by Fred Jewell RCB Prez

August is almost here and we’re welcoming our intrepid travelers back from Alaska, not much the worse for wear, save for a little mud. Well, a lot of mud. (Just ask Al Morrison). Ernesto kept us updated regularly on his Facebook page with lots of pictures and eloquent descriptions of the day’s events. Many thanks to him for doing that so well, it kept my mind at ease from worry, knowing everyone was safe and well. It certainly appeared that it was the ride of a lifetime for those who went, and that it was well planned and well led by our own Octogenarian Roger. I have to say I’m very proud of Roger, he’s been trying to get this ride together for a few years and he finally did it. It almost made me yearn to go there myself, the scenery was breathtaking, but the tales of mud and gravel stop me right there. It shouldn’t stop anyone else from trying though, especially if mud and gravel roads don’t bother you. (Ask me if you don’t know my answer to riding in the dirt).

August is also the time for the annual Tahoe Chill campout on the 18^th through the 20^th. There is a sign up for it on the front of the website; this is important as to estimate enough food and beverages for everyone. Hopefully, the bear will like other people’s campsites better than ours this year, just don’t forget to say “hello bear” if he does visit ours.

I have it on very good authority that, if you are playing the “Where’s My Name contest, or even if you’re not, you should not miss Mendenhall’s Museum of Gasoline in Buellton. The contestant stated that there is a huge amount of land speed record memorabilia, and the owner is a wonderful guy named Mark. I’m going, even though being the administrator of the contest, I don’t participate, but it sounds like a great day ride destination. And speaking of the contest, I also have it on good authority that our club ride this Saturday will be going past Jewell, CA on the way back from the oysters. Great way to earn 12 tickets, enjoy a ride to the coast and partake of a dozen oysters.

Last month’s trivia question was easy, (at least to those of us old enough to remember Johnny Horton) so this one is a little harder to get without the use of Google: I was going to send them off to Alaska with a song called “Wild Northland”, so who did that song, and why would I be associated with it?

The weather’s great, let’s ride!