Friday night saw the small but very talkative crowd gathered at
Patty and Harry Taylor’s for pizza, artichoke dip, chocolate cake, and various other
fixings. Paul Stannard’s trekking in from Rhode Island surprised some, but not all. By Saturday, Patty Taylor
had been shanghaied for a trip to Disneyland with her grandkids, so Harry was footloose and fancy free.
The weekend boasted perfect weather—sun, a few wispy clouds, a light breeze.
The tale telling and idea swapping went on … and on … and on.
Saturday the street legals (well mostly!) took off for a 52-mile ride; Bob Canfield dropped on a
curve for some gravel rash as a memento, but otherwise all was well.
Ed Chesnut played “park host” rather than ride … he figures about 20
folks stopped by the park to schmooze. All in all, about 40 (maybe a few more) Hodaka-ites partook in
some part of the weekend. As Ed had predicted, it was a bit like a family reunion.
Danny Messmore came from North Dakota; the Florens from Newberg, OR; Thal Anderson from Astoria, OR;
Jay Lael from Mollala, OR; the Gentrys from Vancouver, WA; and so on. Al Pedro (Pendleton, OR) thought it
was great not to have to be organizing ANYTHING! Jeff Harshman's big hat and big smile were there, with lots of
tales of his latest motocross escapades. Jack Kelly showed up Sunday to ride a round of trials for first time in 35 years
(or so it was rumored). Athena Public Works crew had the street banner up for Hodaka fans.
No parade this year (a few townsfolk were disappointed), but a little show and shine at the park,
a BBQ Saturday night in the park, breakfasts at the Doubletree Café, ice cream sundaes
and slide show at the Swansons, and trials over towards Weston on a farm on
Wildhorse Creek with other marques (Bultacos, Montesas, Greers, Yamahas, and more) on Sunday completed a terrific though informal weekend.
Photo Credits: Ed Chesnut, Janet Mandaville -- Copyrighted June 9-11, 2006
