The Redsled

A round trip planned...
To Boise to see old friend and colleague Kim Chournos
To Spokane to see old friend and colleague Jack Ohl
To Seattle to see old friend and brother David Campbell
And of course a proper dose of their families

The HOG and I were to go.
A bike trip through some great country

But pending 100+ weather
Plus the threat of Sun Valley smoke
From a large forest fire there
Caused a change
Yes, the "Badass" has turned into a fair weather rider...
Some would suggest "Pansyass"

I had ordered a bra...
For the Redsled

Just in case
So she was ready

(The "Redsled" is a low-mileage 2002 Torch Red Corvette

She's a "garage queen" that's right.)

Hadn't seen Kim in almost 40 years
He is among the handful of best healthcare administrators
I have known

Our visit was like we had never been apart
We promised to get together again one day
For a ride on the Harleys

The greatest part of the trip for the Redsled
Was straightening out the twisties
In the beautiful mountains between Boise and Spokane
We didn't push her limit but we pushed mine
And we had a ball
I was happy there was no one with me
To be white-knuckling the upholstery

Saw Jack again....
A world-class logistician
And a close pal for (yup) almost 40 years
Spent a perfect evening with him and Joan
In a hot-tub at their mighty fine home
On a Spokane hillside overlooking the city
Swilling wine... telling old and new lies

Saw brother David and his family
Wife and world's best pal Julieann flew in to join us for the weekend
Spent some time watching his son, Dakota, 10
at a football jamboree

His son loves the game it's obvious
From the way he blows through the offensive and defensive lines
He plays for himself of course
But he also plays for his Father and I

Home stretch back to Sacramento from Seattle
800 miles door-to-door
Split the trip into two days
In deference to my advancing physical age
Interstate 5 and the Redsled got along perfectly
At ten over most of the way

A teenager's dream
To ride the countryside
In a bright shiny 'Vette
Mark that sucker off the bucket list!

PeeeeeeEsssssss
"Grandma's House" in Yreka California
Serves up an old-fashioned killer breakfast
Home fries perfectly browned
Eggs with fried edges yet not overcooked
Sausage patty "from local packer"
And a steaming fresh home-made biscuit
With plenty of butter and a big glob of jelly
(this last is for you Bob Bunker where ever you are...)

Note:  Kim passed away on September 25th, 2013... just a few weeks after our reunion.  He was a great man who loved everything about life and people.  I was lucky to have the opportunity to visit with him...