Me and the Chef

[BassCliff]

Hi,

This past weekend I had occasion to visit one of my old home towns, Bakersfield, for my 35 year high school reunion. While I was there I dropped in on a friend of ours who lives there. You know him as Mr. chef1366.

My "Jessie" was lightly loaded since I was spending only one night there.

Jessie had a new rear tire, a valve check, a clean air filter, new plugs. I didn't get to all that I wanted to do, but she was ready for the trip over the Grapevine, a little less than 150 miles away.

I made good time and found chef1366 was working at the country club. This is him in his native habitat.

Yep, Bill is looking good, riding his bike to work and living healthy. He makes me want to get back on a bicycle too.

Bill treated me to lunch and we had the whole dining room to ourselves. This was a pretty swanky place.

I got to eat with a cloth napkin and everything. The chef mentioned that he had made some killer chili verde the day before and the omelets were the special of the day. That sounded good.

And it was delish! Thanks Bill!

That evening I rode Jessie to my reunion bash. Here she is outside the venue at closing time, faithful as ever.

The next morning I headed for home. Here's Jessie and my breakfast.

And then I had to get Jessie her breakfast.

We headed south on the I-5 for the Grapevine. It's a boring road but the farmland and surrounding mountains can sometimes make for great scenery.

10 pictures. To be continued...


.

 

[taswegian]

Looks like awesome riding weather!! I hope Jessie treated you nicely for the round trip.....

 

[Guest]

So how was the Reunion? Rekindle any old friendships?
I've yet to go to one.

 

[BassCliff]

Continued...

This is one of the many oil derricks you'll find in the area. Bakersfield used to be a really big oil town and there's still a lot of business in the area. In the background you see the Edmonston Pumping Station, which pushes the California Aquaduct over the Tehachapi mountains.

Here we are, just about to head up the Grapevine.

And of course, the GS850GT has no trouble getting over this little anthill. ;-)

This is Lake Castiac, a nice little man-made lake in the mountains.

Oh! I forgot to show you Bill's hand. He just had the pins removed a few days ago and he had already regained more than 50% use of his thumb. He's been working it hard, even though the doctor told him not to pick up anything heavier than a saucepan. ;-)

As you know, Bill was in a wreck during RenoBruce's rally last month. His bike will not be the same but it looks like Bill will be the same. Thank God.

Thank you Bill (Mr. chef1366) for your warm hospitality. It was great to visit for a while. We'll do it again sometime.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[BassCliff]

So how was the Reunion? Rekindle any old friendships?
I've yet to go to one.

Yes, Bill. I saw a lot of old friends. We partied pretty good for a bunch of old folks. My old friend, Monty, and I were asked to perform. The only instrument available was a ukulele! So we made the best of it. Merle Haggard might not have appreciated what we did to his song, but the crowd loved it.

More pictures of strangers here: http://cid-90b2954a23effed9.photos.live.com/browse.aspx/Cliff-Photos/BHS^_75-35YearReunion


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[almarconi]

Cliff..I didn't know you went to school with carol burnett :-\\\

 

[Larry D]

Nice pics Cliff. Thanks for sharing your weekend and your visit with Bill. How come most of your pictures are with women ? Old girlfriends perhaps ?

35 years......my 30 year reunion is next summer. Time sure flies by, doesn't it ?

 

[DanTheMan]

My 40 year reunion is in 2 years Haven't been to a single one yet, both high schools I went to like to throw reunions that cost hundreds of bucks to attend, so I don't bother. Can't remember anything I left behind, especially at the one I graduated from in Wheat Ridge, CO, the one in Redondo Beach, CA was a possibility once, but not for the high bucks places they want to reunion at.

 

[sscott]

Hey Basscliff, glad you and Jessie had a great time and from what it seems a very nice trip.

Too bad Buck Owens passed, I'm sure he would have enjoyed your visit as well and helped out with a few songs.

 

[cowboyup3371]

Great pictures and I'm glad to hear you got to attend your reunion. Like others, I haven't attended either of mine due to short notice announcements. Why they tell people 2 weeks beforehand when they live halfway across the country and can't just cough up the large amounts of money needed beats me.

 

[lurch12_2000]

Nice pics Cliff, but you'd be pretty old to have gone to school with Carol Burnett!
You need a cup holder on "Jessie" for your morning coffee too (or RedBull stuff?)!...and maybe ride a BMW next time you visit the "Club".:-\\\

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Yes, guys, it was a great weekend, really fun.

@Larry D: All those women were band geeks with me. But there was one old girlfriend in the bunch, and a few others whom I wish were old girlfriends.

@almarconi: You're right. Sally does resemble Carol Burnett. We also had a guy in my class, a football jock, who now resembles Liam Neeson. I wish I would've gotten a picture.

@DanTheMan: This reunion was pretty casual, only $50 a plate and it wasn't rubber chicken. They try to keep the costs down so more people can come.

@sscott: At least Merle is still around. But I don't think he would've like to hear his song on a ukulele.

@cowboyup3371: I guess it depends on the organizers and how they communicate. My reunion was done mostly through Facebook. The two organizers said they really didn't have to do that much.

@lurch12_2000: A cup holder for Jessie? I don't know. Because of my full fact helmet, I can't drink anything in the saddle anyway.

Thanks for looking everyone. I hope you all enjoy your reunions.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[chuck hahn]

Cliff..whats with you posing with all the hotties!! They must have seen you pull up on the GS...LOL

 

[rapidray]

Cliff, I'm glad you had a good time & got to see Bill. I have to correct you on something though. That was PYRAMID Lake, NOT Castaic. Castaic is down the hill closer to Magic Mountain. Cool pics!!! Ray.

 

[BassCliff]

Cliff..whats with you posing with all the hotties!! They must have seen you pull up on the GS...LOL

Yeah, that's it.

Old women have a "thing" for me.



Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[BassCliff]

Cliff, I'm glad you had a good time & got to see Bill. I have to correct you on something though. That was PYRAMID Lake, NOT Castaic. Castaic is down the hill closer to Magic Mountain. Cool pics!!! Ray.

Ray,

You are correct. It's been so long since I went over the Grapevine that I had forgotten which was which. Hey, I'm just the bass player.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[posplayr]

Hey Cliff,
Congrats ; We both graduated in 1975 .

I just looked up my HS and they are having a 35 year Reunion 1st of Oct.

I guess i better start loosing some weight :-&.

Jim

 

[BassCliff]

Don't worry Jim, you look great.

You'll look especially great pulling up on your GS.

Be sure to take pictures and share your fun!


Cliff