Wheels Through Time Museum

Spending yet another of many, many vacations in the Smokies we have ridden over from Gatlinburg to Maggie Valley, NC to visit a museum that we learned about on the Internet. Along with Hildia and I are Floyd and Dorothy, David Elston, who joined us yesterday, and Charley and Darnel Gibson. 
Nestled against the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains, the 38,000 square foot Wheels Through Time Museum contains over 230 rare antique American motorcycles and automobiles from 1903 to the present, 90% of which are still operated regularly. More than just a showcase for its vehicle collection, the museum incorporates thousands of original items to enhance the theme of vintage transportation. Included among the artifacts are rare original factory lithographs, panoramic photos, posters, era clothing, trophies, autographed pictures and even an original twenty-foot billboard. 
This museum really knocked my socks off, mainly because of all the unrestored bikes and the actual working shop that dates from the early nineteen hundreds. It was like a stroll down memory lane for me what with all the sixties era bikes and memorabilia. Hildia took my picture standing next to a 1960 Harley Duo Glide exactly like the one we used to have, right down to the color. In its day it was the biggest motorcycle in the world but today it seems so tiny and simple. The museum also has what appeared to be vintage furniture scattered about and it gives visitors a place to sit now and them to rest their weary feet. A Nice touch. And cameras are welcome. 
As we wandered around taking in the sights and smells of the past, David commented to a stranger that he thought this museum was better than Barbers in Birmingham and I backed him up. Turned out the stranger was none other than Dale Walksler founder, curator, chief mechanic and tour guide for this brand spanking new facility. He had arrived for work a few minutes earlier in a cherry 1929 Duesenberg making the museum's motto "The Museum that Runs" a fact. What a way to get around. Although all of us had signed a guest register on arrival, after our complements, Mr. Walksley asked to sign and comment in his personal register. After signing the suck-up book, as it was referred to by Charlie and Darnel, Dale showed his appreciation by firing up a 1920's era Ace for us. It ran like a new one. 
There are over 220 motorcycles on display here and they could best be described as the history of American motorcycles. One of a kind bikes like an original Evil Knievel jump bike, art deco bikes, military bikes including a rare Harley-Davidson with opposing cylinders. Racers, hill climbers, special interest bikes and on and on. 

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We began our June meeting with a moment of silence in memory of our 40th President, Ronald Reagan who passed away at the age of 93 this month. 

Roll Call: Dick and Fran Salveson, Margaret Rogers, Dan Randall, Woodie and Lin Hill, Larry Cole, Mike Hopper and Brenda Hamilton, Tim Hendrickson, Lanny Charles, yours truly Stan and Jean Viets. We also welcomed our visitor, John Tilmon found Memphis Tour Riders on a search engine site, and John said he would be back. 
We will celebrate two Birthdays and one Anniversary in July as noted in the newsletter. We hope y'all can make the meeting, so the Shoney's waitresses can sing a birthday song and bring ice cream and cake to you. 
Thanks to Dan Randall for the interesting story about a "Yankee's View" of a Redneck weekend in the June issue. Everyone, please continue to send BJ current events, safety articles, stories, etc. and get involved. This is your chance to have your articles published. We will continue to post rides/events as they come up both in the Happy Trails Newsletter, Web Page, and at meetings.
We have a June meeting bank balance of $1,306.26. The MTR financial statement as well as the current membership information, i.e. names, addresses, telephone numbers, email, birthdays, etc. can be accessed on the MTR web site. 

Ongoing Business:
To date we still have a few members that have not renewed their dues; $24/year was due and payable on April 8, 2004. Those that haven't renewed yet will find your statement and renewal form in this issue of Happy Trails. Please complete, updating if necessary and mail with your payment to: 8285 Chippingham Drive, Cordova, TN 38016. MTR values your ongoing support. 
Please support our growing number of advertisers when you can and show our gratitude and thank them for advertising in the Newsletter and web site. The ads are still only $30/year, see web site for details. With new Sponsors/advertisers we need 2 business cards for the ad insertions.
We had eleven members and two visitors ride to the Freedom Wings annual Po-Boy Picnic at Mousetail Landing State Park on the Tennessee River at Perryville, TN on the June 5th. The food and fellowship was great. Don and Marion 

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Oller, the organizers of this event, reported they had approximately hundred folks in attendance and a good time was had by all.
I have not yet received the latest AMA Newsletter however I will forward it when it comes in. 
New Business:
We will have three (3) scheduled events before our August 12th meeting; hopefully you will be able to make one or all three. B. J. will e-mail a detailed itinerary later and Eddie will post on the web site.
July 10th Dinner Ride to Bozo's Bar-B-Q, Mason, TN.
July 17th Burnt Burger III-Chickasaw State Park
July 31st Second Annual Magnolia Moon Dinner Ride to Chapman's Restaurant.
Dan Randall briefly reviewed plans in the works for the Tennessee Baptist Children's Home Benefit. Tentatively it will be a two day event, Thursday October 21st a Golf Tournament and Friday October 22nd a TBCH Campus Open House featuring a Motorcycle and Boat Show. 
Also make your plans to attend our Memphis Tour Riders Annual Christmas party on Saturday, December 11th (in lieu of our regular December meeting), again at the Boys Ranch in Millington. Details will be finalized and announced later.
We discussed the possibility of changing our meeting location. Dan Randall discussed the new Fox Ridge Pizza Restaurant opening soon on Dexter at Germantown Road. They also are considering becoming a sponsor/advertiser. We can discuss at a later meeting if there is continuing interest to relocate. Think about it. 
As always if anyone has any suggestions for rides or events please let B.J. know.
Quotation for July: "Work joyfully and peacefully, knowing that right thoughts and right efforts inevitably bring about right results."………………….James Allen
Also our thanks to all that bring door prizes, win one bring one.
Have a safe Fourth of July and remember to thank those that have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. God Bless America.

See y'all at our next meeting, July 8, 2004.

Ride Safe and ride more in 004 
Stan and Jean
The June meeting was officially gaveled to a close at 7:54 PM

MIAMI (AP) - With sirens blaring and lights flashing, Miami-Dade County fire-rescue workers Roman Bas and Charley Hay raced through heavy midday traffic to answer a 911 call and beat the firetruck to the scene. How did they do it? On souped-up BMW motorcycles.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue is believed to be the first in a major U.S. metropolitan area to use motorcycles to respond to emergency calls.
Officials here hope the motorcycle team will cut response times for 911 calls by allowing fire-rescue workers to slip through Miami's traffic, which is among the worst in the nation.``Once traffic gets so backed up, it doesn't matter how loud your siren is,'' said David Alonso, a training coordinator for the motorcycle team. ``There's nowhere to go.'' The Miami-Dade department uses 10 motorcycles donated by BMW. Each is fitted with three compartments to hold external defibrillators, oxygen, IVs, cervical collars and other equipment. Two bikes can carry all the basic life support supplies except for a backboard.
In the United States, rescue workers in Nantucket, Mass., started using motorcycles in 1993 to maneuver through the city's narrow streets. The rescuers are called ``motor medics.''

Memphis Tour Riders 2004 Ride Schedule

July 10th-Dinner Ride-Bozo's Bar-B-Q Mason, Tennessee -52 Miles

July 17th-Burnt Burger III - Wall Doxey State Park, Mississippi-100 Miles

July 31st-Second Annual Magnolia Moon Dinner Ride-Chapman's Resturuant-154 Miles

August 14th-Dinner Ride-Crossroads Café -Red Banks, MS--70 Miles 

August 28th-Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee-Lake View Inn--196 Miles

Sept 4th - Antique Road Trip - Hazel, KY - Dinner in Paris, TN - 300 Miles

Sept 11th -Doodle Soup Festival, Car and Motorcycle Show- Bradford, Tennessee--198 Miles

Sept 18- Trail of Tears- -Waterloo, AL-Dinner at the Catfish Hotel-Shiloh--265 Miles

October 2nd-Saddlesore 1000 Endurance Ride-Hendersonville, NC and Return-24 hours or less--1012 Miles

October 16th and 17th- 4th Annual Blazing Saddles Fall Foliage Tour-McMinnville, TN--570 Miles -Overnighter

November 6th-Veteran's Day Thunder -Bally's Casino-Robinsonville, MS-86 Miles