Lunch 11 AM, April1, Smoked Creations BBQ, Ottawa, Ks.

[schoolmaster]

I guess we've moved from winter weather to spring weather, which translated seems to mean "it might rain". Right now, it says 40% chance of rain, but the good news is that the temperatures should be in the 70's, so what's a little rain to old guys! As long as we're reasonably warm and we get fed, life is good! So balancing the chance of rain and keeping the ride reasonably close and the fact that we haven't had BBQ for awhile, Ottawa seemed like a good place for this ride. So let's meet at 11 AM at:

Smoked Creations BBQ
222 E. Logan (near the intersection of Hwy. 68 and old Hwy. 59)
Ottawa, Kansas
785-242-4227
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Everyone seemed to really like this place last time we were there; the menu is extensive with lots of opportunities to indulge your culinary tastes, so I hope to see you next Wednesday. Remember, they don't open until 11, but Chancey said they might let us in a few minutes early. Plus, they have a huge covered deck with plenty of room to hang out and visit until they do open.

Here is the link to all scheduled Romeo Rides:
http://mapq.st/1FGty7L

By the way, I just spoke to Larry #2 and he got out of the hospital this morning and was on his way home. He is doing great and said to tell everyone hello. He also mentioned that not only did they fix his knee, but they made him a little less grumpy. In fact, I think he said that he wouldn't even mind if next time a restaurant puts an automatic tip on his check, he wouldn't even complain. Not that's a miracle of modern medicine!!

[schoolmaster]

When I booked this last week I told them it looked like a rainy day so we'd probably bring around 25 ROMEOS. After returning yesterday from Hume, I called them and told them we might hit 50 ROMEOS today since the rain had been moved to Thursday morning. Well, after the official HOSER count was turned in from his perch in the parking lot, he counted 77 motorcycles, and shortly after Santa Greg rolled in so that made it an official 78 motorcycles in attendance. Don't know how many "2-ups" we had but I do know that we filled every seat in the large upstairs dining room. But they were ready for us and I've never seen 80+ people served so quickly and efficiently with excellent food, large portions and reasonable prices.

We were pretty much out the door enjoying the view from the big deck or conversing in the parking lot when their regular lunch crowd started rolling in! (Now where the regular lunch crowd parked is another story, because there were darn few parking spots left in that huge lot). I usually try to get nearly everyone that attends in a picture, but I gave up on that one today. There are still a lot of pictures but I know I missed lots of people, so I'm sorry about that. I kept running into people in the parking lot afterwards that I never saw in the dining room!
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I think everyone had a good time today. Even though it was a little windy on the way home, it was almost a perfect day to ride. In fact, I would say it was a great day to be a ROMEO!

Since my wife and I will be on vacation out of town, for the next two weeks Swanee will be coordinating the Eastern Kansas rides. We talked briefly today while he was having his weekly cee-gar, and he is planning some great places for the next couple of weeks. The weather should just continue to get better and better, making these rides even more fun if that's even possible!

[schoolmaster]

For those of you who had incorrect directions on your GPS yesterday, I received this email last night from Gary Droege, our ROMEO Map Genie:

Mick,
My apologies if anyone got lost trying to find Smoked Creations BBQ today.
Mapquest must have picked up their old location when I entered the name and
city. We realized it wasn't where the map indicated and checked the cell
phone which took us straight to the correct address. I'll try to be more
observant in the future.

Regardless, looked like those who found it just about filled the place up.

Again I'm very sorry if anyone gave up and went home hungry.

Gary

Gary does such great work keeping us all informed and we really appreciate it. The MapQuest directions he adds each week are a valuable addition to the website, and are something I use each week in planning my ride. However, if you're adding it to your GPS, make sure the final exact address is the same as the one listed in the original post that is usually accurate, because I almost always visit the restaurant personally before I put it on the list.

Mike H. I'm sorry I gave you such a hard time yesterday for getting lost. We know now that it was an electronic malfunction Oh well, you can add those extra miles to your yearly total

Mick

[Ole GW]

Mick,
Your appology is accepted--now could you explain this to the 10 guys that were following me?! Oh Yea, thanks for getting me in the photo!!