BLUE
KNIGHTS®
With the promise of spectacular weather for the 22nd running of the annual Spud Run, 11 hearty souls joined me May 22nd on a northeasterly trek to Boise Idaho, and while enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of rural America, we celebrated comradeship at destination's end with Knights from across the western states, and Canada too, eh.
Venerable Todd Farris and I were joined by new chapter participants Nick Nicosia, Dave McKenzie, Val Washburn, Cliff Heanes and his two brothers-in-law Joe and Lynn Waid as guests; Al Luenow, Ed Callejas and Monterey Chapter CA22 members Rich Bailey and Kim Wirht. Doug Foss and Steve Armbruster motored in from the Salem, Oregon area to join in on the frivolity as well.
Interstate 80 east of Auburn wends through the Sierras to Fernley, Nevada, and is the antidote to freeway boredom, thanks in part to beautiful and aromatic forests skewered by ribbons of winding asphaltic concrete hugging mountainous terrain. Followed by 135 miles of nothing to Winnemucca, Nevada, and 385 miles logged in, time for R&R.
The following morning we amassed 255 miles off the Interstate, mostly sparse yet scenic and varied mountainous countryside to Boise and began two days of merriment and camaraderie at the fantastic Riverside Hotel. With 14 of us sitting poolside, it was the general consensus that next year, given like weather, we leave a day earlier in order to tour more of the beautiful mountainous scenery immediately surrounding Boise.
All too soon it was a route reversal that delivered us to Fernley, Nevada, for the night and then an early morning departure Memorial Day to head home. Many of us pulled into our garages by 1100 a.m. after a relaxing ride and customary breakfast stop at Sweet Peas in Auburn.
After decades of participating in this ride, a few observations are in order. CA7 had a great turnout this year, traffic was inexplicably extremely light in both directions and the weather was perfect. No rain, no hail, no snow, no random freezing temps or extreme highs and no high winds, all of which have reared their ugly heads before! What's not to like about overnight lows of 50 and daily highs of 90?
Food for thought: Given like weather next year and a one day earlier departure, the more scenic and 100 mile longer route through Lakeview, Oregon, beckons. We'll see. For now, thanks to one and all for making this Spud Run a memorable and fun venture.
Dennis M. Brown, His Own Self.
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-MAN Last modified:
05/31/14
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