Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/703695
26 nAugust 2016n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS by Felicia Morgan ROLLINS LAKE, CALIF., JUNE 3–4—Just up the hill from the hus- tle and bustle of California's capital city lies a sleepy little hollow where all the cool kids go to play and party each June. There's a lake for fi shing or frolicking, and an invitation from the Grand Fathers MC goes out to bikers near and far to come share the fun, enjoy the amenities and indulge in the club's hospitality. Those in the know saddle up and mosey on out for a weekend romp in the woods with the whole famdamily. The GFMC is all about family, be it bikers or blood, and the weekend is spent kicking back and enjoying the company of some of your closest friends—some of whom you might not have ever met. If that be the case, you won't be strangers long since this gathering is all about brotherhood and camaraderie. You're welcome to pitch a tent and suck down a few suds while catching up with the lives of those you don't get to see often enough. Kids get busy running amok while dogs snooze in the shade and folks settle in on hay bales to listen to the bands as riders continue to fi lter in all weekend. The GFMC has someone slinging drinks and grilling up tacos and other tasty treats during the day so you don't have to worry about going without and breakfast is worth rolling out of the sleeping bag early. As the sun climbs into the after- noon sky and temps heat up, a slow migration to the lake begins and NorCal Grand Fathers MC President CrayZ Alexander mans the quad to haul pedestrians back and forth on the tow-behind trailer. The sorta-bolt- ed-down seat adds a touch of "Hee Haw" to the conveyance and our little gaggle of gals and dogs giggled our way down the hill before being helped off the trailer by a citizen who just happened to be walking past. The friendly repartee further punctuated the fact that the "kick off your shoes and let your hair down" party extends out into the community, as well. Another example of community is evident in the huge pile of swag the club raffl es off Saturday afternoon. Local business owners who step up in support of the GFMC donate goods, services, meals and certifi cates. Among the goodies was a bunch of gourmet jerky and beef sticks donated by Rene Duncan from Montana Banana. We'd never met Rene in person so it was fun to get to put a name with the face of the guy whose title is "Second Banana" with the Grass Valley com- pany. Across the lawn we met a new friend, Mike Grey, who was selling the incredible iron wall hangings his son makes. MMA member and campout weekend birthday girl, Cujo, is noto- rious for being a big winner at raffl es and this was no exception. That little lady walked away with a pile of prod- uct and, after all the raffl es and awards were handed out, she shared her huge birthday cake with the other campers. A participation award went to the NorCal Hessians MC, with the longest distance award also going to a Hessian MC member. John rode in from Montana to hang out with his brothers and soak up some famous NorCal hos- pitality. Tammy Tresko came up from San Francisco and scored the 50/50 cash, of which she promptly counted a good portion back into GFMC brother Crunch's hand. While the Grand Band did an excellent job of keeping toes tapping early in the party, it was the Fryed Brothers boogie-down band that had us kicking up dirt on Saturday night. There's just no way to sit still when Harry's rosined up his bow and the cohesive relationship between the Grand Fathers MC and their friends the Hessians MC, as well as all those who gathered in support, left no delineation between the band and the crowd. The undeniable energy that fl owed across the campground was its own version of a high when all of a sudden a bolt of lightning lit up the sky right in the middle of Harry sing- ing "I Ride," a song written about his younger brother's bicycle crash as a kid. Tommy passed away in 2013 and chills spread out among us as Harry gave a wave skyward in acknowledge- ment of his beloved little brother. The rain held off until the last set was fi n- ished and the instruments were packed. We were sure we had Tommy to thank for the timing. By daybreak the weather had passed and CMA member, Chaplain Dave, was cruising camps to chat with friends, inviting everyone to Sunday service before they saddled up. A little fellowship and a bit of guitar-accom- panied gospel topped off a perfect weekend of brotherhood. Hope to see you all next year. 4 GRAND FATHERS MC 18TH ANNUAL CAMPOUT Family traditions Another lark at the lake Bobby Boutte, drummer for the Fryed Brothers Band, brought along his daughters Lillian and Crissy for the fam- ily gathering. On Saturday evening the girls performed a cappella to sing for the crowd. The Grand Fathers MC welcomed everyone to come out to share a weekend of family fun and frivolity Harry Fryed and his hot fi ddling had dancers kicking up the sod on Saturday night GFMC brothers Wingnut and Woody churned out the world famous Grand Fathers MC tacos for hungry campers