It was with mixed emotions that I stood in rain and waited for the gates to open for what would be the last Michigan District Rally in Midland, at least for a while. I remember the first year we went there and all the issues that had to be worked out. Most people will never know how much help we got from Tom and Lloyd and the other people who work for the park. We just arrive on Thursday, have a great time, and leave on Sunday. But believe me; besides the District Staff, the Midland Staff, the citizens, and the businesses, Midland has worked hard to make our stay enjoyable.
    I'm sure I was not the only one who was asked why we were leaving and that they hoped we would come back.
    But enough nostalgia. I looked forward to a great rally and we certainly had one. Despite what looked like a lot less people and a lot fewer vendors, it was a fun packed weekend.
    Bob and carol, Ed and Lawanda, Juke, Wanda and I camped in our usual place. We had it really looking good with the chapter banner and the American Flag. Bob and Carol won RV best campsite for daytime and second place for nighttime. Bob won his class in the Top Gun competition. We had a men's team and women's team in the chapter competition for Battle of the Chapters and the girl's team won the trophy for 2^nd
A bike from Windsor won best of show. Chapter J was the largest pre-registered chapter. M-2 from the Upper Peninsula was the largest chapter by percentage.
   Yours truly won the "guess how many" cotton balls in the jar, I missed by 2. Chet and Helen were the oldest couple to ride. Chapter J sold the most tickets 16,260. One member sold 6,000. WAY TO GO GUYS!!! This kind of sales helped us give $20,500 to Michigan Rainbow Connection.
    I didn't get the man's name that won the bike, but I think he was from the thumb area, as Chapter Q-2 sold it.

    Well, next year we will be at the Ogemaw County Park in West Branch. Not only has the location been changed, but the dates have as well. If I understood what was said at closing ceremonies, we will be there the 3^rd weekend in July. Ed and Lawanda, Steve and Wilma, and Wanda and I took our first ride up to check out this park. It is a beautiful place with a lot of flowers and trees. We did not see hardly any shower facilities, but it does have a very nice camping area. I don't know how many it will hold, but we will find out later. We had a chance to talk to a gentleman who said he was in charge of the park and the one thing he told us is the park rules are that dogs are only allowed in the camping area. They have a large bleacher area for opening and closing that should hold all us Gold Wingers.
    Well one year is gone, and a new one is going to open in a new area at a new date - - - so I guess us old dogs will just have to learn new tricks.

Submitted by: Larry Kephart