Beemer Hill - the final chapter

[Sue]

As some of you know, we have taken down the Beemer Hill sign on Hwy H in Palmyra, and the house is about to be owned by someone else. On Saturday night we had our last party and bonfire, and our last salute to the Beemer Hill riders. The bagpipe playing in the background as we had our moment of silence to remember those who are no longer with us was one of those "You Had To Be There" moments.

A special THANKS! to those folks from the forum and the Wisconsin club who took time out of their day to help us move some stuff and join us for the party.

Although it is a sad time, it's also a time for us to look towards the next adventure. Most of you know what it's like, wondering what might lie around the next corner - What incredible vista might we see? What hilarious story will we be able to recount at the next rally, about the trip we are about to take?

And so - here are just a couple of shots of what the place looked like 19 years ago, and what it looks like now.

http://www.beemerhill.com/October09/001.jpg

http://www.beemerhill.com/October09/001a.jpg

[Sue]

Then .... and now ...

http://www.beemerhill.com/October09/002.jpg

http://www.beemerhill.com/October09/002a.jpg

[Sue]

And as the sun rises for the last time on "Beemer Hill" - we celebrate all of our friends who have actually MADE it what it was.

Thanks everyone, for the great memories!

http://www.beemerhill.com/October09/009.jpg

[Voni]

Sadness and JOY!

Thanks for the memories you've shared with us all.

With your amazing attitude, there's no stopping the two of you!

Vaya Con Dios.

Voni
sMiling

[jimshaw]

I was only there once, for an Octoberfest party with about a hundred other close friends. That was, with one exception, a happy evening.

The exception came when Hawk Hawthorne took me aside, and told me he was pretty sure he was dying. Hawk was president of BMW MOA back then. He said he had melanoma, and it had been judged out of control by his surgeon. Hawk made it through the next summer's MOA Rally, where those of us who knew his secret, knew he was in tremendous pain.

But, the Octoberfest at Beemer Hill remains a memorable evening. Good beer resolved some friendships into solid lifetime relationships, there. Beemer Hill should slip into history, known for the welcoming cheer it brought to so many.

So mote it be.

[AKBeemer]

Sue, Never had the pleasure of visiting your home. As Annie and I prepare to make a similar major change in our lives, I look for inspiration in how you and others make the transition. I, and many others I imagine, am always appreciative of any pointers and lessons learned.

[wezul]

A bittersweet day. I enjoyed every bit of it.

I made the last Oktoberfest and now a last toast to "the Hill".
What made the day for me was seeing folks turn out and do.

Brian and Sue you are blessed with many good friends.
Thank you.

Here are some pics (http://wezul.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Beemer-Hill-the-final-chapter/9848443_qjoCc#669809204_R8NLt).

[womanridge]

Thank you Wezul! Only wish I could've been there. So many memories.

[manicmechanic]

The Hill may be a memory, but the Beemer Hill Riders still live on!:buds

Thanks for the memories!

[Rapid_Roy]

I figured I would get there too late at 9pm. I should have known better.
:banghead
All my friends were there.
:buds
and my brothers.
:ha

[BubbaZanetti]

19 yrs ago! you must have owned the first saturn off the production line!:D

cherish your memories of the place, i'm sure you have plenty.:)

[wezul]

Seriously folks, there was a moment where Brain read some names of riders lost for numerous reasons and a soliloquy.
Then off in the distance bagpipes played and fireworks.
It was something. (a real grabber)
If you were there you know what I am talking about.
If you were not, you missed something special.

[KGT1200]

Sue

I read the lines of all the good times had, and friendships made of this place "Beemer Hill"

and can only wish I had been a part of the times at this place.

But from what is obviously a special place, I know letting go is tougher than we know; I too left a place where my roots ran deep, and it was sad, what a understatement...So here's some excerpts from a bit of dribble I wrote, won't bore you with the whole enchilada...But I thought you might relate.

My condolences to You Sue, and please pass them on to Brian.
Move on to new things keeps life from getting stale.


"]Throwing My Pretty Rock as Far as I Can Throw it."


So trim the rudder and pull the slack from the sails!
It’s finally time for us to go,
It’s time to see other lands.

And the sad fact is
I must leave;
Many stake claim to this mountain
And the parting of the seas was imminent.


The History

Dumb People who bought her with deep pockets

They are SO mistaken
To think I OWNED this mountain
And MORE a fool who says
They bought it from me.
For ownership of land means little other
Than scratching the surface
Of the mountains existence.
They would have put a lock on the door
But they will never find the entrance.


Ownership is an acquired luck

Because we all are here washed by the tide,
and the wind in random direction
Has blown our ancestry asunder
They landed here on this
Shore not by firm hands guided
By the North Star,
But by a burning desire to leave
Lands of less fortune.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~


The end and beginning
Or
Suffering under the weight of the rocks is finally gone

So now we leave you,
Mostly I leave (and will miss) the old mountain,
The old pile of decomposing sandstone he is.

The silly Ranchers never owned it
And could not give it away for decades of poverty
Was our recent past.
Inbred locals they know not what they have.

The blood money accepted
Will be pulled by many hands
And predictably the strong winds
Of greed in the future
Will wash away the blood,
And blow the golden token
Away.

The most beautiful
The MOST worthless
Like a diamond studded
Swampland, we part.

I wish you well, my mountain
and must say goodbye.

[wmubrown]

Seriously folks, there was a moment where Brain read some names of riders lost for numerous reasons and a soliloquy.
Then off in the distance bagpipes played and fireworks.
It was something. (a real grabber)
If you were there you know what I am talking about.
If you were not, you missed something special.

I have a video ...starting at the start of the pipes:)
Good to finally meet you Wezul!

[wmubrown]

Had a terrific time Brian & Sue! I'll post my pics soon to share...

[Sue]

.... here's some excerpts from a bit of dribble I wrote, won't bore you with the whole enchilada...But I thought you might relate.
- - - - -

"]Throwing My Pretty Rock as Far as I Can Throw it."


So trim the rudder and pull the slack from the sails!
It’s finally time for us to go,
It’s time to see other lands.

And the sad fact is
I must leave;
Many stake claim to this mountain
And the parting of the seas was imminent.


The History

Dumb People who bought her with deep pockets

They are SO mistaken
To think I OWNED this mountain
And MORE a fool who says
They bought it from me.
For ownership of land means little other
Than scratching the surface
Of the mountains existence.
They would have put a lock on the door
But they will never find the entrance.


Ownership is an acquired luck

Because we all are here washed by the tide,
and the wind in random direction
Has blown our ancestry asunder
They landed here on this
Shore not by firm hands guided
By the North Star,
But by a burning desire to leave
Lands of less fortune.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~


The end and beginning
Or
Suffering under the weight of the rocks is finally gone

So now we leave you,
Mostly I leave (and will miss) the old mountain,
The old pile of decomposing sandstone he is.

The silly Ranchers never owned it
And could not give it away for decades of poverty
Was our recent past.
Inbred locals they know not what they have.

The blood money accepted
Will be pulled by many hands
And predictably the strong winds
Of greed in the future
Will wash away the blood,
And blow the golden token
Away.

The most beautiful
The MOST worthless
Like a diamond studded
Swampland, we part.

I wish you well, my mountain
and must say goodbye.

Wow. Perfectly said. You nailed it.
Thanks for your touching prose. :heart

[cheesewhiz]

Beemerhill...:cry

The future...:eat

It's ALL good!...:nod

:clap

Glenn

[wmubrown]

Sheesh... this is long overdue, but I finally got my pictures up...
Enjoy...

http://picasaweb.google.com/bikedayz/20091003Beemerhill?feat=email#

[dpilot]

Sorry I missed it all.
I only got my first Beemer a year ago.
On the wrong side of 75.
I've been through a few such upheavals
and they have been love/hate things.
You will be OK, I am sure

JimV.

[Rob Nye]

Beemer Hill was special because of you and Brian.

I'm sure wherever you are will be special too.

[Voni]

Exactly!

Your best post ever, Rob, BTW.:groovy

Voni
sMiling

[womanridge]

Sheesh... this is long overdue, but I finally got my pictures up...
Enjoy...

http://picasaweb.google.com/bikedayz/20091003Beemerhill?feat=email#

Great pics John. Sorry I couldn't be there.

[wezul]

Nice pics, thanks John.
That was a bittersweet good time.
Upward and onward!

[rinty]

http://picasaweb.google.com/bikedayz/20091003Beemerhill?feat=email#5400059745363576786

Sue: What are the plans for the Super 90? Wow. :thumb

Are all the cats coming with you?

Good luck in your new home.

[Rapid_Roy]

Sue: What are the plans for the Super 90? Wow. :thumb

Are all the cats coming with you?

Good luck in your new home.
It's my brother's and so far, the plans have been to let it oxidize slowly.
:(



:ha

[rinty]

That's too bad. Much rougher ones than that are being restored. But I'm sure your brother knows what he's got.

[Rapid_Roy]

He does. At least he put it indoors. The 356C is still outside.
:banghead

[rinty]

Aaaarrgh!

[Rapid_Roy]

Aaaarrgh!

I know, hey?!
If I had spare money, I would relieve him of one of those burdens.
:ha

[rinty]

Restoring a 356 is like ocean racing; i.e. like standing in a cold shower while tearing up 100 dollar bills. :D

[Statdawg]

Restoring a 356 is like ocean racing; i.e. like standing in a cold shower while tearing up 100 dollar bills. :DKings, Queens and Oil Barons can afford them but no one can afford a used one. :ha

[Sue]

Are all the cats coming with you?

Good luck in your new home.

uh ... the cats.
Yeah - not so much. :bluduh

Our dog had been gone all of 3 days, and all of a sudden all of the neighbor's cats came to visit. Interesting timing, I think. Until that day, I had never seen a single cat in the yard.

Since I am seriously allergic to cats, they did not come with me. On the other hand, several guests at the party DID, in fact, adopt a kitten that day. (with the blessings of the neighbor.)
:brow

[wmubrown]

Great pics John. Sorry I couldn't be there.

Ah well... you were where, Washington at that time? Somewhere thousands of miles away ;)

[wmubrown]

Nice pics, thanks John.
That was a bittersweet good time.
Upward and onward!

Good to meet you there Wezul!