Paula(Butch2025)
Memorial Member
Butch and I made it home today around 4pm. We couldn't have asked for better riding weather as we headed north it actually was getting warmer!
When we left for Spyderfest last Tuesday afternoon it was 50 degrees and over 6 inches of snow on the ground (but the roads were dry!) With our winter riding gear on which included heated vests, hand and toe warmers, long underwear & jeans for me and insulated jeans for Butch under our riding pants we stayed pretty warm down to Des Moines, Iowa where the temps dropped down to 37. It really wasn't so much the cold but Butch's lack of sleep the night before due to having to plow snow the morning we left, that made us stop for the night.
Pulling into Springfield, MO and stopping at Pitbull's on Wednesday was like walking up to a family reunion. I know it's been said by others, but it is so very true. Some of these people we only get to see face to face once and maybe twice if we're lucky a year, and the conversations just pick right up were they left off last time. And with all families there are of course those sweethearts that make everyone feel welcomed and loved, the crazy uncle type ones that you just love to sit back and watch to see what they'll do next, the nutty pranksters....and so on....just like the real family that we are (notice I didn't name any names)!!! Some how we just all fit together and just keep adding more and more members each time we get together!
Of course the weather was crazy this year, we did get in one really great day of riding down Hwy 125 that had so many wonderul twists, turns, and roller coaster hills that I didn't want it to end then when it did we got to get on the Peel's Ferry and ride across the lake for more great riding. That day ended at the drag strip, and I will regret not trying it until next year, so Len we have to go there next year, just sayin'!!! Watching Seth race his new Spyder over and over with a huge smile on his face (most of the time) so much fun! When it did start to rain the next day, all that did was give us more to time to sit around where ever there were Spyders parked and gab. We even went to Bass Pro Shop since it rained (otherwise we might not have had time!) Visiting at the motels was so much fun that on the last evening it stretched into night then the wee hours of the morning. You could tell everyone was tired but know one really wanted to be the first to say good-night because that would mean it was over until next year. It's really hard to say good-by to dear friends that we have made of the years at this event.
As we traveled north towards home we left behind alot of green on the trees but thank heaven there was no snow to be seen (except on a ski hill!) when we arrived!!! It was in the mid 70's and I think I got a little sun burn sitting on the deck talking to Butch's dad when we stopped to visit him on our way home.
I think what this whole story is saying is that it really doesn't matter what the weather is like, coming - during - or going home, at Spyderfest, we Spyderlovers will alway have a great time just getting together because Len (his family) and the MoGang do such a wonderful job making sure that we do just that, have a wonderful time!!! I don't know how you all pulled it off this year, what with opening a new business and moving the whole event and all that entails too, but you did it with style, passion, and grace. Thank you, each and everyone of you for all that you do!!!
See ya'll next Year!! Paula & Butch
When we left for Spyderfest last Tuesday afternoon it was 50 degrees and over 6 inches of snow on the ground (but the roads were dry!) With our winter riding gear on which included heated vests, hand and toe warmers, long underwear & jeans for me and insulated jeans for Butch under our riding pants we stayed pretty warm down to Des Moines, Iowa where the temps dropped down to 37. It really wasn't so much the cold but Butch's lack of sleep the night before due to having to plow snow the morning we left, that made us stop for the night.
Pulling into Springfield, MO and stopping at Pitbull's on Wednesday was like walking up to a family reunion. I know it's been said by others, but it is so very true. Some of these people we only get to see face to face once and maybe twice if we're lucky a year, and the conversations just pick right up were they left off last time. And with all families there are of course those sweethearts that make everyone feel welcomed and loved, the crazy uncle type ones that you just love to sit back and watch to see what they'll do next, the nutty pranksters....and so on....just like the real family that we are (notice I didn't name any names)!!! Some how we just all fit together and just keep adding more and more members each time we get together!
Of course the weather was crazy this year, we did get in one really great day of riding down Hwy 125 that had so many wonderul twists, turns, and roller coaster hills that I didn't want it to end then when it did we got to get on the Peel's Ferry and ride across the lake for more great riding. That day ended at the drag strip, and I will regret not trying it until next year, so Len we have to go there next year, just sayin'!!! Watching Seth race his new Spyder over and over with a huge smile on his face (most of the time) so much fun! When it did start to rain the next day, all that did was give us more to time to sit around where ever there were Spyders parked and gab. We even went to Bass Pro Shop since it rained (otherwise we might not have had time!) Visiting at the motels was so much fun that on the last evening it stretched into night then the wee hours of the morning. You could tell everyone was tired but know one really wanted to be the first to say good-night because that would mean it was over until next year. It's really hard to say good-by to dear friends that we have made of the years at this event.
As we traveled north towards home we left behind alot of green on the trees but thank heaven there was no snow to be seen (except on a ski hill!) when we arrived!!! It was in the mid 70's and I think I got a little sun burn sitting on the deck talking to Butch's dad when we stopped to visit him on our way home.
I think what this whole story is saying is that it really doesn't matter what the weather is like, coming - during - or going home, at Spyderfest, we Spyderlovers will alway have a great time just getting together because Len (his family) and the MoGang do such a wonderful job making sure that we do just that, have a wonderful time!!! I don't know how you all pulled it off this year, what with opening a new business and moving the whole event and all that entails too, but you did it with style, passion, and grace. Thank you, each and everyone of you for all that you do!!!
See ya'll next Year!! Paula & Butch
hyea:
601 miles...
