The 2003 Kansas Moto Guzzi Campout was held at Council Grove Federal Reservoir on May 30th, May 31st, and June 1st. We camped at the Santa Fe Trail Cove, which has a very nice group shelter area. The campground is well established and maintained by the Corp of Engineers.
The weather this year was great, which translates into no thunderstorms, tornadoes, or other nasty weather that Kansas has been known for, and has treated Kansas Guzzi gatherings to in the past.
We had 60 people in attendance for the weekend, with the majority being from out of state. Ed Journey from Texas had the most unusual Moto Guzzi at this year's campout, his three wheeled bright yellow Triking. Ed is one of the regulars at our campout. I think he comes back for the breakfasts he gets in town at the Saddle Rock Cafe.
Frank Wedge was there twice, on Friday with Mary Jo and Caress, then back again on Saturday. I don't know if he got any speeding tickets over the weekend, you'll have to ask him.
On Saturday afternoon, Motorsports, the Moto Guzzi dealership from Wichita, Kansas sent several bikes up to the campout. Salesmen Mike Tarrant and Randy Treece were on had to show and tell us what they have to offer. Go down there and buy yourself (or me) a Guzzi for Christmas.
[Ed Note: I personally have found Motorsports in Wichita very user friendly. On a couple occasions when either myself or a friend needed quick assistance they got the bike right in. The service manager there has been a Guzzi guy for decades and a longtime lifetime member of the MGNOC. My 2002 V11 LeMans needed warranty work processed a couple of times, and I couldn't be more happy with the service Bob and Clyde have given me and the LeMans. Thumbs up! -FW]
Luck was with Luap McKeever, as he was the winner of the 50/50 drawing on Saturday afternoon.
Steve and Leila Walker, the MGNOC reps from Arkansas were in attendance. They use the Kansas Campout as a rain gage. Steve figures if we have rain in Kansas, they won't have rain in Arkansas, or vice versa. Go figure.
Also in attendance were Yogi and Booboo, two mischievous miscreants from up north. Seems these two had a visit with a park ranger. No harm, no foul. They were well behaved the rest of the weekend.
Two loyal Kansas MGNOC members that were not able to make it to the rally this year were Dean and Betty Yotter of Leoti, Kansas. Those at the rally missed their presence. A card for Dean was signed by those in attendance. Dean passed away in July and will be missed . My condolences to Betty and the family.
Thanks to the underpaid help: Jeff, Norm, Phillis, John, Ruth, Roy, and Linda. Couldn't do it without ya.
I want to thank everyone for coming to the rally. Hope to see you again next year. The dates are set for 2004, which is a leap year, so dates are a little different. The dates are Friday, June 4, Saturday, June 5, and Sunday, June 6. Hope you can make it.
