The Dick McKenzie Memorial Campout was held at the Canyon Rims Campground in the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area near Dutch John, Utah. Nine of us enjoyed beautiful weather for the first two and a half days. More on the weather later. Some enjoyed scenic rides in the area while others swapped stories and memories or played games. There were a couple of impromptu tech sessions. We also had a herd of bighorn ewes and lambs come through camp at least three times.
Canyon Rims Campground was one of Dick’s favorite places to camp and Michelle and I camped there with Dick on several occasions. We always had a hotdog roast when we camped there with Dick and that was the plan for Saturday evening. Of course as we were preparing for the weenie roast, clouds moved in, the wind started blowing and it started spitting rain. Al and Michelle supplied the famous quarter pound Helper hot dogs and everybody contributed something to the meal. As always the meal was great in spite of the weather. After eating we gathered around the fire and started telling Dick McKenzie memories. Several times during the stories someone would look up and shout, “cut it out, Dick!” Just as we finished the stories, the rain stopped, the sun came out and we were treated to an incredibly beautiful double rainbow over Flaming Gorge Reservoir, highlighted by the red cliffs. It was stunning!
Michelle and I knew Dick for nearly 40 years, before either of us joined the IBMC. Dick and Voda were the first ones that visited us in the hospital when Holly was born and brought her a t-shirt that said, “Holly was born to ride.” John and Brenda Dixon knew Dick nearly as long as we did. Dick and John rode thousands of miles together going to campouts and Rider Rallies all over the country. Dick was a good friend and will be missed by those who knew him.
Those attending the campout were Ted Draper from Utah, Al Hughes and Michelle Goldsmith from Utah, John and Brenda Dixon from Arkansas, Mike Miller from Ohio, JC Sanders from Colorado, Tonni Nielsen from British Columbia and Kathy Regnier from Wisconsin.
Submitted by Al Hughes
