Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally
Ruidoso, New Mexico, September 2002

Ruidoso, New Mexico, is only about four hours' drive from our mountain home, so we definitely wanted to go. But how—we could take the bikes, but then we'd have to have a pet sitter. So, being either extremely adventurous or totally delusional, we had a grand idea: We'll load up the animals into the ancient, lumbering 25-foot RV, put two bikes on a trailer behind, and all go down there together! Yeah! Well, it sounds like a recipe for disaster, but that's what we did and it was actually kind of fun. Less than a week later we're already contemplating a repeat performance for the twice-yearly Trinity Site tour in October.

The main event: Lots and lots and lots of bikes and bikers.

Many bikers standing in line to get in. Massed motorcycles in one of the parking lots. Massed motorcycles in one of the parking lots. Butterfly is in the middle there somewhere. Massed motorcycles in one of the parking lots. Massed motorcycles in one of the parking lots. Massed motorcycles in one of the parking lots.

Here are some bikes Gryph found especially interesting—an old Triumph, and a bike with some very unusual custom paint work in Northwest Indian tribal style.

Northwest Indian artwork on a bike Northwest Indian artwork on a bike Northwest Indian artwork on a bike An old Triumph

A lot of bikers didn't ride in the parade—for example, we didn't because Gryph's bike was misbehaving. But it was still long!

I love a parade Flag-waving I love a parade The good guys I love a parade I love a parade I love a parade I love a parade Canine patrol Fancy trike Aunt & Uncle Sam I love a parade I love a parade I love a parade Obviously an outlaw Sidecar I love a parade Somebody always has a coffin

Here are a few shots of us chilling around the campsite, in between biker activities.

Six is going to drive. Shh, Mom is taking a nap. Birds hanging out on the veranda. Birds hanging out on the veranda. Inside the RV. But she's too young to drive! Butterfly, Lionel, Birds and Beer.

These are from the Hubbard Museum of the American West, which is a fascinating place to visit. As you can see from the pictures, the highlight of the museum for us was an incredibly beautiful life-size sculpture of different horse breeds that have had a presence in the West. (The big sculpture is Dave McGary's "Free Spirits at Noisy Water.")

Horse sculpture Carriage ornament Gryphon at the starting gate Gryphon at the starting gate Spanish parade tack Spanish parade tack Equestriennes across the years Horse sculpture Horse sculpture Horse sculpture Horse sculpture Horse sculpture Horse sculpture Horse sculpture Horse sculpture Horse sculpture Gryphon with horse sculpture Horse sculpture Horse sculpture Horse sculpture Horse sculpture Horse sculpture Butterfly with horse sculpture Horse sculpture

A couple of miscellaneous shots: 1) One of the vendors drives this custom bus to rallys and shows, and 2) Little Bambi Gryphon with Smokey the Bear at the Billy the Kid Visitor Center.

One of the vendors' wheels. Gryphon & Smokey at the Billy the Kid visitor center.

Last, but not least... Butterfly never had gotten around to taking a picture of her lovely "new" 1995 Kawasaki VN-750. Since the Vulcan got a really bitchin' set of grip fringes on this trip, this seems like a good time to introduce her in all her glory:*

All shined up All shined up Ready to go

* Disclaimer: Before anybody jumps on me... I'm not wearing safety gear in the last shot. I had just finished detailing her and was moving her down the driveway to get some better sunlight for the pictures. I firmly believe that safety gear is a rider's personal choice; mine is to always wear jacket, helmet, gloves, and boots when riding on the street. So there!

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