| Date | October 31, 2004 |
| Hosts | Susan and Greg Adam |
| Where | Adams' House, Berkeley Heights |
| Who (else) | Helen and Bob Bird, Marji Brandriss and Dave Kristol, Barbara and Tracy Cate, Debbie and Alan Cudworth, Claire Hamanaka and Walt Willard, Brenda and Larry Isherwood, Susan Nicolich and Dave Snope, Cheryl Prudhomme and Mark Cook |
The only thing spooky about this Halloween day ride was the confluence of sensational weather (temperatures in the low 70's) and fall foliage at its glorious peak. Greg and Sue Adam chose a challenging route for their first foray into hosting a ride, but they acquitted themselves nicely with all the arrangements. (The weather caught them a little off guard, though. They were prepared for a more conventional October day, with things arranged for an indoor gathering.)
Nine teams gathered at the house for pre-ride snacks and chatter (and photos), two dressed up for the occasion, before heading out to the hills of Somerset County. Many of the roads were familiar from previous rides in the area, but our hosts managed to find a few we didn't know (and one we wouldn't have minded missing). What's more, we traversed some in an unfamiliar direction, so they seemed new.
Among some of the memorable occurrences:
At the end of the ride, back at the Adams' house, we had yet another DOGS food fest. And of course this one was made more memorable by our all improbably sitting around outside on the deck in mild temperatures while Greg manned the barbecue and served up great food. As usual, the hosts' goodies were abetted by treats brought by others, as the photos will attest. As the afternoon wore on, and with the sun getting lower (this being the first afternoon post-DST), the neighborhood ghoulies and ghosties began emerging to ring the doorbell. Reluctantly, the rest of us began departing so we could meet the undead at our own houses.
