Summer Dream 2006

Stress was banished from this trip, but its ugly head was faintly in the distance, growing slowly larger for this morning. The single time commitment on this journey was the 10:15 departure, August 4th, Muskegon to Milwaukie of the Lake Express ferry. I had to make it. A slightly restless night with the typical deepest sleep just before dawn ended when Ward, my promised alarm clock, gently chimed “Time to get up, Buddy”. What a great way to awaken. A shower and coffee and guess what, the sun is not up at 6am in this time zone. Heavy dew, happy heart, on the road again, stars and a moon to guide. And the ferry dock rolled up to the front wheels right on schedule with time to spare. The stress was gone.

And TWO HUNDRED motorcycles boarded the Lake Express – all Sturgis bound. And we talked, great folks all of them all living a dream, to ride to the biggest motorcycle rally in the world. Two and one half hours passed quickly. Unchaining bikes, engines thundered to life. The ramp dropped and an exodus of steel began. And a change of plans. Bound south to meet Alyce and Gerry, I roared up the ramp and glanced to my left ---- I KNOW that guy. And I hear “Bob”, and it’s Gerry. Some fancy pirouetting on six hundred pounds of steel put me in the parking lot with them. We were incredibly lucky to find each other, helmets, bikes, beards… bikers all look alike.

Timing changed a tour of Harley to a tour of Miller; not allllllll that bad. Late afternoon plans revolved around Cedarburg and a visit to classmate Noel and Judy. Noel took three amazed people through his time machine. An old and inspiring home, beautifully trimmed with furniture and mementos prior to great grandparents. Three Harley’s. A modern coach house with the beginnings of a full museum of Cedarburg diligently being pursued by Judy. And an old jukebox in perfect condition playing 50’s rock and roll. These shoes are made for dancing!!! Top off the evening at a local pub, five friends, hundreds of memories.

Gerry, Alyce, Noel, me, Judy