WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT

(Written by Joe Lopez, Husband of the 2004 Special Projects Director)

Three days before we leave.  Thinking about it most of the day.  Two days before we leave.  Thinking about it day and night.  The day before we leave, I couldn’t sleep all night.  Went to the bathroom at least 5 times.  Nothing happened.  Excited as hell, nervous, almost sick to my stomach.  I’m being a pain in the butt with everyone.  I think everyone hates me.  Finally daylight and I go the garage, open the door and that’s when I settle down.  Much to everyone’s delight.  I don’t think Barbara and Lana (Smith) could take much more of me.  Finally we leave for Rutland.  Meet up with Gayle & Ric Gurney at the Port Jefferson ferry.  Pay the ridiculous fare and had a light breakfast.  Ric comes over and says the German Lady wants to see me.  Oh, Oh, German lady means trouble.  I go to the window and she says YOU HAVE A TRAILER, DON’T YOU SIR!  I said yes.  She says, YOU OWE ME $13.00.  I said WHAT!  $13.00 for a one-wheel trailer.  She says, IT DOES NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE.  YOU MUST PAY $13.00 OR YOU WILL BE ARRESTED.  I paid the $13.00.  So much for trying to get away with something.   Story of my life.  We arrive in Bridgeport, Conn.  Nice leisurely ride up to Rutland.  Unbelievable, NO RAIN.  That is until we reach the traffic light just before the hotel at Rutland.  Just a passing shower.  Barbara is hyper as hell.  She keeps saying WE GOTTA, WE GOTTA, WE GOTTA.  She can be very intimidating.  Had me shaking in my shorts with the word GOTTA.  You have to understand when she says GOTTA, I’m in trouble.  She, Lana and Gayle did all the shopping for the snacks & drinks.  Thank God.  She, Lana and Gayle set up the hospitality room.  Thank God.  She, Lana and Gayle dotted the I’s and crossed the T’s.  Thank God.  I don’t know what I was so worried about.  As each day went by things got better.  I wasn’t shaking anymore.  Barb, Lana and Gayle seemed to have everything under control.  Thank God.  Then I was hit with the bombshell.  “Honey don’t forget we’re doing the skit tonight”.  I said “what skit”?  She said “Bertha Bitcharelli”.  I said “Oh no, I forgot”.  She said, “get ready”.  You all know the rest.  Seriously, I want everyone to know that I personally had a wonderful time.  Mainly because I could see everyone else having a great time.  It was a lot of work for Barbara and a little work for me, but it was well worth it.  I want to thank everyone who pitched in and helped.  I have to say every state was represented in helping with the success of this rally.  Even our Vendor made money.  Why we even had a member of the GWRRA stop by to say hello and take a peek at our rally.  They even bought one of our great looking tee shirts.  They were at Quechee Gorge and I noticed she had a trike that was exactly like Barbara’s.  Same color and everything.  Talked with her for a moment, told them who and where we were and the rest is history. 

I get goose bumps when I think about the FIVE “F’S”.

Family

Friendship

Fun

Fellowship

Freedom

Say……….Isn’t that WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT!

Beware of the IDIOTS out there…….