BMMC

Grand Canyon Extravaganza

September 21 to September 23, 2007

24 BMMC Members, 15 Bikes and 2 Chase Vehicles met on Friday September 21st. at 8:00 AM at the Chevron Station located at I17 and Carefree Highway ready to roll.  After a short ride briefing by Ride Hosts Bill and Paula Scardina we broke into 2 groups which were led by Ride Captains Gene Adee and Paula Scardina. Thanks to our ride Sweeps Ron Small and Bill Scardina. We headed north on our Journey on time at 8:30 AM. 

Each group left at 5 minute intervals and began our journey to one of the 7 Wonders of the World the “Grand Canyon”. Our route took us up I17 to the 260 Cottonwood exit and then on to Route 89A where the group was met with the beautiful views of Sedona and the Red Rock country as we came over the pass into Sedona. This is a breath taking ride and if you have never ridden it please feel free to do as it is totally awesome. I have the Garmin GPS route saved for anyone wishing a copy.

Our first stop was a Giant Gas Station in Sedona where we had a Fuel Stop and Bio Break. This was a rather quick stop as we were all starting to get a little hungry. We only had one small incident with a light bar but you should have seen when Mike Lemmons called for tools.   Every guy around pulled out his tools to help. This was amazing as "Snap On" would have been proud. I have never seen so many Brand New Never Used Tools come out of all those bags. It was a site even the Maytag repairman would have been proud. Once we knew all was secured we began our journey once again to the north country.

We again headed up Scenic 89A thru Sedona on to Flagstaff for our lunch stop. By the way the first group was led by Paula Scardina, my capable Bride and a BMMC Ride Captain. Nice job Paula thru the twisties, This part of our Grand route took us through winding roads through Oak Creek Canyon and thru Forest Highlands to our lunch destination Flagstaff.

We all caught up at Picazzo Pizza at 11:30 AM as planned and on schedule where we were met by an extremely capable staff and management. They had the Patio ready for us with Blankets and Heaters just in case it was a little nippy. By the way the weather could not have been better for our trip. Even with advanced reservations over 3 months ago and many head count changes due to BMMC member changes the restaurant did an outstanding job. Thanks to James the Manager of Picazzo Pizza Flagstaff and BMMC will recommend this restaurant and we will be back. Lunch was terrific as it was extremely quiet for about an hour. You know our members enjoyed it when the talking stops and the food disappears. After a well deserved rest we headed up to Snow Bowl and then onto our final leg of the trip to Grand Canyon, Arizona and the Red Feather Lodge.

We all safely   arrived at the Red Feather Lodge in Tusayan which is a mile outside the main gate of Grand Canyon National Park and we all checked in without a hitch. Well maybe there were a few small hitches as some of the rooms were not ready. As much as we try to coordinate our arrival times to the check in time, sometimes we are off.  Once we all had rooms  now it was time to settle in for a rest before our evening festivities and our BMMC Sponsored Club "Welcome Party".  Our Club Sponsored BMMC Welcome Party started at 5:00 PM where we all met in a lovely indoor tree lighted Private garden setting at the Quality Inn which was located directly behind our hotel. We even had anther treat ready as we had planned for the group a repeat performance by our friend "Omar" the Spanish guitar player.  Omar can make one little guitar sound like a full blown band.  He serenaded us to all our favorites old and new, 50's 60's and even a few surprises of his own to keep the group alive. But if any of  you have been to one of our Welcome Parties you know that moving and shaking is never a problem.

Raymond our friendly food and beverage manager and his capable staff had setup a complete bar. Which is where all our members could be found using their drink tickets and socializing about the days activities. At 5:30 the staff brought out a wonderful array of delicious Hot and Cold and very delectable  appetizers for our very hungry riders. This feast to behold was terrific and the way we were all partying it was sure bet that no one was even thinking about dinner.

Everyone was dressed to the Nine’s, refreshed, rested and getting into talking about the days ride and getting to know each other a little better, which seemed easier with Name Tags provided by our Hostess Paula Scardina.  I must say that each and every Welcome Party we  have been to has been more exciting then the others and this one was one not to be missed. Our newest members were to be surprised this evening as BMMC has now initiated a New Event. I know most of you have heard about the infamous lap dance here in phoenix but our Lovely and Wild BMMC Ladies have now invented the INFAMOUS BMMC CHAIR DANCE.

I am truly sorry but due to the very sensitive nature of this event the facts are that we do not want this event copied by other Motor Cycle Clubs and or HOG Chapters, so there will be NO PICTURES of this NEW INITIATION posted on our site. This is also a way to protect the innocent. The ladies of BMMC on this ride have out done themselves by creating this unique event. Great Job Ladies!!!  I even heard that someone unnamed, like Mike Calantropio say, and I quote. "I have been in the club for 4 years and never got a chair dance. Mike can't say that anymore. Great Job Mike....

You had to be there, but beware as I know for a fact that the lovely Ms. Vickie is planning a New Fund Raiser and is preparing to sell Xmas Cards and Posters of this Initiation at the BMMC Annual Christmas Party. Gentlemen get your wallets ready.

A great time was being had by all including the hotel guests as they were even dancing on their balconies. We even had hotel guests join us in our private area to just drink, listen, enjoy and laugh along with the rest of us.  We had a special treat before we departed for the evening as Omar played a special song for Ms. Vickie and Ron who danced together and we all joined in. Frankly no one knows what time we went to our rooms. If we did we are not telling.  I am again sworn to secrecy as some BMMC elders left the party early as the flash photo opportunities and goings on were way to much to handle..  I can tell you the pictures on our new site are only a small sampling of this fine event and I am sorry to say if you were not there you missed another earth shattering BMMC Event.

As I think we might be planning a repeat performance for 2008 you will just have to keep you calendars open for late September 2008 .

Saturday morning after our complimentary breakfast we all met in the parking lot at 9:30 AM for a group ride to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and a great close up view of the Canyon. It was trying to rain but it stayed away until the late afternoon. After the Visitor Center we all rode over to the South Rim for more gorgeous view and then lunch at the El Tovar Hotel. This is the oldest Hotel in the canyon and Teddy Roosevelt stayed here. What a great lunch and afterwards some riders headed out to Desert View for a look at the canyon from another vantage point and the Colorado River.  The tower itself provided a view from above and many BMMC members ventured into the tower for a look of our surroundings from a higher point.  Pictures were plentiful as well as a little shopping going on as the Tower also houses a gift shop.

This is where some of the group was pelted with rain and hail on their way back to the hotel. This ended our group activities for the day and all members were on their own to explore the Canyon or the town of Tusayan outside the Canyon.  Some took in hiking; while some shopped or took in the IMAX in town for another different view of the wonder they call Grand Canyon.

This now brings us to our Saturday evening where we all met at 5:30 in the hotel parking lot where it began to rain again. When the rain stopped some of us started to walk over to the Grand Canyon Best Western for dinner. Thanks to Cherryl Sima for shuttling a few members over in her ride as no one wanted to get rained on being dressed up for dinner. The Coronado Room was the perfect setting for an exquisite fine-dining experience, Our farewell dinner in the Coronado Room pleased even the most well-traveled BMMC member. An extensive wine list complemented the many exclusive specialties created by our chef. After dinner we all moved downstairs to the sports bar where we met a group of travelers who were very unique when it came to sharing tables and chairs. Once that was resolved we had a wonderful and happy time playing pool, taking and drinking. This great group can party anywhere.  We all headed back to our rooms and got a good nights sleep to get ready for our ride back to the valley in the AM.

Sunday AM came bright and early and the weather brought a treat of 40 plus degrees to ride home in. We all said our good byes as we gathered up and headed back for our 200 mile trek back home. Some of the group had time to stop off in Sedona to have breakfast/lunch together before the final leg home.

Let’s say the ride home was spectacular as again the heavens provided another great Arizona riding day. Our only problem coming home was a horrific accident on I17 outside of New River where we were all sidelined for about 2 hours. Some of us decided to take our chances on the shoulder rather then waiting longer then 2 hours as we heard afterwards it was a 4 hour wait. All made it home safe.

Thanks to all for providing a safe, great and wonderful experience for our Grand Canyon Weekend.  Paula and I would just like to say thanks to all who attended for letting us provide more memories, laughs, and fun times as only we at BMMC can.

Be sure to check out the new club web site for great pictures of the members enjoying the Grand Canyon ride.

Thanks.  Till our next ride.

 Bill and Paula Scardina   

 

Click Here For Slideshow