A Great time at the Pashnit Gathering… CA
Sunday, May 13th, 2007
It is Sunday afternoon, fresh and clean air at 4300 feet… have not moved yet, Sopiago Springs is still “home” today. From being alone last week, to many riders making their presence this weekend, to being alone again with only my buddy Spirit… himself most likely wondering… where have they all gone! The semi annual Pashnit Forum Gathering weekend has, unfortunately, come to an end. Everyone said their goodbyes… I have many new friends, many just wonderful people throughout this family oriented gathering. Children were having a blast… dogs were in big numbers to Spirit’s pleasure… Spirit who was called this weekend “a dog with an attitude”…
As sweet as he is… I agree… suddenly from isolation camping with me to over one hundred people surrounding him, I don’t think he comprehended too well what was going on… and the barks simultaneous with tail wagging were numerous! Where does one starts when so much happened in such short time with so many people which, I apologize in advance, their names will be unintentionally forgotten!…
It all started Thursday evening with John and Carol arriving… with the food! And before we go any further, I hope that everyone realizes that without their help this Gathering would not have taken place in the fashion it did. Energizer John… taking care of everything without ever slowing down… he deserves a Big Thank You from everyone.
They both stepped up to the plate helping for Friday’s dinner since the one member which had offered his services never showed up! I will forgive him sitting on the job… I will forgive him for switching brands purchasing the wrong Chicken Broth for the gingered rice pilaf… which was corrected by the way by another member, Jimmy, going to the store to make it right… On my end?… well, less than perfect also… forgetting a spice for the chicken… but finding some locally in the campground through John’s RV and the local kitchen!
WARNING FOR THE NEXT PICTURE: Larry’s HI-VIS riding jacket… SUNGLASSES NEEDED
Friday morning came by pretty quick and in one hour a kitchen was set up… tables and awnings to keep us out of the sun… the prep started… We did well by taking a three hour break at noon…
More riders coming in… many hugs… much conversation… more offers to help! It was a new experience to bake in gas BBQ’s… but it happened. The result…
Sate Chicken with Peanut Sauce… Gingered Rice Pilaf… Roasted Vegetables… and Bread Pudding topped with a Caramel Sauce… How did this happened?… No pictures of the Bread Pudding? And lets not forget the appetizer… a mixture of cheddar cheese, onions, hot sauce, pecans… served on crackers with, yes, strawberry jam.
Everyone seem to like it… I am a hard critic on myself… but as silence dominated the campground and everybody was eating, well, I took it as a good sign. The crowd continued trickling in… Mark and Judith, (what a memory…), pros at camping it seemed like… as the image below attests…
The campground owner Tim made his appearance on two wheels wearing the most protective ATTGAT (All The Gear All The Time) apparel… one pair of construction gloves…
There was later some money exchanged… maybe a bet that he would make it alive riding through the camp?
No rest… no small fire… heavy machinery was needed and used to bring in the wood… I would say trees!… The kids got a ride taking turns… The dogs were watching… and even at some point…
Spirit seemed to want this mini bike for his own pleasure. Maybe I am rubbing off on him?… Is he tired of the sidecar riding? Might have to get him one and his own helmet…
That is of course if John… graciously as you can see, would ever start it! I told you… Energizer John!
And a gathering is never complete without a great bonfire… a giant bonfire… everyone gathered around it… some with their chairs turned around watching the evening movie… a propos for the occasion “The Wild Ones”, with our hero rider… Marlon Brando.
Only good times… wishing everyone would have stayed a few more days! I would have even offered to do some more cooking. Myself… I need the last breakage to be repaired more permanently and waiting for a word from South Lake Tahoe were a sidecar rider friend knows of a Jeep fabricator that might be able to weld on a new square piece which holds the sidecar…
I will also write on my ride to Volcano… Sutter Creek and the most expensive BMW Store on the Continent where I had a tire change…
Thank you for making me feel so welcome in your big family… for myself and Spirit being on the road this has been a real treat.
Be well…
Ara & Spirit
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Ara Gureghian
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Naples Fl 34108
