Wing Ding 30 Official Program - Wing World Magazine Archives

Of course we had a great ride home, too.One of the highlights included a ride over BearTooth Pass (wasn’t sure I liked the sound ofthat one from the start, and remember, Ruthieis a flat land Kansas girl—she doesn’t doheights well). Everyone joined in razzing Ruthieabout her fear of heights, including a StateTrooper we saw when we stopped for gas anda man we saw when we stopped in Red Lodge,who told Ruthie how his friend had gone overthe edge and fallen 200 feet and is paralyzedbefore finally admitting his friend may havebeen drinking and driving when he’d crashed(and you humans talk about us bears beingruthless, whoa!).After conquering Bear Tooth Pass, we allheaded for Cody,Wyoming.While in Cody wewent to the Bill Cody Museum (again with thereference to being glad I wasn’t a buffalo!) andate at the Famous Irma’s Hotel and Restaurantbuilt by Bill Cody. The food there was out ofthis world.Max and Beth had to head back home thenext morning, but the rest of us went throughYellow Stone (where I thought we might seeone of my long-lost relatives, but no such luck.We did, however, see lots of buffalo and a fewelk). Later, in Jackson Hole, we stayed in a neatplace where the rooms were like cabins.We allliked it so much, we spent two nights there.But the last day of our group ride came toa close when Jo and Delbert headed back forArkansas while Mike, Ruthie and I headed forIdaho Falls, Idaho, to see an old friend of Mike’sthat he hadn’t seen for almost 30 years (I can’teven imagine that. You humans sure do live along time!).Then it was time to head home toArkansas.We had a little bike trouble again along theway—this time when the Wing lost one of itsradiator fans, Mike said. But Mike just rented aU-haul for the rest of the way home (and hey,you’ll never catch me complaining about an airconditionedride in mid-July…again with the “Ican’t take off my coat” one more time).Anyway, on the way we were able to havebreakfast with Ruthie’s sister, and Mike’s mother,sister and niece.Finally, we arrived home safe and sound.But I guarantee you I’ll never forget this bearyfun adventure we had to and from Wing Ding29. In fact, I can’t wait for this year’s Wing Dingand the Mascot Contest (where I just know I’lltake a top prize!).And just so you can say you knew mebefore I was a star, why not stop me in mytravels and say hi, dear human friend? I’d loveto meet you! So keep an eye out for me atWing Ding 30 in Greenville, South Carolina, (Incase you’ve forgotten, I’ll be the one snappingphoto ops with the big wigs!). Gosh, youWingers sure know how to have a GOODTIME!●July 2008 61