The 2012 20th Annual Spud Run

    Fellow Knights, as we change our calendars to the New Year, it’s time to gear-up for our annual Memorial Day Spud Run to Boise, Idaho. Rain or shine, hot or cold, this year promises to be an excellent adventure with a new venue and great restaurants, both on-site and within walking distance. As many of us discovered at the 2011 West Coast Conference, the Boise/Garden City Doubletree by Hilton is a monumental step up in ambience, quality, hospitality and amenities from those establishments of years past. If you care to join me, here’s the itinerary:

    Thursday, May 24th, let’s meet at the Chevron Station/Starbucks in Fairfield, 4490 Central Way, just off the Pittman Rd./Suisun Valley exit of I-80 at 0730. At 0800 we’ll head to the Nyack exit Shell station for a gas stop then on to East Fernley, Nevada for lunch at the Silverado Casino. Bellies full, we’re off to the expansive metropolis of Winnemucca, Nv. and the Winnemucca Inn and Casino, 741 W. Winnemucca Bl., 775 623 2565. I have six rooms reserved for you the night of May 24th under my name/Blue Knights and the government rate of $77.00 single, $84.00 double plus tax. The reservation numbers are 287830 thru 287835 inclusive.

    Friday morning May 25th, at 0800 we’ll be in the wind on US 95 N, stop for breakfast in McDermit at the Oregon border 75 miles distant, then ride to Jordan Valley for gas just south of Idaho. Around 1500 hrs. MST, our host hotel will magically appear on the horizon as an oasis in a new found sea of humanity. Make your reservations for the nights of May 25th and 26th at the Doubletree by Hilton, 2900 Chinden Bl., Garden City, Id. 83714, 208 343 1871. Note that this hotel, on different forums, is claimed to be in 3 different cities: Boise and the smaller surrounding ‘burbs of Garden City and Eagle, so your GPS may get confused and that’s why I’ve included the ZIP code. Room rates are $64.00 + tax, double or single and mention reservation code “Spud Run”. Because this is an expansive hotel, I suggest you specify the proximity of your room; in my case “exterior balcony overlooking the pool/spa” area. It’s not the closest to their multiple parking lots, but it will be close to the hospitality room. Go figure! When you check in, be sure to ask for the $13.00 per person barbeque ticket for the customary Saturday night “Spud” presentation feast. And if you were at the Rodeway Inn last year and made reservations at checkout for this year, call them at 800 727 5002 to cancel.

    After two days of merriment, we’ll head home Sunday the 27th on the reverse route, and If you’re like me, stop for the night at the Best Western Inn, 1405 East Newlands Dr., Fernley, Nevada. 775 575 6776. The six Blue Knights rooms I’ve reserved are $77.00 per night + tax, single or double, and under reservation numbers 8397677 thru 81. Early Monday morning, around 0700hrs, we’ll own the road and head rested and refreshed to our customary Memorial Day stop for breakfast at Sweet Peas Restaurant in Auburn, then on to our abodes.

    I need not remind you of the weather extremes we may encounter, from blazing hot to damn cold and wet, so be prepared. Also, I recommend you make your reservations ASAP as our hotels in both Winnemucca and Fernley will be sold out due to events or the holiday.

    I remain, Dennis Brown, His Own Self, very infrequent Ride Director hos6350@sbcglobal.net