Rally Wrap-Up

[BudMan]

Just a few notes on the NorthCentral/South Central Rally in the Ozarks.
By my count 68 people on 48 motorcycles from 15 states attended the rally in Mountain View, Arkansas.
I think Ray’s choice of Mountain View, AR and his idea to have it at the park proved to be an excellent choice.

Monday: Arrival day, we had a get together at the rec-room at the entrance to the cabins.
Jim and Bea Hardin along with Ray Slansky served everyone BBQ pork, bologna, baked beans and coleslaw.
They fixed enough food to feed a small army. If you left hungry it was your own fault.
We had plenty of cold beer and soft drinks to wash it down with.

Tuesday: About 35 of us headed out on the group ride. We rode northwest on AR 14 thru the Ozark National Forest
and stopped for a few minutes at Buffalo Point on the Buffalo National River. Then we continued on to Bull Shoals lake.
We crossed the lake on the Peel Ferry and rode north into Missouri.
After a lunch break at Cookies Restaurant we turned back south and headed to the cabins via Push Mountain road.
The partly cloudy skies kept the heat down and it was an enjoyable 225 mile ride.
Those that didn't go on the group ride took off in smaller groups and rode some of the best roads in the state.

Wednesday: There were no planned rides, but the weather was nice and most climbed on their bikes went for a ride.
Some of us went to the Folk Center where we saw many different types of Ozark crafts and trades.
About 6:00 we all gathered at the Bois d’ Arc center for a raffle put on by Bea and Jim Hardin.
We had more food and drinks and Jim kept everyone entertained.
In the SouthCentral group the raffles are always just for fun, the money collected is put into envelopes and tickets are drawn to see who wins it.
It was mentioned that a fellow member had suffered a serious injury at work, and that envelope of money was headed his way to help out with expenses.
As you know the VBA is full of great people, and that one envelope quickly turned into many.
Several didn’t win any money but that didn’t stop them from helping out.
A cashiers check for $540 is on its way.

Thursday: We had a group photo taken in the morning.
The plan was to have a 220 mile group ride to Jasper and lunch at the Cliff House which overlooks the Arkansas Grand Canyon.
But the weather forecast showed we would cross paths with some rough weather.
It was decided to play it safe and not have thirty plus bikes caught out in the storm.
So the group ride was cancelled.
Good roads are easy to find so most did go riding, but kept it a little closer to the cabins.
However, not to be denied the NorthCentral "rough riders" made up of Greg, Kendra, Gibby and Ray decided to make the ride.
They did find the rain, it lasted for an hour or so and came with 50 mph winds.
But they're rough and tough and all that stuff.

Sixty one people were there for the finale dinner at The Skillet restaurant. Catfish, chicken and all the fixin's were served.
Jimmy Edwards from the park spoke for a few minutes, then Teri Conrad with ROK followed by our VP Jay Stephens.
Ray Slansky presented Crystal and I with a plaque that the NorthCentral group was kind enough to have had made.

Friday: Everyone said their goodbyes and headed for home.

I want to thank those who helped get this done.

But the biggest thank you goes to those who attended.
Some rode for days, and everyone spent a small fortune to be there.
It wouldn't have been near as much fun without you.
So... THANK YOU.

[Kawhead]

Impressive! I wish we could have made it 49 bikes and two more people!
I'm glad y'all enjoyed yourselves.

[Rasta]

Thanks to all that put in the hard work to get this thing to happen and like Dave said to those who made the effort to make it there from near and far. I want to send a special THANK YOU to Jesse who became our unofficial tour guide and took many of us on many different rides, even in the rain,showing us his Southern Hospitality!

[Jared]

Looks like it was an amazing rally!!!!!

[jesse]

Thanks Dave, very good summary. As always, we had a great time with everyone. I got to meet some of the "Legends of the VBA" all are great people. It is always sad to go home after such an event. I consider many of this group family, as most of our vacations are spent with all of you. Great people, great roads, great friends, looking forward to when we meet again.

Many THANKS to all who helped put this event together, and to all who made it great, by just being there.

[jestephens]

Here,here! Thank You, Regional Leaders and team!!

[glwilson]

Dave...

Nice wrap-up. It was a great, great rally. I cannot begin to believe how much work you, Crystal, Oldbikers (and wife); and all did to make this what it was.

I am not so sure if some know just exactly how much work it takes to put even a ride together, let alone a rally of this caliber. It was a tremendous amount to work you put into this to make it what is was. This rally equaled a National Rally status. Again... unbelievable.

My many thanks to you and yours, and all the others I know who lent a big-hand in helping put together a rally of this calibre.

The unfortunate thing about great events is they seem go come and go so fast. I know it did for me. In fact, I am just now getting around to posting about it. After getting back into the swing of work and with the 4th of July, I am just now sitting down to put it all together.

Lastly, I am most happy to hear that no one was hurt as a result of the rally. Everyone made it home safe and sound.

Cheers Dave!

[sacarriker]

Originally Posted by BudMan

Just a few notes on the NorthCentral/South Central Rally in the Ozarks.
By my count 68 people on 48 motorcycles from 15 states attended the rally in Mountain View, Arkansas.
I think Ray’s choice of Mountain View, AR and his idea to have it at the park proved to be an excellent choice.

Monday: Arrival day, we had a get together at the rec-room at the entrance to the cabins.
Jim and Bea Hardin along with Ray Slansky served everyone BBQ pork, bologna, baked beans and coleslaw.
They fixed enough food to feed a small army. If you left hungry it was your own fault.
We had plenty of cold beer and soft drinks to wash it down with.

Tuesday: About 35 of us headed out on the group ride. We rode northwest on AR 14 thru the Ozark National Forest
and stopped for a few minutes at Buffalo Point on the Buffalo National River. Then we continued on to Bull Shoals lake.
We crossed the lake on the Peel Ferry and rode north into Missouri.
After a lunch break at Cookies Restaurant we turned back south and headed to the cabins via Push Mountain road.
The partly cloudy skies kept the heat down and it was an enjoyable 225 mile ride.
Those that didn't go on the group ride took off in smaller groups and rode some of the best roads in the state.

Wednesday: There were no planned rides, but the weather was nice and most climbed on their bikes went for a ride.
Some of us went to the Folk Center where we saw many different types of Ozark crafts and trades.
About 6:00 we all gathered at the Bois d’ Arc center for a raffle put on by Bea and Jim Hardin.
We had more food and drinks and Jim kept everyone entertained.
In the SouthCentral group the raffles are always just for fun, the money collected is put into envelopes and tickets are drawn to see who wins it.
It was mentioned that a fellow member had suffered a serious injury at work, and that envelope of money was headed his way to help out with expenses.
As you know the VBA is full of great people, and that one envelope quickly turned into many.
Several didn’t win any money but that didn’t stop them from helping out.
A cashiers check for $540 is on its way.

Thursday: We had a group photo taken in the morning.
The plan was to have a 220 mile group ride to Jasper and lunch at the Cliff House which overlooks the Arkansas Grand Canyon.
But the weather forecast showed we would cross paths with some rough weather.
It was decided to play it safe and not have thirty plus bikes caught out in the storm.
So the group ride was cancelled.
Good roads are easy to find so most did go riding, but kept it a little closer to the cabins.
However, not to be denied the NorthCentral "rough riders" made up of Greg, Kendra, Gibby and Ray decided to make the ride.
They did find the rain, it lasted for an hour or so and came with 50 mph winds.
But they're rough and tough and all that stuff.

Sixty one people were there for the finale dinner at The Skillet restaurant. Catfish, chicken and all the fixin's were served.
Jimmy Edwards from the park spoke for a few minutes, then Teri Conrad with ROK followed by our VP Jay Stephens.
Ray Slansky presented Crystal and I with a plaque that the NorthCentral group was kind enough to have had made.

Friday: Everyone said their goodbyes and headed for home.

I want to thank those who helped get this done.

But the biggest thank you goes to those who attended.
Some rode for days, and everyone spent a small fortune to be there.
It wouldn't have been near as much fun without you.
So... THANK YOU.

To my fellow VBA members, my wife and I would like to say thank you for the gift you sent to us. When something like this happens what's most valuable is the care and support that you get from family and friends. And I'm not just saying that. We have many good friends and have met many good people through our experience with the VBA. Thank you so much for your expression of care and concern for my wife and I. It means a lot that you reached out to us in this way.
Hopefully our time in the VBA has not come to an end. At first I thought I might not try to ride again. Now that I feel so much better and I'm about to get new hands my thoughts have changed. I'm starting to look at trikes. Crystal Jesse and I may have to start a subgroup of the VBA called Vulcan Trikers...LOL!
Thanks again for your expression of care. It's just one more evidence of the quality of people that are in the Vulcan Baggers Association.

Much Love back at you from Scott & Jude.

[Rasta]

We were hoping that you and wanderer would pop in at the rally! You guys were missed! Get on the mend and we will see you soon on the open road!

[Cajunrider]

Wishing you the best Scott. Hope your recovery is speedy and with little pain. Take care.

[3-wheeler]

Vulcan Trikers