Majestic Utah Ride 2009
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Please Note: This is the largest slide show ever with over 190 photos and it will take some time to load even with a broadband connection and may not completely load with slower connections and older computers. Hint: If you have a larger monitor, you can increase the size of the slide show window by holding down the control key and then tap the + key before hitting the arrow (play) button on the screen. |
| WOW! The Majestic Utah Ride was FANTASTIC! Seventy-one excited members on forty-three motorcycles met at the departure point in Anthem for the much anticipated Utah Ride. The ride hosts greeted the members as they arrived and directed them to their pre-assigned riding groups. Todd Gerber and Jim Boomer then welcomed all of the members and presented the pre-ride briefing to the group. The call was then given for the first group to start up their bikes and get ready to roll. The five riding groups departed in ten minute intervals, followed by our chase truck pulling the Big Red Trailer. The route took us to Flagstaff for our first fuel/bio stop. The weather was cool as the riders continued onto Cameron for a club sponsored group lunch. Following lunch, it was back on the road with a cookie and ice-cream break at beautiful Jacob Lake. The members then enjoyed a scenic ride to our hotel in Mt. Carmel, Utah. As soon as we arrived at the hotel, our ride hosts, Jim & Michelle Boomer, Todd & Peggy Gerber, Duane Hollis and Vickie Todd, (along with Jimmy Boomer, Jodi Gerber, and Ryan) swung into action unloading the trailer and setting up under the trees for our first hospitality party. The members enjoyed fresh baked pizza appetizers and club sponsored beverages as they waited for the hotel staff to prepare a delicious Dutch oven cookout dinner. Prior to dinner being served, a 50/50 raffle was held and Peggy Gerber handed out gift packages containing club logo flashlights, Utah Maps, and highlighters to be used in planning the next days open ride. The members then enjoyed a delicious Dutch oven dinner served under the stars on a beautiful Utah evening. As the members said good night and headed to their rooms they all had fond memories of a fantastic day of riding and a wonderful evening. The next morning everyone was up early taking advantage of the gorgeous morning. Members met in groups for breakfast and planned their riding destinations for the day. The members departed in various directions for rides to Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks National Park, Brian Head Ski Resort and other fantastic destinations. Some riders returned early enough to enjoy a round of golf prior to our second hospitality party. After a quick shower it was time to rejoin the group for another festive cocktail party under the stars. It was a very lively event as the excited members discussed the adventures that they had enjoyed during their day rides. Dinner was on your own at the hotel and then it was off to bed in anticipation of an early start to Fish Lake and Escalante. Friday morning found everyone gathering at the hotel restaurant for a club sponsored Continental Breakfast, and then onto the bikes for a fabulous ride. The members enjoyed a gorgeous ride to Fish Lake, then on into Torrey for a delightful delicious club sponsored lunch at Capitol Inn & Cafe. The members were treated to miles of incredible scenery as they traveled Hwy. #12 and the Hogsback enroute to Escalante. As we rolled into The Prospector Inn in Escalante, everyone quickly unloaded their bikes and met at The Big Red Trailer to wash down the trail dust with a cold beverage. The hosts surprised everyone with souvenir western cowboy/girl hats to enhance their dress for the evening’s hayride and Dutch Oven Cookout. Following a very high spirited parking lot party, the hay wagon arrived to take us to the cookout. It was a magnificent Utah evening as the members relaxed at the Wild West Retreat enjoying the western outdoor atmosphere with the delicious aromas of the Dutch oven dinner being cooked in the open fire pit. When the dinner bell rang, the hungry members lined up, filled their plates with delicious food and enjoyed the glorious outdoor event. Saturday was an open riding day with members joining up in small groups to enjoy the fantastic rides in the area. A number of riders enjoyed Burr Trail, while others opted to ride in Bryce Canyon, while yet others got off their bikes and did some hiking. Saturday afternoon everyone headed to Ruby’s Inn in Bryce Canyon for our final main group farewell party. The weather had been fantastic throughout the ride, however, a thunderstorm complete with very large hail caught some of the riders on the road in route to the hotel. The hosts had secured a beautiful banquet room at Ruby’s Inn for our main group farewell party. Spirits were high as the members joined in the banquet room to enjoy a lively cocktail party, delicious appetizers, and a delightful dinner, complete with an assortment of decadent desserts. Following dinner, the party was just getting started as the DJ cranked up the music and everyone exploded onto the dance floor. The room was really rockin’! There were many highlights on the dance floor, “Jimmy Boomer was the hit of the evening with his red-hot wheel chair dance,” followed closely by Duane Hollis doing his “famous alligator dance”, (you had to be there)!!! As the party continued, there was definitely a whole lot of moving and shaking going on as the BMMC members proved once again, that this club really knows how to party. It was a blast!!! Sunday morning the groups divided up as forty-six members said their good-byes as they departed at different times for their return ride back to Phoenix. There were a lot of hugs and hand shakes as the members said goodbye to old friends and new friends. The other twenty-five members loaded up their bikes and headed for an optional ride to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and overnight stay at Jacob’s Lake Lodge. The group enjoyed a wonderful ride to the North Rim, and then returned to Jacob’s Lake for the evening’s festivities. Host, Vickie Todd had arranged for a hospitality party, complete with appetizers under the stars. Early the next morning, the North Rim Riders loaded up and headed out for their return ride to Phoenix. Everyone was filled with warm memories of this wonderful magical trip. On behalf of all the participants, we would like to convey our sincere thanks and appreciation to Jim, Michelle, Jimmy Jr., Ryan, Todd, Peggy, Jodi, Duane & Vickie for this spectacular adventure. The planning, arrangements, and execution were superb. We cannot thank you enough for the many hours that you all devoted to making this trip so spectacular for us and providing us with the opportunity to enjoy the enchanting Utah Canyon country with our BMMC family. Thanks for the memories! A special thanks to Jimmy Jr., for driving our chase truck, with the Big Red Trailer. BMMC extends our gratitude to TJ & Pam Jackson for donating the use of their Eastside Performance Trailer for the trip. We also want to thank our dedicated Ride Captain group for leading and sweeping our five ride groups. Outstanding Job! Many thanks to the following members for sharing their great photos of our adventure for the website slideshow. Jimmy Boomer, Kim Caine, Sharon Harris, Phil & Leslie Jensen, Liz Jones, Ed Graham, Bart Iden, and Ruthie Salant. Nicely done guys! The Majestic Utah Ride was presented as our premier road trip of the year and it truly was. Everyone enjoyed the beautiful scenic routes, motorcycle friendly roads, lively hospitality parties, delicious food, and most of all the opportunity to enjoy the companionship of their fellow members and to nurture lasting friendships! |