Pit riding at the Jackpine

This event was the first after G learned to ride his PW50 without training wheels. He could not wait to ride his bike around camp with other kids--a fun he's only watched before now.

True to his word, he made friends immediately. Michael and Justin were great. All three rode that very afternoon. On Saturday, G's friend C joined them.

2007 Summer Pinecone and Jackpine Enduros

This year, we traded the heat for rain. At least for the family Pinecone enduro on Saturday. G and his Dad placed 6th. They fell hard--over a wet log--but G still came in to the finish line singing. Yup. Singing. I could hear him before I actually saw him. As Tom Dunn says, our little bobblehead.

G and his Dad, clad in sophisticated rain gear, await their start.

Coming into the finish.

Snacking after his race.

And claiming his trophy.

Sunday's Jackpine saw very little rain. Ken, Eric and Josh showed up and started within four minutes of Paul. All four finished. But...Eric lost his fender and one handguard along the way. He looked hilarious riding into the first gas stop with his fender strapped to his back. Josh had no mishaps that I can recall. Ken ran out of gas and another rider took the time to take gas back to him on the trail. Paul, beaten and battered by logs and other riders, took a break out on the trail but persisted, finishing his second Jackpine.

Paul and Eric.

Ken and Josh.

Independence Day in Charlevoix

We spent the 4th in Charlevoix...

G and Smoke on the water.

G and Mom on the water.

I told G a great story about when his Dad and I pounded our way back in rough water--with three big dogs and G in my belly--from Beaver Island, coming in under this very drawbridge. Moments like these, I miss our boat and the time we spent on the water.

G and Mom taking a break on the bike path. From here, we stopped for dinner and proceeded to Boyne City for the fireworks. And look! Another bouncing contraption.

Training wheels come off the PW50

While at Red Bud, Jason shared the story of how his son, Jake, learned to ride his dirt bike without training wheels. He described the day and ended with "once he got it, he was just gone."

On the ride home from Red Bud, G informed us that he wanted to take the training wheels off of HIS PW50. He said he was "just going to be gone."

So, exactly one day after returning home, he did exactly that.

Wow.

Red Bud 2007

Our third year for this event and Ricky Carmichael's last appearance at this track...

Friends...We camped with the Conley's and the "bachelors" joined us Saturday. G, C and S enjoyed bike riding, the campground playground and pool, and catching fireflys long after their usual bedtime. We missed the Cather's this year, but made new friends with the freelance photographer camped next to us.

Practice day at the track...I think G and his Dad snared nearly every autograph they wanted on the first day. The riders--on and off the track--held G's interest right up until his Dad bought him a toy KTM dirt bike. After that, wherever we were, all you had to do was look down. And there G would be creating his own mini dirt bike tracks in the sand with his new KTM.

He did pay attention when his new favorite rider wiped out though. Caught up in the action, both his Dad and I failed to see G's immediate reaction. After they carried Dungey away, I looked down to find tears streaming silently down G's face. He was so concerned because Dungey did not get back on his bike and continue riding. We assured him that Dungey would be ok and our new photographer friend, Dave, printed a fabulous shot of Dungey taken earlier in practice for G to take home.

Race day...We scrambled out of camp at dawn to secure a trackside spot for our awning and chairs. And although we weren't completely successful, we did end up happier with our 'spot' and got on with the festivities. Ricky won. And all motos were interesting and exciting. G was able to tell Ricky goodbye in the pits, following the race, and managed to grab a few more autographs.

The guys left for home and the rest of us ate ourselves into a stupor back at camp and crashed for the night. In the morning, we took down camp and grabbed just a little more time together over breakfast at a local diner.

Great, great weekend.

G and C pose behind Ryan Villapoto's bike.

This is pretty much as close as the boys got to James Stewart, who repeatedly, but politely, declined to sign autographs for them all weekend.

I believe this is Joey Lawrence, or J-Law. Goofball story behind this one is that C and his Dad mistook Lawrence's mechanic for Lawrence himself. Nice picture. Just had the wrong guy in it. LOL

The legendary, and short, Roger DeCoster.

No idea who this is, but a cool shot nonetheless.

Did I mention that G fell ASLEEP trackside during Ricky's last moto?

Mom's favorite shot...watching yellow crest the ski hill before green. Go Ricky.

Ryan Villapoto spraying dirt in our face. Thanks Uncle Brad, for turning us on to this vantage point. Great view, but mighty dangerous. LOL

Ryan Villapoto and Ben Townley in the air. Easily by best shot.

JAKES

Back in May, we opted not to go to the Mio Safety (CCC) ride and instead spend Saturday at a local JAKES event. What a great day for kids. G hooked up with Brandie's little ones in the bouncing contraptions, then went on to bow and gun sessions. Very cool. Barb and Mark turned us on to the event and shared the day with us--with Mark and G getting in a little basketball.






We ended the afternoon at a BBQ for friend Holly. G and Holly's grandson spent hours catching minnows off the dock.

Phillip Bean Ride June 2007

Another CCC event--the best of the year--held in Wolverine.

Riding...G was hesitant to ride his PW50 with training wheels around the site grounds. The grass was too tall, the furrows too deep. He just wasn't comfortable. Until Sunday, when he rode the oval track created during safety training the day before. He and three other boys raced their dirt bikes around the oval all morning. He loves riding with other kids; makes him feel like he's racing or one of the guys or something.


Friends...We were joined by Von, Skip and Paparazzi Jean this year. G adores his Uncle Von and reveled in the fact that Von spent the day in camp while the others rode. G also made friends with the older boys in the next camp, convincing them to toss the football with him. Tom and his Mom were there too and, as an added bonus, G ran into two daycare buddies at a nearby beach. He enjoyed time with all of them.