The tale of four days, five states (yes we ate in every one!) and lots of Southern Cruisers at the SCRC National Rally in Memphis.

 A Cloudy Start

The SCRC National Rally in Memphis Tennessee is always an exciting event.  This year there was reason for more excitement because the West GA Chapter was going to have a major contingent going to the rally.  Everyone met at the agreed upon site, QT on 278 in Dallas, and we departed promptly at 9:13am.  The sky was gray and foreboding as the group of 18 bikes headed west on Hwy 278.  Spucketts had planned on meeting us but called at the last minute to report he was chasing his dogs thru the neighborhood (they must have been looking for new friends) and would be running late but would catch up along the way.  Wiz led the way right into the rain and by Cedartown, we had to stop.  He pulled us into the only covered area he could find (a mud hole of a closed gas station) and everyone donned their rain gear, except Candycane, who is tougher than most.  We headed back out in the rain and got into Alabama, near Gadsden before the rain stopped.  The route that Wiz picked was far more scenic than the “Future I-22 Corridor/Corridor X” and the ride was pleasant.  We learned at lunch that somehow Spucketts had passed us and was about 50 miles ahead of us.  We finally found him in Corinth, Mississippi which is a “Certified Retirement Community”. 

Eagle Rescue to the Rescue

It looked like we would cruise on in to Memphis without a worry in the world but no.  As we went thru Germantown on Poplar Avenue, a soccer mom wielding an SUV cut between Denisha and I and the next thing I saw was Denisha swerving in the road.  I just knew she had been hit by the SUV.  Wiz, Mike and Lisa and I turned around and headed back to where Denisha had stopped her bike on the sidewalk in front of Backyard Burgers (if you are really hungry, just ask, we’ll stop) where we saw that her rear tire was completely flat.  After some phone calls, we learned that Kelly King of Eagle Rescue was on her way.  Everyone hung out with Denisha waiting for the rescuers to arrive.  During the wait we lost a few folks to the Cozymel restaurant nearby but all were soon reunited and checked in at the Marriott.

Beale, Blues and BBQ

With everyone situated at the Marriott and the bikes safely parked under the viaduct for the night, some of us hopped on the trolley and headed out to Beale Street.  The 1^st item on the agenda was supper.  We decided on a BBQ placed called PIG “Pork With An Attitude”.  It was tasty and the service was good.  It felt good to sit down and relax after a long days ride.  Now with tummies full it was time for shopping, which is a favorite activity of many in our group.  It follows close behind eating and riding.

Things that Sparkle and Coyotes that Howl!

While walking along Beale we noticed that the Comedy Spot was now Coyote Ugly’s.  Everyone agreed it would be fun to check the place out.  It was a fun place and the music selection was very good.  We laughed and joked and the guys drooled some over the girls dancing on the bar.  Then the next thing I know, Deana is on the bar dancing with the Coyote Ugly Girls!!! That’s right, conservative little Deana was shaking her groove thing on top of the bar.   Such an act surely deserves an appropriate road name so for ever more let Deana be known as “Coyote”.  Well, with her new superstardom, she surely needed some flashy sunglasses.  We went to strange cargo and all us girls got special shades to wear in the parade.  We returned to the hotel and viaduct to party with the gang some before retiring for another big day.

It’s All About The Kids

After breakfast on Friday everyone met to ride to St Jude.  Denisha and Tony made it back from the Honda shop (code word for price gougers) just in time to go with us.  Staging took place at Riverfront Park about a mile from the Marriott.  The mood at the park was cheerful.  We all donned our special sparkly glasses and made some pictures.  The time came to mount up for the ride and we were lucky enough to be near the front.  I wore my Princess Helmet Crown that Cindy made for me.  It sure did stand out. 

Somehow when you enter the gates of the hospital the mood changes, it becomes charged with a special energy, everyone is revving their motors and honking their horns and the kids are waving and smiling. It is a heartwarming sight to see the kids and their families out front to greet us.  The SCRC ride is something these kids look forward to for weeks and talk about for months.  One child was so sick it was his 1^st time outside in weeks.  Stan helped another little girl with her IV and learned her name was Samantha, just like his youngest daughter.  Many folks brought gifts for the kids.  Deana gave one 2 foot tall kid a 3 foot tall pinwheel.  The smile on that little face was like sunshine.  We posed for our group photo and were told this was the biggest SCRC crowd ever. We later learned we had 526 bikes and about 1000 people.  Some folks toured the hospital and some of us went shopping in the store.  I learned that .85 of the proceeds from sales go straight to research at the hospital.  I tried to do my share.

Some Stragglers Make It To Memphis

Our group was not quite complete until Friday night when NTB (Cindy) arrived by airplane, boat, donkey cart, rickshaw, poultry truck and taxi.  Or something like that.  And the Spoon came streaking in on his Vrod too!  We were so glad to see them both so we went to eat at Westy’s.  I think our crowd was a bit overwhelming to the staff but they fed us anyway.  While we were standing outside we were nearly a hood ornament when a young lady threw her man out of the car and sped across the sidewalk near us and off into the Memphis night.  The man must have been used to the drama because he just went into the bar and had a beer. 

American Idol Comes to Memphis

With our new arrivals, we felt a trolley ride to Beale Street was called for.  We took the Riverfront Loop, which gives a great tour of the downtown area.  We learned that the Butler’s are famous in Memphis.  They have their own park right on the river.  While we were walking on Beale, Deana and Tracy were befriending American Idol hopefuls.  They even got a few to sing for us.  One guy is destined to be the next William Hung.  But one guy singing in Wet Willie’s is destined to be a star.  He was awesome!  We also had some new tattoos added.  Deana (yes her again), Fred, David, John, Johnnie and Tracy all got new artwork.

Gladys Knight and the PIP

When we returned to the viaduct for the big birthday bash, we found a big birthday dud.  We tried to liven up the party with some karaoke.  Stan signed me up for “Midnight Train to Georgia” and agreed to be my Pip.  We also recruited Johnnie as another Pip since she can actually dance and has rhythm.  Stan did a stellar job with the “whoo, whoo”’s.  We thought maybe he had a karaoke future but we never got a chance to find out because his name was never called to sing “Brickhouse”, due to a “concert” by the DJ.

Harley’s and Peanut Butter and Nanners

On Saturday most of our group opted not to ride the dice run but to go to the Harley shop and ride around.  They returned about lunch time (where we were able to visit briefly with Porkchop and Bugsplat prior to another of their adventures) and we took a trolley ride to The Arcade, which is where Elvis used to eat Fried Peanut butter and Banana sandwiches.  I ordered one and of course they were out of bananas.  So, I had “the usual”.   We also discovered “The Cheesecake Corner”.  Yum, Yum!  After lunch everyone did their own thing until time to meet for the banquet. 

The Things You Learn in Memphis

The SCRC Banquet was one of the highlights of the trip.  We enjoyed fellowship with folks from all over North America and got to hear the great works that everyone is doing on behalf of St. Jude.  Georgia raised $43,000 this year but we weren’t tops, Louisiana raised $68,000 in spite of 2 hurricanes!!! That was so awesome to hear.  We also got word, and I quote Miss Johnnie, “I got a good rack”.  Well, now as you can imagine, Putt-Putt had to check that out for himself.  But, she meant she had a good rack of ribs. Yeah, sure that’s what the exercise diva meant. LOL!  We also learned that if you have Cabo Wabo Tequila you will make lots of new friends until it’s all gone.

A Visit With The King

Since many of us decided to stay over until Monday, Sunday was a free day to sight see.  First we rode into Arkansas to eat at Cracker Barrel.  I hope someday they will raise enough money to pave their interstate highways.  It was a rough and rocky road into Cracker Barrel.  After breakfast (way behind schedule again) we said bye to Mark, until later.  Apparently he and The King are not on speaking terms so Graceland was not on his agenda.  The rest of us headed to the Heartbreak Hotel.  That is quite an operation out there at Graceland.  They have lots to see and even more ways to take your money!  We did get a group discount for having 14 people (rules said 15 but the ticket lady liked Wayne) and Wayne put it all on his charge card!  We toured the planes, the museums and the house and had a great time doing it.  It was funny how every museum exit went straight into a gift shop.  We also finally got to try Fried Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches.  I am going to fix those for myself at home they are so good! 

As usual after a long day of sight seeing, we headed back to the Marriott to get Mark, Stan and Dawn so we could go for supper.  The valet recommended Neeley’s BBQ and even had a worker lead us there.  It was the best BBQ I have had in Memphis.  Everyone retired fairly early so we could meet at 8:30 am Georgia time to depart for home.

The Long Road Home (Harley Riders Get To Gloat)

We decided to take the good ole’ Future I-22 Corridor (US 78) home. So we headed out with me in the lead.  We stopped in Mississippi to eat at I-hop.  It was here I learned of Stan’s magic power.  He turned a smoker’s dining room into non-smoking just for us.  After breakfast, I noticed that I was missing bikers and Stan pulled up beside me to tell me the same so we pulled over and waited.  Apparently, one of the many secret compartment’s on Dirtdobber’s Goldwing would not stay closed, threatening to let secret info or packs of chewing gum escape so Duct Tape to the rescue.  This was not to be our only “Rice” miss-hap of the day, Somewhere near Oxford, AL I looked up and again I was missing bikers.  Seems, Putt-Putt had an errant back rest that would not stay put. It was fixed and we made our last fuel stop before home.  Just inside the Georgia state line, trouble lurked again.  This time a cager forced his way into our pack not once, but twice, plus he veered toward Wayne at one point.  ) We were not going slow, about 75-80 mpg, but with 14 bikes it takes time to change lanes and we were trying our best to be courteous, I thought.)  The first time he got between Todd and Fred and there was not really room so Fred had to get on the brakes.  The second time he split between David and John hitting John on his foot and leg in the process.  Well, now he asked for it.  David, John and Mark followed him to get a good description and tag#.  When they got it, John called the police.  (Side note:  The money David paid Harley for his engine modifications worked, he was keeping up with the VRod pretty good.)  David and Mark continued to follow the crazed man, even though he tried to run them off the road, until he exited the freeway at Breman.  After this bit of excitement, the rest of us headed home to wait to hear from the guys.  A long and very enjoyable weekend ended with a “bang” to be sure.