2014 Rally in Asheville

[Jim Loiselle]

http://www.photoshow.com/watch/Wm5fJ5kn

Picture show

Jim in Indy

[vxiirider]

Good job Jim, we enjoyed it very much. John and Mary Jane

[metric]

Great pictures Jim. Thank you...

[Chris near Kansas City]

Cool! Thanks, Jim!

[the2knights]

Nice job Jim!

[cushman eagle]

Good show, Thank you for posting those photos

[Lucasind]

Thanks for the pics Jim,.... any thoughts to share on the new bike ?.......tony

[voyager55]

Very nice photo's Even the one with Chris near KC in it

[Jim Loiselle]

Tony,

I have a new seat coming for the Versys, so I am giving it a chance. I will have short report with picture soon.

Jim in Indy

[sir old dirt]

Jim,
Such a nice job with the photo story.
Char and I have a take on the rally as well.

To Our AVA Family

We truly hope everyone made it home from the wonderful 25th AVA International Rally of Asheville, North Carolina. When we arrived on the third day it seemed all tensions we felt prior to the rally had all dissipated. From the moment of recognition everyone had smiles on their faces and hugs in their arms for all friends of years past. Everyone seemed they could hardly wait until their arrival to judge for themselves how things were going to work out. It was mentioned many times that folks simply did not know the feelings of all the attendants. In retrospect it seems all concerns were needless.

Mike and Robin McGee proved they had been working very diligently on the rally preparation, from the rally site location, to the activities planned, to the registrations, to the board members in attendance, to the web master, and all the incidentals that are always not considered by the attendees. Mike and Robin had everything covered. Both of them served as Master of Ceremonies and displayed a relaxed atmosphere throughout. During the rally they had the able assistance of Bob and Doris Falvey who took over the preparation of the rally rides of fantastic scenery and road selection, and Don and Trish Medina who organized and conducted the sales tables of AVA merchandise, with the help of a few volunteers. The registration table was never without assistance as it was under the direction of Judy Barth. Judy even conducted the registration of several late attendees as they arrived unannounced to the rally. She was not to be outdone though Bronson was prepared to entertain at a moments notice. Anytime anyone observed Judy rolling her eyes it was a sure sign that Bronson was on. Ron Riggs set up a couple of excellent photo and video displays and everyone did the “Ooh and Aah” show to accompany the presentation. Jim Loiselle has since displayed a gallery of fine photos that gives the rally a nice display of activities. All our leaders of the new AVA seemed to go out of their way to bring this rally to the level of excellence all of us expect.

Char and I felt the rally was an awesome display of love and care. All the feeling of wanting to be present was never absent. The tire kickin’, polishing, fussing over, teasing, snacking, rain watching, and just down home being friendly was always present. When it came time to eat the big celebration dinner everything tasted so good. Many folks felt the food was the best they had ever tasted at a rally. The service was excellent and the awards following were very well accepted. Many walked away with gifts provided by ROK and Kawasaki and the feeling was that the AVA is a very positive organization under the Kawasaki banner.

All of us missed the presence of former AVA board members, Bob and Jean Decker and Dave and Dot Wirtz. They recently resigned because of health problems. Robin and Mike made a special effort to keep each of them up to date concerning the rally through photos, videos, and phone conversations.

The rally came to a close after the 2015 rally site was announced as Estes Park, Colorado. Everyone really seemed enthused. The tentative date has been selected as sometime in June of 2015. Everyone within hearing of the announcement was very happy with the selection and with the date change.

Was the rally fun? YES! Was the rally well attended? YES! Were any tensions relieved? YES! Did the Board outdo itself? YES! There was some nice healing on a personal as well as a professional level. For those that missed Asheville, we are so sorry you missed a super good time and an excellent rally. Char told me the big hug from Delbert was worth the 1200 miles she added to her bike riding “tush”. That adds to her 275,000 miles to date.

[Chris near Kansas City]

Very nice photo's Even the one with Chris near KC in it

Larry, we'll get you to the rally one of these years. And then, it'll be your turn!

[Bill O]

Jim,
Such a nice job with the photo story.
Char and I have a take on the rally as well.

To Our AVA Family

We truly hope everyone made it home from the wonderful 25th AVA International Rally of Asheville, North Carolina. When we arrived on the third day it seemed all tensions we felt prior to the rally had all dissipated. From the moment of recognition everyone had smiles on their faces and hugs in their arms for all friends of years past. Everyone seemed they could hardly wait until their arrival to judge for themselves how things were going to work out. It was mentioned many times that folks simply did not know the feelings of all the attendants. In retrospect it seems all concerns were needless.

Mike and Robin McGee proved they had been working very diligently on the rally preparation, from the rally site location, to the activities planned, to the registrations, to the board members in attendance, to the web master, and all the incidentals that are always not considered by the attendees. Mike and Robin had everything covered. Both of them served as Master of Ceremonies and displayed a relaxed atmosphere throughout. During the rally they had the able assistance of Bob and Doris Falvey who took over the preparation of the rally rides of fantastic scenery and road selection, and Don and Trish Medina who organized and conducted the sales tables of AVA merchandise, with the help of a few volunteers. The registration table was never without assistance as it was under the direction of Judy Barth. Judy even conducted the registration of several late attendees as they arrived unannounced to the rally. She was not to be outdone though Bronson was prepared to entertain at a moments notice. Anytime anyone observed Judy rolling her eyes it was a sure sign that Bronson was on. Ron Riggs set up a couple of excellent photo and video displays and everyone did the “Ooh and Aah” show to accompany the presentation. Jim Loiselle has since displayed a gallery of fine photos that gives the rally a nice display of activities. All our leaders of the new AVA seemed to go out of their way to bring this rally to the level of excellence all of us expect.

Char and I felt the rally was an awesome display of love and care. All the feeling of wanting to be present was never absent. The tire kickin’, polishing, fussing over, teasing, snacking, rain watching, and just down home being friendly was always present. When it came time to eat the big celebration dinner everything tasted so good. Many folks felt the food was the best they had ever tasted at a rally. The service was excellent and the awards following were very well accepted. Many walked away with gifts provided by ROK and Kawasaki and the feeling was that the AVA is a very positive organization under the Kawasaki banner.

All of us missed the presence of former AVA board members, Bob and Jean Decker and Dave and Dot Wirtz. They recently resigned because of health problems. Robin and Mike made a special effort to keep each of them up to date concerning the rally through photos, videos, and phone conversations.

The rally came to a close after the 2015 rally site was announced as Estes Park, Colorado. Everyone really seemed enthused. The tentative date has been selected as sometime in June of 2015. Everyone within hearing of the announcement was very happy with the selection and with the date change.

Was the rally fun? YES! Was the rally well attended? YES! Were any tensions relieved? YES! Did the Board outdo itself? YES! There was some nice healing on a personal as well as a professional level. For those that missed Asheville, we are so sorry you missed a super good time and an excellent rally. Char told me the big hug from Delbert was worth the 1200 miles she added to her bike riding “tush”. That adds to her 275,000 miles to date.

Very Eloquent words of wisdom, Bob. It thrills me to know that you and Char are still keeping a presence with the AVA (your extended family). I sincerely hope that some day we will cross paths, again.

Always,
Bill and Bernadette Overton

[sir old dirt]

Thanks, Bill and Burnadette,
Hope we get to see you at Estes Park in 2015.

[Ditto]

This is a great story to read, coming from the one who started it all. It was good to see you and Char again.

[Bronson]

Thanks for the pictures Jim. Great job.

[Bronson]

Thank you Bob and Char for all that you have
done for the AVA. Its always great to see you at the rallys and can`t wait
till the next one. You will always be number oneeeeeeeeeee in our hearts.

Love you two
Bronson

[Rlmcgee]

First - Jim thank you for entertaining all of us with the great video you posted. Great Job I smiled the entire video. Wonderful times had by all!

Second - Sir Old Dirt and your beautiful Wife Char - I can not thank you two enough for the love, care, concern and SUPPORT you have given and continue to give to us and the AVA. Can't wait till Colorado and I personally know Char is looking forward to Colorado!

Third - to all that attended the Rally in Asheville. The rally totally exceeded any expectations I had going to Asheville. The "unknown" is always a little scary WE DID IT; made some mistakes along the way (learned from them). BUT WE ALL DID IT
From the moment I saw the board members and the support we have all given each other throughout the year (even those no longer on the board). To starting to see our AVA family trickle into the hotel. I was never met without a hug and reassured by all of their support.
From our pre-rally event, to our final good-byes on Friday. I was walking on Sunshine...I want to personally say THANK YOU to everyone that attended. For helping us move forward! As was our mantra in Asheville "We are the AVA and we are MOVING forward"
See ya all in Estes Park Colorado!! "Are we there yet?"

Robin

[Dion]

2016 should be in Illinois it would be the AVA 27th Anniversary and the Illinois Prairie Voyagers 30th Anniversary the original Voyagers

[debron]

2016 should be in Illinois it would be the AVA 27th Anniversary and the Illinois Prairie Voyagers 30th Anniversary the original Voyagers

If you have ideas as to where and why in Illinois, contact all of the board members and put in your "bid!" We are starting now for 2016!

[Dion]

http://www.pmlodge.net/ also campground right there oh yes we had a Midwest regional rally there very nice place many things to do in the area not that far from St. Louis Fast Eddies http://www.foodnetwork.com/restaurants/ ... urant.html#!