Gary and I always looked forward to The National Rally. The Black Hills for us has a special draw and Gary has ridden in the National nine years in a row. I’ve only been to six. We love it and encourage everyone we see to come.

2009 brought eight Chapter #8 members to Hill City: Bebo & Judy Pharr, Gary Freeman, Charlie Contreras, James & Kathy Bates and Gary & Mindy Lovell. Although some stayed at Lake Pactola, some were at Katmandu and others with relatives, we all loved the spectacular beauty of the region. Monday we took to the Needles Highway with newbies James and Kathy and Nicki & Gary (my sis &sis hub) They had not made the ride to Sylvan Lake, Custer State Park, Iron Mountain, the pigtails and of course the tunnels that lead to Mt. Rushmore. We met up with the Irving group and got some great pictures. We had a little rain, but just enough to cool off.

Everyone who attended Monday night at Lake Pactola enjoyed a wonderful buffet set-up by the Bellwood Chapter, with the famous Chicago beef. The Bob showed us how to dip the sandwiches to get the full flavor. We brought a little Texas flavor with some very dirty rice, spicy corn casserole and double chocolate brownies. Bubba and Marge passed around the Electric Cherries Someone had mixed drinks. Maybe beer was available. My

sister Nicki and her husband Gary, were staying at Lake Pactola too, and enjoyed seeing all the fun, but wouldn’t even try the Electric Cherries. My smarter sister.

Hill City SD is the jumping off spot for our National Rally. This little town opens main street for motorcycles only and routes normal traffic down by the 1880’s Train road.

People here are very welcoming to motorcyclists, especially the folks at Hill City Senior Center, where they cook up pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs and biscuits and gravy. They especially love to talk to firemen. We stop there every year.

We hooked up on Tuesday at The Alpine Inn to get ready for the National Rally Parade.

Mindy and John Burgstrom setup a table and sold a bunch of beautiful International Challenge Coins and some Dallas coins too. It was there that we found out about Bubba’s heart attack the night before and his expected stay in Rapid City for a few days.

Our thoughts and prayers went to Bubba and Marge till they got home safe and sound.

We assembled on the steps of the Alpine and got a picture of the Chapter #8 gang. Then the whole Wind and Fire family posed for a great picture. After the picture taking was finally over, we lined up for the parade and ride to Keystone and Rockerville. Led by the Hill City Fire Department, the parade rode past the 1880’s Train Depot then back thru town with sirens blazing and out to the Keystone Road. We were honored to have our President John Robbins lead the parade and he brought good weather with him. Terry Heflin and Bellwood chapter did a great job blocking and guiding us thru the poker stops. Terry was MOC at the Awards banquet, with the help of wife Susanne.

The Gaslight Restaurant in Rockerville seats the National Rally. This year was a great year for seeing old friends like Lee from Missouri. He brought his fiancé, Elise, and we tried to warn her, but she seems determined to try and tame him. It was great to visit with Heartland Oklahoma group and we promised to try to make their “Beach Party Blast” next year. We got to visit with Mike May from Canada and our old buds Bill Delapp from New York and Bill Jones from Wisconsin. Bill Jones brought Diane or vice versa, and she’s looking good. When it came time for awards, we were especially pleased to see Bill Delapp win “Oldest Rider” and “Furtherest Rider” with over 1800 miles from Oswego NY on his motorcycle!

We heard some real hard luck stories, but everyone agreed that Bubba took the plaque, in more ways than one. Very hard way to win that, Bubba.

Gary Lovell called the names of five WFMC members that were “First Time 4 for 4 Riders”. At the podium he introduced Brent “Pebbles” Jenkins from Irving, Barry Wehmiller from Bellwood, and from Rocky Mountain Eric Sondeen, Mike Shanberger and Walt Salazar. He noted that one non-member, Trish Pedrosa, also rode all the rallies right behind Walt. This was also a first for the 4 for 4 motorcycle riders.

Bruce and Erline from Irving were recognized as riding 4 for 4 for two years in a row.

Another first this year was the inclusion of RV’rs making all four rallies. James Bates is a new member of WFMC Dallas Chapter and he rode last year at the Ride to Remember in Colorado. So he wanted to start his first full year with the club by attending every rally. James & Kathy rv’d to each city, then he rode his bike to each rally, 4 for 4, and he plans to go the Ride to Remember again this year. Gary and I joined him on each ride and really enjoyed the RV experience, too.

JR closed the rally with a request to remember Bubba in your thoughts and have a safe ride home. We were sorry to have to say good-by to so many fine folks. See ya next year, or sooner.

Chapter Historian - Mindy Lovell