Coulee City.
Coulee City, WA to be exact.
My friend John B. invited me to head out and visit his wife's in-laws at the Coulee City Parade and join the family in a potluck. He was heading there to meet his daughter and join with the family (his wife passed on from cancer years ago while their daughter was young and his love ensured they stayed part of every gathering possible... that's John).
As an honored guest (I'm honored every time I ride with him), we went the tried and true route from Wenatchee to Quincy (State Hwy 28) to Martin road (the Grant Co. "Tail of the Dragon") to Ephrata, out past Soap Lake to Pinto Ridge Road (one of my favourites) and into the back side of Coulee City where we settled for the next 3 hours.
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| Mistress and John's "Wee-Strom" (one day he'll name her) |
Parking the bikes, John said " we are somewhere over here".
There are like, 5 houses...
"What if we pick the wrong house?" I said a little concerned.
It's Coulee City, if we aren't related one way or another, at least as cousins, we're family by marriage!
I'm a baby boomer born of Arkies.. this sits well. :)
So off goes the siren as the parade starts... way too may to post but I'll hit the highlights...
Let's start with the Rodeo gals...
Yah John... your V-Strom got the recognition from the guy with the dog, but I got the waves!
Then the float and cars:
Veterans... thank you for paving the way for me to serve.
Capt. A and Spidey!
Farm stuff and the ending engine...
John's V-Strom
After the parade, I met with family that could be my own... wonderful people with hospitality and kinship that welcomed a total stranger into their gathering, lot's of great conversations and stories that make me proud to have such friends as I have.
Had to head out about 2:00-ish to get home... said goodbye's and hit the "2" West at Luftwaffe speeds gobbling up miles and reflecting on the wonderful people of the day.
John, thanks for a great ride and the friendship with it.
