Gold Rush XXII: They're Off!

GWTA's Gold Rush XXII was truly a “Day at the Races”... the whole week seemed to go by in a blur as we tried to take in and remember all that happened during the national rally in Lexington.  Our hats go off to the Gold Wing Touring Association staff and volunteers who worked to make this week unforgettable and to the “Destination Friendship” members who made it happen.

The Nebraska rains timed up with our irrigation pivots so that we were able to leave home two days early and schedule a side trip to visit Brittni at Murray State University...  Nothing like changing plans at the last minute and hitting the road ahead of schedule!  Fellow farmers and Chapter W members Bob & Jacquie Grams received rain also and were able to travel with us.  We were surprised at how smoothly the ride went with hardly any time lost to stimulus-package road construction.  Before leaving, U2 had checked the DOT on-line road maps for Missouri and prepared us to take a breath, inhale and slowwwwly exhale... the state map was practically covered in orange alert flags indicating numerous road construction projects.  Evidently, our timing was perfect for this trip as we rarely encountered active construction crews.  The bikes  crossed the Ohio River on Day 2 and entered the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  We spent Day 3 touring Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and Fort Donelson National Battlefield before hitting the three parkways on Day 4 for the final leg of our Journey to Lexington.

The Gold Rush host hotel was right smack dab in the middle of Lexington and connected to a parking garage.  (It was nice to park the bikes under cover each night and not have to worry about overnight storms.)  The weather during the rally was uncannily mild for mid-summer Kentucky.  What happened to the humidity?  Even the locals commented on it.

We began our Gold Rush XXII experience with the Sunday night Welcome Dinner.  We always enjoy, catching up with our friends and seeing who’s made it to the rally before the time warp begins.  This rally began as it ended for us -- non-stop activity.    On Monday morning, we were up bright and early, dressed to the nines for our GWTA Family of the Year national interview.  So many friends had offered us advice and supported us along the way; we really hoped to represent them well.  The seven nominee biographies printed in the Gold Rush brochure gave us butterflies and brought home just what an honor it was to be included in this year’s group of finalists.  We really enjoyed arriving early for our interviews and having a chance to meet a few of these couples.  (We may get in a ride to Maine yet in this lifetime!  It sounds like a great place to explore!)

The Opening Ceremonies were a blast.  We located Chapter NE-W members Jim & Jean Bryant and Lynn & Teresa Reinhart as they arrived from the campgrounds.  Region C had the most attendees and took “show” in the Kentucky Horse Race for priority seating.  That along with Nebraska’s ranking for top Raffle ticket sales, gave us a good view of the podium and of the Illinois Chain Gang in their black and white stripes -- what a hoot!  The first high-point of the ceremonies for U2Farmer was singing Kentucky’s state song after the Canadian and American anthems.  Only a Kentuckian would realize just what it meant to an ole Kentucky gal to sing Stephen Foster's hymn so near the heart of Rupp Arena where former Governor “Happy” Chandler brought a sold-out crowd to tears with his rendition of “My Ole Kentucky Home” on a UK Parents Night.  Awesome!

Soon it came time to announce GWTA national Family of the Year... As we took our spot on the podium with the other Region FOY’s, my main concern was fielding Hammy’s reaction to the announcement of the winner.  I really hoped her disappointment at not getting to wear a tiara on stage with her #1 favorite 2008 FOY bud Teresa Larson (She had to work this year.) wouldn’t keep her from sincerely congratulating the 2009 winners.  After Frankie & Sherry Lane of Region H were announced as runner-ups and congratulated, I thought I knew whose names I wouldn’t hear.  We were stunned when Linda Keenon announced Doug and Michelle Sullivan as GWTA’s 2009-2010 Family of the Year.  The rest is a blur... cheers, victory chants from Region C and Nebraska, Doug’s tearful speech, pictures, medals, Barb’s instant Facebook post to those at home, and lots of hugs.  The most vivid memories I have after that are a big family hug with Tatonka as we walked off the podium and having so many members of our Chapter W family there to share the honor with us.  We owe this day to them... to their friendship, their love, their mentoring, their fellowship, patience and support... Destination Friendship and Destination Family rocked that day!

Click here to see more pictures from Gold Rush XXII.  (More posts from GR XXII to come.)

(pictures contributed by Three Wheels West, Dale & Deb Siepker & Jacquie Grams)
posted on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 2:59 PM by U2Farmer

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