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My husband, Jim, and I belong to the Gold Wing Touring Association (we are the Chapter Directors of the Livingston Wings - Chapter H). For several years now, a little fellow by the name of "Waldo" has been cruising the countryside being passed from chapter to chapter and from member to member. Waldo also has a "wife" and a "kid" who often accompany him. Many of Waldo's "foster parents" write in his journal of his experiences. The attached is an account of Waldo's experience with us and was printed in the Touring News (GWTA's monthly magazine).

August 24, 2003
At the Ride 4 Kids event in Ann Arbor, MI, Norm & Sandy handed me (and family) over to Jim & Kris Rogers of Michigan Chapter H. They looked like a nice couple. They live in a really small town called Burt, which consists of a gas station/market and a post office. If you are ever in the area don't blink, you'll miss it. Looking forward to some adventures with my new family.

September 11, 2003
Two words a monkey never wants to hear in conjunction with a motorcycle trip: vacuum packed!! Apparently, Jim & Kris have decided to go to the Kentucky Rally this weekend, which sounds like fun. However, they have elected to live out of the motorcycle for a 6-day trip…that means space is at a premium. The wife & kid are staying at home and I've just been informed that I can go, but then those 2 words were spoken. YOU'RE KIDDING, RIGHT?! To add insult to injury, I'm naked! They were afraid that the pins on my jacket would poke holes in the zip-lock bag (wouldn't that be a shame). Oh, well, anything to be able to ride, I guess.

September 12, 2003
We took some really nice twisty roads in Indiana and arrived without mishap at Diamond Lake Resort, home of this year’s KY Rally. We met lots of nice people, but they talk kinda funny! After opening ceremonies, Jim did some go-karting and on the way back, we heard lots of shouting and laughter. Never one to pass up a party, I asked if we could check it out. The Bowling Green, KY chapter campsite was designated as the “Soggy Bottom Racetrack” and the people there were racing cardboard cars around a small "oval" track. When we got off the bike, a bunch of people started shouting for Kris to come and join in. So being the enthusiastic participator that she is, she jumped right in and won the pole (after a spectacular rollover crash) and proceeded to win her race. We mingled for a while and then called it a night.

September 13, 2003
The scheduled observation ride was real pretty, and despite some confusing road signs, we managed to not get lost. Back at campground, the bike games were lots of fun. Kris remains the Hot Dog Bite Queen in KY, and we took awards in all of the rest of the games. This couple is pretty competitive, from what I've seen. I was pretty tired after the games so I chilled out in the room during dinner, but rejoined the festivities for closing ceremonies. It was fun kissing all the pretty girls, and high-fiving all the guys. I went to bed while Kris went to Karaoke and got to sing with the Bowling Green chapter. Apparently, she fit right in down here because they want to adopt her. Jim went racing again (that seems to be what he does best). We all had lots of fun, but had to go to bed early because we are going to be on the road heading for a cabin in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee tomorrow.

September 14, 2003
On the road at 7:00 a.m. today. We were traveling with Bob & Kim Davis and Terry & Vickie Cuykendall of Chapter E out of Kalamazoo, MI. Joy of joys, the Davis' allowed me to ride in their trailer so that I didn't have to get VP'd (vacuum packed) again! Pulled into Townsend, TN around 4:00 p.m. and found our cabin. Way cool! We had a 360o view of the Smokies. The cabin even had a hot tub. This is the life!!

September 15, 2003
Woke up to some really thick fog, so our departure for Deal's Gap (aka the Dragon's Tail, aka US 129, aka 318 turns in 11 miles, aka a motorcyclist's dream) was delayed for a couple of hours. When we did get on the road, we took a short cut to Deal's Gap that a local had turned us on to. That saved us an hour and half, so we had more time to PLAY! I had already been to Deal's Gap once, but it is definitely worth going again. Good thing I don't get motion sickness! We ran that stretch of road plus the Chillihowee Skyway twice in the same day (down and back). Kris & Jim bought me a new pin for my jacket to commemorate the trip. Note: we did NOT leave any parts behind on the Tree of Shame. After we had dinner, we went back to the cabin and sat around the campfire for a while, followed by bedtime. Nighty-night.

September 16, 2003
Said goodbye to the cabin and headed for Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN. We got a room in Pigeon Forge and then rode through Gatlinburg to go to Cades Cove, an 11-mile loop in the Smoky Mountain National Park. Gorgeous scenery mixed with history … pretty cool! After that, we all went to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede (dinner and a show). Once again, Jim & Kris elected to participate and once again, Kris was involved in a spectacular rollover crash. This one was on the arena floor in front of 1100 people. The show ended and we all decided to see what kind of fun we could find on the main drag in Pigeon Forge. Lots of go-karts and amusement rides. Jim & Kris took me on what I thought would be my last ride! It was called the Skyscraper and WHAT A RIDE IT WAS! I didn't think I would like it, particularly when they told me I had to get naked again, but I thought, what the heck. How many times does a monkey get to pull 4 G's and live to tell about it? It kind of shook me up, so the girls took me shopping, while the guys rode more go-karts. Hit the hay and slept like a log.

September 17, 2003
Did some more shopping this morning, then went into some place called Flyaway. Apparently, this group did not have enough excitement last night with the rollover, the Skyscraper and the go-karts. Now they wanted to do some indoor skydiving. Huh? I guess it’s a vertical wind tunnel. Jim & Kris have done this several times (go figure) but it was the first time for Bob, Kim, and Vickie. I was underweight and could not participate, so Terry decided he would stay with me and we'd take pictures of these clowns…uh, I mean people. Grabbed a bite to eat, and took off heading north. We wanted to get a couple of hours towards home so that tomorrow wouldn't be such an extremely long day.

September 18, 2003
It was an extremely long day. We were on the road at 9:00 a.m. and other than stopping for gas and/or food, it was pretty dull…freeway all the way. We did get to stop at Cabela's, the outdoorsman store in Dundee, MI. WOW! If they don't have, you don't need it.

I said goodbye to my buddies, Jim & Kris, and proceeded to go to Parchmont, MI with my new family, Bob & Kim Davis. Nilla and the missus will follow in a few days. I'm looking forward to some R & R. I need a vacation from my vacation!!!

By Kris Rogers

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STAR Touring & Riding - Chapter 178 Conceived in 1995 and founded in 1996, STAR Touring and Riding Association is an international family riding organization. As the, "Official STAR Organization of Yamaha Motor Corp.," STAR is a non-political, non-confrontational association. Its main focus is on family, fun, camaraderie and RIDING. All brands of motorcycles are welcome. Comprising over 20,000 families and over 150 chapters, STAR recognizes safety as a first priority. The STAR community is a mix of riders with varied riding experiences. Chapter rides follow the highway laws and limits, to keep everyone as safe as possible. This allows everyone to enjoy the ride and not have new riders feel overly stressed. STAR chapter rides do not include "tavern runs", and consumption of alcoholic beverages on chapter rides is prohibited. We want to see you back safely for the next ride. If you are looking for a family motorcycle association, with a lot of pride, spirit and camaraderie without the "attitude" you have found the right organization. Come ride with us and feel the spirit!!!!!

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