Another outstanding BBQ!
I went on vacation for a week after the last camper left Tuesday, and now that I'm back, I wish everyone was still here! It all started out innocently enough with the weather threatening rain and the wind picking up. But like last year, Tod (Todfitch) reminded us that the weather has a way of changing its mind without telling the weather man. I held my breathe, because with so many coming from far away, a less than beautiful day could keep the trucks away. It was in the 70’s and beautiful the whole week. The first man to arrive was Jeremiah (Ram Man 02) from Minnesota. He drove his Saturn for two days arriving on Thursday night. The first truck was Paul's which I had picked up on a Tuesday. It was Paul's truck Jeremiah and I first talked about and visited over. It was on to Burger King and what I like to call "Hamburger Week" began. We had a strong work day with the help a lot of awesome workers Jim Shepard (Jim Shepard), John T (John-T-53 ), Zac, Jeremiah, and Justin. Friday saw the arrival of Mark (ggdad1951) from MN, Merle (Merle Coggins) and his lovely lady, Michele, from Wisconsin. Merle waited at the airport for Mark and the 3 of them met Jim Shepard, Jeremiah, Zac and myself (48Dodger) at "The Squeeze Inn" in Galt, Ca. What a great start! Mark is a funny guy and kept me laughing all week. He listens as well as being a wealth of common sense. I consider him a real friend. Jeremiah is a good soul and I enjoyed our long conversations. He's on the quiet side like my son, yet Zac and he talked a lot! Seems every time I turned around, they were yakking away. I'm sure he knows some things about my son I don't, lol. That night we gathered around the fire pit and got to know all the folks who made the long trip from just about everywhere to make the BBQ. I sometimes call the whole event a family reunion, because so many of us have written with each other on the forum for years. Hank (HanksB3B) his wife Blanca, Davin (Desotodav) from Brisbane Australia were there, along with my brother, his wife Elaine, all the folks from Oregon, George, George Jr. , Del and his wife (help with her name?) and locals Dave and Christyann from Dodge City, Jamestown, Ca. It was a good night of fun sitting around the fire and laughing it up.
The day of the event was a flurry of people, cars, trucks and food. My brother John and my son Zac stepped up in a big way and COOKED! They cooked everything they could get their hands on...lol. We provided the heat if you had brought you own food.....and the people brought it! But having said that, Jerry’s (Boss Hog) wife Holly, brings me brownies every year....in fact, every time they stop by to visit. I love brownies lol. Paul's (Pflaming) wife Darlene is a saint....he really is a lucky man. He could lose every vehicle he's got to a fire, and he'd still be a lucky man. Just my opinion of course. The guys who photographed everything…Mark ( Mark Haymond ), and Bob Koch ( Bob_Koch ) are pros…..I/we can’t thank you enough, seriously!
And of course the event winners:
01. Best of Show ------------------------ Michele (Tom Smith aka tcsmithh )
02. Best L-6 Engine--------------------- John Tischler
03. Best Modified Engine--------------- Christyann
04. Best Wood/ Flat or Utility Bed----- George from Oregon
05. Best Truck Bumper------------------- Bob from Modesto
06. Best Non-Mopar Vehicle------------- Bob G.
07. Best In-Progress Truck--------------- Fred B.
08. Best Body Damage-------------------- Paul Flaming
09. Longest Distance Traveled------------ Davin
10. Longest Distance Truck--------------- Mark Haymond
11. The Tough Trucker Award - ---------- George from Oregon
12. Wish You Were Here Award*--------- Mark F. and Davin
I had a blast giving ATV rides to the kids, showing off Sakura my Red-Tailed Hawk, making new friends and spending time with my old ones.
Its sad to see it all end so soon. it’s the best time of the year.
And to all who tried to make it.....we got your back! We'll see you next year!
Thank you everybody!!! Thank you very much......
48Dodger