Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/738714
38 nNovember 2016n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS by Don Kline LOMA LINDA, CALIF., OCT. 1—A lot of people like to go to a dealership's open house to see the new models, maybe eat some free food, lis- ten to some music and sometimes you fi nd a good deal on merchandise. Quaid Harley-Davidson had their open house and provided the above mentioned and usually this is the time of the year when the members of Loma Linda H.O.G. put on their annual Veterans Run. Registration starts at the dealer- ship, sign the waiver form and pay the $20 which gets you a bag with a sealed envelope with numbers on it, a route map and few goodies. Riders also get a meal and a raffl e ticket. And the famous dog tag run pin. The way Loma Linda H.O.G. does their run is you reach into a bag full of poker chips with numbers on them, you pull a chip with a number on it and a someone punches a hole in the envelope so no one knows what "card" you picked out until the end of the run. First and last chips were chosen at the dealership. The next stop was up in scenic area of Oak Glen located in the hills above Yucaipa, California, known for it's apples and apple products. October is the middle of apple season so a lot—and I mean a lot—of people head up to the area. When I was riding back down I noticed the road going up was packed with cars and all the shops and restaurants had packed lots. Even the side of the road outside Riley's was packed with vehicles. The fi rst road stop was at Mom's Apple Orchards, a small shop selling all kinds of jams, jellies and other things. It was here I found Terry Henderson waiting for riders to come up. Usually I try to time my arrival ahead of the groups taking part in the ride or event, groups make for good photo ops. I was surprised when I found out I was the fi rst one up. The owners of the shop brought some fresh apple cider for the riders to try out. After the Oak Glen stop the next was in Calimesa at Buckle and Belts located in Crown Village off Calimesa Boulevard. Inside I found the table and got my third chip. The next stop was at Wright Bros Customs on Outer Highway 10 South. After the stop at Wright Bros. Customs Riders could take the free- way back to Quaid or the scenic route through San Timoteo Canyon. Unfortunately I did not have time to stop here I found out that the C53 called D-Day Doll belonging to the Inland Empire Wing of the Commemorative Air Force was going to be fl ying overhead at Quaid at 12:03 p.m. and I wanted to make sure I was there to get a photo. I had the idea I would try to get it and the fl ag in the same shot and I did end up getting it. Back at the dealership I found out the turnout was on the low side, only 30 riders took part in the ride since there were a number of events taking place elsewhere. The Open House had vendors with The Inland Empire Black Sheep Harley-Davidson for Christ serving up breakfast burritos. Normally I get to the event too late to get one but this time I got one and they cost a donation and those are always appreciated. Other vendors were Diamond Brothers Detailing, SoftBrake had a table of their brackets and other prod- ucts for sale, Image Graphics and The Warrior Built Foundation. The meal ticket was used to food from the Carl's Jr. Food Truck, where you could get a Famous or Superstar Combo with or without cheese. Quaid had a tent with tables and chairs set up so there was a shady place to eat lunch while Voltage Control played a variety of classic songs. The raffl e prizes were on a table and each had a box by it and what you did was place your ticket(s) in the box hoping your ticket got picked. Around noon Randy Kim announced it was time to do the Pledge of Allegiance and then the Nation Anthem. D-Day Doll was cir- cling around and a few minutes later fl ew overhead along with a T6 Texan also from the Inland Empire Wing. 4 QUAID H-D OPEN HOUSE AND LOMA LINDA H.O.G. VETERANS RUN Come for the apples Stay for the fl y-over Terry Henderson at the fi rst stop of the poker run D-Day Doll fl ying over the dealership Registration for the Veterans Poker Run