Thankyou Karol and Deb...

[SHERIDESABEEMER]

The painfully long closing ceremony was full of worthless contest winners. Who Cares about that crap?

I take it you didn't win anything?

I wasn't there this year, but I can agree that, in general, closing ceremonies can be long. But "worthless contest winners"? Is it too painful for you to watch other's enjoy themselves? My daughter and I have twice won a plaque for two up female. Is that lame? Not to my kid, and not to me, cause it's fun. FUN, that is why we go to rallies. And if you don't find them fun, AND we recognize that not everyone will, YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO GO.

I would not go to a GS event and complain the roads are muddy! I'd go find an event that is more suitable for me. Hope you find your fun elsewhere.

[jimfastcar]

As a first timer, and a newcomer to BMW bikes, I would like to extend my appreciation for a job well done.
Volunteering is a thankless task, and having done so under several other organizations, I have concluded that generally those that complain most, do the least.......(not always of course )
Thanks again to all involved, while I was only there for two days as I had to start making my way back home, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[tessler]

I volunteered remotely (I designed the two rally logos that were used on the Web, in the ON and on T-shirts, patches, pins, mugs, medals, banners and awards, etc.) but didn't have the opportunity to physically attend the rally.

However, if Karol's and Deb's lucid, professional and friendly communications and project management skills (that I was privy to in the months leading up to the rally) were any indication, then their event was a rousing success. It was a sincere pleasure working with the Co-Chairs this year and from much of the feedback I can see just how great a job they'd done.

Thank you, Karol and Deb!

[TSchleff]

I have to agree with Mike a little bit. On Thursday evening the food vendors, all 5 of them, ran out of food. Thankfully the Pizza Hut guy ran out and got some more pizza or there would not have been anything to eat on site, except for the popcorn.

I had no issues with the site or Gillette. I knew there wasn't going to be any shade and that you would have to drive 60 miles to get to some interesting riding. All things I knew before showing up. But having only 5 food vendors on Thursday had to be some kind of mix up.

By the way, before you start attacking me, I did volunteer, as I do each year. This year I worked 8 hours at the registration area on Thursday. Won't do that again as it was too much work. That was one long day.

[WDaigle]

Mike, my guess is that you weren' the guy who set up next to or on a sprinkler head or you wouldn't be complaining about the long hike to the showers. Maybe you should have set up in the North Forty like I did. My tent was 50 feet from a shower trailer and 100 feet from a shuttle stop. If you were having such a bad time you should have just left. I'm sure the rest of us would have sensed your absense. Any trip or event is what you make of it and I guess that your trip wound up like your attitude--sour. Great job Carol and Deb and to all the staff and volunteers. I did a shift at gate 2 on Saturday and the staff even provided me with shade in the likes of a straw hat. Can't beat that. I had a great time.

[Rapid_Roy]

I must have been at a different rally, I had a blast. Thank you indeed, Karol and Deb for a great party. I always bring my "make your own fun bag" to the Nat'l, and I always have a great time. It could have just been the magic welcome hug from Voni.

It was great meeting everybody!

[J Brase]

Thanks Deb and Karol. Great job!

John

[Polarbear]

Karol and Deb. As a GS Event Co Chair person, I had my hands full and much thanks to Karol and Deb for always checking in! I fell off my GSA1200, doing my chores at the MX track on Wednesday and pulled my hamstring badly. Karol looked in on me, as I recieved first aide at the First Aid Station. The injury is not bad and all is well and Deb ALWAYS called me back or showed in person as I needed to ask her something, regarding my end. Good folks doing great 'MOA work, imo..The grounds were really good, with grassy camping(no shade,so what) and Wyoming made for some great riding too. A State and surrounding states with so much beauty, so how can anybody complain? Not me. I'm growing older, as we all are and finding time to thank folks for their spirit, hard work and lifes passions give such a warm feeling inside. Our National Rally is such a monumental sized, volunteer event and those willing to work at it are special and deserve nothing but our praise, so THX to our leaders this year in Karol and Deb and all of us that did the misc. chores of running such a playtime event. Always a success Randy"Polarbear"

[ChasBrink]

I have to agree with Mike a little bit. On Thursday evening the food vendors, all 5 of them, ran out of food. Thankfully the Pizza Hut guy ran out and got some more pizza or there would not have been anything to eat on site, except for the popcorn.

I had no issues with the site or Gillette. I knew there wasn't going to be any shade and that you would have to drive 60 miles to get to some interesting riding. All things I knew before showing up. But having only 5 food vendors on Thursday had to be some kind of mix up.

By the way, before you start attacking me, I did volunteer, as I do each year. This year I worked 8 hours at the registration area on Thursday. Won't do that again as it was too much work. That was one long day.

You camp and don't bring any of your own food? I do & was never hungry. Besides, there were grocery stores and restaurants within minutes from the Cam-Plex.

I too volunteered, at registration, 8+8+4 hrs. beginning on Wednesday. It was a pleasure meeting fellow riders from around the world. I enjoyed every minute of it and will do it again.

Yeah, there may have been some inconveniences, but then again, if you camp, you expect that. The price was right. The seminars were great and scheduled very well. It was great meeting vendors and entrepreneurs I had only read about. I dislike crowds, but enjoyed this one, where each of us had at least one thing in common.

Thank you Karol & Deb (and yes Deb, you don't have to be Hispanic to speak Spanish).

Charlie

[PGlaves]

Next year I think I'll bring a big banner that says - "It's a Rally - Not a Resort" just so folks keep things in perspective.

[Motorwerk]

Next year I think I'll bring a big banner that says - "It's a Rally - Not a Resort" just so folks keep things in perspective.

...and just how am I supposed to get a spa treatment with that attitude?


The SO and I have attended 3 rallies all a bit different but each enjoyable. While we did not make it to this last one the next is planned.

It's all in what you make of it. We come for the ambiance of fellow riders not for the scenery, food, etc. We pride ourselves in enjoying the mutual interests of being a part of a small faction of the populous that sees the world in different perspective - from a motorcycle.

The folks that make these events possible should be commended for taking time out of their private lives to give of themselves so that people can come and enjoy what each has to offer. Good or mediocre, they each offer a chance to share our interests.

It's a short time, enjoy it while you can.

[redclfco]

It is such a great feeling to edit through my pictures, tuck my maps, my registrations, my fishing licenses, all my memorbilia into a file right behind "BMW Westbend"! What a great rally! Thanks for your long distance hard work in making this 08 Rally a huge success. I had a blast, and my trip in general made it for me for the year! As usual the people I met new Glad to meetcha's all a roound, and many more to come!

The group of white shoes and soft hands of course, couldn't handle the vittles, the atmosphere, the rides, the music and god forbid the closing cermoney, but in the end? whats it matter. The majority felt the money, time and expense was well worth it, and a big thanks from me! What a success!

Red

[edvoneuw]

My 'greenhorn' 12 year old son and I rode beautiful back roads from British Columbia, and we both agree that this was a good rally for a bunch of reasons.

We arrived early (Wedns) and stayed until Sunday, and we both volunteered (served coffee and bartended (he worked the tickets, not the product) - fun! I completed the Experienced Riders Course (I would highly recommend it - excellent instructors and boy did I learn alot!). We camped with family and friends at the Camplex site. As a result of these activities, we both met lots of great people, had lots of laughs and made lots of new friends. Local riding was very very good if you got off your duff - Devil's Tower, Spearfish Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Needles, and Custer Park made a super day trip (400 miles or so). Food was also good if you got off your duff - we particularly enjoyed nearby Pokey's bbq and Mona's mexican. Vendors were friendly if not numerous; the bands were entertaining and an interesting change from my preferred tunes.

Bottom line: our 2008 rally enjoyment was in direct proportion to what we put into it, and as a result my son and I had a really good time. We didn't come to be spectators - we came to participate and experience. Reality check: although this rally was good, I thought last year's rally in Westbend was great, but hey, variety is the spice...

Anyway - thank you for stepping up Karol and Deb, it's great volunteers like you that make MOA the excellent organization it is. I'm already looking forward to helping out at the next rally!

[BMWMJ]

Didn't get to say hi to either of you at the rally, you were both off and gone again too quickly. I have missed 3 National rallies since DuQuoin and back then only one of the family members was on a BMW! We make it part of our yearly vacation plans, last year was unavoidable due to dad getting sick two days before departure, but he's hanging in there. So, this year when my husbands health prevented him from riding, we decided to make the 3000 mile round trip in our RV(against doctors orders), 10 mpg, no bikes, yikes. We made do just like we would if we were in our tent mostly. We don't go to the rally for the food (nice if there is variety) but we make do with what's available or we forage, or the entertainment, some great, some not so hot. We go to see our friends from around the country that we may only get to see each year or two. We go to shop for all the farkles we think we may need for our bikes, knowing full well we could probably live without them. We go to see what each rally chair has come up with for ideas. We go to volunteer so we can see as many faces as possible. We go to hang out in the bier garten. We just go, it's what we do, part of who we are.
So, to all our friends who called us every day of WestBend to keep us informed on what was going on and check on dad (and bring us mugs), thank you, that's why you are our friends.
To Deb & Karol, thanks for over a years worth of hard work and planning, thanks again and we'll see you in TN!

[kbasa]

Tina and I had a terrific time. Big props to Karol, Deb, Ray and the rest of the staff that helped make it a good time for so many.

Like life, your rally will be what you choose it to be.