Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/703695
13 www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS nAugust 2016n by Felicia Morgan PIERCY, CALIF., JUNE 10–12— One of the many cool things about the Redwood Run is running into the same folks you've met in the past, since many of us have returned year after year and the party just picks up where it left off. It's especially great when one of those folks happens to have interesting stories to share. Dennis Walker works for Pat Paulsen Vineyards, which was founded by Pat and his wife Jane back in 1971, and Dennis and I shared a few gig- gles last year so it was fun to see him return for more shenanigans. Now, I'm not sure how many still remember Pat Paulsen as the deadpan comedian who fi rst ran for president back in 1968, but Paulsen's mock campaign was the most daring political shtick ever done at the time and I'm convinced that if the man were still alive and running as commander-in-chief today, he'd win hands down. As it is, however, his leg- acy as a respected winemaker is what's been left for his son Montgomery to build on and Dennis has signed on as part of the team. After graduating from the UC Davis winemaking program, Monty, who is also a rider, revived the family business and his wines have made their way to the Redwoods to celebrate the run with a limited edition of Redwood Run labels for the last couple of years. This year the offered varietals included a few bottles of cof- fee wine, which had us scratching our heads in wonderment. Wine-soaked coffee beans? Does that make it a breakfast wine? Is this what the typical bacchanal Redwood Runner does, just crack one open and start the day with a good slug of coffee-fl avored wine? The stuff was going like hot cakes. Of course we had to try it, so we conducted our own version of a wine tasting in a tongue-in-cheek style we were sure would have fueled Pat with material for his act for years to come. Most of our friends were game for a taste and most liked it, just maybe not for breakfast but it certainly gave us a head start on the day and a load of giggles. The other wines offered are more mainstream and came with Redwood Run labels, which tickled the collector's itch. Way better than a run pin, we reasoned, since they had run out of pins by the time we made it to the offi cial merchandise booth. Dennis, who rides a limited edition 100th Anniversary 2003 Screamin' Eagle Road King, has attended the run many times as part of the wild crowd before he came out as a vendor for the win- ery and enjoys getting to hang out and take in the whole experience. "I'm just here to have a good time," Dennis shared. "Monty and I both ride, intend to provide wine for future runs, and as long I'm having fun, I'll keep at it." So next time you're at an event, stop by and tell Dennis hello and get a taste of the unique and award winning wines they're making. Or brewing. Or go to www.ppv- wines.com to see if they still have any Redwood Run wines. 4 Pat Paulsen Vineyard's Dennis Walker rode in to share wine, meet friends and soak up the Redwood vibes PAT PAULSEN VINEYARDS Redwood Run wines, by the people, for the people A glass of breakfast wine anyone? REDWOODS RIVER RESORT The spirit of the Redwoods Billie welcomes bikers to NorCal haven by Felicia Morgan LEGGETT, CALIF., JUNE 10–12—Not everyone who makes the annual migration to the giant trees for the Redwood Run actually makes their bed at the event site. As a matter of fact, a good number of riders fi ll the local motels and campgrounds and make their own parties in quieter and cushier settings elsewhere after the musicians come down off the stage. For our clan, we've made our collective run memories at the comfy campgrounds of the Redwoods River Resort, and over the course of the years we've become part of owner Billie Harrison's extended family. Billie cheers a collection of friends from South Dakota, Arizona and California who all rode in to visit their diminutive friend with the big heart See "Resort," page 14, column 3