Fly by the Seat of Our Pants Ride

by Susan Reed
RGMC Secretary

First of many to come, where the Girls Rule and Ride in the Pink Bandanas!  We shine like the rhinestones in our hats but are the real diamonds in the rough.  We sat the town of Soap Lake to chattering when we rolled into town. When turning off the main road onto Main Street a few of us made it around the corner, and then the local police officer stopped traffic so the rest of the bike formation could continue together.  Welcome to Soap Lake!  Once we landed at the Inn at Soap Lake a red Harley followed us to see just who was wearing "his" colors.  Ray Grant, a long time Roving Gambler from the Tri-Cities area was interested to chat with some of the "old timers" only to find we were all women and fairly new Gamblers.  He shared some of his history with the club with us and says Hi to all who remember him and hopes to catch us soon on one of our rides.

Our trip started from Spokane with Marsh Kahlar, Glenda West, Vicky Carlsen, Jenniffer Lybbert and passenger Holly Jackson and Susan Reed.  At the stop in Harrington Vicky felt like she needed pain medication and a longer rest to recoup so cancelled to return home.  She's a real trooper for even trying to ride after her major bike/SUV accident the week before.  On to Odessa where we met up with Hi-Roller Charlee Haddock, daughter Becky Mitchell and friend Mary Glines all from the Tri-Cities area. After checking into our rooms of "Fluff and Foo-Foo" pink towels and flowers everywhere along with the healing mineral jacuzzies and tanning bed, it was off to Ephrata and Moses Lake.  Finding no bike shops and with dark clouds approaching we headed back to Soap Lake by the shortest route possible.  Well the wind and rain caught us and chased us to the lake and we were without leathers for the "sunny" afternoon ride.

Some went after refreshments and supplies for the afternoon planning conference.  With carmels, chocolate covered coffee beans,  licorice, cheescake and hard lemonade it was resolved to get the DVD player from the office and watch an enlightening documentary on puppitry.  This film had us glued to the screen and provided some with a delightful education.  Dinner at the local pub on the corner, making appointments and taking turns in the tanning bed, and off to dreamland with a bedtime prayer for a sunny ride home.  Violla!  Sunday  AM brought us sunshine and NO clouds.  We had started our walk up main street in search of the morning meal but to no avail, nothing was open.  Finally a door opened at the corner Red Del where the cook decided to start early by cooking our breakfast. She said we must be the pink bandana group that everybody in town was talking about and speculating what we were "about and doing".  Most thought we were on a Breast Cancer run and since there was the Susan Koman walk it did tie in, the other guess was that we were all cancer survivors who rode bikes. Guess there just isn't alot to really do in Soap Lake but watch the tourists and try to cater to their every need, which they did with big smiles and "Come Backs".  Checkout time at 11:00, time to load the bikes, give hugs and say good-byes. The Spokane gals took the North route to Dry Falls where we stopped to enjoy the view, museum and new video documentary.  (Us gals are all about education and those documentary's).  Another stop in Wilbur for the famous "Billy Burger" and on home.

It was a great time to relax, take care of ourselves and enjoy the comradery of our sisters.  We are tied together by our interest in riding, enjoying the freedoms several sisters have died for to protect, and appreciate our guys at home who are supportive of such endeavors.  Life is short, live well, ride free, laugh more and love much.