Goldwing Road Riders Association Chapter AZ-G, Green Valley, AZ

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1 Goldwing Road Riders Association Chapter AZ-G, Green Valley, AZ Chapter Director Linda Johnson Mar-Apr 2017 Meets 8 AM, second Saturday of the month All the news that is fit to print and perhaps a lot that is not! Our Tribe Panoramic photograph by Dick Beier dick.beier@gmail.com DIRECTORS CORNER Hi fellow geckos WOW! Can t believe the winter season is over. It s so hard to say goodbye, but know in a few short months you will be back. I wish you all safe travel this summer, wherever the road leads you. The Gecko chapter met at the Vail Steakhouse, and had a really good lunch. So good to see Steve and Michele back. Steve is looking good, just needs a few pounds back. Has some good advice for us. Don t fall it s bad for your health. Your officers are going into planning mode. Feel free to or text us any ideas you might have for rides, potlucks, game nights, progressive dinners, etc. Really would like some input. We will continue to have our monthly gathering during the summer, and will be trying different restaurants. So year rounders let s hear some suggestions. See you all soon. Linda Johnson, CD lsjohn@cox.net GWRRA for Family, Friends, Knowledge, and Safety. And not only is the Region F motto..f for Fun but it is spreading Nation Wide. (Looks like we like to ride and eat.) pg. 1

2 . First Ice Cream Ride, March 1 st. This ride up to the Thorneydale Culvers was OK. We found some single lane slow stuff going up I 19. So came back down 6 th Ave. and Old Nogales. Found the Culvers up in North Tucson and enjoyed Ice Cream, Burgers and even a fish burger. (Halibut is an oily fish, but not greasy, and delicious.) Our riding group, Led by Dennie and Karen Long, included Cris and Moe Beauvais, Nelson and Jennie Bland, and Steve and Tomi Wilson. We met Steve Eddington there. There was a contingent from Region F(Fun), and a good time was had by all. ASSISTANT DIRECTORS CORNER By the time you read this we should be into the month of May. Most of our friends with a second home will have left for it. We do look forward to seeing them when they return. For those of you sticking around, please remember Chapter G will continue to meet on the Second Saturday of each month. I have mentioned the upcoming Region F Rally is in Tucson this May at Star Pass Resort, on The 26 th, 27 th and 28 th. If you are in town and have not registered, I am sure they have day passes. Come on out. You never know who you will run into. Don t forget, Wing Ding is in Dallas, Tx. And the Arizona District Rally is returning to Lake Havasu City. If you are traveling this summer, please do travel safely. CHUCK LIBERTY ACD Charles.Liberty@msn.com

3 CHAPTER G STAFF: LINDA JOHNSON- CHAPTER DIRECTOR Lsjohn@cox.net CHUCK LIBERTY ASST DIRECTOR Charles_Liberty@msn.com BILL NICHOLLS TREASURER Banich45@gmail.com CHAPTER EDUCATOR (POSITION OPEN Please apply to CD) DENNY LONG WEBMASTER Cactus924@cox.net CRIS & MOE BEAUVAIS EDITORS Moebeau99@aol.com Moe Cris ANITA NICHOLLS STOREKEEPER Banich43@gmail.com KAREN LONG SUNSHINE COORDINATOR Cactuslady924@gmail.com KAREN LONG GECKO GALS COORDINATOR Cactuslady924@gmail.com DENNY LONG, CHUCK LIBERTY, STEVE EDDINGTON RIDE COORDINATORS Happy Summer from the Bat Mobliers. 3

4 Some of you have asked when the other Arizona Chapters meet. Given the day, check their website. Meetings are normally on Saturday. Chapter A, Tucson, Golden Corral, 22 nd St., 3 rd Saturday of the month Chapter C, Inactive, met on the 4 th Chapter D, Mesa, E Southern Av, meets the 2 nd Chapter E, Sierra Vista, State Hwy 92, meets the 1st Chapter G, Green Valley, St Ignacio Golf on El Son, meets the 2 nd Chapter K, N Tucson, Golden Corral on Thorndale Rd, the 4 th Chapter O, Bullhead City, Perkins Rest. Meets the 1 st Chapter P is the 4 th, Prescott, Golden Corral, Arizona 69. Chapter R is the 3 rd, Glendale, Old Country Buffet, N. 79Ave. Chapter S is the 1 st. Scottsdale, Deer Valley Airport, and 702 W. Deer Valley Rd. Chapter U is the 3 rd, Yuma, Daybreaker Café. Chapter X is the 4 th, Casa Grande, Foxtrot Café, Muni Airport. Moe Beauvais, Co-Editor 4

5 NORTHERN LIGHTS Northern Lights Kris and I left Tucson February 19 th heading for Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada to see the Aurora Borealis or as some call them, the Northern Lights. This is something we have talked about doing for a couple years so we decided to do it this year and the planning kicked into high gear. We started talking about how cold it might be so we dug out all of the gear we purchased for our snowmobile trips through Yellowstone Park years ago. Yep, they still fit! The only items we purchased were a couple sets of insulated bib overalls for us. They worked GREAT!! Kris and I remembered that layering clothes works best when trying to stay warm when you don t have a heavy jacket designed for that weather and it worked for us on this trip. Started out with a long sleeve t/shirt. Then a regular long sleeve flannel shirt, Add a sweat shirt, knitted scarf and a hooded jacket. I dug out a pair of riding gloves I tried to use when riding in cool/cold weather down here that turned out to be too warm. I thought they would work great for the lights. They worked but could have worked better. Our flight plans were to leave Tucson, fly to LA and then onto Vancouver for the night. When we checked in at the Tucson Airport we discovered that their computer would give us our boarding passes to LA but not from LA to Vancouver. Seems the computer felt there wasn t enough time between us landing in LA and getting to the gate to catch our plane to Vancouver. As it turns out there wasn t. Not sure why the computers did not catch that when we booked our flights. Anyway, after rebooking everything we ended up flying from Tucson to LA, then from LA to Calgary and from Calgary to Vancouver. That made for a long day. Got up the next morning and boarded our nonstop plane to Whitehorse. Northern Tales was the company we booked the light show through. Their plans were to go out to the viewing area at 10:00 PM to hopefully see the lights. The first night we went to the viewing site but an overcast sky does not help. We kept our fingers crossed but at 2:00 AM, we headed back to town without seeing the lights and to get to bed. When we woke the following morning we noticed the sky 5

6 was a beautiful blue. Now we were hoping that it would stay that way and it did. Northern Tales took us back to their viewing site around 10:00 PM and within an hour the dancing lights showed up. What a sight! And the excitement it brought out of us was indescribable. I must say that the camera I took was not the kind you use to take these pictures. The pictures you see attached were taken by the company that they share (for free) with those that were at the viewing. I talked to some of the individuals that were taking pictures and learned that the least expensive camera and gear set up being used was a little over $4,000. They too will be sending me some pictures. Overall our trip was great. Weather quite cold and that is what we expected. Since we saw the lights on the night of the 21st. Kris and I decided to rent a car and drive to Skagway, Alaska on the 22nd. We had visited Skagway a couple years ago but thought we would see what it was like during off season. It turned out to be quieter than Green Valley during the summer months. Hey chapter friends, this is Gitzy, your traveling mascot. Since Chuck and Kris kidnapped me to join them in the northern lights trip, I get to close out our travel story by telling you how the trip went from my vantage point. First, I chose to travel in the big bag with warm winter clothes, a good idea at the time. Unfortunately, someone forgot to pack Gitzy any warm clothes, not such a good idea. Us Arizona geckos don't like any temperatures below +70 degrees, and that was sadly lacking in Whitehorse. The first picture of me was sunning on the engine of a train; it looks warm, but temperature was about 0 degrees...brrrrr. The second picture of me was when I lay frozen on the ground, begging to return to the hotel for a warm nap. Yes, I had a wonderful time with Chuck and Kris in Whitehorse hope one of my chapter friends has another trip planned for me soon. 6

7 March 2017 Ride - Cheryl and Doug Brectelsbauer Packing done, motels reserved. Ready to go. Green valley to San Diego with backroads when possible. Day 1 First day includes trip on Ajo Highway through AJO and Gila Bend., riding I 8 into Yuma. Stopped at the SHELL/MEXICAN Insurance station. We enjoy music while we ride (one of the first songs that day was Sammy Hager s I Can t Drive 55. Refueling in Gila Bend, a stop at Dateland, and on to Yuma. Not much traffic as most was heading South (Spring Break). Day 2 Past the Imperial Sand Dunes and exit I 8 to go on CA 98. Only about 20 miles of I 8 involved. More interesting going through Mexicali and back on to 1 8 at Ocotillo. Another 15 miles on I 8 and back on CA 94. Route is rarely busy, but winding with ups and downs. Can see the border a mile or two away. CA 94 takes you right into San Diego and to our AirBnB where we are welcomed by host Debora who will share her house with us for 3 days. After unpacking we head to Coronado, the Del and a walk on the beach. Day 3 A delicious early breakfast and visit with our hostess. Today we will visit the USS Midway. The Docents, who are volunteers were great. From the engine room to the bridge, the flight deck to the hanger area it was fascinating. In the Marina area we met a local (of some 30 yrs.) who recommended a local place called Mitches. Unless you like to share lunch with the gulls, eat inside. Menu on chalkboards. Place was packed. Route home took us through Balboa Park with a walk around the Rose Garden. Six blocks away The Office beckoned me in for a Bullit Old Fashioned. The Office has a genre from the series Mad Men with a cocktail named Don Draper. Day 4 Our last day in San Diego and our plan was to visit the Zoo. Again we re trying something new with our Uber app. All coordinated on our phone for a cost of $8.50, we were picked up n delivered directly at the Zoo entrance. It has been 30 yrs. Since either of us had been to a large zoo. The area is 100 yrs old and the trees and vegetation representing that age accommodate shade walking to see most animals. Took Uber 10 mins. To come to transport us back for the same $8.50 plus $2 tip. Last night in San Diego. After discussion with our hostess we planned to bike to Sunset Cliffs, eat, park the bike with music and watch the sunset. Found a great Italian place called Ulivos right on Sunset Cliffs. Another mile down the road we parked the bike and sat on a bench listening to Java Jive and Just a Gigolo as we watched the sunset. Day 5 Left early since we had a long ride. Out to Ramona, Santa Ysabel, going north past Temecula, skirting the NE area of San Bernardino, we reach US 395 for our straight line highway to the Eastern Sierra Nevada at Lone Pine. Checked into The Trails OK day of riding, but skirting the LA traffic is never good, even with Sinatra singing Lets Fall in Love 7

8 Day 6 It s Saturday and we are headed into Death Valle on CA 190 Cold weather gear since we have to cross a of 4000 ft pass before we descend into the valley. We start shedding clothing at our first stop in Stovepipe Wells. On to Furnace Creek and Artist Palette. Artist Palette Drive has been closed since 2015 due to damage from water runoff, but has reopened this week. Great drive in and a great area for pictures. On to Badwater where the temps are in the high 90s. Back to Furnace Creek for cooling and lunch. Then on CA 190 to the turn off for Dantes View to a vantage point at 5400 ft. above Badwater The drive back to Lone Pine was windy Day 7 It s Sunday so church in Bishop and then to Eric Schat Bakery for picnic lunch featuring famous sheepherders bread. Head out of town on CA 168 W to the Sierra Nevada. At 8000 ft. we find a Road Closed sign. Some snow but not on the roadway. Back to town on 395 to Big Pine where we pick up CA 168E. If you are ever in this area you must take this road up over the ridge some 30 miles. When you reach the summit take White Mountain Rd. north for 2-3 miles. On your left the road starts to descend with a 180. You get the most amazing view of the Sierra Nevada range to the west, seeing not just the East side of the ridge, but across the ridge as well. Back to Lone Pine. Day 8 Time to head back. Back through Death Valley on CA 190, Ca 127 south to Baker, pick up I 40 to the shortcut on Nipton Rd. to Searchlight, then south into Laughlin a mile headwind. We got thru It and got caught again going south on 95. If you book a room in Laughlin at Booking.com an Sun thru Thur most you will pay is $30 per night. Had a temporary roadblock causing a100 mile detour and got caught on 95 in the mph headwind. Not best part. Day 9 Back to Green Valley in cold weather gear since elevation will be over 4000ft until Wickieup. Coming through the Tucson Corridor and turning on to I 19 traffic slowed to parade speed and we listened to 76 Trombones Lead the Big Prade and arrive home to Sh-Boom, Sh-Boom. Epilogue: 9 days, 2500 miles, no rain, not much wind, life can really be a dream. The GL1800, with more than 106K on the clock and never missing a beat. Safe travels to all of you 8

9 Chapter AZ-G trip to 40 to Phoenix Yes. AZ-G traveled to 40 to Phoenix. I know, where were we on 40??? Well, we traveled I-19 to 1-10 and met up with some of AZ-A s group at the Cracker Barrel. Then we traveled I-17, but we actually got to the home office, and we all helped out. So we can claim 40 to Phoenix. OK!! Chuck Liberty & DW Gary helped direct the over 150 bikers parading to the Home Office the morning of 4/5. Galen, I, Bob & Joan Stout handed out packets that contained door prize tickets, I visited the Home Office pins, chap sticks, pens and other info. Dennie Long did something, but I m not sure I really, actually saw him do anything.lol. We had a group picture taken, and hopefully we blended in well enough you won t see the wind blown and messy hair. Those there also received 40 th Anniversary pins. If you are not aware of 40 to 9

10 Phoenix, a group gathers in Wilmington, NC and heads out on I-40, picking up bikes & riders along the way. This year s stops were Conyers, GA; Leeds, AL; Conway, AR; El Reno, OK; Amarillo, TX; Moriarty, NM and arrived in Phoenix, AZ in 4/4 with the celebration on 4/5. The home office (GWRRA) in Phoenix throws a big rally and sets up 2 to 3 hour scenic rides out and around the Phoenix area. Attending from Chapter G, Chuck Liberty, Dennie Long, Dee & Galen Baird, Bob & Joan Stout. Joining us from Chapter A for the ride up, DW Gary, Dave & Dee Gormley, Ron Penner & Craig Johnston. A good time was had by all, good camaraderie. Submitted by: Dee Baird Our Ride to Silver City, NM Nine of us from Chapter G rode to Silver City on March 23 rd to see the Gila Cliff Dwellings north of Silver City and the Catwalk near Glenwood. The riders were Candy Shirley, Joan and Bob Stout, Jenny and Nelson Bland, Dee and Galen Baird and Kris and I. 10

11 Our ride to Silver City was windy and cool. I guess you could say cold in some areas with the wind blowing hard, but we all survived. The rain that was predicted did not materialize for us, but there were numerous times when the road changed directions that we thought we were in for a good soaking. We left I-10 and the Sonoita Highway exit a little before 9:30 AM. We rode to Clifton, AZ (with a short stop in Safford to fuel up the motorcycles) and stopped for lunch at PJ s Mexican Restaurant. After re-fueling, we headed thru Mule Creek Pass and then to Silver City. When we arrived at the hotel we noticed a group of women in bicycle riding clothes. We discovered it was a group of women riding from San Diego to Florida, which would take them 59 days. I offered to help some of them through the mountains ahead for a nominal fee by tying a rope from their bike to our motorcycle, but no takers. Oh well. The Cliff Dwellings were discovered in 1878 by H.B. Ailman although the area had been inhabited by the people of the Mogollon culture since The National Park Service has done a wonderful job of maintaining the site. The trail from the canyon floor to the dwellings rises 188 feet in elevation and can be steep in places, but there are benches to sit for a break if needed. 11

12 When we left Silver City in the morning for the Gila Dwellings we decided not to rush ourselves and try to do both the dwelling and the Catwalk in one day. As Bob Stout suggested, we can do the catwalk next year. The road to the cliffs was a twisty two-lane road through the mountains, which took us almost 2 hours to navigate. As you can see in the picture there was still fresh snow on the ground. I found myself wondering about the people that occupied this area back then. What a hard life they had to have. But then again, they didn t know any different. I know I enjoyed visiting the dwellings and I think everyone else did as well. Instead of returning to Silver City the same way we rode to the dwellings, we decided to stretch the ride out a little bit, so half way back we picked up Highway 35 and rode to Mimbres. Now that route is not one that is traveled a lot, so finding a place to grab some lunch wasn t easy, but we did stumble upon a nice cafe. It was around 2:30 PM when we stopped so most of us had some dessert so we 12

13 wouldn t ruin supper. The lady running the place had a sense of humor that made our stop much more enjoyable. During conversation, Jenny learned that our server had a friend who lives in Libby (which is where Jenny and Nelson have their second home) and that possibly their son might have painted her friend s home. As it turns out, that didn t happen. But there for awhile, I think we all were hoping it did, just for the heck of it. We left there around 3:30 PM and headed back to Silver City. The next day, we headed home via Lordsburg. The day was much warmer with little wind, so the ride back was much more pleasant. Geckos Chasing Little White Balls (colored ones too) That s right folks, there were 24 (3 lookers) people who were chasing those little white golf balls on the 18 hole putting course on March 22 nd at the Triple Play Miniature Golf course. It was Chapter G s annual golf outing. There were some great shots made such as Joann Stout making a HOLE-IN-ONE! Then there were some I heard that took the standard count of 7 on a PAR 2 hole and moved on. Not sure who they were though. Afterwards we went in to have lunch and Great Food Home of Green Valley s Best Burger, where more laughing took place. All in all, it was a lot of fun and laughing. It was nice to see Ron and Victoria from Tucson to come and join us from Chapter A. So, for those of you that couldn t make it this year, make a note for next year as you won t want to miss it. It s just a lot of fun. 13

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15 Until next time, safe riding. Dennie 15

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