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2001 by Brian P.
The 17 annual Freedom Rally, in
Humboldt, has come and gone. This was our third year of attending the event,
and may I say it was definitely the biggest and most fun yet. It was also
the last hurrah for Humboldt, as next year the rally will move, up the road
to the new ABATE property near Algona.
We had planned on getting an early start, Friday. Wanted to leave Anamosa,
by 8:00AM. As usual the preparations took longer than expected. Chuck from
Anamosa called, wanting to know if we would like to ride up with him, Candy
and Dube. They were meeting up with Dube at the County Home Road and US 150
intersection at 9:30AM. Since we were running late we gladly accepted.
Left Anamosa shortly before 9:00AM, pulling a bulging cargo trailer, behind
our 1996 FLSTN. Arrived at the designated meeting location with Dube already
waiting. Chuck and Candy arrived shortly thereafter, Candy riding her new
2001 Heritage. Went down the road a ways to see Joe, then hit the road
around 10:00AM.
Took off north on I-380, with Chuck in the lead, followed, by Candy, Dube
and me and Ellen. Picked up US 20 west near Waterloo and stopped for gas in
Parkersburg. Continued west on US 20, taking the scenic route, then turned
north on US 169 and came into Humboldt from the south. Got to the park at
around 1:00PM. We all had advance tickets, except Dube, so while Dube stood
in line, we went down into the campground to find a spot and set up the
tents.
We went down the hill past the trees, then veered off right and took the
first gravel road on the right. The first thing that struck me was the
number of people already camped out in the “hay field”. It was filling up
fast. Last year, we had camped in the same location, arriving on Saturday,
and I don’t recall nearly as many people, as there were this year already on
Friday.
Sweated bullets setting up Pat/Dube’s tent and our Taj Mahal in the sun and
heat. Ellen and I must have drank a 12 pack of be—err pop. Met some nice
folks camped around us, Al from Fargo, ND and Dan and Sue from Winona, MN.
In the meantime Tom and Sandra from Minneapolis called. They had just
arrived and were down at the 4 corners. Gave them directions to our campsite
and they arrived about a half an hour later, Sandra on her new 2001
Sportster.
Once set up, Dube headed out to Algona and Chuck and Candy struck out on
their own. Tom, Sandra, Ellen and I headed into Humboldt. Had some lunch at
the new Eagles Club. Saw Chuck and Candy there who said they were on their
way out to the lodge by the dragstrip. After eating we decided to head out
to the dragstrip as well. Got out there, but must have missed Chuck and
Candy. Later found out they had left and rode up to Ernie Williams H-D in
Algona. After refreshments we rode back into Humboldt to buy some be---err
pop to take back to the campground.
Got back to the campground and parked them for the day. Had some
refreshments at the tent and enjoyed the show developing around us. Seems we
had some very uninhibited neighbors. Dube got back and showed us the stuff
he bought at Ernie Williams … a pair of riding gloves, some tee shirts, and
a shirt for his granddaughter. Later went down to the Stage/Vendor area,
looked around, bought some beverage tickets and took in the sights. After
awhile we bought some ice and headed back to the tents. Had a few more
refreshments and hit the sack. Ellen says the bands played till 4:00AM, I
don’t know, I was out like a light, go figure.
Got up Saturday morning feeling a little whoosy, don’t know, must have been
something I ate the night before. Saw that Dube had made it back to the
campsite. He indicated he was headed out to visit the Grotto in West Bend.
Tom and Sandra were early risers and had gone to the vendor area for
breakfast. They indicated the lines were very long. Shortly thereafter Tom,
Sandra, Ellen and I headed up to Algona to Ernie Williams. I bought a tee
shirt and some DOT-5. I had bled my front brakes on Thursday evening and
apparently pinched the cover seal, because it was seeping.
We were parched and headed into Algona for refreshments. Guess it was too
early for them to drink pop, because every drinking establishment was closed
up. Headed back to Humboldt and decided to try the Mexican Restaurante for
an early lunch. The chicken quesadillas and margarita’s were great. After
lunch, Tom and Sandra struck out on their own. Ellen and I walked down the
street to the barbershop where I got a good haircut, high and tight. Found
out that they had already sold over 15,000 tickets, up from the 9,000 of the
previous year. I heard the final count was about 22,000 for this year. The
barber/owner was a biker herself. She indicated everyone was just sick over
losing Freedom Fest. I must say that everyone in Humboldt made us feel quite
appreciated and welcome. I will miss not going there next year.
Just got out of the barbershop and were walking back up the street, thinking
about what to do, when Pat called. Him and Flip had just gotten into town
and were up at the 4 corners. Rode to the 4 corners and met up with the
guys. Had a refreshment out of Flips trailer, then headed off out to the
campground near the dragstrip. Flip would be camping there rather than with
the rest of us at Joe Sheldon. Were helping Flip set up his tent, when Dube
shows up. We headed over to the lodge for a drink, because it was just as
hot as it was Friday, and we were all dehydrated. Shot the shit for a while
and decided we better get Pat back to the campground, in time for the titty
show. Flip and Dube headed into Humboldt.
Got back to the campground by early afternoon. Pat didn’t have an advanced
ticket, so we stayed in line with him. Observed the ever-darkening sky’s and
hoped the rain would skirt around us. Watched the parade of bikes streaming
into and out of the park. Pat finally got his ticket and we headed back out
to the bikes. The traffic on the road was hellacious. We made it back to the
campsite just as the first raindrops began to fall. Tom and Sandra were
already back and waiting for us. Between showers, Pat and I walked over to
the ABATE tent to buy a raffle ticket for the bike. Got there about the time
they were doing the opening ceremonies. Walked back to the campsite and sat
under cover while it rained. Shortly after, Chuck and Candy rode back in.
While raining it cooled down considerably and the girls changed to warmer
clothes. The rain didn’t last long, and the temperature turned back to hot
and steamy. The girls changed clothes again. Pat headed off to the titty
contest while we stayed at the tents.
Later we all headed back down to the vendor area. We did some shopping, and
I bought a pin and patch and some neat zipper pulls for my leather. Drank
some beverages and listened to the Fried Brothers Band. Watched the 81’s put
on their show. Over at the beer tent it was entertaining as well. A girl was
posing for photos with many appreciative onlookers. Tom, Pat and I got our
pictures taken with her. Some guy with a HOG vest was twirling his …err…
“stuff”. Sandra and Ellen got their pictures with him. We were all laughing
so hard we were crying. We used up all the tickets we bought on Friday, then
bought some more, and used them all up as well. Crossed paths with Brian and
Stan from Mechanicsville and Cedar Rapids, and hung with them for quite
awhile.
Close to dark we headed back to the tents. Tom and I stood in line to buy
some “Oinker” sandwiches and took them back to the campsite. We sat around
the campsite, eating Oinkers, bending elbows and listening to Blue Oyster
Cult. Life doesn’t get any better than that. Next day everyone said BOC
sucked, I don’t know… my recollection is a little foggy, go figure.
Sunday dawned to dark and threatening skies. Looked like the majority of the
people around us were breaking camp. By the time we stumbled out, Tom and
Sandra were already packed up and ready to go. We said our good-byes and saw
them off. We then set about tearing our tent down. Had to stop a couple of
times and take cover from the showers. Finally got everything tore down and
ours and Pat’s stuff crammed into our cargo trailer. It had stopped raining
and the skies looked to be clearing and refreshingly cool.
Said our good-byes to Chuck and Candy, who were staying one more night. Then
we rode up and out saying good-bye to Joe Sheldon forever. Got on Hwy 3 and
rode to the lodge by the dragstrip to have breakfast with Flip and Dube.
They had a good buffet set up that really hit the spot. Many thanks to Pat
for breakfast. Sat around and shot the shit with Flip and Dube for awhile.
They would be staying for the drags before heading back. Around 9:45AM we
said our good-byes, saddled up and headed out east on Hwy 3, bound for home,
with Ellen and I in the lead, and Pat following. The day was considerably
cooler than the previous two and there was a strong wind out of the north.
We were glad we had our leather.
Made a gas stop in Hampton then continued east on Hwy 3, then south on Hwy14
and then back east on US 20. Stopped at the Waterloo H-D dealership for a
look see, but they were closed. So we got back on the highway and then
picked up I-380 south. We exited at the Toddville exit and said our
good-byes to Pat, who was continuing on to Cedar Rapids. Then we continued
east on County Home road to Anamosa. We rolled into our driveway around
1:00PM, glad to be home, but with lots of fond memories of the very good
time we had, at the best and last Humboldt Freedom Fest.
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