Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/703695
14 nAugust 2016n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS all the big, unapproachable bands, though attendees were generally grip- ing that they didn't feel they got the same bang for their concert buck that they have in the past. Most of that quieted down once the fabulous Fryed Brothers took the stage as headliners on Saturday night. The run has stared down many challenges over the years and it's a constant struggle to keep the Redwood boat afl oat. Though the Kiwanis have been involved for many years, this was technically the 40th anniversary of the original Run to the Redwoods that was initially started by a group of MMA volunteers who just wanted to raise a little hell in woods. In the process of sharing a lane for a few miles, they introduced some political awareness about bikers' rights while slamming a couple of beers with friends. We caught up with Dave and Kathy Blower, founding members of a group of hardworking folks who touched off the original version of what has morphed into the modern-day Redwood Run. They shared photos and a video of what the yesteryear migration looked like and we dis- cussed the evolution of the run and the brotherhood behind it. These days the couple, who live nearby, likes to stop by for a bit of the festivities and to catch up with friends during the run but they no longer camp by the creek or otherwise feel the need to be baptized in the wild ways of the party that has become a rite of passage for today's riders. Besides all the hell raising and dust stirring, the shift in the focus of the run is obvious. These The bitsy little born 'n' bred Brit, Billie, moved stateside from England and bought the resort in 1997. She and son Jack commenced to making improvements and learning the ropes of resort ownership by following the guidelines set forth by the previous owner, which included a selective pro- cess of allowing cottage rentals. The old owner had adhered to the policy of not renting to anyone during the peak season that wasn't a renter during the off season which, basically, meant she didn't really rent much to bikers since few of us are slogging our way up the NorCal coast in the wet winters. So, after Billie rented to a couple over the phone that wasn't on the approved list, she was a tad concerned when they showed up and she realized face- to-face that this was a biker couple, a breed she'd had no experience with. Dale and Kathy Gott made quite a fi rst impression and her immediate reaction was panic, which didn't last long. The pair came back later and helped with repairs and improvements to the property. Ironically enough, that same couple made a surprise trip back out from their home in Sturgis this June to visit their old friend and those kind of stories aren't out of the norm. These days, Billie has discovered that she must have biker blood coursing through her veins because she certainly has us in her heart. She's made lifelong biker friends as she opened the camp- ground and her beloved redwood forest to those of us who make it a point to cruise up to visit the kind and consider- ate resort owner on a regular basis, and we always drag a couple of riding bud- dies along to meet our precious friend. To say the resort is biker friendly is an enormous understatement. Billie is turning 80 this year and a surprise party is planned so if you call the resort don't spill the beans, but if you've ever visited the campground you might want to drop her a birthday card with warm wishes. Better yet, show up for the Fryed Brothers Band's anniversary party in September and help the guys sing her into the octo- genarian generation and let her know how loved she is. Redwoods River Resort 75000 US-101, Leggett, CA 95585 or call Barbara for tickets to the anniversary party at 707.824.4861. 4 Resort Continued from page 13 Redwood Run Continued from page 12 See "Redwood Run," page 38, column 1 Kathy won the wienie bite contest with CornDog at the handlebars Pappa shows off his People's Choice award to the AMVETS president, D.D.