Our Pan Am Experience

["Bo Parrish" <lindap@lcc.net>]

We were fortunate to be able to attend the Pan Am ride and really enjoyed our experience. Be forewarned - this is NOT a rider's perspective, but it is one heck of a story!  :)   And it's true.

 

I've divided it into 5 parts for easier reading.

 

Linda Parrish

Kennard, Texas

 

 

 

Back in the USA

Part 1

The Beginning

Who could refuse an invitation from Ann Pfeiffer of Animal Tacker when she offered an all-expense paid vacation. All we had to do was take her business to the Pan Am Ride in Spruce Woods Park just outside Winnipeg, Canada. Simple, huh?

Looking at the ride particulars on the Internet, I told Bo that we wouldn’t have to be there until Tuesday so we could take our time on leaving. He applied for vacation starting on Monday, August 2 and ending Tuesday, August 10. Then on Thursday, July 29, Ann told us she was expecting us to meet the Central Zone Team members in Grand Forks, North Dakota by Sunday morning. No problem, Bo just had to miss Saturday’s overtime at work.

We hurried and packed the trailer on Friday. After a few hours of sleep, we left on our trip at 4:20 a.m. Saturday. We caught three hours sleep somewhere along the way. Driving almost non-stop, we managed to meet the Central Zone Team at 8:00 a.m. Sunday at the Grand Forks Fairground.

We brought up the rear of the convoy – you know Bo had to be in a position to make sure everyone else was OK. At the Canadian Border, three of the first six rigs were asked to pull over to be searched. They had two legally declared guns and one semi-undeclared (not to name names, Mark D.). By the time Animal Tacker pulled up to answer the questions, there was a long line of vehicles behind us. Maybe this is why we weren’t asked very many questions, just waved on through. We asked if they wanted to look at Earl’s (large Black Labrador Retriever who doesn't know he is a dog) rabies certificate. The customs inspector said, "He looks healthy" and repeated that we were to pull on through.

We arrived at ride site sometime late Sunday afternoon. For the next six days we thoroughly enjoyed the ride festivities and talking with our friends from around the world. Having friends on so many of the teams, we cheered for everyone. We congratulate everyone who started the ride and especially those who finished.