexico Sun Runners John Gilsdorf 575-491-0994 [email protected]

6 July 2013 NM Q New Mexico Desert Runners Alan Rignshall 505-293-0433 [email protected] NV C The Silver State Riders Randie Buss 702-645-7537 [email protected] NV E Vegas Valley Wings Jim & Anne Henry 702-649-3304 [email protected]

REGION C IA A Gold Wing Aces William Warth 319-367-5119 [email protected] IA H Friendship Riders of Iowa Pam Beveridge 515-229-1947 [email protected] IA I Polk County Wings Ben Ress 515-480-1488 [email protected] IA L Loess Hills Riders James Lisiecki 712-256-7855 [email protected] IA P Nishna Valley Wings Yvonna “Jo” Allen 712-527-4229 IL A Central Illinois Wings Marvin Young 815-457-2667 IL B Riverbend Riders Judy (Phil) Schaefer 618-593-8269 [email protected] IL C Windy City Wings Bill Seith 630-217-1829 [email protected] IL H River City Riders Ron VanNatta 309-235-1116 [email protected] IL M Downstate Cruisers Dave & Gladys Berkemeier 618-566-7096 [email protected] IL P Southern Pride Carl & Debbie Williams 618-437-5635 [email protected] NE A Heartland Wings Robert Kennedy 402-292-1801 [email protected] NE B Great Plains Riders Michael Reinert 402-293-9560 NE C Husker Wings Alan Rosenboom 402-797-7335 [email protected] NE E Platte Valley Wings Dale Kleewein 308-520-3429 [email protected] NE G Spirit of Friendship Wings Michael A. Benck 402-491-3371 [email protected] NE M Monarch Wings Barb Mills 402-253-2780 [email protected] NE W Frenchman Valley Riders Lynn Rinehart 308-414-1190 [email protected] NE Y Why Not’s Paula Fleischman 402-560-0372 [email protected] NE Z Country Wings Melvin E. Vogt, Sr. 712-755-2546 [email protected] WI GB N.E.W. Riders Patrick F. Williams 920-455-0244 [email protected]

REGION D TN A Nashville Tour Riders Tony Carpenter 615-793-3005 [email protected]

REGION E CO A Front Range Gold Ron & Sharon Gustafson 303-772-2654 [email protected] KS A Air Capital Wings John Eubank 316-722-0905 [email protected] KS B Eastern Kansas Tour Riders John & Jane Wehr 913-780-4144 [email protected] KS L Leavenworth Tour Riders David Rush 913-683-0930 [email protected] OK X Oklahoma’s First Cindi Hidgins 918-387-2700 [email protected] TX B Roaming Wings James J. Jean 972-255-4525 [email protected]

TOURING NEWS 7 REGION F IN P Presidential Wings Thomas W. Holmes 260-356-4511 [email protected] IN Z Wings n More Tom Howe 219-872-5059 [email protected] MI A Capital Area Wings Eric Larson 517-646-0256 [email protected] MI C Cereal City Wings Charles Brown 269-979-2670 [email protected] MI E Wings of Eagles Keith Diller 269-207-7976 [email protected] MI G Gee Whiz Darryl Dooley 734-469-2050 [email protected] MI H Livingston Wings Mike & Linda Jamros 810-599-8162 [email protected] MI H2 Downriver Wings John Snethkamp 313-530-0713 [email protected] MI M Macomb Explorers Lou & Lynne Kulcsar 586-707-0532 [email protected] MI N Northwood Wings Randy Treynor 616-794-2777 [email protected] MI W West Michigan Roadrunners Carlton Beldon 269-692-3925 [email protected] OH H Hi-Way Cruisers Charles Jewett 440-428-5297 [email protected] OH W Wheels of Friends Paul Uhlman 937-829-7268 [email protected] PA B Keystone Wings Harold (Bud) & Karen Price 814-797-5835 [email protected] PA J Gold Wings Along The Allegheny Robert & Diane Sweed 724-465-2421 [email protected] PA Y Liberty Wings Jeffery & Pamela Kratz, Sr. 215-256-1626 [email protected] PA Z East Penn Riders Rob Schmidt 913-515-8653 [email protected]

REGION H CT M Mid-State Navigators John Muise 203-605-8794 [email protected] CT V Valley Riders Joe Delnicky 203-888-6443 [email protected] ME A Sunshine Riders No CD at this time

REGION J ON F Ajax-Pickering Friendship Riders Denis Kavanagh 905-623-4973 [email protected] ON G Garden City Riders Steve Lawson 905-371-5239 [email protected] ON H Huronia Wings Rose Moore 705-549-4065 [email protected] ON K York Simcoe Riders Beth Parker 905-566-4377 [email protected] ON M Mississauga Wings David Guptill & Hazel Carson 905-799-9912 [email protected] ON NO Nipissing Riders Mickey Sandula 705-663-2696 [email protected] ON T Toronto Wings Richard Hack 416-746-5336 [email protected] ON W Waterloo Wings Kevin & Maysey Dyne 519-653-7542 [email protected] ON Z Barrie Wingz Lynda Wall 705-422-1841 [email protected]

BUFFALO SOLDIERS NJ NJ NJ Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club Dwight Baltimore 609-668-0693 [email protected] NJ CJ Central Jersey Buffalo Soldiers Anthony Williiams, Sr. 732-718-1416 [email protected] 8 July 2013 MysteryMYSTERY Rides RIDES Can CAN HAVEHave TWISTS Twists AND and TURNS Turns

Donna and I have enjoyed organizing four mystery rides over the years for our Chapter A friends. Either leading a group or being led is a BLAST wondering where we are going. Once we have picked the Our third ride was to a little café, Kristie’s destination, set the date, arrange the Kafe in Anthony, Ks. I spotted this café meeting place, now we are set to lead on! while driving thru the town. This was also the home town of Donna's father. The OH if only it was that easy. Of the four rides restaurant just happened to be under the we organized only 1 came off just as we apartment her grandmother lived in the planned. Let’s look at the other 3 rides and 1930-1940’s. Our meeting place was again see how they turned out. a favorite convenience store with gas pumps. When Donna and I arrived the whole place was shut down for good. Oh my what to do now? We could not change

The first ride delivered a little twist to the the meeting place, so we waited for riders to concept. We had just finished building our arrive. Most were ready to go, but some new house; we decided instead of just a needed gas and had to ride back to Wichita house warming party we would do a mystery for gas and back to the meeting place. Did I ride to our house. The night before the ride mention it was in the mid 40’s and cloudy? the Wichita area was hit by a strong What a way to start. Once we started most thunder-storm causing damage. Two days were comfortable then slight mist, a small earlier Donna and I rode the route around snow flurry, a tease in sun, at last we are at south central Kansas and everything was the restaurant ready for hot food. Overall fine then. When we woke that morning it everyone enjoyed the ride. was clear and sunny out, so off we go to start the mystery ride. Our meeting place was a favorite convenience store with gas pumps. When riders arrived they mentioned trees down on some roads. OH well, we are Ride number four shall we say was the twist and turn of them all. I had heard of a BBQ ready to ride. Off to the west, south, east, south, west, north, then last east toward our place in a little town of Pond Creek, OK. I called the BBQ Joint and setup the date and house. The last road was closed, with some back tracking and on to Hwy 400 the time for our arrival. The Tuesday before our Saturday start, I call James to give him the guesses started coming. Arriving about 30 head count. James states we have a little minutes later than planned at our new “problem”. His business partner got mad at house, we all enjoyed the soup and sandwiches that were waiting for us. him and told him he could not use the building for his BBQ sales. GREAT what to

The second ride was the one that came off do now? No real problem he sells his BBQ without a hitch and the longest. Our thanks out of his catering truck and can do that. went out to Don and Sue Shoemaker for the Where do we sit? He got a park permit for joint mystery ride to their house at Kaw lake the park so we will eat there. OK we are set in Ok. again for the mystery ride.

TOURING NEWS 9 Mystery Rides Can Have Twists and Turns cont...

Saturday morning was a great day and we free slabs of ribs to enjoy. were off and riding to the mystery place. After an 80 mile ride, turning the corner into Mystery rides are great events to enjoy with the town of Pond creek, at the park NO your fellow Chapter members. As you have catering truck in site. We parked the read they can turn out great or have those motorcycle with 14 riders ready to eat and twists in them. No matter what, anytime you restroom break. I go to the restrooms,they can ride with your friends and or family it is a are locked. Can it get worse? NO a great day. Donna and I hope everyone grocery store 2 blocks down had restrooms plans a mystery ride at least once. and cleaning supplies for the tables. Now arrives the BBQ catering truck with the RIDE SAFE AND RIDE OFTEN, food. THANK HEAVENS!!!! We all enjoyed great food and conversation. James felt so Kelly Felix bad about all the problems, he gave us 2 Region E Chapter A KS

Sharing the Lime Light

decided that this would be a good time to go

out to sell bike tickets and share information about our association GWTA. It started off as a foggy morning but the sun came up quickly and turned very hot. Jim Quinn arrived at the car show 1st and got us a shady area to set up. He put his car in the show and then

Karen, George and I put our motorcycles in

the show.

10 We had many people come by andJuly 2013 look at the motorcycles and comment about when they were young what type of motorcycles that they rode in their day. We had a very warm day and enjoyed spending it with friends with common interest. After we left the car and bike show we went to Jim and Karen’s for a little while then we headed to Springfield, TN.

It was not long after we got everything set up that Karen and I started walking around to sell bike tickets. At first people only wanted to buy 1 ticket but soon Karen started giving her sells pitch and the ticket sells increased some. You know there are people who can talk anyone in to doing something that they had not planned on doing. Karen Quinn is one of those people that can talk anyone into

Sharing the Lime Light

Here we are in the middle of the doing something they had not thought about spring. One of our members found out about doing. I am glad that I am on her side. a car and bike show that was open to anyone that wanted to come out and show off their pride and joy car or motorcycle. This was taking place in Ashland City, TN. Some of us decided that this would be a good time to go out to sell bike tickets and share information about our association GWTA. It started off as a foggy morning but the sun came up quickly and turned very hot. Jim Quinn arrived at the car show 1st and got us a shady area to set up. He put his car in the show and then Karen, George and I put our motorcycles in the show.

We had many people come by and look at the motorcycles and comment about when they were young what type of motorcycles that they rode in their day. We had a very warm day and enjoyed spending it with friends with common interest. After we left the car and bike show we went to Jim and Karen’s for a little while then we headed to Springfield, TN.

Karen also got pizza and Jim always gets lasagna because it is the best. This restaurant is Torino’s and has been in business for 28 years. If you are traveling through Springfield, TN stop by there and have a meal. You will enjoy your meal I promise.

We went to have dinner at a Greek and Italian restaurant that has some of the best pizza we have in our area. George and I always get the pizza that is called “The Kitchen Sink”. This pizza does have just about everything in it and it has the best flavor that you can ask for. Submitted by Debbie Deskins, Region D

TOURING NEWS 11

Gold Rush 2013 – July 14 – 19, 2013 Big Sky Resort, Montana General website: http://www.bigskyresort.com/ Lodging website: http://www.bigskyresort.com/Lodging/index.asp

LODGING RATES (plus 17% tax) – listed on 2 pages

HUNTLEY LODGE Guests per room: 1 2 3 4 5 6 First Class (2 - 4 guests) $89 $89 $99 $109 Mountain View (2 – 4 guests) $99 $99 $109 $119 Loft (3 – 6 guests) $139 $139 $149 $159 $169 $179

1214 AugustJuly 20132012 Gold Rush 2013 – July 14 – 19, 2013 Big Sky Resort, Montana General website: http://www.bigskyresort.com/ Lodging website: http://www.bigskyresort.com/Lodging/index.asp SHOSHONE CONDOMINIUMS Suite (2 – 4 guests) $180 Loft (2 – 4 guests) $240

THE SUMMIT AT BIG SKY Guests per room: 1 2 3 4 Studio (1- 2 guests) $120 $120 2 Queen Hotel (2 – 4 guests) $135 $135 $145 $155 1 King Hotel (2 – 4 guests) $145 $145 1 Bedroom (4 – 9 guests) $225 2 Bedroom (6 – 8 guests) $315 3 Bedroom (8 – 10 guests) $405

THE VILLAGE CENTER Guests per room: 1 2 Studio (1 – 2 guests) $120 $120 Slope Side Studio (1 – 2 guests) $135 $135 1 Bedroom (4 – 9 guests) $235 2 Bedroom (6 – 8 guests) $325 – 3 Bedroom (8 10 guests) $415

LODGING RATES (plus 17% tax) – listed on 2 pages STILLWATER CONDOMINIUMS Studio (2 – 4 guests) $100 HUNTLEY LODGE 1 Bedroom (2 – 4 guests) $120 Guests per room: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Loft (4 – 6 guests) $150 First Class (2 - 4 guests) $89 $89 $99 $109 Mountain View (2 – 4 guests) $99 $99 $109 $119 2 Bedroom (4 – 6 guests) $155 Loft (3 – 6 guests) $139 $139 $149 $159 $169 $179 BIG HORN CONDOMINIUMS 3 Bedroom (6 – 8 guests) $250

WHITEWATER INN (Hwy 191, 9 miles from Mtn. Village) Guests per room: 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 Queen Hotel (2 – 4 guests) $69 $69 $79 $89 3 Queen Hotel (2 – 6 guests) $99 $99 $109 $119 $129 $139

TOURING NEWS 1315 Gold Rush, Big Sky Resort Information

Camping at Big Sky Just in from Big Sky – Here’s the complete scoop on camping at Big Sky, Montana during Gold Rush. Attached is a map of the resort and the highlighted area where camping is designated. As you can see, it’s fairly close to the hotels and other activities. Below is a list of what this camping location offers/doesn’t offer: -- Area is unpaved -- No fires -- No access to electricity or water -- No lighting in the lot at night; however, there are lit buildings in the area. -- You will have access to the Huntley Lodge Fitness Center and locker room (showers included). The walk to the showers and restrooms is just a couple of minutes. The fitness center is open from 8:00 am – 10:00 pm; however, there are restrooms available in nearby buildings. Camping Option – Overnight camping is available at Big Sky Resort (located in the day skier parking lot). The Price is $20 per couple, per night ($10 per person). Guests understand there is no access to electricity or restrooms in the designated parking area. Guests are permitted to use the Huntley Lodge Showers and locker room during their stay. Big Sky Resort reserves the right to limit the number of camping guests to 20. Note: Additional camping options are available in the area; there is a KOA campground in Bozeman (one-hour drive). The camping area is a parking lot essentially; we kept the hotel rates down to discourage camping in general.

14 July 2013 Gold Rush Big Sky Resort

TOURING NEWS 15 GWTA National Events July 14, 2013 Region F, PA State Rally - September 5-8, 2013 Annual Board Meeting, open to all, room availability TBA Twin Grove Resort & Campground The theme will be the 50’s. July 15-18, 2013 Check GWTA-PA State Newsletter for details and updates. Gold Rush XXVI, Big Sky Resort, Big Sky Mt. WASHINGTON STATE: Regional Events 26th Annual WA State Rally - July 4-7, 2013 Region A, Oregon State Rally - Sept 1 & 2, 2013 Wreaths Across America, December - 14th, 2013 OTHER ORGINIZATION EVENTS: Region C, Golden Wheels - September 20-22 Chatam, IL Southern California Motorcycling Association Double J Campgrounds August 30 - September 2, 2013 Three Flag’s Classic (check out their website) Start in Deming, NM & end in Polo Park, Winnipeg, Region E, Colorado Chapter A-Front Range Gold’s Manitoba, Canada Annaual High Steaks Rendezvous - August 22-25, 2013 (GWTA supports this orginization by manning two of their four checkpionts) Custer, Wyoming For more informatin and flyer, contact: Jim Boggess, [email protected] or 303-772-3755.

Correction for June Issue:

Sue Leamons Paquette is from Region B. Article in June issue on page 30.

Please note that due to tGold Rush, articles for the August issue of Touring News will be due by July 20th. Please send pictures with your articles if available. Remember to send in dates for the Event Calendar for your GWTA upcoming Region, State or Chapter events. Any articles or pictures recieved after this date will be used in the following month’s issue.

Cover Photo Contest submissions will be due in by July 10th for the August issue. See the article in this issue for more information and dates about the contest.

16 July 2013 GWTA NATIONAL OFFICE: P.O. BOX 42403, Indianapolis, IN 46242 - Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5.00pm EST Toll Free: 800-960-4983 Local: 317-243-6822 Fax: 317-243-6833 [email protected] [email protected] Chapter Listings and additional info can be found online at: www.gwta.org www.gotmotorcycle.org

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REGION C Bruce & Linda Keenon www.gwta-c.com P.O. Box 348, Huntington, IN 46750 Illinois, Iowa, Manitoba, Minnesota, Nebraska, [email protected]; 260-358-0851; Fax 260-356-3392 North Dakota, South Dakota, Saskatchewan, Wisconsin EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Region Director: Rick and Penni Hinrichs Eva & Ron Wodehouse 609 Burns Street, Ida Grove, IA 51445 936 Rose St., Longmont, CO 80501 [email protected]; 402-578-2368 [email protected]; 303-776-9836 Board Representative: Bill and Carol Seith NATIONAL EVENT COORDINATOR 917 cleveland Rd. Hinsdale, IL 60521 Tony & Diane Manry [email protected], 630-655-1098 P.O. Box 469, Van Buren, IN 46991 REGION D [email protected]; 765-934-4696 htttp://geocities.com/gwtaregiond WEBMASTER Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, John Hunrath South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia 9265 Amarone Way, Sacramento, CA 95829 Region Director: George & Debbie Deskins [email protected]; 916-682-0734 3330 Edmondson Ct., Murfreesboro, TN 37129 [email protected]; 615-459-4418 PUBLIC RELATIONS/ TOURING NEWS DIRECTORS Glenda & Jim Boggess Board Representative: Jim & Karen Quinn 1429 Lashley St., Longmont, CO 80504 1368 Jason Circle, Ashland City, TN 37915 [email protected], 303-772-3755 [email protected]; 615-792-0546 RIDER EDUCATION DIRECTOR REGION E Doug and Lori Green Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas 14830 Highway 9, Boulder Creek, CA 95006 Region Director: TBA [email protected]; 831-388-6804 Board Representative: Larry and Betty Oswald 339 Hastings Dr. , Cedar Hill, TX 75104 EDUCATION AND RETENTION DIRECTOR [email protected], 972-291-4905 Mike & Carol Brush 12516 Poppleton Ave.; Omaha, NE 68144 REGION F [email protected]; 402-397-4663 www.gwtaregionf.org Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania HELPING HAND DIRECTOR GWTA - 800-960-4982 Region Director: Bob & Kim Davis Local - 317-576-6822 824 Parchmount Ave., Parchment, MI 49004 [email protected]; 269-342-0852 CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Board Representative: TBA Dennis & Darlene Farnum 75 Farnum Lane, Sebago, ME 04029 REGION H [email protected]; 207-576-7476 www.regionhgwta.org Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, LIFE MEMBER BOARD REPRESENTATIVE New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont Eugene and Sylvia Jones 1002 Westlake Woods Drive Region Director: Phil & Sue Rueger Battle Creek, MI 49037 100 Allyndale Road, Canaan, CT 06018 269-968-8380 [email protected]; 860-824-0005 Board Representative: Darlene Farnum REGION A 75 Garnum Lane, sebago, ME 04029 www.gwtaregiona.org [email protected], 207-576-7477 Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming REGION J www.gwtaregionj.com Region Director: Steve & Ralphine Andrus Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario 2108 Lighthouse Dr., Fairfield, CA 94534 [email protected]; 707-429-9547 Region Director: Kevin Welch [email protected] 169 Holmes Ave., North York, ON MZM 4M7 Canada [email protected]; 416-229-9378 Board Representative: TBA Board Representative: Garrie & Eleanor Wayne REGION B 147 Wellington St., West Apt. 714, Aurora, ON L4G 3M1 Canada Arizona, California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah [email protected]; 905-727-5272 Region Director: Steve & Ralphine Andrus 2108 Lighthouse Dr., Fairfield, CA 94534 [email protected]; 707-429-9547 [email protected] Board Representative: Charles Horner P.O. Box 230, Shingleton, CA 96088 [email protected]; 530-474-4291

TOURING NEWS 17

Hi Everyone, Guess Who??

We hope to see you all at Gold Rush in Montana. In preparation for the trip, I want This picture was sent to Touring News to remind you all of a time honored system without any information. If anyone for checking your bike. knows who this is would you please

T-CLOCK let Touring News know? Send your answer and any nformation Here is the breakdown on all the letters> you have to give to:

- TIRES AND WHEELS [email protected] T Air Pressure Tread Cracks, dents, loose spokes Bearings Brakes

C – CONTROLS Levers Switches Cables Hoses Throttle

L – LIGHTS AND ELECTRICS Working Condition

O – OIL AND OTHER FLUIDS How about sending in a caption?! (coolant, hydraulic fluid, fuel) ******************************************* Levels Leaks Region A ….The road sign is on Hwy

C – CHASSIS 36 California from Red Bluff to Suspension Fortuna along the coast. Drive components (chain, belt, Dick &Bonnie Holdsworth,Ch V, WA or driveshaft)

S – STANDS Side stand Center Stand

Before you travel this summer, whether you go to Gold Rush or not, make sure you do a thorough check of your bike using the T-CLOCKmethod.

SAFETY TIP OF THE MONTH – Keep the rubber side down.

See you all on the road,

Doug and Lori Green

18 July 2013 Gold Rush 2013 Gold Rush 2013 Hello Gold Rush Friends.

Destination Friendship is only a few short We are very excited to showcase our weeks away. This will be the last Big Sky property and for all our gold rush friends Resort entry in touring news. I’d like to to visit Big Sky country. Enjoy the ride in. welcome all of our guests to Big Sky! We We look forward to your arrival. are looking forward to your arrival. This article will cover last minute activity Last minute reservations are welcome. details and the wildlife in Big Sky. Let our Big Sky Central Reservations Staff assist you with one easy phone call: First off, don’t delay on your basecamp 800-548-4886. Be sure to mention you activities. If you have activity questions or are with the Gold Rush group to secure would like to make a reservation, please your discounted lodging rates. For more contact our Basecamp staff at 406-995- information on Big Sky Resort, visit: 5769. Reservations are recommended www.bigskyresort.com. as some of our Zipline and Lone Peak See you all soon, Expedition trips will fill up early. -Katie Grice, Big Sky Resort Just yesterday, I came across two moose in the surrounding Big Sky Resort village. While it’s important to keep your distance, both animals provided stunning photos. Lake Levinsky offers a home for several Big Sky animal friends. The beaver families have been residents for years. Guests report sightings several times a day. The lake fox (pictured) is a year round friend who will make an appearance all around resort property.

Be bear aware. While populated, Big Sky is still considered bear country, and daily sightings are reported. It’s always wise to keep your distance. Many guests will hike with bear spray, which is sold in the Big Sky Sports retail outlet. Never leave any Big Sky Resort wishes all food in your bike or vehicle. Bears are Gold Rush 2013 attendees very inventive and have been known to a safe trip! open a vehicle.

TOURING NEWS 19

A Life In The Days Of A Biker Pt. 6 By: Dave Norton - Region A, Chapter M, Moutain Valley Riders. A Life in the Days of a Biker By Dave Norton CD, Region A Chapter M, Mountain Valley Riders

Part 6: Santa Rides a Honda! Last time we left Dave he was trying to motocross his Honda Benly Touring…

By late ’65 buddy Jim’s marriage went sour and he needed money for a divorce so I lent him $200. At that time Norm Reeves Honda in Santa Ana CA held a contest. Test ride a Honda and enter their Santa Rides a Honda contest. Jim rode, entered, and won! The prize was a spanking new black Honda S65, one of their earliest overhead cam singles. 6.2 whopping ponies at 10,000 rpm, 56 mph top. Jim was bike rich and money poor, so I inherited the S65 as payment.

It was a real screamer, but my tastes were becoming increasingly down and dirty, so it went in a trade with the Benly for a new Honda CL160 Scrambler. It seemed a fine compromise, some off-road capability yet street able. Jim soon leap-frogged me onto Photo:Chris Hartman a nice 250 Scrambler and our trips tended more toward the desert.

Photo: Jim Hill Photo: cyclechaos.com

20 July 2013 The Lucerne dry lake near Adelanto was a knew I was still astride the Scrambler, which favored haunt. One unfortunate jackrabbit had disappeared entirely except for the two happened to bolt in front of us and high-tailed rear-view mirrors. I was up to my bellybutton it out across the lakebed. We gave chase in muddy water and 1” thick ice chunks. but as soon as we got near he made a 90° turn at 30 mph and gained 100 yards before The dirt piles, of course, had been put there we could catch up again. By my odometer that summer by a back-hoe digging a coffin- he made it over a mile before collapsing sized hole to measure the water table. I exhausted. We watched Brer Rabbit recover climbed out, hiked back to work, called and head home to tell his friends of the Marilyn (it turned out son Christopher snarling beasts he had so skillfully eluded! graciously waited another two weeks) I’d be a bit late, and winced under an hour’s In ’68 my 160, my new wife and I, and lock barrage of jeers, guffaws and hoots of stock and barrel headed north to Stead Air derision as the rest of the crew took the old Base north of Reno NV to work for Bill Lear Land Cruiser out to the edge, hoiked the bike trying (unsuccessfully) to drag the steam car out of its nearly-final rusting place, and kicking and screaming into the 1960s, winched it back to dry land. We drained the opening vast new horizons to exploration by oil and gas, pulled the plug, flushed it all with motorcycle. In those days you could start out kerosene, refilled the fluids and hit the at Peavine Mountain and ride in any direction starter…it RAN! Perfectly! other than a 30° segment toward Reno and find nary a fence or “No Trespassing” sign. It wasn’t but a few weeks later when I’d been bashing through the boonies, came out on The 160 gained local fame by becoming the 395 and headed north at 70 mph. Unknown first bike in anyone’s experience to sink in a to me, I had jarred the oil drain plug loose, dry lake. Said dry lake, north of the Lear lost it somewhere out there, and the 160’s hangar, was absolutely dead flat and life blood was drawing a diminishing line on perhaps a quarter mile across. It would fill the road behind me. It went something like with runoff in the winter and freeze over this: offering an inviting challenge for Scrambler and me on a Saturday after work. Wife #1 Mmmmmmmmmmmmmrrrmmmmmrrrrrrrmm Marilyn, eight months pregnant, called me at rrrrrrrrRRRRRRRRRRNNNNK! work to suggest I might want to amble on home as she might be starting early labor. I I declutched before the rear wheel locked. asked if I had time for a short detour, she Again, haul it home, drain the oil…scratch agreed, and I headed out to the lake. that…get a new drain plug, refill the oil, pray, pray again, and it RAN! AGAIN! Admittedly, I could walk out on the ice, which would the motor was just a bit off-song, not bad, crack under my feet and sink an inch into the really, just different. muddy bottom. By rolling out onto the ice with both feet sliding along the front wheel So, time for another change. This time I would ride on the ice and the rear would wanted a dirt bike that was street legal rather break through, kicking up a nice rooster tail than a street bike the looked like a dirt bike of mud, water, and ice. After a couple of that was street legal. Unfortunately, the short runs along the edge I figured I’d do one Yamaha and Honda two-stroke enduros more run straight across the middle , right hadn’t appeared yet, and I opted for the between those two piles of dirt. All was fine, Suzuki TC120 for $400, along with new pals ski-iding along at 20 till I got right between Larry Orr and Bob Davids. Mine and Bob’s the two piles and SCHLUMPH! Next thing I were yellow, Larry’s a deep orange.

TOURING NEWS 21 The Suzi was light, came with knobbies, 12 hp at 8,000 rpm, and had 3-speed box with a two-speed transfer case that could be shifted on the fly.

It was a marginal motorcycle. There was (is?) a long downhill going in to Reno from Stead. Every time, every time I rode to town I had to stop at the bottom, pull the plug and remove the whisker from between the electrodes, replace it and be off. It never fouled a plug otherwise. Well, almost never.

When the job evaporated (a sad story of lost opportunity), we hit the road

Photo: cyclechaos.com again.

We honed our skills at a sandlot play- Stay tuned for the part 7: On (Almost) pit out towards Lemon Valley. Any Sunday!

NEWS FLASH from Gold Rush! Gold Rush XXVI Gold Rush Attendees July 14th, Sunday Information

The Board Of Director’s meeting begins at As a reminder, member must show 8am, Sunday, July 14th in the Talus Room -

their current membership card Summit Hotel at Big Sky Resort, to retain their membership rates

The Welcome Dinner is at 6pm, Sunday, July when they pick up their package. 14th in the Huntley Dinning Room. To attend

Expired cards will not be accepted. the Welcome Dinner, you will need to have Members can contact the office for a pre-paid the $20.00 per person fee. If you replacement card for a small fee. would like to attend the Welcome Dinner and have not pre-paid, please contact the office by July 3rd.

If anyone would like information put in Touring News , write article and send to: [email protected]

22 July 2013 TOURING NEWS “COVER”PICTURE

GWTA is having a contest for the covers on Touring News,issuesFeb-Dec This is open to all GWTA members. Pictures: Any pictures sent to [email protected] need to be high resolution which should be any picture taken with a digital camera without editing. They can be adjusted as needed. Include who is in the photo, where the photo was taken, your name and GWTA membership # and the date if you know. When you email, please put “Cover picture contest” in subject line. They will be judged on the 11th of each month. If it is within the Due Date and not chosen as a cover winner it will be used during the year. Issue Due Date for email February Winner, Joe Spencer March Winner, Steve Allen April Bill & Deb Brem, Nick &Sephanie Brem Jane Howard,& 7-week-old Lance Brem May Steven and Tammy Daiter June Bodie Thomas Knight July Dick & Bonnie Holdsworth August July 10th September August 10th October September 10th November October 10th December November 10th Prize for each month’s “Cover Winner”: All winners from May through December will win One GWTA Logo T-Shirt (from current inventory) Any questions? Contact [email protected]

TOURING NEWS 23

By Kellie Hargreaves, Chapter A, CO By Kellie Hargreaves, Chapter A, CO On Wednesday afternoon, 22 May, I invited GWTA members to escort theOn traveling Wednesday Vietnam afternoon, 22 May, I invited Wall from northern ColoradoGWTA to Fort Collins,members to escort the traveling Vietnam Spring Canyon Community ParkWall along from withnorthern the Colorado to Fort Collins, Combat Veterans MotorcycleSpring Association Canyon Community Park along with the (CVMA) and many other motorcycleCombat Veteransriders. Motorcycle Association From GWTA, we had 8 bikes,(CVMA) 10 riders and including many other motorcycle riders. Jim & Glenda, Bill & Fran, Jerry,From Dennis, GWTA, Ann, we had 8 bikes, 10 riders including friends Shelley and Cecil, andJim myself. & Glenda, Bill & Fran, Jerry, Dennis, Ann, friends Shelley and Cecil, and myself.

Afterwards, some of us gathered for dinner in Berthoud and were still feelingAfterwards, the effects some of such of us gathered for dinner in a moving experience to escortBerthoud the Vietnam and were still feeling the effects of such Memorial wall. We talked of athings moving we experiencesaw and to escort the Vietnam people we saw that moved usMemorial to tears, literally, wall. We talked of things we saw and except for one guy that said hispeople allergies we saw kicked that in moved us to tears, literally, (humm). Thank you to all whoexcept came for out! one I guythink that said his allergies kicked in it is so important that we participate in events like (humm). Thank you to all who came out! I think this since the Vietnam vets didit isnot so have important a proper that we participate in events like homecoming, and we can let them know today We staged at the park & ride on I-25 exit 250, this since the Vietnam vets did not have a proper and departed at 3:30 traveling west through how much they are truly appreciated!!homecoming, and we can let them know today We staged at the park & ride on I-25 exit 250, Berthoud, then north through andLoveland departed to Fortat 3:30 traveling west through how much they are truly appreciated!! Collins and west to the park. Berthoud,People came then out north in through Loveland to Fort droves and were all along theCollins route with and flags,west to the park. People came out in cheering, showing their supportdroves to Vietnam and were vets all along the route with flags, and some were even saluting.cheering, So what showingdo you do their support to Vietnam vets when your right hand is tied up with the throttle? and some were even saluting. So what do you do You return their salutes with yourwhen left your hand!!! right hand is tied up with the throttle?

You return their salutes with your left hand!!! We had police escort with a police motorcycle team of 6 leading the way in perfectWe had riding police escort with a police motorcycle formation side by side for theteam entire of trip 6 leading from the way in perfect riding Berthoud to Fort Collins travelingformation at 15-20 side mph. by side for the entire trip from They were amazing! Now I amBerthoud considering to Fort Collins traveling at 15-20 mph. retiring and becoming a motorcycleThey were escort amazing! officer. Now I am considering It is always good to have dreamsretiring right? and becoming a motorcycle escort officer.

It is always good to have dreams right?

24 July 2013 I was able to visit the wall on Sunday and had another very moving experience when I participated in the “Ride of the Wall.” I hung around and talked to some Vietnam vets and their families and learned some interesting information from one of the Vets with the traveling wall. Most of the soldiers names have a “.” behind their name, except the soldiers that are missing in action have a “+” behind their name. When a missing in action soldier is found and returned home, the “+” is turned into a “ ”. The traveling Additionally, do you know the meaning of coins wall does not have any “+” updated to “ ” but if left at the Vietnam Memorial Wall (or any you visit the wall in Washington DC, you will see soldier’s grave)? the diamonds. The gentleman also stated that 3 more Vietnam vets were found Sunday morning. Leaving a penny means simply that you visited.

A nickel indicates that you and the deceased trained at boot camp together.

A dime means you served with him in some capacity.

A quarter means you are telling the family that you were with the solider when he was killed.

2013 Realities Ride and Rally

One more amazing thing on Sunday was the Realities Ride for abused, neglected and underprivileged children in northern Colorado, set the new record in the Guinness Book of World Records for riders in a poker run at 1,531 participants, crushing the existing record of 586 participants. I was honored to participate in this as well. HOOAH!

TOURING NEWS 25 Visiting with an Old Timer GWTA Member

Have you taken the time to visit with finished what they needed to do they went any member of GWTA that used to be in the down the street with Ronnie to see what he middle of everything related to GWTA? Jim had been working on with his neighbor. and Karen Quinn with George and I called When they got back having worked so hard Louise Duke to see if she would mind some Ronnie and Bonnie pulled out a dessert of company. She said she would love to see us. chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. All ten of us enjoyed the desserts and company.

On Sunday 6/9/13 we went to Ronnie and Bonnie's house. We met 3 other couples there to help move the billiards table from When it was time to go I called Louise one area of the room to another part so Duke to see if she would like some company Ronnie can sand down the floor. Then he will for a visit. It had been quite a while since I need help moving it back to its correct area had seen Louise and it was good to see her in this room and he knows just to call on his again. Louise was telling us that her health friends and they will be there to help him has not been 100 % in the last year but she again. is feeling much better now and she was so glad to see the 4 of us. If anyone is travelling through Nashville any time she would love to have visitors. Louise does not drive now so she is at home a lot.

Louise was excited to hear how GWTA is doing and what all we have coming up in the future. She might not be an active member now but she still had GWTA in her heart and I believe that she will until she is no longer with us.

We ladies stayed in the dining room Submitted by Debbie Deskins socializing as normal. When the guys Region D 26 July 2013 Jubilant July Dates

1 Build A Scarecrow Day 1 Canada Day Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day International Joke Day 2 I Forgot Day 3 Compliment Your Mirror Day 22 Hammock Day Stay out of the Sun Day 23 National Hot Dog Day Vanilla Ice Cream Day 24 Amelia Earhart Day Cousins Day 25 Culinarians Day 26 All or Nothing Day 4 Independence Day (U.S.) 26 Aunt and Uncle Day National Country Music Day 27 Take Your Pants for a Walk Day 5 Make up a Day

6 National Fried Chicken Day 7 Chocolate Day National Strawberry Sundae Day 8 Video Games Day 9 National Sugar Cookie Day 28 National Milk Chocolate Day 10 Teddy Bear Picnic Day 28 Parent's Day – Shouldn’t this be every 11 World Population Day day? 12 Different Colored Eyes Day 29 National Lasagna Day Pecan Pie Day 30 National Cheesecake Day 13 Barbershop Music Appreciation Day Father-in-Law Day 14 Bastille Day 31 Mutt's Day Pandemonium Day Month:

National Blueberry Month National Anti-Boredom Month National Cell Phone Courtesy Month National Hot Dog Month 15-18 Gold Rush XXVI Tapioca Pudding Day Cow Appreciation Day 16 Make up another Day 17 Peach Ice Cream Day Ride your Bike to Work Day National Ice Cream Month – Yippee! 18 National Caviar Day- something's fishy here 19 National Raspberry Cake Day 20 Ugly Truck Day- it's a "guy" thing 21 National Ice Cream Day National Junk Food Day

TOURING NEWS 27 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION APPLICATION

GOLD WING TOURINGASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION

As Region A and Region F still has an opening for their Board of Director, members will elect a Regional Representative to the Board of Directors. The term of office will be from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015. If you reside in Region A or Region F and would like to run for the position of Regional Representative to the Board of Directors, please complete the self- nomination form below and mail to the address indicated. Mail the completed form with proof of ownership ofan operable Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, a photograph of yourself, and a resume. Please copy and enlarge the form for your use.

GWTA Board of Directors Election Dennis Farnum, COB 75 Farnum Lane Sebago, ME 04029

Anyone who would like to serve the membership in this capacity is urged to self-nominate for this election. TheGold Wing Touring Association is unique in that the governing body is elected from the membership. GOLD WING TOURING ASSOCIATION Self-Nomination Form for Board of Directors Name:______Membership Number______I would like to self-nominate for a position on the Board of Directors If elected: 1. I understand that the Board of Directors is the governing body of the Gold Wing Touring Association.As a Board Member I will fulfill my tenure in office as a professional whose highest priority is to theassociation and its members. I will endeavor to the best of my ability to help guide GWTA to aproductiveand meaningful future. 2. I will attend the annual Board of Directors meeting scheduled each year during my term. I will makeevery effort to attend the National Rally, “Gold Rush” each year to meet with and address the membershipat large. 3. I will maintain a current membership during my tenure in office. I understand that should mymembership lapse, I automatically forfeit my position on the Board. 4. I assume full responsibility for my campaign and pledge to conduct that campaign within the guidelinesof fair play, honesty and respect for my fellow candidates. 5. Should I move from the region from which I was elected as a regional representative to the Board, Iwill notify the Chairman of the Board and declare my position vacant. 6. I will submit proof of ownership of an operable Honda Gold Wing motorcycle to the Chairman of theBoard. Year______Model______Serial Number______I declare my candidacy for the position of Board Director for the Gold Wing Touring Association. Please Mark One I declare my candidacy for Board of Directors member from Region A: ______Region F: ______Signed:______Date:______

28 July 2013

ThereThis is is a alimited reminder supply that of there these is shirts a GWTA available Rider. This Education is a reminder program. that thereThere is a GWTA is a limited Rider supply Education of these program. shirts available. Contact Doug Green, Rider Education Director, [email protected] Green if you are interested in ordering these shirts Rider Education Director [email protected] if you are interested in ordering these shirts

Put under the Rider Education heading. Make is as large or small to fit.

TOURING NEWS 29 MY LAST RIDE By: Don Coons MY LAST RIDE I am Don Coons and this is the short story of my riding career. It all started when I was 15 and I could borrow my buddies little Honda 50, what great fun it was to ride across the open fields. At 16, due to problems at home between me and my step-father, I found my Dad and went to live with him and his new family. By this time I had been working several different jobs, mowing lawns, delivering newspapers, working in a five and dime store and then several gas stations. I used my money to buy my first motorcycle, a brand new shinny 1960 Jawa 175cc that I used to terrorize the neighborhood of Redondo Beach.

Because I was working with men every day after school and making my own money I soon become bored with school. Redondo High is on a knoll overlooking the Pacific Ocean and my other passion is fishing. I would ride my Jawa to school, look down at Redondo fishing pier, go home, get my pole and spend my day before work fishing. My Dad was a pretty big guy (6 foot 4 inches & 300+) made his living doing odd jobs, so some days he would not have any work. He would come walking down the pier, with his pole in hand, and simply ask how I was doing? I would tell him and then he would ask if I really should be in school. I would just tell him that this is a good day for fishing and the subject was dropped. Anyway, as I said, he did have a new family (wife and my two half-sisters) and he was spending too much time with me. I was interrupting his new life by my presence. I was able to talk my mother into signing for me to join the Navy when I turned 17. All my friends were older than me and most had already gone into different branches of the Armed Forces. I joined the Navy to see the world. While in the Navy I met Judy in 1961 and we got married 1962. I finished my High School education and attended school for steam engineering and HVAC. I spent a total of

30 July 2013 MY LAST RIDE By: Don Coons cont...

ten years in the Navy and then worked for them as a civilian for another 22 years. I retired out of Concord Naval Weapons Station in the position of Utilities Manager. During that time I owned only one other motorcycle that I used to ride 35 miles to work and back every day, do not even remember the brand but I know I was always fixing something that fell apart due to vibration. After I retired my daughter and her husband each bought Harleys and I told Judy that it would be great fun to buy a motorcycle and ride with them. I was looking on E-Bay and found a 1985 LTD Gold Wing with matching Bush Tec trailer and called Judy into the room and told her that if I was going to have a bike it wouldbe that one. She said BUY IT and I did. I later sold the 1200, bought a 1500 California Sidecar trike and a 1500 bike. I rode over to DMV to register the 1200 and get my license when I ran into Christy Sonnenburg. She told me about GWTA and took my name but I never heard from her. I rode the bike over to a local mechanic to have it serviced and met my very good, and now departed, friend Van Vanderpool who invited me to the No. Calif. Chapter P GWTA meeting where we enjoyed a fantastic welcome and met some very fine people. Judy and I went to the meeting, thinking it was just a local thing, but soon discovered that it was National. Now remember, by this time I had only ridden a motorcycle around town, to school and to work, never any long distance. I believe they were talking about riding to Durango that year and Judy and I were in shock that anybody would ride a motorcycle that far. Judy was still working so we did not go to Durango that year. While Judy was at work I would climb on the bike and take day trips around the Bay Area 100-150 miles each. I would call her at work and tell her what a great ride I was enjoying sometimes in the mountains and sometimes on the Pacific Coast. The following year we did ride to Gold Rush, our longest ride up until that time. We have been to every Gold Rush since except Hot Springs, Arkansas. I learned to really love the long rides and we went on every ride that we could possibly attend after that. Judy retired and we took off on the Motorcycle for a very enjoyable trip. First to Grapevine, Texas, then up to Baraboo, Wisconsin, then on to Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, and on. Total that trip was 31 States, 11,165 miles in 58 days, what a trip. I have served as Asst. CD Chapter P, No. Calif.,Rider Ed. Director Chapter P No. Calif., Rider Education Director Chapter A, So. Oregon, Rider Education

TOURING NEWS 31 MY LAST RIDE By: Don Coons cont...

DirectorOregon State and finally National Rider Education Director. Each position was an education and I enjoyed serving in each. Judy created and served as Webmaster for Chapter P, No. Calif., Chapter A, So.Oregon and Oregon State Webmaster. She still serves as Webmaster for Chapter P, No. Calif. All together we have ridden pretty close to 500,000 safe miles and enjoyed every one. Some had rain, wind, sand and cold but those just gave us bragging rights. Along the way we have met and enjoyed the company of the many GWTA members and consider each as family. Those are all wonderful memories along with albums and albums of pictures. But, there comes a time when you have to be smart enough to realize that the end has come. It was a fantastic ride and I will always dream about every mile but due to health reasons and for safety it is time to come to a close. I said earlier that another passion is fishing so in the future you may find me sitting in my boat on a So. Oregon Lake trying to find a fish with my name on it. In closing I want to wish everyone nothing less than a safe and enjoyable ride. We come from many different cultures that makes up our GWTA family and I find it interesting to learn from each. There is always a good part in everybody, all you have to do is find it, enjoy it and forget the parts you do not understand. The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour.Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time for the clock may soon be still.” Author Robert H. Smith 1932-1982. May the roads be kind to you and the sunny side always up. Don and Judy Coons

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32 July 2013 Send checks in US funds to: GWTA PO Box 42403 Indianapolis, IN 46242

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TOURING NEWS 33 GGGWWWTTTA Membership Application

Memberships: 1 Year 2 Years 3 Years ___ NEW Individual $75 $150 $225 (Anyone who has never been a member) Family $75 $150 $225 ___RENEWAL: Mem # ______(A family membership consists of 2 adults and up to 4 children at the same residence) (Anyone who has been a member at any time should choose renewal)

Last ______First ______Mail completed form to: GWTA Membership Services P.O. Box 42403 Last ______First ______Indianapolis, IN 46242-0403 Toll Free: 1-800-960-4982 Last ______First ______Ph: 317-243-6822 Fax: 317-243-6833 Last ______First ______Email: [email protected]

Last ______First ______

Last ______First ______I/We own a Gold Wing Mailing Address______Other brand (specify) ______For the Blue Line (toll-free help service), City ______State/Province ______Zip/Postal ______the services I can provide are as follows: ___ A - Bike/Trailer Pickup Home Ph. ______Work Ph. ______B - Phone Calls ___C - Tent Space Email ______D - Lodging ___E - Tools Membership dues: $ ______for ______years. ___I/we cannot offer services for the Blue Line. I would also like to make a donation of $ _____ to Helping Hands. Total $ ______(Please make checks payable to GWTA) Please assign me to chapter ____ in the state/province of ______. The following information must be filled out if paying by credit card:

VISA/MC/AMEX ______

Exp. Date ______CVV2 (3 or 4 digit code on back) ______Recruiting credit to______

Billing Address ______Billing Zip ______Membership # ______

Authorized Signature ______

PLEASE NOTE: All funds must be payable in U.S. Funds only. DO NOT SEND CASH.

34 July 2013 GOLD RUSH EVENTS!!!

FIRST TIMERS SESSION

Are you a new member to GWTA? Will this be your first Gold Rush? If so, come join us for an informative and fun session. Get to know people, get the 411 on what TA is all about, learn “fun” definitions and more!

You’ll not want to miss this session for sure!

Steve & Ralphine Andrus, Facilitators Region A & B Directors Region A & B Meeting

What exactly do our Region Directors do? How are decisions made on an operational level? Meet Bruce Keenon in person and ask the questions you want. Come to the Region A & B meeting to have your questions answered and/or share information. Steve & Ralphine Andrus, Facilitators Region A & B Directors

TOURING NEWS 35 GOLD RUSH EVENTS!!!

Dirty Bingo is an interesting name for a very fun & hilarious 'gift' exchange game. There is a big pile of 'gifts' in the center of a large circle. The participants are sitting on the chairs in the circle. Paper and pencils are provided for the game.

To begin, each player picks 6 numbers from 1 - 40 and writes them down on a sheet of paper. The caller has the 40 numbers in a container and will pull a number out. If the number called is on your list, you go to the center to pick a 'gift' and cross out the number on your sheet. The 'gift' is put in front of you on the floor. This process goes on until all the numbers are called.

The real fun begins when there are no 'gifts' left in the center. When no 'gifts' are left in the center, the players 'steal' from those who have 'gifts'. The person who is stealing the 'gift' introduces themselves and where they are from.

Don't get too attached to your 'gift' as you probably won't have it for long.

The 'gifts' are donated by members, guests, rally attendees, host resort, etc. The 'gifts' could be white elephant type, gag, nice, etc.

We hope to see you at the Dirty Bingo games at Gold Rush XXVI.

Ron & Eva Wodehouse

36 July 2013 TOURING NEWS 37