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| CT Bears in Vineland, after breakfast, from left, Marco, Fonz, Grumpy, Pogy, Captain, Anonymous Ed and CT Blogger. |
By: Chris Loynd
Photos By: Grumpy, CT Blogger, Bernie Walsh, Gary Rosen
Our guys left for Vineland with an Early Departure Protocol (EDP). The idea, especially on these longer rides, is to get there early, eat and then sign in at 11:30. Fortunately DeThomassi's was on point with a beautiful buffet breakfast. Our guys made really good time, so by the time I showed up they were already done with breakfast and waiting for sign in.
I say "our guys" because I went down the day before to spend a bit of time with my folks in nearby Wilmington, Del. I did not at all mind that when I showed up at 11:15 everyone was done with their meal. Mom had already treated me to a delicious scrapple breakfast before I set off on the just-over-an-hour ride to Vineland.
At sign-in, Grumpy told our Flight B Leaders Joan and Amy the amazing story of his disappearing – reappearing polar bear vest. He'd lost it on his drive to Daytona last March. He was packing his truck and loading his bike and accidentally left his vest on the truck then drove off. He recreated his vest by ordering a new embroidered vest and then working with our Flight B leaders to get replacements for every patch and pin. Polar Bear Chairman Bob Hartpence even had to find a couple from his archives at home.
Then this summer I saw a Facebook post in a Connecticut motorcycle group. It was Grumpy's vest, found along the walkway on an expressway bridge near Grumpy's home. It must have flown off when he accelerated down the on ramp. As soon as I saw the post I drove out to retrieve the vest and gave Grumpy a call. It was dirty and a bit worse for wear. But it was his original. He cleaned it up as best he could, moved over some of his replacement pins for ones lost from the original and is wearing it again today.
After hearing this amazing story, Amy said, "Well then, give me my s**t back!" I laughed until I cried.
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| Our Flight B Leaders. Amy, left, "Give me my s**t back!" Grumpy, center, and his recovered vest. Joan, right. |
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| I made it in time for a cup of coffee before sign in. All our other CT Bears were breakfasted and done. |
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