Western Washington XJ Meet Up

As some of you may know, member Bill was in an accident recently. He's in recovery and other members have organized a relay to pass around a get well card. Unfortunately, it looks like the card isn't going to make it over to the West Coast. No prob, right. We can do our own and mail it in. So, here's what I'm thinking: all us Western Washington riders have been talking about putting together a meet-up but nothing's ever materialized.

Well, enough wishing; let's do this thing. After looking at the map of where all the Washington members are (and y'all in Portland), I'm thinking a central meet-up spot should be chosen. Say, somewhere around Olympia. I'm thinking perhaps either a state park or a restaurant where we can get together, take pictures, sign Bill's card, and break bread. Then perhaps a group ride. We can work out the details later.

UPDATE: We'll be meeting for lunch on Sunday, August 23rd at 1:00 P.M. The meet up spot will be at Eagan's Drive In, in Tumwater, Washington. The address for Eagan's is 6400 Capitol Blvd SE, Tumwater, WA 98501. I spoke with them and they have indoor and outdoor seating, so we can sit outside and make some noise if we want. I'd like to give them a call a little closer to the 23rd to give them a firm head count to make sure they have proper staffing. This means you need to keep me up to date on your in/out status.

Here's a list of those that are "in" and "out":

Gamuru (Don) - In
Gamuru's Wife (April) - In
Carvall (Carlos) - In
jdpesz (Jeff) - Back In!
wamaxim (Loren) - In, on BMW (No laughing!)
Deadulus - In, tentatively
XJ700VET (Ken) - In
plansea (Eric) - In, if he can leave the carbs alone :lol:
Rick_in_WA - In
Dodger62 - A definite maybe
yrnomad - Out, tied up in Oregon
kampe3355 - In

Let me know. Post up below if you're in or out.

 

That sounds awesome!! I have been wating for this finaly somebody step
Up an planed it! It is a bummer that I am going to be in Chicago but, I hope
This ios not going to be the last time and meet more often. Keep me posted
On Bill's recovery and definetly post the pictures! I would love to see them!

Carlos

 

Millersylvainia State Park is just south of Olympia. My family has held reunion picnics there many times.
Millersylvainia State Park
Search it on google maps.
Long range weather forecast is a bit sketchy for that weekend. Pray for good riding weather.

Oh, and at the moment I am "In."

 

<BUMP>

I've updated the list. Thanks, Jeff, for the link. I'll check it out.

We'll definitely need more XJ riders so, to those that have seen this post, reach out to the other members in your area and ask them to let us know if they can make it or not.

 

If I had my bike back together Id be in, but I dont think Ill be ready that soon....

 

As you may have heard, Bill's passed on. As such, I'm not sure where we're at with the relay/get well card. His passing removes the sense of urgency to get this get-together done quickly.

I'm thinking that perhaps we should put it off a couple weeks to allow for members to get their bikes up and running. I'm thinking August 23 looks like a good date. Since we have just a couple members committed, lets change the meet up date to then.

 

You can count me in, even if my bike can't make it, I will. Bill has been a very welcoming & informative presence that I think we'll all miss dearly. It is the very least that that I can do, for someone that helped & welcomed me from the start. Gamuru, please keep me posted on any changes that might come up. For now, I'm marking my calendar off for Aug 23rd.

Till we meet
Ken

 

Gamuru, the 23rd works for me. What a loss.

Loren

 

Cool! Thanks for posting up.

 

I don't think I can do the 23rd, Don. I have a road trip planned for the following weekend, and I may need to conserve cash. If you will be circulating a sympathy card instead of a get well card, I could drop by the store and sign it.

 

Hmmm... Email sent.

 

Any chance of me nosing in on the action?? I'll post anything you all send my way and coordinate it with Jon.

 

Robert, I'm not sure what we'll be doing on Bill's behalf. I'm watching the other threads to see if something materializes. If not, I figured we could all get together on a sympathy card, as suggested by Jeff. It's up to Loren or other Oregon riders to get the card down to your area. If not, we could forward it on to you via snail mail. That's an option, too.

Just thinking out loud here... Perhaps you Cali boys could set up a meet up for sometime after ours and we all could have a West Coast card to send to Bill's family. Kind of starts here, then goes on to the Oregon folks, then Cali and you guys send it in from there.

 

August 23rd looks possible to me as long as the weather isn't too bad.
Both my XJ's are running OK now, if I can just resist the temptation to stop playing with the carb's until after the 23rd.

I will confirm closer to the date but looks like a good chance to meet some other XJ'ers to the south.

Eric

 

<BUMP>

I've selected a meet up spot and a firm time. See the original post above for details.

 

I'm still in for the 23rd. Snail mail or a half way meet up with a SF or Sac XJ'er for Monday would probably work for getting the card closer to Robert.

Loren

 

Mind if I pop in?....... I am in Vancouver/Portland, but would love to bring my beater turbo..........

 

Ironically I will be on a ride that weekend. If I'm back from my trip I will try my damnest to hook up with my XJ brothers.

Dodger62

 

Thanks for posting up guys. I've updated your status.

 

Okay Don, I've fixed things around here, and I'm BACK IN.

 

Jeff, that's awesome! I'll email you...

 

<BUMP>

Just a reminder. We're down to the last week before the meet.

 

I'm still in, bike is running better, just need to put a few more miles on her to make sure.

 

Anyone who is coming from the north and would like to join me on the slab, PM me to arrange a rendevous. I should be departing Arlington/Marysville about 11:00 AM.

 

Hi, Jeff

I'm still in and very North of you

Check your PM. I'll flip a coin the day if leave but I think it's the 650 Seca for this ride!

Eric

 

^^^PM replied. Looking forward to it.

 

I just noticed this thread...
Would have loved to make the trek, but will be tied up in Oregon this weekend.
Now that I've noticed this part of the forum I'll monitor it a bit closer...
Enjoy!

Ron (Vancouver, WA)

 

Well, Ron, if plans change you're more than welcome to join us!

 

I just joined up and would love to come to the meet. I might bring my son with. He had a XJ650 but sold it. Now has a XS 850. He is looking for a XJ 750 like mine.

 

Rick_in_WA and I will be leaving the 'Couve at 10:00 Sunday am. I was able to trade shifts so no time constraints. My sin in law has my XJ so will ride the Beemer.

No fair laughing at the color!

See y'all soon,

Loren

 

Kampe3355, that's great! We'll see you there.

Oh, btw, where are you from?

 

(bump)....Loren and I are meeting up at the I-5 ridgefield exit AM/PM at 10am should anyone be able to join us.
Anyone along the way drop me a call 360-977-2443 since my comp time is scarce.

sidenote: anyone have the chin spoiler for the seca turbo?

 

<BUMP>



Well, the weather looks decent for Sunday. Any late-comers want to join in?

 

73 degrees and overcast! A perfect day for riding! Not even any sun in our eyes!

Schweeeet!

See ya there!

Loren

 

One last <BUMP>. Any late-comers want to join the fun?

 

I'd say it will be a lovely day.
Weatherchannel, Olympia

 

Well, fellow XJ Riders, we're off! We'll see you all down there around 1 o'clock. Ride safe. 8)

 

A great time , a great place to meet up, great folks, and we need to do it again!

I have the card in Vancouver, WA so anybody in S Oregon/N. California want to meet up sometime soon?

Since I have the card in the PDX area anyone who was not able to make the ride please pm me and we'll see what time and where works to get together.

I'll let Gamuru flesh out the details of the day but I do want to mention that he SEEMS to be a fairly normal guy. From what I was able to observe his head does NOT bob up and down like his avatar!!!!

Thanks again Don for your perseverance in making today a success.

Loren
WAMAXIM

 

It was very nice to meet everyone. The weather was great, the food was awesome. Thanks Eric for joining me on the ride down. Thanks Don and April for putting this together.

Allow me to be the first to post pics.
















I agree we should do it again. (But maybe under happier circumstances next time?)

To the Schmitt family: It was a privelege to sign the card and participate in this gathering in Bill's honor. God Bless all of you.

 

Wow! What a day! April and I just got in. We've got a bunch-o-pictures between the two of us, so let me sort through them. I'll post something up in the morning... Hope that's okay.

Thanks, all, for coming out. It was a tremendous amount of fun to meet all of you. We'll definitely have to do it again next year.

 

Thanks for the great day, everyone! A special thanks to Jeff for being my guardian angel most of the way down and back.
Eric

 

I would like to Thank everyone for a great visit and get together today.
We look forward to another oppertunity to visit with you again. It just shows that you DON'T have to ride a Harley to have a nice time and meet nice people like today.
Larry & Avis Kampe Sr. and Larry & Robin Kampe Jr.
P.S. I enjoy getting email so feel free to write.
kampe3355@msn.com

 

Alrighty then... I'm all rested up. Boy, what a day of riding. As my wife puts it, "My sitter is sore!"

Pictures? We gots 'em.


From Left to right: Loren's hands, Ken hiding behind the umbrella pole, Larry Jr. and Robin, Larry Sr.'s nose, and April


From Left to right: Loren's hamburger (Nummy!), Ken, Larry Jr., Avis and Larry Sr. (who's taken over hiding behind the umbrella pole), and April's hand.


Ken taking a picture of all of us. I wonder how that picture turned out, Ken? (hint, hint)


Eric, our very own international man of mystery and travel, all the way from Vancouver, BC. He gets the prize for furthest distance traveled!


Here's a slightly better shot of Loren. Across the table are the two Larrys.


This one's a tough one. In the background, off to the very left is Ken. Heading his direction wearing the latest in assless chaps is Jeff (j/k).
In front, L to R, Avis, Robin, Larry and Larry, Rick, Curtis, and Loren's forehead.

Curtis is signing the remembrance card for our friend and fallen rider, Bill. Rest in peace, Bill.


L to R: Larry Sr., Curtis, Rick, Ken, and Robin.


Here's Rick getting ready to head for Cabela's on his screaming Seca Turbo. That's right, I said Cabela's. I think the comment's were, "You can't come this far without stopping by Cabela's."


A little friendly ogling going on here.


I knew I missed someone. This is Christy. She rode two-up with Curtis on his Kawi Ninja.




A couple last pictures before we all headed for home.

It was great to see the several fine examples of Yamaha engineering. They're all great bikes and you guys should be proud.

Well, I guess that's about it for my pictures. I want to say thanks again to you all for coming to the Meet Up and also to Eagan's Drive In. The food was great and the gal that came out to take 700 photos of us was a real sport about it.

Loren, thanks for shepherding the card and camera onto its next destination.

We had a great time and I'm excited about next year's get together. Ride safe everyone.

 

Gotta admit I had a great time, was wonderfull meeting everyone, .......Now when ya feel up to a moutn st Helen ride?

 

Btw: here is a pic of "Johns" bike, he regretfully couldnt make it down, I met up with him wile the guys were at cabellas, this is the cleanest 900 seca on the planet, retro fitted with the 650 turbo body work, if you search turbo seca his page will come up after vinces turbo page. a mush see bike none the less.

 

I had a great time meeting everyone! Only wish that it could have been under happier circumstances. Weather couldn't have been more agreeable and, for her maiden voyage, Hilda pleased me very much

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Would love to do this again sometime. What a bunch of great folks we got up here in the NW!! I thought I heard someone say "If you plan it, they will come." Count me in, please! Hope these picts post. I just got a photobucket account today and, I'm still playing with it.

Cheers all
Ken

 

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There I think that did it. Enjoy!

 

Nicely done on the pics Ken! As you may have guessed I made it home just fine with my 'little parcel' from Cabela's strapped to the back!

True story here: I was just cruising along on I5 south of Longview when a car pulled up to my left. The dude was smiling, waving hello, and snapping pictures.

I guess he had just never seen a chunky dude wearing a gray helmet and silver gray riding togs on a motorcycle before. It's the only thing I can figure!

Loren

 

Great pics, Ken! Thanks for posting them up.