Curve Cowboy Reunion 2014

We recently returned from a trip to Chattanooga, TN for the 15th annual “Curve Cowboy Reunion” (CCR), which started as a gathering of people with BMW K1200LT motorcycles, but which has grown to include anyone with an interest in the motorcycle community. The three major goals of the CCR are to present a positive view of motorcycling; to promote rider education and safety; and to make a positive impact by contributing to a children’s charity in the host community.

Because of the distance from here to Tennessee, and because we had a lot of things to take with us (Larry is a vendor), we took the car. But that gave us a good opportunity to make a nice road trip out of it, so we took a northern route getting there, and a more southern route coming back, so we had the chance to do a lot of sight-seeing.

Since its inception, including this year’s contributions, the CCR has donated nearly $300,000 to local charities – focusing on smaller organizations where the funding can really make a difference. This year the selected charity was Skyuka Hall, a private school for children with various learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, ADD, Asperger syndrome, brain injury, to name a few. Our donation will be used to fund scholarships for students. Their low 1:4 student-to-teacher ratio allows the teachers to individualize the learning experience to each child’s needs. The children and teachers held a bike (and car) wash as part of the fundraising events – the kids were so excited! Our car’s front bumper made it into the video twice, so I guess it’s a star.

Each year the rally is hosted in a different location around the country. I was excited to hear that next year’s event will be in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Not only will it be a much shorter trip, but I have wanted to go there for a long time.

On our way to the rally, we stopped at Cowgirl Yarn in Laramie Wyoming, where I bought some Wyoming wool yarn. It was a lovely yarn shop, and we had a nice chat with Lori, the owner. When she heard where we were going, she offered us a project bag for our silent auction! What a nice thing to do. It was a great bag – a cotton produce bag with “Cowgirl Yarn” embroidered on the front, and “Ball Sack” embroidered on the back. Also included was a needle inventory card and a Cowgirl Yarn “We’ll wind your balls” decal.

I really wanted that bag. I bid hard for it, but in the end let it go to one of the other participants (for $70!). Now I just need to get back up to Laramie some time to buy one for myself. I highly recommend the shop. Lori was great – she said that if people are be passing through Laramie outside of her normal store hours, that they should contact her – she may be able to open up the shop for them.