Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/617259
66 nJanuary 2016n www.thunderpress.net Where Am I? e "Where Am I?" game is for all THUNDER PRESS readers, what ever part of the country you hail from. Off ered each month is a set of clues within a riddle, and from those clues your job is to guess where our wandering reporter (and riddlemeister) Susan might be. Lo cations chosen are always in the Western U.S. or Canada. How does it work? e clues can be solved either by personal familiarity with the location, with the aid of a map, or by using the Inter net. When a clue is particularly important, and/or somewhat vague, we o en italicize that trickier portion to make sure your attention is drawn there. Where/when/what do I win? Very important: Do not e-mail your guess until the 8th of the month, so every one in our circulation area has a chance to get a copy of the paper. en on the 8th e-mail Susan at susan@tohonor.org and if you're the fi h correct e-mail you win. (Note: If there's no phone number in your e-mail where I can call you, your e-mail will not arrive fi h. Some law of physics or something…) Winners are profi led and pictured in the following issue. Good luck. Last month's mystery location: Weiser, Idaho I'm lazing away in the Sweet Grass seat A week out from the annual June event The last weekend of the month it's hopping here From Rodeo to country rock to Legion tent You have to be eighteen to join in the fest From Ridin' to Ropin'–n- Rockin' There's a mountain of Crazy shadowing you But the idea's to get the boots stompin' Thirsty Turtle Tavern and Grill works tonight Country Skillet for the cruel morning-after But tonight it's enjoying the winter moon In good company, with some spirits, and laughter WHERE AM I? WINNER JOHN CLUFF Starbucks Originals Most riders begin their lifelong love affair with motorcycles at a young age. But John Cluff's mother was an emergency room nurse who knew too well how unsympathetic asphalt is to tender fl esh. Given her infl uence on young John, it wasn't until Cluff was well into adulthood (52) that he dismissed his mother's warning. He took rider training, failed to pass his fi rst effort, but with the second try on the course, passed, earn- ing his endorsement. Street legal and ready to brave new roads, his fi rst bike was a Dyna Glide. He moved from that nimble ride to a 2004 Heritage Classic, then a 2006 Road King, fol- lowed by a 2010 Ultra Classic. It was two years later when he bought a sec- ond Ultra Classic and within a short time faced health challenges. After a triple bypass and knee replacement, John Cluff decided the stability of a trike would serve best. So a 2014 Ultra Tri-Glide fi lled the bill. He said, "I just didn't feel safe" (on two wheels anymore). He loves the Tri-Glide, as does his partner. John's wife of 39 years, Michelle (Micki), is a dental hygienist who is planning on retirement within the next two years. She lives within walking distance of the dental offi ce where she's worked since 1983. Planning ahead she's hatched a plan for life after steady employment doing something she really enjoys. John explained, "Micki's a Pilates instruc- tor." The day I phoned John he begged off our interview hour, bumping it out because he had a prior engagement wrapping presents with fellow H.O.G. chapter members at the Renton, Washington, deal- ership, Lawless Harley-Davidson. The dealership allows the H.O.G. chapter to earn a couple hundred bucks annually by having the mem- bers do holiday wrapping for Lawless H-D cus- tomer purchases. "We even get tips," said Cluff, all proceeds sup- porting the H.O.G. chapter. John Cluff was born in Germany, but bounced back to the U.S. before his fi rst birthday. Then at 14 he attended high school for four years in France. He explained his extensive travels saying, "I'm an Air Force brat." That history and motorcycling since has resulted in travel to 18 countries and 50 states. He attended Pacifi c University in Forest Grove, Oregon, earning a degree in business, then earned a Masters in Health Care Administration at the University of Iowa (1972). For 25 years he was the hospital administrator at Gresham Hospital in Gresham, Oregon, and for 10 years he worked in a similar role at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. After those stints, he left hospital administration and became an insurance professional. At 67, John's now retired, but his person- ality is hardly retiring. He explained that he and Micki, age 62, have been to Sturgis twice, and last year rode the Pacifi c Coast, stopping at Crater Lake and Ashland, Oregon, where they took in a Shakespearian play. The Cluffs have been members of their H.O.G. chapter for the past eight or nine years and John's been the assistant direc- tor two times, holding other positions as well. Micki is active in the group too. The Cluffs consider the H.O.G. chapter their Washington State family. When John had open heart surgery the nurse on the fl oor where he was recu- perating warned him she was about ready to draw a line in admitting any more visitors wearing leathers. "They all came to see me," he said. It obvi- ously meant a great deal to him and Micki. At home, two Welsh (Pembroke) Corgi canines are good companions, and when the two touring weeks each summer arrive, the Vashon Island breeder from whom they purchased Streaker and Cayenne let the Cluff kids board there. John's bike license plate on the Tri-Glide is personalized with the breed name, "Corgi." Planned trips from their West Seattle home for 2016 include the Pacifi c Northwest H.O.G. Rally in Spokane, then some touring around the Inland Empire. But between now and then John's looking forward to his H.O.G. role of lead road captain. He explained that the chapter often rides together, and how much everyone seems to enjoy each other's company. Locally, about eight fellow H.O.G. chapter members (including John) have named an offshoot group "Starbucks Originals" and every ride they take begins and ends at one of the iconic Seattle espresso stops. The patch each H.O.G. member wears hasn't missed the notice of the barista at several Starbucks. The sewn let- ters may steal some from the Harley- inspired marketing phrase, but can't help but bring a smile to onlookers with a similar caffeine habit. It reads: "Live to Ride ~ Ride to Starbucks." 4