Ignacio ends

Wild Bill on the grill

IGNACIO, COLORADO, SOUTHERN UTE FAIRGROUNDS, THOROUGHFARE --- That's Colonel Gray, Billy, grilling killer moist and tasty barbecue chicken on the little smokie. Rally ended last night and we are starting to break down today, but it will take us until tomorrow afternoon to finish. This was an interesting event. I'm reluctant to get into too many details online but suffice it to say the drama was major here. This rally has moved around a lot in 20 years and returned to the native dirt this year. Some of the problems were too many chiefs and not enough indians, so to speak. They didn't spend enough on advertising, split the rally between the fairgrounds, the tribal casino and downtown Ignacio - and they only made people pay an entry fee at our location. Turnout was abysmal. At most on any given day there were maybe 300 or 400 people here when there should have been thousands. The casino, downtown and Durango were full but not us. As most of y'all know, we did OK because we offer very needed services and products. We should have brought in double the amount but we covered the nut. A much-anticipated and promised indoor burnout pit never occurred, which also hurt us. The arguing in the thoroughfare between vendors and rally organizers was very real. I will shut-up now. The joy of this rally was being with Billy and, once again, thankfully, meeting some really good people. Badger sells great head gear, Rob and Chris have wonderful patches, Junkyard Dog and his old lady Jessica had those really cool shock systems, and the food vendors from Pagosa kept our bellies full with fresh salads and gyros. We had some great customers, too. Several couples and individuals out of Arizona and New Mexico were a hoot (strange but welcome tips occurred) and some very kind tribal members from the local area were a constant source of peace. It's still rippin hot here but the air cools at night. I made leftover steak, chicken and seasoned potato burritos for lunch and spaghetti is on the menu tonight. Billy's ride, Charo (think Chiqita bannana), has new shoes for his 1,000 mile trek home; I have a new black leather vest AND jacket, courtesy of my wonderful hubby; and Ding has his MGD cowboy hat and a depleted tire inventory that make him smile. We be off to Reno later in the week. May try and visit some family in Wagon Wheel Gap this week and take a couple days at the Cottonwood Cove cabin. Bob and Thumper as cool, cute and fun as always. More soon....Love Hol, Ding, Billy, Thumper and Bob the Dog!

Miss Ignacio Bike Week

Deaf dude from Arizona getting a tire