COASTAL CRUISER MEETING MARCH 8,2006
We met for grub at the Golden Spike on a pay-for-view Canuck game vs. the Avalanche. What pandemonium! Especially when Canucks scored and with the beers going for a dollar with all that hollering, sirens and yahoos. Incidentally, Dan M was parked in the Spike parking lot two weeks ago and his truck was broken into.
The meeting started at 7:50 with 25 members present. In alphabetical order, but not necessarily the best looking were: Mel C, Garr C, Marcin C, Robert C, Craig E, Drew E, Chris H, Wayne I, Paul K, Rod McD, Malcolm M, Dan Martz, Rob M, Steve P, Barry P, Mat R, Kim R, Martin S, Gary T, Steve T, Justin VanT, Greg VanT, Rob M (Sopal), Dan Mageau, and Bill Wilkinson.
Guests: Paul Steinblock, Petra & Richard W.
Welcome new member Dan Mageau, from Squamish, who drives a ’97 FZJ 80. That’s the third member now from Squamish.
First item was a reminder that 11 members now owe their CC dues for this year. Please make an effort to take care of that, as we are burning through the $$ for Cruiser Days rentals, big Cruiser Day raffle prizes, Charity, and eventually the Christmas party with big prizes there too. Also, make sure your TLCA dues are up to date as well. If you are too busy, give the cash to Bill Wilkinson and he will do the paperwork and forward it to the TLCA for you.
- Next item was the “Going Coastal” Cruiser Days preparation. It was definitely decided to hold Cruiser Days this year on August 11 at Deas Island Park. This park is located at the south end of the Deas Island Tunnel and is accessible from River Road. Some of us have traveled through the tunnel hundreds of times and never realized there was such an outstanding park right there! It is a drop-dead lovely location with everything you could imagine: numerous well-developed family hiking trails, shade trees, outhouses, playing field, covered picnic area, boating facilities, horseback riding facilities, boat watching on the river, bird watching, fishing, photography, and even a great campsite although we do NOT plan on camping at this park. Those with cottonwood allergies please remember to take your anti-histamines. Rob M will be the MC again this year, and we hope to get the Lion’s Service Club to offer hot dogs, etc.
We want to boost attendance this year, so we need EVERY CC member to spread the word and promote this event by posting at least one poster somewhere and also volunteering to help out in some way to help make this a success. After Cruiser Day is over, some will carry on to Stave Lake or somewhere close, and camp for the night and meet up with other wheelers on Sunday morning to probably go to Chehalis Lake. More details will be posted here on Mud over then next few months.
-Spring Wheeling: There will be a wheeling trip in April, probably led by Dan Martz.
The May Long Weekend trip will be to Big Bar this year.
The raffle was the last item and hearty thanks for contributions from Marcin (map disk and safety harness), Matt R (Computer bag), and Sopal (steering wheel Club).
First prize went to Mat R for the hold-down strap set. Craig E walked with the battery charger. Dan Martz got the Club for the Spike parking lot. Steve P got the safety belt, Sopal took the DVD player, Drew E the Zap Straps, Marcin the screwdriver set, and Bill W took the computer bag, map CD, and light bulbs.
The meeting broke up about 10:00 while hard core members hung on at least until 11:00 or until Steve kicked them out. As usual, Port Moody was shut down and the sidewalks rolled up, except for the pub and the shunting freight trains. Members dispersed in all directions, content in getting their monthly “Cruiser Fix” of gossip, tech info and social encounters with like-minded gear heads.
~Bill W
So I won't be at the meeting. Looking forward to the next meeting and things slowin down at work in a month or so - just in time for spring wheelin.
Or, you can follow me there. Cheers, John
