Make Wishes Come True -
Poker Run and Show & Shine

It's decision time; is it a go or no go. The Weather Network predicts only a 40% chance of thunderstorms, yet looking out the window it is heavily overcast and wet. Ah screw it, we go!

It's the second annual
"Make Wishes Come True Poker Run"
hosted by Ottawa 's HOG Freedom chapter...

As it turns out, I made the right choice. The day eventually became hot and steamy and those pesky storms thankfully never materialized. After registering at the Freedom Harley dealership, we rode our bikes for a couple of hundred kilometres passing through the small towns of Kemptville, Merrickville, Smith Falls, and Lanark stopping at specified check points to get our poker cards punched. Our last stop was in Carp.

Up to this point, we were enjoying a typical poker run that any bike club would put on, and so I won't bother repeating the familiar. However, once we arrived in Carp, it was a whole new ball game. Our $20 registration fee included not only a chance at prizes, but also the entrance fee for Air Show Ottawa. Although I have seen air shows before, they were always from a remote location at the side of the road. This would be my first time at the actual air show grounds, and the view was far superior to anything I had experienced before. Even though I don't particularly like planes and avoid travelling in them if at all possible, their power and grace are undeniable.

I congratulate the Freedom HOG chapter on a well run event that combined a pleasant ride, high class entertainment, great prizes, and a sizable donation to the Children's Wish Foundation all rolled into one.

We were some of the last participants of the Poker Run to arrive in Carp for the air show. As part of the registration fee, we had entry to Air Show Ottawa, as well as V.I.P. parking within the airport grounds (most spectators had to park on the busy roads outside the airport due to the wet fields inside). In this picture, we wait at a nearby storage facility for a Freedom chapter Road Captain to escort us to the grounds.
 

Our bikes lined up on the air show grounds.
 

Gail swapping her boots for some sandals. It was hot and muggy, and the fields wet from an overnight storm, so at least she was suitably prepared.
 

Getting a good photo from my miniature digital camera would be a challenge, but as you can see, a shot of one of the planes is clear enough to demonstrate how close they were.
 

Spectators appreciating the Snow Birds as they
made a pass over the field in a diamond formation.
 

Another shot of the Snow Birds.
 

At the end of the air show, we gathered round to learn who had the best poker hand, and who would leave with a door prize. Both Caroline and I, as well as Gail and her boyfriend Andrew, came out as winners. In fact, we ended up going home with more than we had paid to participate. Who can complain about a deal like that.
 

A final shot for the day just before everyone headed out. In the background is one of planes forming part of the static display.