Big Bad BoB BBQ may be on again....

[RHClarke]

Congrats to Bob for putting on such a great event. A lot of planning goes into these events, and Bob is to be congratulated on pulling it all together. My Rotters hat is off to you, Bob, and to Grant who worked behind the scenes making the event possible.

For those who were not able to attend, I will try to capture some of the fun and games. Friday afternoon was the set up. Gilles Chartrand and family rolled in with their convoy consisting of SMP Chev ambulance, two deuce and a halfs and a kitchen trailer. They had the honour of being the first group to arrive. The neighbours were treated to a symphony of air horns as the convoy made its way past Bob's house to the Divisional Assembly Area (DAA). The kitchen was set up and made ready the Friday night dinner, which consisted of a delicious pork loin meal.

Some long distance travellers from Southern Ontario rolled into town just in time for dinner. Members of the local Iltis Club showed up shortly thereafter. After dinner, some tall stories were told and a few drinks consumed. A bon fire was lit and by all accounts the evening passed without incident.

Saturday morning started with a great breakfast. Following the repast, Bob, Jon S and I headed for the barn to crank up Bob's truck, the marina cab 11 and my HUP for the first ever Hammond- based CMP convoy at BBB (Mike Calnan (AKA Gunner) has the distinction of being the first CMP and SMP convoys into Hammond). Bob's neighbours did a few double takes as the three CMPs rumbled down the road. The vehicles were left on display until the inaugural "slow idle" race.
The race was dreamed up by Bob (of course). The rules were quite simple - start the vehicle, get it moving as slow as possible without clutching or stalling, and the last vehicle across the finish line was the winner. Charlie Fitton volunteered to drive the marina CMP, and crossed the line first, well ahead of the other two trucks (seems he got so excited, he didn't hear the instructions clearly). Bob stalled his truck, and the HUP gained it's first laurel as a running CMP. I think the driver was more than a bit slow and idle as later I found out why my HUP wasn't running all that well - one wire was off the dizzy and one wire was off a spark plug...next time I will fit the doghouse...

Lunch was great! Burgers, dogs and fries were washed down with a Keiths or six. A tour of the infamous Hammond Barn and its star "Lucifer" ensued. A quick walk out to the vehicle park followed and then the gang was ferried back to the DAA. The dinner that followed was one for the ages. The weather was cool and breeze was blowing, which kept the Hammond airforce at bay. As mentioned in previous posts, the steaks were wonderfully prepared and eaten with gusto. A little later the bonfire was rekindled for the sole purpose of preparing "smores". After we plucked the marshmallow out of our hair, the fireworks show set up. Gunner provided Act I, which went off without incident. Bob sent out a team of crack fireworks wranglers to light off his contribution or Act II. A few rounds went astray, but there was no damage done in what turned out to be a spectacular display of fireworks. The bonfire was stoked and helped to tame the evening cool. A few brown pops and a few hours later, it was mostly quiet in Hammond again.

This morning we enjoyed a hot breakfast and prepared to break camp. The Southern Ontario crews packed up and sped off to join the G8/G20 fun in Toronto. The rest helped pack up the venue,and by 10:30hrs, there was nothing left but a smoking hole in the ground and tire tracks. Bob and I made our way back to the barn, and then it hit us - fatigue that is...I headed back to shakytown and Bob make his way home for some well-deserved rack time.

Thanks to all who came to Hammond to share in our common interests.