My First Poker Run

Once again, our weekend starts on Wednesday, and we are camped at Centennial Park in Bow Island. The same gang from last year was there, so it was a visit around the fire and catching up with our old new found friends. The music on the radio was cranked from their RV sounded familiar, but Jackson and Donna are from Lethbridge and it was our sister station, 94.1 The Lounge that was on their dial!

Thursday night was a quite night of cards in the trailer, and Friday night we all headed down to the Bow Island Tavern to watch the Stanley Cup final game. With several ex Medicine Hat Tigers on the team, it was Go Detroit! Oh well, maybe next year.

Saturday morning it was up early and off to Harley Davidson out side of Medicine Hat for pancakes and sausage and our first card. 2 of Spades was not a great start but maybe for a flush or a run! Then we went fill up in Dunmore before heading down the 120 to Hwy #3. I wanted to hang back from the group so as not to feel too intimidated, but we ended up catching up to the group on the 887. What a wonderful view of all the bikes in tight formation along the hilly, winding road. First stop was the Etzikom Windmill Museum for a card. Q of hearts just ruined my prize for low hand.

Onward to Foremost to fill up with gas, and then rather take the Skiff road because of construction, it was up the Foremost Highway past the Spitz Plant (world famous Spitz Plant i might add) and onto the #3 to Taber. Lunch was on at the Oilmans Club and next card, 6 of diamonds. My hand was going down hill fast.

Next stop was Hays via Vauxhall, but we ended up driving down the Hays road or Hays Maze instead. Twisting and winding was all good but not at full speed. I was not about to risk life and limb taking the corners too fast and kept it around 55 Mph. The card pick up was the Hays' campground, so we stopped for a visit and some water and then headed back to Bow Island for the final card at the Blues Club. I forget what the last two were but they weren't worth a nickle so it was back to the trailer to change and then back to the club for supper. Mike's Meats makes the most awesome ribs! We were stuffed and in need of a nap before the live band, but I never made it back at all. My one hour nap turned into 4. After being woken by rowdy friends on their way to the lake (you know who you are) I ended up reading a novel and waiting for Ray to return to the trailer around 1 am.

Sunday it was up early as I had to work at the Parade of Homes in the Hat, and came home to all the kids at the trailer for supper and steak from the Bow Island IGA so tender you could cut it with a plastic knife! Then it was another bike ride to 40 mile to visit Monika and Ed who were just packing up from the weekend and ready to go home, but still stopped long enough to smell the roses, and the wine corks with us! Monday it was back at work and back to the farm after five days of fun on the H.O.G Poker Run. Next year we might have to pull the trailer out a week in advance just to get a spot!

The Unforgettable Forgetful Weekend

The following happens between 2 pm Friday, May 22 and 2 pm Tuesday, May 26

24 fans might think that as funny, but anyhoo...


It was a slow start to the weekend. Friday after broadcasting my show live from Merle Norman in Medicine Hat Mall for Bras For a Cause, we went to Bourban Street for dinner. I wasn't feeling well so Ray stayed in town to watch hockey with the boys and came home and cleaned and puttered around the house before being in bed before midnight.

Saturday Ray had to work, and since the house was already clean, I headed into town for shopping, with my dog in tow. Ray takes his dog Maggie most days to work, so I thought Jake and I would spend the day together. Wrong! I FORGOT you should never take a farm dog off the farm. We didn't even make it to the #3 Highway before he was stressing out in the back seat. Last time I took him in the car, past the Shnee's farm where he used to live, but would keep coming to our farm, (They were going to get rid of him but I said I would take him since he is always over here) but he would keep going back there, and I would keep dragging him back) I left him at my daughter's house in town for more than a month. (can't wander off the farm from there eh?) Was he having flashbacks? He wouldn't settle down and I wasn't about to leave him in my son's new car with leather interior while I shopped for him to possibly paw and claw and tear apart! Thankfully it was Lisa and Kobe to the rescue, who where finished their shopping when I arrived, and took him off my hands so I was able to shop without worry. On the way home he just curled up in the back seat and slept. Must have known he was headed back home to the farm!


I was 3/4 the way home when I found out Ray was already in town...at the Harley Shop! You know what that means... expensive! He was told by his nephew that he could punch a hole in his muffler to get louder pipes, but Shane FORGOT to tell him to punch it only half way. So after punching it ALL the way through and piercing a hole out the end, $880 and a new set of pipes later, Ray's bike is back on the road. His mother always said, "Live and Learn" but I wish she was a dyslexic like me and said "Learn and Live". Either that or "Research first and learn!" A costly lesson, but he loves his new and louder pipes!

Since he was already in the Hat, I ventured on my bike alone to meet him in Seven Persons (first time riding since my dumping) but still didn't make it off the farm without tipping it over and his son Derek having to pick it up for me (farm terrain is so not conducive to street bikes). Soon I was cruising down the highway, feeling free as a bird. No one behind me to stress out, therefore I wasn't stressed out at all. Went to the Boar's Nest first then Monika and I went to Premium Sausage and we all headed out to Irvine for a BBQ. There were a lot of bikes on the road headed to the Hat so when we arrived there was no one else there (was it something we said?) But we had a great time and even better, was the fact that I found my Harley Headwear I had FORGOT there the year before. First time going to Tuesday night Bike Night and I lose my brand new attire! doh! We even went back that night to try to find it in the dark. We went back the next day and looked in the cook house. Nothing. This year, I searched for it on the first bike night and still couldn't find it. Then sitting around the campfire I look over to the tree with the Tasmanian Devil Doll perched in it...someone had slid my headgear on a the branch below the stuffed animal and even though weathered and worn from the elements, not from use, it was there!! I was stunned! But so glad to get it back. Honour among bikers is immense!

After Irvine we stopped in to see Lisa again and then before heading home, we washed my bike. It was noted earlier it was pretty filthy and how could I ride it in such as state! Apparently the dirt must have been holding it together! After the wash, it wouldn't run properly. No,... just got it wet where it shouldn't have and it crapped out on the College overpass. Ray got on and took it down the hill to the Paradise Valley Par 3, and ended up having to push it half way up the hill back. Then he had to push it to the Bohan's who lived down the block. A very frustrating day for both of us, but in the end, a great day with friends who can laugh both with and AT us!


Sunday, Ray had to work, so we missed out on the H.O.G Poker Run. It was overcast and drizzle so I spent the morning prepping, taping and painting the hallway. Then we went into town with the truck and trailer to bring back my bike. If it had dried out, Ray was going to ride it back, but I FORGOT the key in my leather jacket pocket, and had brought my work jacket instead! It was back to the Boar's Nest for dinner with our Poker Run Pals, and then home. There's a message on the phone when we arrive.. I FORGOT my Lounge jacket at the pub with cellphone and car keys in my pockets. Me forgetting my phone is nothing new (usually on the kitchen counter at home) but thankfully I had a spare key for the car, just had to knock at work to be let in (Thanks Christy!)


Monday after work, we headed to 40 Mile Park with the boys to help Ed and Monika put in their dock. I met Ray in Bow Island but FORGOT to put my leathers in my car so I couldn't ride to the Park on the back of his bike. Oh well, just means I get to go home via the short cut on the dirt roads in 20 minutes rather than the hour drive home through Bow Island. The wind was calm and the water was warmer (than last weekend but not by much) but I FORGOT to pack extra clothes so I was only able to watch and take pictures from the top of the hill in my heels and dress clothes. (How convenient eh?) 4 hours later, the job was done. Just in time before the wind picked up and a storm looked to be blowing in, so they quickly loaded the boat back onto the trailer and we sat in the warmth of the RV for beans, sausage and pulled pork sandwiches. My stomach became upset shortly after we arrived, but I figured eating something would make it feel better! FORGET that! It just made it worse.

After a rough and painful night, I sit here nauseous (tmi?) and tired and in no mood to finish painting the trim in the hallway. It's Ray's birthday today and instead of having fun celebrating with him, I will be on the couch or in bed for the rest of the day. He did however, like is birthday present I got him that had been sitting on the fireplace mantle tempting him for 4 days. The Harley watch is a big hit! I FORGOT to get him a card. If the first thing to go when you get old is your memory, then I am living proof!