DIRECTORS CORNER

By the time you are reading this, our Muscular Dystrophy Association/Mississippi Coast Harley Davidson/Harley Owner's Group Motorcycle Benefit has come and gone. It was absolutely a wonderful event. As of press time for this newsletter, I don't have the final numbers, but I know we made a huge contribution to those folks less fortunate than us. And none of this would have been a success without the help of each and every one of you. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all. I'd like to see this become an annual event.

Our June chapter ride took us to the Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola Naval Air Station. Our travel over there was uneventful--a nice Saturday morning ride. No sooner did we get parked and go inside, you could hear the thunder roaring outside. Well, we toured the museum for a couple of hours, which is not near long enough, ate lunch and then went outside to wet streets, but no rain. We thought we dodged the bad weather. Not so lucky. No sooner than a mile into the ride home it started raining. And it got heavier and heavier. It rained on us all the way back to Mobile. But rides like this are the most memorable ones. After we pulled out of the rain and pulled over, we were all grinning and saying how fun that was. Thank goodness all were safe.

Our meet-and-greet was over at the Shed Bar-B-Q joint on Hwy 53. What a great turn out. I know most of the membership was there and we all had a great time and good food. The Shed had a real good one-man-band guy playing. He was good. It really was an enjoyable evening.

July's chapter meeting will be on the 6th. Our chapter ride will be Sunday the 11th to the Catfish Point over in Moss Point. They open at 2pm on Sunday so we will leave the Harley shop about 1pm for a scenic ride over there. Our meet-and-greet will be on the 15th at Mug Shots in Edgewater Village, across from the mall. I had a couple of really good burgers there. Dinner at 6:30pm.

July does bring many more riding opportunities. July 9th is the carrying of the flag to Baton Rouge. Ernie has taken charge of this event. The 9th is a Friday, but if you are able, lets ride with him and Windy in support of this great event. Mississippi Gulf Coast Bide Fest (www.gulfcoastbikefest.com), Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo and the Crab Festival are all during the first week in July. A Water Mellow Festival 23 July in Mize, MS and then there is the Arkansas State Rally 29 July. These are just a few opportunities to get out and ride. Please be careful in the sultry heat. Drink lots of water and find some shade often. Failure to heed your body's warning of being over heated can have a bad result when riding a motorcycle.

Ride and have fun. It's not the destination, it's the journey there and back.

Steve,

Chapter Director