Cartoon Thunder

 

Hiya… It’s Bobcat time-ha-ha, sorry this is so late. Technical difficulties beyond my control. Ha-ha

My concept that I had planned to write about had something to do with a summer weather ride. So sorry Charlie, the weather did not cooperate. I planned my ride so that I could attend a charity event and write a feel good story. Everyone loves a decent feel good story and I won’t disappoint you! The story works despite the cool (damm-it! COLDBrrrrrrrr) weather.

I woke up Thursday May 26^th at 4:30 am, wow that is extremely early for me to get up for a ride. I left Hollister at 5am dressed in my cold weather gear, my beanie helmet, and single layer gloves. It was approximately 48 deg. F as I rode to Gas-up at the Casa De Fruta Chevron station. http://casadefruta.com I did pack a neck/face cover and boy ohh boy did I need ever it!

I filled up at Casa De Fruta and I had an idea my hands might get cold but my thoughts at the time were to be on time in Stockton for the Feed The Children, Americans Feeding Americans Food Drop. http://www.feedthechildren.org I am an on-time freak and when I commit to be somewhere it takes an act of congress for me to be late. I rode Hwy 152 East to I-5 North. I rode a little more than an hour and pulled off at the gas station in Patterson and drank a quick cup of coffee (hands were very cold). I arrived at the Interfaith Food Bank 2209 East Main St. Stockton at 6:55am, on time as usual. Whoop, whoop- Bobcat Rocks! The Reverend Skip Scace manages the Interfaith Food Bank along with his family and others.

I was invited by my friends with Star Touring And Riding Association http://www.startouring.org South Stockton Chapter 192 http://www.startouring192.org Gary Shirley is the Chapter President and spread the word to the California Star Touring Chapters. Gary and Steve (Pappy) Podesta heard of this food drop event from Brad and Christina who are our Star Touring International Charity Coordinators.

Brad and Christina knew from past experience that if a call went out to Star Touring there would be an out pouring of much needed support. Feed The Children works a deal with many groups, FTC has Bobcats respect and love for the work they do here in the States and overseas. FTC has been a much needed first responder with disaster/emergency supplies. In this case the shipment was two fully loaded tractor trailers full of food and supplies to serve the needy in Stockton California. FTC made a call to Star Touring for help with the food drops and distribution logistics. Star Touring was not the sponsor but we were happy and very willing to help.

Between the two trailers FTC shipped 26 pallets of food, personal hygiene supplies and Avon products. The distribution came off like clockwork. All of the families were pre qualified by local Churches and were given vouchers for the amount of product they were to be picking up. I was amazed at the churches that were involved with this event. This event really lived up to the name Americans Feeding Americans. The food drop was subsidized by the following churches and individuals.

Rev. Skip Scace of the Interfaith Food Bank, Steve and Ivy Ministries, Jesus.com, Loaves of Love, Love Fellowship, A Little Light Church, Hurricane, Sunnyside Christian Fellowship, Thorton Spanish Ministry, The Life Church, Servants Of Christ, First Hmong Baptist Church, United South Baptist, ICA Church, New Greater Love Church, Casa de Oracion, Restoration For Life, Centro Aposolico. Interfaith volunteers, Diosa Scace, Delilah Stears, Kelly Johnson, Isabel Tomasino Zarate, Security-John Scace, David Bennett, Kevin Collins Rev.

Star Touring Showed up in force with seven chapters represented. Sacramento Chapter 153, Monterey Ca Chapter 161, Hayward Fault Chapter 103, Lodi Chapter 102, Modesto Chapter 294, Visalia Chapter 163. Thanks Star touring Members I love you guys! A special thanks to the Interfaith Women for the delicious lunch we were served. I am sorry if I left anyone out. Thanks and God Bless all of you.

As I said before, the event was very successful. I looked at what FTC sent and again was amazed. One box of food products, one box of personal hygiene items (toothpaste, shampoo, tampons, mouthwash etc.) and one box of Avon products (hair spray, aftershave, soap, cosmetics, etc.) every thing sent is helpful and welcomed.

The pre-qualified residents either drove or walked into the parking lot of the food bank and showed their vouchers. Our initial contact placed a sticker on each car displaying how many families had vouchers per car and after driving forward the volunteers loaded each vehicle. I love seeing the grateful happy faces of people. I had a chance to talk with some of the people picking up food and it really warms my heart to see the smiles and hear the gratitude. The most common remark that was said to us was “God Bless You for this” That really made my day great….and seeing all of the people we helped just added to my day as a bonus.

I really believe in The Golden Rule “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you” (Mathew 7, 12). Some call it paying it forward, some feel it is a duty, some feel it is just the Right thing to do. My personal feelings are all the above.

My day was most beautiful. The weather cooperated and our work was helped by moderate temps and good attitudes from all. FTC sent out enough supplies for 800 families. The food bank distributed vouchers that feed and supplies one family of five for one week. Large families receive multiple vouchers. Any left over product will be distributed as needed to qualified families at a later distribution date.

I worked to food line off and on from 8am to 2pm and then the second shift took over. I left Stockton a little tired but carrying that feel good mojo home with me. The ride home was nice and traffic on I-5 was mild. I stopped several times to rest. Vista Point I-5 Patterson south bound (what a view), I-5 and Hwy-33 Gustine Ca. Andersons where I enjoyed a cup of world famous Anderson’s Split Pea soup.  http://www.peasoupandersens.net Also here is an Anderson forum link from a pashnit (motorcycles and riding) thread. http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1687

Note: Bobcat rates Anderson’s Split Pea Soup a ten out of ten. It is the BEST pea soup the Kat has ever eaten/ET.

I also stopped along hwy-33 south at the aqueduct and the canal gate flowing into the O’Neil Fore bay and the water level is way up. I noticed there were not too many weeds to stop me from fishing…..I catch large Stripped Bass and catfish at these locations. Another Bobcat note, at one time a few years ago the world record largest Stripped Bass was caught at this location…whooo-hooooooooo!

I also stopped at the Romero Visitors Center on the main San Luis Reservoir main lake and the amount of water in the lake blows my mind. I have not seen the lake this full for over ten years. The fishing should be shaping up as the season progresses.

Last stop was Casa De Fruta http://casadefruta.com for fuel and then home to Sunny Hollister. I really did have a wonderfully exciting day and my weary bones are screaming at me and reminding me that I really did ride today.  Loved the ride, friends, family and an excellent reason for going. I can defiantly recommend Stockton for your next vacation…just remember to bring a biker along for security!

You know I do have a very good sense of humor. Ha-ha. Spent many days/nights in Stockton, I love the fishing there and have attended many a BBQ and softball tourney at their world class facilities.

That is all for now. Next Blog look for my 4-bridge run story. See-ya all later BC