Home Plate, Patagonia, AZ

 August 2009 

     Wow, nice turn out at the Home Plate.  The last two SEAT gatherings have been a bit down on members.  Last month’s SEAT lunch was on the hottest day of the year. SEAT members along with another group pretty much filled the Home Plate in the Stage Stop Inn.

     None the less, the Home Plate a usual served up some pretty good food.  The wait was a bit long for a few folks, unfortunately.  The waitresses worked hard, there were a lot of hungry folks.

     Even after several calls and a confirmation that SEAT would be at the Home Plate Sunday, the folks taking care of us got confused.  Unfortunately there was no Reserved sign on the back table or the room.  Consequently the other group was mistakenly invited to breakfast there.  Next time we’ll ask the owner to put up a sign for us.  I’m sure they will.

     Couldn’t have been a nicer day to go for a ride.  It was just cool enough to need a long sleeved SEAT shirt under the mesh jacket.  Also, the road construction on Hwy 83 was shut down for the weekend so the delay was minor.  Hwy 83 south of Sonoita could sure use some work.  It use to be a really nice ride down to Canelo and through Fort Huachuca’s West Gate.  Maybe next year it will be the southern section that will get new pavement.

     We got a birthday picture for August.  Didn’t get it at the SEAT breakfast though, got it at the junction of the Bonita / Ft Grant Road and Hwy 266.  A big SEAT Happy Birthday to Phillip Orth, a self-proclaimed youngster at 39!  (Have to lie about those 70-something year olds once in a while or they won’t come back to the lunches.)

     Next month we’re back to lunches at 11:30 am.  Hopefully we won’t have too hot a Sunday in September.  The SEAT gathering will be at the newly re-opened Vail Steakhouse.  Thanks to Butch Smith for letting us know it was back in business and has been renovated from the top to the bottom.

     The Rally of the Month is the Big Bear BMW Motorcycle Rally in Big Bear California is the last weekend of August.  Right up there in elevation, you know it’s going to be cool in the mornings. Remember that crossing the desert can be some really hot riding in the summer months.  Lots of water and frequent stops seems to make it easier.  Hope to see a few SEAT members wearing their SEAT Shirts!

     Next month The Bavarian Mountain Weekend put on by the Land of Enchantment BMW Club takes place in Sipapu, NM, the 11th through the 13 of September.   This is the same weekend as the SEAT lunch that will be at Wisdoms Café in Tumacacori, the Big Chicken place.  Good place.  Sipapau or SEAT, either choice is excellent!

     Hard to believe it but the SEAT Christmas party is only three months away.  Time to mark your calendars for the 13th of December.  This year we hope to have Tim Rempe do his ham and turkey with all the trimmings.  That was quite a meal. 

     Members present:  Roger Austin, Bill Bachmann, Scott & Karen Beavers, Gary & Deborah Blomstrom, James Colceri, Dave Delie, Chris Frey, Mike & Dawn Garden, Paul & Melanie Godwin, Eldon & Karen Helmer, Chris & Colleen Lester, Craig Littlefield, Al Maurine, Ed & Tish Mealy, Deryle & Wanda Mehrten, Allen & Diane Moore, Steve Mossholder, Dan & Pam Neal, Phillip Orth, James Palmietto, Ron & Kari Pelton, Butch & Laura Porter, Stan & Patti Thibaut, John Willmann, John Wilson, Joe Zinn, Mark White, Steve Beatty.  Guests:  Jerry Bentley, Chet & Carol Brown, Ron Vess, Joel Funk, Dirk & Anne Schneider, Ruth Anne Alvarez & Paul Nye.

     This is the issue telling of some very skilled and very lucky riders.  Even Lloyd and Holly (front cover) had a tire go flat.  Flats at high speed, deer strikes...keep an eye on your equipment and wear all the gear all the time.  Make your own luck!

     See you on the road!  Ride safe.