Wing Ding 30 Official Program - Wing World Magazine Archives

By “Buzzy Bear” • Mascot for Chapter AR-B • Region H(Ghostwritten by Ruth Erskin • GWRRA #203183-01 • Springdale, Arkansas)Okay, “bear” with mehere as I introduce myself:My name is Buzzy Bear,and I am the mascot forArkansas Chapter “B”,Region “H”, and I thoughtit might be nice to tell youa mascot’s point of view onWing Ding for a change.▼Last year, having been my first time aroundthe block, so to speak, I was really excitedfor my new-found adventures to takeplace.And boy was I surprised to find out whatall is involved just to be able to take the journeyto Wing Ding! (It’s not your average strollthrough the woods, let me tell you.)First of all, I was traveling with our ChapterDirectors, Mike & Ruthie Erskin, fromSpringdale, Arkansas. Mike had just purchaseda new trailer to pull behind the Wing, soRuthie had plenty of room to store all thegoodies she was going to buy for us on thetrip, plus they had plenty of room for my littlebear behind, too.We met up with Jo Jackson, Delbert Payne,and George & Dora Coiner in Jane, Missouri.But during our final check of the bike ondeparture day, we discovered a problem (farworse than no more honey left in the jar!).Every time Mike would apply the brakes withthe trailer hooked up, it blew the fuse to thebrake lights. So we had to make a mad dash toHeartland Honda in Springdale, and it tookabout six hours to find the problem.However, Heartland Honda was so good tous. And we also found out what great friendswe have.You see, as a bear, I’m used to being aloner, but when Mike told his and Ruthie’sfriends to go on ahead and we’d catch upsomewhere on down the road, instead theycame back to Springdale and waited with us.That was quite a nice, and a new, experiencefor me! (You GWRRA people sure are sweet!)When we all finally made it to Kansas Citylater that night, it was dark and rainy and therewere lots of deer standing in the ditches (yummie!—justkidding). Ruthie and I were sureglad to get to the hotel; it was already 2:30a.m.!The next morning, I learned that Delbert istoo much of a morning person (you know webears are most-often nocturnal in nature).Weall got the bikes loaded and hit the road afterbreakfast, then stopped at a rest stop just outsideof Sioux City, Iowa. While there, we ranBuzzy Bear, Mascot ofAR-B, on her trip to WingDing 29 and back.into some of our own District Staff.And next,we had a long ride to Sioux Falls, SouthDakota.And, once more, we all welcomed thehotel.On Sunday morning, we had breakfast onthe road again (and by that, I don’t mean roadkill!). We headed into Mitchell, South Dakota,and stopped at the Corn Palace.What a coolplace to visit (and you do know we bears likecorn, right?).Then on down the road we wentand visited an 1880’s town. It was really interestingbut very HOT (remember, I can’t takeoff my coat!)From there, we road to Wall, SouthDakota. Mike’s bike overheated, so we stoppedand visited the Big Wall Drug Store (wherethey have cute Mill Creek Bear Necessitysculptures; thankfully NOT my real cousin!).Mike’s bike cooled down and he gave his bikea drink; then we were on the road again. Weheaded toward Rapid City, but the wind gotpretty strong and it was so hot.Then it startedto rain, and the temperature dropped.58 Wing World