Well we were up and ready to go relatively early this morning. Brenda our host in the area came to pick us up and lead us to the meeting place. We met up with Gerry and Roxanne and a few others. They decided to change the route at the last minute and we are sure glad that they did.
We left from the meeting place and headed to our first stop at a Harley dealership. This was Destination in Fife. It is a very large and impressive store. Well I hate to say it but the reception we got there was outrageously bad. We stopped at the main desk and asked the girls there if we could speak to the GM or the owner. The were a bit snotty and said the GM was away and the owner was on a delivery. We explained to them that I had been in contact with them and that we were here in hope of receiving a donation towards the Conga fund. Well they still continued to be snippy with us and when we persisted and informed them that they would be the first dealership across the USA that didnt contribute they finally relented and made a phone call to the owner. She came back saying she had to leave a message for him and hopefully he would call back shortly, if we wanted to have a look around. So we wandered around and had a look at things while we waited to hear back. Off in another corner we started talking with another 2 staff members and they were absolutely enthralled by the story and were so impressed with what we were doing. While we were talking to them the other snippy girl came back with a paper in hand saying she had talked to the owner and he didnt want to give any donation to us even though supposedly she did tell him that they were the only ones who hadnt up til now.
Well we were quite unimpressed with the outcome and were getting ready to leave (of course without anyone buying anything) and low and behold the owner whom was supposed to be out on a delivery was just leaving with the delivery. What a joke. While we were there Brenda found some numbers and gave me the phone. I called to the other HD dealership in Lacey and spoke to the owner Steve Boone. I gave him a brief rundown of what we were doing and that we were planning on stopping by his store to see if he would be interested in helping our cause. He said he couldnt wait to meet us and that he was more then willing to help out.
We headed off with a couple stops along the way, we stopped at a honda dealership so Tanya could get some oil for her bike. Poor girl, think she is spending more money in oil then in gas. Anyways while we are there Brenda talks to a sales rep there and it ends up this gal is 28 and has had a full masectomy. Her story brought tears to our eyes. She was so forthright with her story and so thankful for what we were doing. The owner also ended up giving us a $100 donation to the cause. This was quite a tear jerking moment for sure. And thankful that Tanya needed oil cause this really made the whole purpose of the trip that much more emotional.
We left there teary eyed and stopped at a leather shop that generously donated as well, then off we went to the last dealership for the day. We got Northwest HD and found Steve Boone. What a great great and he couldnt have been more helpful. He wanted pics as did we and he ran inside an put togeather a bag full of donations for us. He made sure that we were fed as they were having a BBQ and then when we said we were going to go in and have a look around he offered us all a discount on anything we bought. He even ran back and forth helping Flo and a was willing to give her 50% off of a jacket she was looking at. This man was absolutely amazing and couldnt have been more helpful or friendly. Hats off to Steve and his dealership.
From there we headed back to Port Orchard along some backroads and was a beautiful trip. We ended at the Ackermans house for a great meal that Ron had been preparing all day. He had a smoked brisket, BBQed chicken, sausage, salads, baked potatoes with all the fixings. Ron definately outdid himself. We also managed to have a surprise for Bee as it was her birthday. These girls arent going to believe a word I say anymore as I keep surprising them and keeping the secret. I had aske if they would be able to have a card for Bee and also pick up a cake. Bee was so surprised but still called me a little rotter for tricking her. The dinner and company of their friends that also came for dinner was a wonderful ending to our time here in Port Orchard. we have made some wonderful new friends that really outdid themselves and it is a shame that they cant come along on for the last leg of the Conga. It would be great to show them some of the island. Hopefully they will make it up one day.
We thanked all and then headed back to the motel for the night. Up and at em again tomorrow heading for Bellingham and an early night. We are heading up the I5 and stopping at SOund and SKagit HD. At Skagit our hosts will be saying goodbye and heading back to the south sound. From there I will be taking the lead again and leading our little group along Chuckanut drive to Bellingham. Great scenic road between Burlington and Bellingham.
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