FOUNDING MEMBER FOR IOWA CHAPTER I
Marc & Gale left earlier in the day than me and Jim. Jim and I were to meet Marc & Gale in Peoria, Ill; that night at a motel. The 4 of us were going to share a room to cut expenses. I thought I remembered the directions and the name of the motel correctly, boy was I wrong!!! Well I got the name of the motel right, Super 8. Jim and I proceeded to the front desk of the motel and asked if the Swanson’s were here. Then woman behind the counter checked the register and said yes that they were here. She then gave Jim a key card to the room and gave us directions up to the room on the 3rd floor. When we arrived at the room Jim slid the keycard through the slot and opened the door. Ma & Pa Kettle sat up in the bed and looked very puzzled when 2 strangers entered totally unexpected. Boy was I glad that they weren’t trying to make us a brother!!! I turned to Jim and said” quick show them your badge and gun, tell them “It’s a RAID!!!, and your looking for the BENGAY BANDIT”. I beat feet to the elevator laughing my butt off. Jim showed up at the elevator mad at me for leaving him to fend for himself. Jim was a Postal Inspector at the time, and was on call 24/7/365. He always traveled armed and humorous.
We returned to the front desk and the woman was laughing. We didn’t ask if the Swanson’s called down to see what the “HELL” was going on or not. We just gave back the keycards and said “wrong motel” She gave us directions to the next Super 8 along the interstate and said “good luck next time” and laughed. Jim and I followed her directions to the next Super 8 and upon arrival saw 2 familiar looking motorcycles, with IOWA plates. Man, were we glad to see them too. The 4 of us went to get something to eat and had a great laugh about the whole situation. While we were at the restaurant, a blonde attractive woman and her family came in and sat a few tables from us. They and us received our food at about the same time and began to eat. During our meal Gale said “boy I am glad I am not her date. Jim, Marc, and I looked at Gale and simultaneously asked “why”. Gale just looked at her and said” well look at her, she is not a cheep date, look at her wolfing down those groceries!” we just fell all over laughing. Gale just continued to eat and smiled. The rest of the ride was pretty much uneventful, but we had a great time.
To: Polk County Wings,
Chapter I
The Litchfield Trip
It was in May of 1998, 4 of us guys were going to Litchfield, Ill to the annual Honda dealer motorcycle rally. There was myself (Rick Bradford), Gale Swanson, Marc Swanson, and Jim Wachuta.
Rick Bradford
