The Day After the Braun Brothers Reunion in Challis and Stanley, Idaho is usually an inventory day, peppered with moments of loss, connection, performance art, temptation and even reflection. While it starts burdened with the leaving of Mile High and the loss of some travelers, it always morphs to Bloody Mary’s, BBQ and the promise of George.

Not partly-cloudy George, George doesn’t DO “partly.” Remove the “L” though, and you get an event that can drag all but the birthday out of Slate Creek. While you know Big Travel is just on the horizon, it takes years of practice to leave early enough to protect the innocent the next day on the long, next bike adventure. I made it, but only by the skin of my teeth.

So where was I? Oh yes. We pulled the crew together, took the picture, and meant every word of the “best crew yet.” If only Keith Gattis had been back! Larry & Leslie, where you BE?  Donnie and Julie Bailey Radley, the Gill/Parrinelli’s, Mighty Casey of the Shaws, Jane, Sister Cindy, EmmaG, and lil’ ol us piled into the photo with Travis, Brenda & Clay. The flatlanders were all exhausted and committed to never missing the BBR.

Then it’s inventory and repack the bike. Motorcycle travel SOUNDS fun, hell it IS fun. But the packing and unpacking is reLENTless. It is almost impossible to live out of the bag, because it’s one big jumble. Pleah. You inventory everything from maps and tire gauges to brain cells and hope for the best. THEN, you pack it all very carefully on the bike and hope you haven’t put your helmet on BEFORE putting your earplugs in. If you have never done that, then you are an inventorying MADman. Or madwoman, and I know something about THAT.

This year, George DeVore somehow became Bill DeVille and the Thrills. And check out this BAND! Some Reckless Motorcars, if you get my drift. Bobby, Joe, Pablo, Ben joined, too from the Refugees and BAM!

Check out Bill DeVille’s web site HERE. We are particularly intrigued by this Hottest NEW band from Austin, TX. I have no video from the show, but this link will give you the drift. George, you are THE MAN!

Let’s be crystal clear. George DeVore does not mess around. There are no 4 minute songs with perfect little endings. Even if he intended to play one, within 30 seconds, George would think of some other zip code for rock or blues greatness, wink and nod and take OFF down his road. It’s why he needs the Thrills and can get them. Because it’s FUN for them and only they can keep up. Or so it seems.

If you don’t find George fun, it’s time to make reservations at the bingo table or enter an ashram and retreat to center. Then find George and try again! Or Bill DeVIlle and the Thrills.

As for BBQ, this year we were able to join up the creek and sat in a circle listening to Cody Canada, Django Walker, Jack of the talent, Kaitlin Butts, Dierks Canada and more sing some songs. Thanks to Django for the backyard MC skills. They kept offering the guitar to folks around the circle and Lynn grabbed it and said something like:

“I can’t play this thing but I can’t express how happy I am right now. I have a husband and two children I love, so I’m generally pretty happy. But I can’t ever remember being happier than I am right now.”

And she handed it back. HeySuess wept!

THEN she went out and kicked my butt, Phil Polkinghorn, Dan Jenkins, Willy Braun’s and insundry other’s butts (not Kaitlin’s) in a chipping contest.

And God love her, later than night, she dumped it all in Bill DeVille’s Tip Jar. All was right with the world.

Except friends from Sonoma, Arrowcreek, Tahoe, Idaho and Bahstan will hear forevermore about this victory.

As Dan Jenkins said, “If I weah you, Fohd, I’d make thaht two week mohtahcycle trip at LEAST FOAH weeks lohng. Oah you’ll nevah heah the end of it!”

Truer words, but happy heart.

Now, if you didn’t click on the link earlier, or you want more George, and you SHOULD, click HEAH to hear some moah! Such a cool guy….

In other news, we met the Mayor of Clayton and the Idaho Pour on Sunday. I gather elections near. Vote early and often.