After such an enjoyable evening and sleep at the Huckleberry Inn, I saddled up and in good Coast Guard fashion, showed up at 1000, 5 hours early. I received an email from Ray, requesting I reserve 6 sites, including room for two trailers. Are you kidding me?!!! I thought about the logistics of saving that many sites at a campground, me being only one person. I first thought of standing a sentry watch, and challenge all that approached the sites, but I left my British Enfield rifle in the armory. My next strategy was to set-off stink bombs periodically throughout the day until the Norwestars arrived, but I’d have to sit through the smoke and stink, having left my gas mask on the ship. Third option, now this was a good one, chain a bear to each of the picnic tables in each site, but after about two and half minutes of attempting to trap my first bear, I got bored and went to the ice cream shop. Forth option: park Trafalgar in one site, set-up my tent in another, drop my yellow bags in the third and in the forth, string-up my hammock and stand my diligent guard duty, slaving away in the shear torture of a hammock, with a book to read.
This is how I began my first experience at the Bee Cee Beemers Rally in Nakusp, BC. As the Beemers arrived, every one of them spied my ideal spots. I peered over the side of the hammock, feeling like a dying raccoon on the side of the road looking up at the vultures circling above. After the long bloody battle to hold my position secure, the Norwestars finally arrived about 1530 (3:30pm). I had my reinforcements, so the show could begin. The actors in this play: Ray & Brian (they are always together, like Laurel & Hardy, Abbot & Costello, or Himmler & Hess), Arthur, Bill & Roxanne, Mike, John, Dave, Ike & Rose; we had a quorum (that will come into play later).
Trafalgar the Triumph at a BMW rally, What in the Hinckley Production Line was I thinking? There were probably about 20% of the attendees that rode non-BMW bikes, in fact, I counted four Triumph Explorer 1200’s, one the same model & color as Trafalgar, although stock.
Getting back on track. I watched the late arrivals set-up tents. That was worth the price of admission. The Rubic’s cubes completed the group had to initiate the really important rally requirements, drink cold beer. After that was underway, on to the next critical event in this highly organized, complex motorcycle festival, food. We all meandered to the chow hall for appropriate portions for people living in sub-Saharan Africa. Afterward it was back to sit around a makeshift tribal circle amongst the steel gods we worship and drink more beer. That was the end of day one, Nakusp.
Tomorrow I will finish the BeeCee Beemer tale, but after a long, hot day of riding, I’m keeping it short so I can sleep.
trafalgar adventures 