We have almost gotten half through February. It seems that every year time passes quicker than the previous year. As you can tell from others’ articles, we have not wasted much of this year’s time. We have had enjoyed some warm rides and some that were pretty chilly. We are grateful that we did not have a repeat of last winter, but a good rain would be appreciated.

In years past, February was an opportunity for the nearby Chapters to join us in a bowling challenge. We have not had a bowling challenge for several years due to Covid and leadership changes. Eddie and I have talked about it several times since I started to consider becoming Chapter Director. As much as we think it would be great to see and play with our GWRRA friends, it is a lot of work to organize a bowling event. We know that it could be pared down to certificates instead of trophies and fewer prizes. It was mentioned by some of our long-time GWRRA friends that the bowling event has been missed. What is your opinion about organizing a challenge for February 2023?

Several of our Chapter team members attended the Mid-Winter Roundup to train for our new positions on the team. We had good participation from your team.

It was announced that Ann and Jeff Graham were selected for a second term as Couple of the Year. They have been a steady presence and a big part of keeping us informed about the health and safety of our chapter. Thank you, Ann for your work on our newsletters. I am also grateful that Jeff was able to get our tax return completed and I did not have to learn how to fill out that form this year.

Ken and Becky, our Membership Enhancement couple, have been busy getting things together for keeping our gatherings fun. It is nice that Eddie plans our rides and Ken helps us find the interesting facts about the area around our rides.

Walt and Toni have agreed to be our Sunshine folks. They will be relieving some of work that has been part of the work of MEC. If you are willing to allow us to share your birthday, anniversary, and address, let Eddie or me know – eddienchris53@gmail.com.

Vince (and Tammy) are working with Ann to keep our website and links to the newsletters, photos and ride calendar easy for us to use and stay informed. Check all of it out -GWRRA Chapter P (gwrra-tx-p.org). Vince told us you can even share your ride photos with us on the website.

If you were at the last chapter meeting, you may have noticed that sometimes I get things backwards. While I was working on the agenda handout sheet, I managed to somehow get the Chapter P logo turned upside down and backwards. Then when we arrived at Spring Creek, the head table was set for a large group to eat. Since our friends from Cleburne have been sitting together we decided to flip the gathering around to the other end of the room. I did not intend on flipping things, but I have come to realize that I tend to switch things up sometimes. Sorry, Eddie. You have put up with my switching things around for over 50 years.

There is nothing wrong with the way things have been done in the past. However, watch out, things might get switched from time to time.

It is a pleasure to work and ride with you. Stay safe. Ride often. Watch out for others.

Christie Roberts, Chapter Director

I'm not sure that you are ready for Spring Riding Season but I sure am. Here are the Chapter Rides since our last Newsletter:

January 15-Lunch Ride to Creekside Grill in Azle- This ride was postponed to the 21st due to some harsh Winter weather. And due to some more harsh weather we all ended up arriving in our warm cages (cars and trucks). We had 9 Wingers for a great lunch.

January 29-Lunch Ride to Dutchman's Hidden Valley near Hamilton- We met the day with awesome weather and a great group of Wingers. We had 12 motorcycles and 19 riders for the great back roads to and from the great lunch. We even managed to stop at the DQ in Glen Rose on the return trip for dessert before splitting up and heading in different directions.

Feb. 12- Lunch Ride to Big Cup Eatery in Glen Rose- My goodness but this day was no Spring day. I never saw my temperature gauge move from 43 degrees until I was only a few miles from home. Even so, we had 5 motorcycles and 6 riders. Much kudos to Ann for being the only co-rider in the group. And yes I do believe that the Big Cup does have the largest biscuits

in Glen Rose. I just can't swear by it since mine was covered in scrambled eggs and hash

browns and then topped off with sausage gravy. I could only see the biscuit when I made

another slice into it. I had to take half of it home as leftovers. My biggest regret is that I took

no pictures. I guess my fingers were too cold.

As of writing this here is some of our future rides that are planned and on the calendar:

February 26- Lunch Ride to BBQ on the Brazos in Cresson- KSU is at 10AM from the RaceTrac on South Morgan in Granbury (This is our usual KSU site unless noted otherwise).

March 12- Lunch Ride to Texas Great Country Cafe in Whitney- KSU is at 11AM.

March 26- Bare BBQ in Cleburne- KSU is at 10AM.

April 9- Lunch Ride to Boondocks at Possom Kinkdom- KSU is at 10AM.

April 23- Bluebonnet Picnic Ride to Ennis-KSU is at 10AM.

April 28- Group Ride to Texas District Rally in Kerrville- KSU is at 8AM. Lunch stop on the way will be at Cooper's BBQ in LLano.

Just a heads up, anyone needing further information for the Big Bend Trip leaving on Sunday morning (May 1st) from Kerrville and returning to Granbury on Thursday (May 5th) can email me or just give me a call at 817-279-3928.

Ride Safe and Ride Often,

Eddie and Christie

Due to closing of one restaurant and the weather, the group (driving 4 wheel vehicles) met at BBQ on the Brazos in Cresson February 26. Enjoy a few pictures from the day.

You don’t have to go too far to find a Texan bragging about their hometown or their business. We’re not saying that’s a bad thing. We do enjoy learning about the towns we are riding to and the places we are going to eat.

We usually meet in Granbury for our rides to eat. Granbury's slogan is “Where Texas History Lives”. We know that’s true because a lot of good stories start right there at the RaceTrac on Morgan Street.

The first RTE in February was to Glen Rose, the “ Dinosaur Capital of Texas”. It is close to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Dinosaur World and Dinosaur Valley State Park, where you can actually put your feet in the fossilized tracks of real dinosaurs. We ate at the Big Cup Eatery, “Home of the Biggest Biscuits in Texas.” We’ll have to report back to you later whether or not they lived up to their slogan.

The upcoming District Rally will be at Kerrville,TX. Just outside of town near Ingram, TX, is a replica of the 4000 to 5000 year old Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England. It is a little smaller than the original but still a very unique thing to see. There are also replicas of two Easter Island Heads on the property. It is about 8,400 miles between Stonehenge in England and Easter Islands off the coast of Chile. It takes about 30 hours of air time to get from one to the other. We can have some fun posting pictures of us on our Gold Wings at these two unusual locations.

Not everything in Texas is about the biggest or the best. Davy Crockett’s widow, Elizabeth Crockett, moved to the Granbury area in 1853 after the Texas Revolution. She is buried in Anton State Historic Site, the smallest State Park in Texas.

It’s all about friends, fun, safety and knowledge. Keep the Chapter P, Granbury, Texas history alive!

Ken and Becky Eftink, Chapter P Membership Enhancement Coordinators

We are adding a new section to the newsletter -- Wingers' Recipes. This will highlight favorite recipes from our members. There will be a link to a Google form that you can submit your favorite for others to try. Don't be shy -- send us your go-to party recipes, old family favorites, or ones you found that really surprised you. If the Google form does not work for you, email me directly at anniegraham68@gmail.com. Please include the following:

Your name and name of recipe.

Category: Appetizer, Side Dish, Main Dish, Desert, Beverage

Recipe

Who knows, a cookbook may be in the works.

Jalapeno Poppers Appetizer --Ann Graham

This party favorite is my go-to for our monthly Teachers' Luncheon. They are usually gone before lunch. I have included my tips to make this recipe Easy Breezy. You can cut the recipe in half for smaller gatherings.

20 Jalapenos --halved and cleaned (use latex gloves and your thumb to remove seeds and stems easily)

2 8oz blocks of Cream Cheese (the cheap one is fine; microwave to soften)

8-12 Pieces of Bacon (I have started using the small box of microwaveable bacon since cooking regular bacon is so time consuming --no one has noticed the difference. If doing this, use all 12 pieces.) Crumble

8 oz Bag of Colby Jack (or Mexican Blend)

Mix all ingredients besides the jalapenos. Then fill the jalapeno halves with the mixture. This is usually pretty close to the exact amount. You can add more to them if you have leftover or have a few extra jalapenos on hand just in case.

Cook in 350* oven for about 30 minutes or until the jalapenos have turned a darker green and appear soft.

Easy Peasy Salsa Appetizer --Ann Graham

This salsa (or hot sauce if you prefer) was given to me years ago by a custodian at the school I was working at. I have never tried another as this one is a sure-fire winner. You can adjust the heat based on your tastes. Takes no cooking and is done in five minutes.

**This makes a whole pitcher full, so make sure to have plenty of people to eat with you or to can and share.

2 14.5 OZ Cans Fire Roasted Tomatoes

1 Can Rotel (I use the generic from HEB)

2-3 TBS Garlic SALT (I have found the Morton's Sea Salt Garlic to be the best.)

1 Whole Bunch Fresh Cilantro Chopped

1-4 Jalapenos Chopped ( I only use one and that seems to have plenty of heat, but you choose.)

Put all the ingredients into blender and mix for only 10-20 seconds until all ingredients are well blended. You can store in a bowl or Mason Jars for sharing. Refrigerate. This will last about two weeks.

**I use an immersion blender and mix in a pitcher.

**I have had a friend tell me she froze some I gave her and it tasted great when defrosted.

Last October, Eddie Roberts led us on a ride to Big Bend National Park. We stayed in Alpine, TX and rode west one evening out to the Highway 90 rest area where people watch for the mysterious Marfa Lights just after sunset. This was our first visit to Marfa and it was quite interesting. There was a good crowd there that night and we did see some lights off in the distance.

When we got back home, we had the local radio station on and heard a new song called Marfa Lights. A country music singer from Lubbock, Tx, Kaitlin Butts, (seriously, that’s her professional name even though she recently married Cleto Cordero of the band Flatland Cavalry) had released the song in October of last year about the time we were there.

The chorus of the song goes:

Oh I’ll be your cosmic cowgirl

If you’ll be my moonlit sky

I’ll chase you around low and high yeah

We’re just out of reach, We’re just out of sight

Like the Marfa Lights

LIke the Marfa Lights.

We got a kick out of the song because we had just been to Marfa for the first time. Anyone going back to Alpine/Big Bend after the District Rally may want to take a little evening trip to check out the Marfa Lights.

You just never know what you will see or what you will learn if you hang around with Chapter P, but one thing is for sure, it will be fun.

Ken and Becky Eftink, Chapter P Membership Enhancement Coordinators

I have finally gotten around to playing with the video we too with the GoPro on our trip to Big Bend in October with the group. I believe I have some converted into YouTube videos. I am attaching the links here to try them out. Who knows, maybe I will get better at this in retirement.

Entering Big Bend

https://youtu.be/uV7Ya2-XudA

Through the Tunnel

https://youtu.be/aVMgmpvwSRY

Out of the Tunnel

https://youtu.be/ZNgtBv4Qx2I

Touring Big Bend

https://youtu.be/k4Qe6GUxz1Q

Good Morning All

Christie and I have made our hotel reservations in Shreveport for Tuesday thru Saturday morning (June 28th-July 2nd) at Good Morning All

Christie and I have made our hotel reservations in Shreveport for Tuesday thru Saturday morning (June 28th-July 2nd) at Wingate by Wyndham on Barksdale Blvd. The hotel is in the Bossier City area of Shreveport and is 2 miles from the Convention Center. Accomidations are going fast so if you think you may attend Wing Ding 43 you probably should go ahead and reserve your room just in case. We reserved ours on line through Wyndham and there were still rooms left for about $97 plus taxes.

Our plans at this time is to ride there Tuesday morning in time for the Welcome Party and return Saturday evening after the Closing Rally. It's less than a tank and a half drive (249 miles). Also, Christie and I didn't include any of the catered meals in our Wing Ding Registration (just as an FYI).

Ride for Friends, Safety and Knowledge,

Eddie and Christie The hotel is in the Bossier City area of Shreveport and is 2 miles from the Convention Center. Accomidations are going fast so if you think you may attend Wing Ding 43 you probably should go ahead and reserve your room just in case. We reserved ours on line through Wyndham and there were still rooms left for about $97 plus taxes.

Our plans at this time is to ride there Tuesday morning in time for the Welcome Party and return Saturday evening after the Closing Rally. It's less than a tank and a half drive (249 miles). Also, Christie and I didn't include any of the catered meals in our Wing Ding Registration (just as an FYI).

Ride for Friends, Safety and Knowledge,

Eddie and Christie

THE LINK TO THE HOTEL IS BELOW

Click the link below if you are not already a member and are interested in joining.