I had been watching the weather all week in anticipation of the picnic and a chance to ride. Early in the week the forecast was rain on Saturday and clear on Sunday. By Thursday it was clear Saturday and scattered thundershowers Sunday. On Friday morning it was a 7 0% chance of rain Sunday, then it dropped to 60%...ah...things were turning in our favor....but when I went to bed Saturday night, it was a 100% chance of rain....ALL DAY. Not what I wanted to see. I mean, they never predict a 100% chance of rain. They had to be wrong.

Sunday morning I awoke and immediately went to the window. It was sgrey outside. The sun was just coming up....but ....it was grey. There was no bright orange and yellow sunrise, no clear blue skies. There was just grey... and wet streets. Maybe it had rained earlier and had stopped. Maybe the rain got here early. I strained and managed to open my eyes all the way. I could see the streets were very wet, the driveway was wet, and even worse...it was raining!!

So, despite the weather, we got up and got ready. It was obvious we wouldn't be riding the bike (although I actually considered for a moment). Once we were ready, we grabbed what we needed and jumped into the truck and headed towards Red Top. We left in a light rain. As we headed down 400, it appeared that it wasn't going to get worse. I began wishing I had "bikered up" and rode the Venture. About 60 seconds later, the bottom fell out and I was glad I was in the truck. It stayed pretty nasty until we got off of I-75 at the Red Top exit. Once off the interstate it didn't seem quite as bad. We pulled up to the picnic pavilion that had been reserved and exited the truck to a light rain.

Doug and Teresa were already there getting things set up. After unloading, we chatted while we waited to see who would show up. We still anticipated a good turnout. Members slowly dribbled in (good term for a rainy day). First Preston and Stephanie, then after a little bit Steve and Kay showed up. Then two more, then more and after about an hour we had a good group there. Time to cook and eat !!

Doug grilled burgers and hot dogs. We had homemade potato salad, cole slaw, different chips, sodas, water, cake and cookies. As always the food was excellent. But as focused as we often seem to be on food and eating, that was all secondary. We enjoyed just being there, taking, sharing experiences and laughing. We just always manage to have a good time...despite rain, or cold weather, or anything else nature throws our way. And you know what.....the weather rewarded us. the skies cleared, the sun came out and although it may have been a little on the cool side, it turned out to be a beautiful day. Maybe we didn't have our bikes but we still had a great time.

You will hear it repeated here over and over "It's not just about the ride....its about the friends". That is what makes this group such a great group. We enjoy being together. If we can ride together then that's even better. But, if we have to meet up somewhere in our cars and trucks, we will still be there, because it is really about friends and fellowship. There are many groups of hardcore bikers, but fewer groups of hardcore friends.

Attending:

Doug & Teresa Turco
Gary & Maria Kohl
Preston & Stephanie Howard
Steve & Kay Argo
Allen & Shirley Sales
Ray & Peggy Rutledge
Jim & Donna Hale & Grandkids
Deborah Toy
Kim Toy
Bill & Katie & children
Dennis Gapinski