Widows Sons

Widows Sons Memorial Day Ride 2011

The Widows Sons 2011 Memorial Day Ride was a tremendous success! THANKS to EVERYONE!

Presidents Report

Widows Sons Report on the 2011 Memorial Day Ride

Dan McCrummen, President

The Alaska Grand Chapter of the Widows Sons completed another successful Memorial Day weekend ride. Meeting up in Beaver Creek, Yukon were three riders, two with passengers, from Fairbanks, one rider from Delta Jct., two riders from Ketchikan, one rider from Douglas, and seven riders, one with a passenger, from Juneau for a total of 13 Widows Sons on bikes. Four ladies joined the ride, including the one known as the “Black Widow” riding her own scoot (her second year riding with us). For two of the Southeast brothers the ride started down in Ketchikan, one took the ferry to Haines and the other flew to Juneau to pick up his bike and join the other SE brothers for the ferry ride to Haines. On Friday morning, May 26th, nine Widows Sons and two ladies left Haines for the scenic ride up the Haines highway. After a fuel stop and visit to the package store, we headed up the ALCAN towards our accommodations for the night. 35 miles from Haines Jct. we left the highway to travel down a gravel road, through the ghost town of Silver City, and stopping at the Kluane Bed & Breakfast. This out of the way lodging, situated on the southern shore of Lake Kluane, is a true gem.

We had exclusive use of the cabins and house, so the not-so-subtle sound of Harleys and Victorys, plus an Indian and a Honda or two, along with the smell of aged cigars, were no bother to other guests. After a scrumptious dinner of crab legs and grilled salmon and pork ribs, we were ready for story-time. As the cigars were lit and the beer, wine, and scotch flowed, much discussion ensued regarding music trivia, with the frequent reminder that many music greats hailed from the Lone Star state. We were again blessed with clear weather, few mosquitoes, and a mid-night sun, so the frivolity continued late into the night.

Saturday morning found us in great spirits, enjoying fresh coffee, and loading up the bikes. In short order we were loaded up and ready to ride into Destruction Bay for breakfast. The 30 mile scenic ride along Kluane Lake to Destruction Bay is a great way to start the day. Pulling into Talbot Arms Inn we settled in for a hearty breakfast, knowing the next leg of the ride would be the most challenging. With full bellies we pulled out onto the AlCan and headed for Beaver Creek. The last 50 miles of the road consisted of gravel, pot holes, and frost heaves. Although challenging, we navigated the road without incident and arrived in Beaver Creek dusty, rattled, and thirsty. Shortly after arriving we found our northern brethren who had arrive the evening before. Brother DeFreest, desiring to add more mileage to his new bike “Bonz,” along with the company of Brother Shivers who wanted to continue to prove his Indian road worthy, continued their ride on to Northway, returning later that afternoon.

That afternoon we held a brief meeting and discussed various topics. Brother Barnett read off a list of “road” names for some of our nameless brothers. Widows Sons hats and t-shirts were also discussed. A suggestion was also made that next year we should plan on going to Whitehorse first and attending the international days celebration at the Whitehorse lodge. We agreed that depending on the schedule of events, the ferry schedule, etc., that we would try to attend. At the conclusion of the meeting, Donn Heflin, also known as the Black Widow, was presented with a challenge coin. This was Donn’s second year to ride her own scoot and was deserving of such recognition.

The Rider of the Year award was also presented. This year, because he can’t seem to get enough time in the saddle, and because of the several new members he has influenced to join, Brother Jeff DeFreest was recognized as the Rider of the Year. Congratulations Brother Jeff! Saturday night’s entertainment was provided by the hotel staff at the Rendezvous. As in years past, the show was most entertaining. All of the new female staff, as well as most of the returning staff, we promptly and appropriately “pinned” with a Widows Sons pin. All in all it was a fun filled evening for the Widows Sons, the travelling visitors, and the hotel staff.

Sunday morning found some of us moving a little slow, but all of us were ready to ride on to Whitehorse. After a grand late morning breakfast, we said farewell to our northern brothers and ladies and once again headed out for the challenging part of our ride. Once we cleared the rough spots in the road, we picked up speed and had an uneventful, but pleasant, ride to Whitehorse, with fuel stops in Destruction Bay and Haines Jct. Various kinds of wildlife was spotted by some of the more observant brothers, such as moose and bison. Unfortunately many of the Whitehorse brethren were out of town and no social events were planned or held.

Memorial Day morning we awoke to beautiful weather and ready for the trip to Skagway. Back on the AlCan we headed for Jake’s Corner, where we stopped for gas and said farewell to our Ketchikan brothers. Brothers DeFreest and Alderson were headed on down the road to the Cassiar Highway and then Prince Rupert. After taking on fuel the seven remaining bikes, six Widows Sons, the Black Widow, and a lady passenger, headed for Carcross and Skagway. At the top of White Pass, at the “Welcome to Alaska” sign, we stopped and observed a moment of silence for those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice so we may be free to meet as Masons and ride where we please.

In Skagway we were met by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Alaska, Ron Ackerman and Brother Rick Ackerman who served up lunch – hamburgers and potato salad. With full bellies we moseyed on down the road to the ferry terminal and awaited our ride home. As in the previous two years, we had beautiful sunny weather, limited traffic, and we met Masonic brethren at nearly every stop.

Thanks once again go to John Barnett for his extensive efforts in planning the ride. Terrific job Brother John! Thanks also to the MW GM Ron and Brother Rick in Skagway for their warm hospitality. And of greatest importance, the Supreme Architect deserves a round of thanks for looking over us and providing great weather. Look for pictures on our website at www.widowssonsalaska.org.

Until next year, see ya on the road!

The 2011 Memorial Day Ride Photo Gallery

SE Riders arriving in Haines off the ferry