Back for the 4th (of July that is!)

Still working on catching up my posts. Right now I am on my third fire assignment of the summer. I've only been home for a total of about two weeks since the end of June!

So, we humped it back from San Luis Obispo on July 3rd, and didn't even finish unpacking when we drove out to  Loyalton to help out with the Rotary Club's signature service project/fundraiser. The 4th of July Parade and picnic is looked forward to by the entire community of Loyalton. The club has probably been putting on this event for the last 40 years! We pull off a town parade in the morning, and then head out to the club picnic grounds that are on a nice little creek about 5 miles out of town. There we have an old fashioned town barbecue and hold a live auction. We offer "antiques" that are mostly old stuff people don't want anymore, but usually we raise between $3,000 and $8,000. We've been closer to the $3,000 end for the last couple of years now.

We worked the evening of the third by decorating our Rotary float entry for the parade this year. The theme was "75 Years of Service" and we had flags and banners from other Rotary clubs strung around hay bales and an old carriage. The whole contraption was festooned with patriotic crepe paper, and built on our flat bed trailer. Gail "Virus" Ellingwood helped Kim and I, but I had to recruit another driver, as I had to miss the parade since I was grilling tri-tip roasts in preparation for the big picnic.

Virus helped with the float decorations. Here she
and Kim pause for a sip of red wine. 

Next morning, Kim woke up with a bad stomach flu, and could not make it to the event. I headed out to Loyalton alone, and after frantically recruiting a driver for the float, headed out to start the coals. Unfortunately, when I got there, some helpful soul had already put about double the amount of charcoal necessary in the pit, and lit it off! So, when it was time to put on the meat, the coals were still way too hot. I held off for about a half hour, but finally started slapping on the meat. I soon determined that the fire was still way too hot, and the roasts were blackening quickly. I grabbed some help, and we yanked 'em off as fast as we could. We put them into an empty ice chest to stay warm and continue to cook while the coals cooled for another 30 or 40 minutes. Finally, we reloaded, and things went smoothly after that. The tri-tip was excellent, and we got lots of compliments. 

Mike "Lamb Chop" Fillipini does a great job of moving the
"antiques" off the auction block!

People love to sit in the shade and watch or bid at the auction.
At around 12:30 they start getting restless if the meal isn't ready
too!

Vendors come to the park and set up booths to add to the festive
atmosphere.

Jeff "Slack Jaw" Toraason (retired dentist) left, and Kenny
"Sparky" Gilmer (electrical contractor) worked the bar!

After folks started leaving it was time for clean up, and with a small club like ours, if even a few people leave thinking they have "done their share" cleanup can be a real bear! And so it was. I finally got home around 5:30. Kim was still recovering but much better. It was a long day of service, but left me feeling good as well as exhausted. Now we could head out for Idaho with a clear mind and enjoy our new 5th wheel!

That's All!