OK OK I managed to delete my post so I will try again....

Had a GREAT time at the Gathering of the clans even though I showed late. Met Aïda
and her smile and Graham, Rob Valdez, Not so fast ED Bellair (Not true - his Mono has reached the far side of eighty) (OH and thank you for the tent space!), NC Steve, Sue Canada (at long last we meet!) and her friend Stu Canada, New members Jonathan and Mike Davis who we adopted when he showed up on an R65 (poor fool). I'm missing somebody please forgive me. There was beer, cigars, rain, scotch, lies, door prizes, the signing of THE FLAG, voice mails from Melena! glorious sunshine. Did I mention the sun came out this morning. Ed Bellair, Mike Davis and I blitzed the Blue Ridge (at 45 mph) this morning in GLORIOUS sunshine with a few clouds on the mountain tops. We made it to the top of Mount Mitchell before barracaids prevented futher glory. Thus repulsed, we backtracked to route 80 and wound our way south to I-40 before rejoining the wonderful Blue Ridge for a short time. Then south on I-26 out of Ashville. Somewhere in here we ran into Sue Canada for about 5 minutes but our choice of lunch PUT HER OFF and she continued her quest to head west without us. Un fortunately the heat and the fatigue forced us off the road for food and refreshements. After lunch we rejoined I-85 to Atlanta for a spirited 3 man group ride - cages and trucks all around. I hope the other two gentilmen took notes on how to run a group ride as there will possible be a test in the future.
Dare I say - a good time was had by all - worth every minute of the 650 miles put on the R65 in the last two days.
Did I mention we had a glorious time on the Blue Ridge?

Call Melena at 707-837-1720 and answer the voice mails - she missed us and we miss her.
Pics to follow....