Spring Solstice

Bob Clement of "Bobs' Motorwerks" fame throws a little "Spring Solstice" Party each spring over in Roberts MT. We made it over to one about 10 years ago. The gathering has now evolved into an overnight camping gig complete with a large feed. The grill was cooking and there was a huge table full of food. Darian and I rode the sidecar over from Dillon for its' first shakedown run. The bike performed well and gave me no problems. Coming home on Sunday we were faced with some serious head winds so the speed was reduced. I jumped on some Interstate frontage roads so as not to be a "slow" hazard on the freeway. I was reduced to probably 55 mph on some hills so thought it best to exit the freeway. Darian needed to visit our daughter and Grand kids in Billings so she only spent an hour or so at the party. She was missed.

This is a shot of Clements' sidecar rig. It is a Ural hack with a Goldwing Tug. It sports an RC propeller which does some serious RPM's when underway. It would spin so fast that Bob had to preload the bearings a bit to slow it down. Bobs' shop was full of bikes slated for repairs and restorations. I have never seen so many Earls' Forks in one place. Bob specializes in vintage airhead beemers.

This is a photo of the infamous unwashed beemer belonging to the "BMW Dog", Rex Mongold of miles City. Rex and I have been in contact via the Internet for a couple of years. We have passed on the road three times as I recognized his rig but had never met. Rex is a great guy and it was about time we met. Rex is a silversmith and is quite an artisan. His handmade silver items are works of art, all hand hammered. Rex did some Mexico, South America trips a few years ago, once in an old Subaru, and then on a beemer. He winters down in AZ. a couple hundred miles from us.

Dr. Gregory Frazer made an appearance. Greg is a world renowned around the world guy and has circled the globe five times if I'm not mistaken. We have run into each other four or five times over the years. He grew up near my home town and now has places in Denver, Fort Smith MT. and Thailand. He had his computer with him and showed me some photos of a common friend "Kirsten" from Germany. I haven't seen her for a number of years. Greg rides with her in Asia every winter. She used to hang around San Diego for a few weeks each winter. Greg has some great stories to tell and I loved his adventures in Asia. The $25.00 "Soapy" in Thailand is quite the bargain. No such bargains like that to be had around here! The party was a great time and I especially enjoyed my visits with John and Joanne Werre, the Montana "Air Marshall's". Great folks and am looking forward to getting together with them again. It so happens that John also has a "Jupiter" sidecar hooked to a beemer. We are planning a trip to Yellowstone Park on the 4Th of July weekend. Hope to take some good photos during the trip.