BACA

Goblin Valley – Mexican Hat Party 2014

Leave a Comment / Random Thoughts / /

Friday night after work, the missus and I jumped on the bike and headed to Goblin Valley for the annual Mexican Hat Party.    They’d changed it up this year, and it wasn’t at Mexican Hat, it was at Goblin Valley.    We loaded up the bike the night before, and took off from work at 5 to head over the pass.   The goal was to get there before dark.  It wasn’t gonna happen.

Mr and Mrs ZIp Goblin Valley Utah
Missus Zip nabbed a selfie right before we hit the pass. heh, I just said Selfie. 

 

It’d been warm all week.   I was looking forward to this ride.    I’ve been in this neck of the woods long enough that I’ve figured out who my friends were.    Solid people that I felt I had gotten to know well, and more that I knew I wanted to get to know better.    This was the ride for that.

I have a connection with Mexican Hat.   Years ago, I rode through there in the dark with my daughter Wendy on the back of my bike and thought it would be a killer place to do an old school biker party.   bring a bedroll, your girl, some whiskey and camp out in the dirt, old school style.   We did the first one in 2009 and it kept going.    I’m glad it kept going…

Most everyone had ridden up earlier that day.    The ride was beautiful, and warm.   At least warmer than usual.

This was a a perfect tune up ride.

I’ll tell the rest with pictures.    What happens on the mile, stays on the mile.    I didn’t take many pictures, and the ones I have I stole from friends.    All I can say is I had a blast.    So did missus Zip.

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Saturday morning. We all feel a breakfast is in order, in town.
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Getting ready to roll.

 

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Our Camp. My brother Trigger took this picture while we were gone. He would get a new name before the day was done….
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Hanksville Breakfast. Cho made a funny….
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Duke’s SlickRock Grille. Everything was John Wayne themed.
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Rolling back to camp
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Cho and Rush
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The Missus and I

 

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Settling back in
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Cho, Myself, Rush, Missus Zip and Tell
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Rush and I, being… well, Dumb.
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My Bro, and Prez.
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Someone left the good chairs unattended.
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My friends. Solid People.
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Later on…
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Sunday Breakfast in Green River.

Fuel for the fire.    I had a killer weekend.   Mexican Hat is exactly what I’d hoped it’d be.   

3 days, 4 counties, 381 Miles.

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B.A.C.A.

Leave a Comment / Bikers Against Child Abuse / /

Proud to be a Member.

I am a member of Bikers Against Child Abuse. The die has been cast. The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line. I wont look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past has prepared me, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. Im finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I dont have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by the faith in my works, and lean on the strength of my brothers and sisters. I love with patience, live by prayer, and labor with power.

My fate is set, my gait is fast, my goal is the ultimate safety of children. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are tried and true, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I wont give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and showed up for all wounded children. I must go until I drop, ride until I give out, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me, for He will see my BACA backpatch and know that I am one of His. I am a member of Bikers Against Child Abuse, and this is my creed.

I’ve been involved with BACA since 1998.   I’ve seen some really terrible shit.    Things a kid should never experience, let alone hear about.     I’ve helped change some of that.     It’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.

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Why I’m a member of Bikers Against Child Abuse

3 Comments / Bikers Against Child Abuse / /

I’m not a joiner. I didn’t join the band club, I didn’t run for class president, and I am not a member of the Elks. I’m not in to just joining a cause because it’s a place to meet people and be social. To be honest, I hardly care. In fact, I don’t care. I’ve been lucky enough to meet a girl with my same dreams, and I’ve got three beautiful and daughters that are in my charge whom I love. Everything beyond that is a bonus.

I also love riding motorcycles. Ever since I first tasted riding 20 years ago, I knew it was part of my soul. A perfect day to me is riding a thousand miles exhausted to a place I’ve never been to on a friday, and spending the next two days riding home. Riding is the closest thing to beauty and maybe even sanity that I’ve ever known. On the road, the answers to life come rushing in when you’re on two wheels with the wind in your face. I could spend the rest of my life experiencing that and trying to describe it, and probably never ever pin that down. I hope to spend the rest of my life trying.

I also have come to realize that Innocence is a rare thing. You’re not and I’m not. We all have things we may be ashamed of, guilty of, and could be wrong of. There’s two sides to every single story. Every divorce, every disagreement, every misunderstanding & argument, every business deal. We all make mistakes that weigh on us, and we try and improve and become better people. Sometimes we do, and some times we don’t. Thats just life. It is what it is.

Except kids. Like George Burns said in the movie “Oh God!” : “kids have enough to do just being themselves”. Kids are the only thing that is innocent in this world. They trust us, they need us. It’s innate in them. They just expect us, as adults to keep them safe. I love their resiliency and optimism. We need more of that in the world. Kids are the only thing that are pure and innocent. They also can’t escape us if we violate that trust.

But there are some worthless fucks in this world who don’t care about that. They’re one in a thousand, but they’re out there. They are for themselves to an extreme. There are some who could give a shit about the beauty of who we all once were, and who we should all aspire to be. These are the self indulgent cowards in the night who would rob that innocence. These men and women are my enemy. These children are my hero’s.

The BACA creed says it all for me. I’ll do WHATEVER it takes to keep these kids safe. No child Deserves to live in fear. If I’m the only obstacle, I’ll be that obstacle. The men and women I serve gladly with are my brothers. This is not the glee club, the Lions, or the welcome wagon. We are not here to brighten your day, not be rough around the edges or sell you things. We are here to protect your children. We swear, we ride like madmen and we are not what society would call “refined” or civilized, but we will do our job. We’ll make abused kids laugh, smile and at the end of the day, they’ll feel safe because they’ll believe when we tell them we’ll keep them safe. Only then will we sleep.

Riding a motorcycle may kill me one day. I am prepared for that, and I’m 100% fine with that. I love riding, and a life without riding isn’t living to me. I take the same approach with BACA and protecting these kids. I’d die in the line of duty with my kids, and with yours. Nothing in my life will ever compare to the work I do with B.A.C.A. I’m not in it to act like a bad ass, be in a club or wear colors. It takes my time, breaks my heart, and costs me money. But I can’t ignore it. It needs to be done and I can’t be neutral now. Only cowards are neutral to child abuse.

This is my patch:  I have earned it.   I will keep earning it.   Whatever it takes.

B.A.C.A. Patch

I am a proud member of bikers against child abuse. This is my fire.

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Bikers Against Child Abuse – B.A.C.A.

2 Comments / Bikers Against Child Abuse / /

One of my B.A.C.A. sisters in northern Utah sent me this the other day.    Really moving story about how B.A.C.A. helped her abused daughter.

I love my brothers who’ve taken the commitment to do whatever it takes….. and I mean whatever it takes, to keep abused kids safe.      They  refused to leave when the cops showed (the abusers Father was a cop and set that up), and B.A.C.A. didn’t budge.  They stood their ground, and a child stands strong because if it.    We help them get therapy, protect them when theyre scared, and empower them to move on.

Heres how baca works:

BACA Mission Statement
Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) exists with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children. We exist as a body of Bikers to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live. We stand ready to lend support to our wounded friends by involving them with an established, united organization. We work in conjunction with local and state officials who are already in place to protect children. We desire to send a clear message to all involved with the abused child that this child is part of our organization, and that we are prepared to lend our physical and emotional support to them by affiliation, and our physical presence. We stand at the ready to shield these children from further abuse. We do not condone the use of violence or physical force in any manner, however, if circumstances arise such that we are the only obstacle preventing a child from further abuse, we stand ready to be that obstacle.
How BACA Works
Bikers Against Child Abuse, Inc. (BACA) is organized with a central contact person to receive calls from referring agencies and individuals. A recognized, authorized agency with which the child has had contact determines that the child is still frightened by his or her environment. The agency representative contacts BACA, or refers the individual to contact BACA and the name and address of the child is given to our BACA/Child Liaison. The Liaison determines that the case is legitimate, meaning that the authorities have been contacted, and the case in being processed within the system. The Liaison contacts the family and an initial ride is organized to meet the child at their home or in some other location. The entire BACA chapter rides to meet the child and he/she is given a vest with a BACA patch sewn on the back. The child is free to wear the vest or not, and we support their decision. The child is also given bumper stickers, and other gifts that are generally donated by the public. These initial visits generally last about a half an hour.

Following this initial contact, the child is given the name and number of two BACA members residing geographically closest to them, who then become the childs primary contact person(s). Prior to becoming the primary contacts for the child, the bikers are cleared for participation by clearing an extensive background check, have ridden with the Chapter for at least a year, and have received special instructions from the Licensed Mental Health Professional. Anytime the child feels scared and feels the need for the presence of his new BACA family, the child may call upon these bikers to go to the childs house and provide the necessary reassurance to feel safe and protected. BACA members and supporters also support the children by: providing escorts for them if they feel scared in their neighborhoods; riding by their homes on a regular basis; supporting the children at court and parole hearings; attending their interviews, and; staying with the children if they are alone and frightened. The BACA members never go to the childs house alone and never without the knowledge or permission of the parents. Our mission is not to be permanently engaged as the childs power. Our mission is to help the children and their families learn how powerful they can be. Our presence will be available as long as the child needs us. BACA also holds other functions for the children such as Bar-B-Ques, and parties.
Level 1 Intervention
Will consist of the organization deploying a ride, uniting as many BACA members as are able to attend. We will ride as a group to the child’s house where the parent(s) / Guardians will be present to assist us in presenting the child with a patch, stickers, and a Polaroid photograph of the child with his/her new biker family. If the child is afraid, it is our hope the child will use the photograph as a comfort to convey the message “I am not alone, and you don’t want to mess with my family.”
Level 2 Intervention
If Level one is not sufficient to deter further abuse or harassment, several BACA members will be sent for further exposure. This group of BACA members will create a presence at the home of the child, being visible at times when the family might be the most vulnerable. The purpose of BACA’s presence is to deter further abuse and to protect the children and the family, if necessary.
Level 3 Intervention
If the physical presence of our BACA members at the residence of the child’s home does not deter the abuser, a formal letter will be drafted by the Chapter President or Vice-President in the area in which the abuser lives. This letter will be written on BACA letterhead. The substance of the letter will be to explain to the perpetrator that we are prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to become the obstacle to further abuse.
Level 4 Intervention
While it is against the purpose of BACA to purposely engage a perpetrator, we will ask for the general geographical location of the offender, and conduct a “Neighborhood Awareness Ride” in which we will ride to the general location given to us and go door to door letting people know who we are, hand out stickers to kids, and distribute our literature regarding our mission and how we function. If the location or address of the perpetrator becomes known to any BACA Member, we will immediately withdraw our physical presence to avoid any contact. BACA does not condone, support or participate in the use of aggression, violence or physical force in any manner. If, however, ANY person should seek to inflict harm on one of our BACA Members, we will respond with commitment and loyalty to protect our Member.
Our Court Appearances
Occasionally we will attend court with our wounded friends. The sole purpose for our physical presence is to assist the child in being less intimidated and frightened, and subsequently give an accurate testimony regarding his/her abuse. If the child requests our presence in the courtroom, the parent or guardian for the child must petition the child’s attorney, who then will intercede on behalf of the child to the presiding Judge. Absolutely no physical confrontation of the perpetrator will be tolerated by BACA, and anyone acting in such a manner will be acting outside of the scope of BACA and will be held completely and solely accountable for his/her actions. When possible, the two bikers assigned to the child as his/her primary contacts should be in attendance. Given that it is not always possible for the primary contact bikers to be in attendance, a petition may be made to the general membership for their attendance and support. A listing of the court dates and times will be kept and updated on the BACA hotline at all times.
BACA Creed
I am a member of Bikers Against Child Abuse. The die has been cast. The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line. I wont look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past has prepared me, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. Im finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I dont have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by the faith in my works, and lean on the strength of my brothers and sisters. I love with patience, live by prayer, and labor with power.

My fate is set, my gait is fast, my goal is the ultimate safety of children. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are tried and true, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I wont give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and showed up for all wounded children. I must go until I drop, ride until I give out, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me, for He will see my BACA backpatch and know that I am one of His. I am a member of Bikers Against Child Abuse, and this is my creed.

Chief
Founder, Bikers Against Child Abuse, Inc.

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