This past weekend was one of the most unique Chapter L events that we have ever had! It started with 18 riders traveling to Northeast Tennessee on a Friday with threatening weather. However, the rain held off as everyone made it into Johnson City. But the old weatherman was promising rain for Saturday’s forecast. After eating a hearty breakfast on Saturday morning, we headed down the road for a few hills and more curves. We made it to Mast General Store before the light rain fell. Mast General Store is an historical but fully functional general store that sells everything from Swiss Army knives, to Merrill hiking boots, to Vienna Sausage to gloves to corn cob peelers to just about everything else. They even have a website where you can order goods from them. The store was alive with customers. A few of our ladies had their husbands to pull their motorcycle trailers so that they could load up on some unique goodies! Bobby Bradshaw was found standing near the door sipping on an Orange Cola that had been chilled by an antique cola cooler. The bottle even had the cap that required a true bottle opener. While still drizzling just a bit, we left the Mast General Store and headed to Boone, N.C. to eat at Golden Coral. The restaurant gave us our own private dining room and we were blown away by the large selection of food. Again Bobby was seen hanging out near the dessert bar. He was heard to say, “If you can’t find something that you like to eat here, you are in a world of hurtin!” By popular vote we selected the chocolate pie as the best dessert and it was “out of this world!” After the rain died down, we headed back to Johnson City to catch the Georgia/Florida game. Later that night we gathered for a catered meal and then became involved in some of the best entertainment that we have enjoyed as GWRRA members as Karen had hired a DJ complete with Karaoke. We found out the Chapter L possesses a lot of talented individuals. Tuck was our first brave soul who did an impressive Elvis and Porky Pig impression of Blue Christmas. Steve Chambers showed his familiarity with a microphone by singing several songs including some country hits. The ladies did several “group” songs. The looked sooooooo cute doing them. A surprise hit, Russ Rucker, serenaded the ladies with a wonderful ballad. The man can really sing! With the night being Halloween, David Kleist brought forth his unique talents and did a perfect imitation of Boris Karloff as he sang/narrated the cult hit, “The Monster Mash” It was awesome! David then put on his choreography hat and taught us the Electric Slide dance. It was the dance that never ends! By the end of the night, everyone there agreed that we had had the best Halloween ever…..at least in Johnson City, Tennessee. We left the hotel on a very chilly (low 40’s) Sunday morning and headed to the infamous HWY 421, otherwise known as “The Snake”. I must admit that it was the best set of curves that I have ever been on. Allen, (aka Alien) carved the curves as smoothly as a seasoned racing pro. The only thing slowing him down was me in front of him. This piece of highway is far better than the more highly publicized “Tail of the Dragon”. There was a store at the bottom of the mountain that sold “Snake” paraphernalia. We warmed ourselves inside the store and purchased stickers to later brag about our Snake exploits. Because of the road closing on I-40, we had to take the long way home. As we rode into the evening, the sun finally broke through the clouds and we were treated to some spectacular prism colors against the clouds that remained. It was a worthy tribute to the time we had together. There were some breathtaking sceneries that we witnessed as we rode through mist covered mountains and autumn colored valleys. Despite the rain, we all realized that it had been an extraordinary event. We were able to ride our bikes through some beautiful country, have time to spend getting to know each other better, enjoy the entertainment provided by our own members, eat some great food, and to slow down from our busy lives for just a few moments and to cherish the friendships that we have made through GWRRA. I want to thank Bobby and Karen for getting this trip together. Thanks to Karen for making the hotel arrangements, for having the food catered, and for arranging some unique and unforgettable entertainment. Thanks to Bobby for selecting our riding routes and for leading them. And thanks to all who braved the weather, the microphone, and the curves. It was a delightful weekend! Denise and I truly enjoyed the event. For a little while we escaped the business of everyday life and relished in the circle of friendship that is Chapter L. We are already anticipating the trip for 2010. You will not want to miss it!!!

David and Denise Newby Chapter L DirectorsCell: 770-547-8763
www.chapterl.gwrra-ga.com
CHAPTER L: GEORGIA’S GWRRA 2008 CHAPTER OF THE YEAR