Puyallup Good Samaritan

June 24, 2011

Puyallup, WA

G’Mornin,

            Samaritans are not only biblical, they also ride big ol’ Harleys.

Picked up the sky blue Electroglide from Eastside Harley in Bellevue today.  Jordan Istill assisted me in completing the forms, checking out the bike, and providing rain gear.  Jordan is at the top of his game…he knows his stuff and how to make a customer feel like a King. 

We (I and Susan Rogalla-Speech therapist extraordinaire and my Harley 2 up trainer) decided to head out for the “Round Mt. Ranier” run but first to visit Destination Harley located beside I-5 just south of the Tacoma Dome.

Oops, what a mistake! Traffic on I-5 south to Tacoma at 4pm was absolutely horrible…thot I was in LA or NYC L. Was so intent on traffic and the rain that I drove 10 miles right past the exit before admitting that I missed the huge Harley sign. Finally made it back and found the store so Susan could get the Harley jacket that only Destination had in stock.

Sales Lady assisting Susan was Sophia, and when I mentioned that was the name of my Road King she couldn’t believe it. She was a sweetheart in assisting Susan and chatting with her while I wandered around a bit. I think Sophia is part owner of the store....she was greeting everyone as they entered while taking care of us....the store is certainly important to her.

Outside, getting ready to go to Enumclaw, we met Big John Matson (last name may not be spelled correctly). Big John was the former secretary in the local chapter (I too am a HOG member of the Orange County HOGs-OCHOG). I mentioned how reluctant I was to get back on the I-5 to head to the 512. Big John graciously escorted us via local side roads to the highway that would get me to 410 and Enumclaw without having to combat the I-5….neat…btw, Big John is BIG!! Around 6’3….he picks up Harleys and repositions them to make space so he can park his awesome Road King.

Needless to say, I still managed to get turned around on the 512 missing our turnoff point. But with use of Susan's Garmin and my Droid MapsApp we were able to figure out how to get back on the 512. By now the time was getting late in the day. So, we changed plans and headed down to Orting to visit the Soldiers Home and ride around their beautiful grounds; we’ll do the Mt Ranier run mañana.

While at the Soldier’s Home the rain became consistent…so we donned our Harley rain gear provided by Eastside Harley Rentals, and jumped back on Skyblue to head up to Kent. Wow, the raingear was perfect and kept us dry without causing us to feel we were in a sauna….seems the gear, despite no vents, breathes well from the inside to out. I think I’ll just buy me a H-D rain gear set for my Sturgis and CrossUSA run in Aug-Sep.

This was quite a day…..rode my first Electroglide, first time 2 up (Thx Susan for helping me learn to ride 2 up), rode in the rain, got some exposure to riding new roads, and was the beneficiary of a Good Samaritans’ Act of kindness.

Thanks Big John, wish you sunny days and endless country roads

C ya mañana

Gonzo

twitter: @GonzoCrossUSA