By John, N9RNQ, pictures by Larry, N9VIZ

It was a nice day in September.  I was thinking to myself how we would appreciate days like this in January.  While conversing with a fellow ham on the WAFAR 440 machine I heard in my other ear "This is WB6NOA monitoring."  I immediately perked up and said "Dave would you go and see if that's the real Gordo?"  Dave jumped into action and went to 2 meters.  "WB6NOA WB6NOA this is N9TQA."  To everyone's surprise he answered back, "This is WB6NOA."  Dave and Gordo talked until he remembered Dave.  Dave is a future candidate for a position on the board of the ARRL.  The reason we didn't at first believe it was Gordo is because we have a repeater ID from Gordon West that we run on the 440 machine.  If anyone in town should know Gordo, it's WAFAR. Gordo was in town for a boat show, where he does presentations on GPS and communications equipment.  When he found out there was a hamfest that weekend he immediately put out his thumb and tried to hitch a ride.  WAFAR has a great group of members, they help anyone who needs it, so the wheels were in motion.  By that night the chauffeurs were picked:  Albert N9VZX, escorted by Tim N9SFN.  Now all that had to be hammered out was where and what time to be picked up.  It was early in the morning, maybe 8 or 9 a.m. when their adventure began. When Gordo arrived at the CFMC hamfest, he was greeted by the Flashing Map and the posters that said: "WAFAR Welcomes GORDO."  He knew that this was the place to be.  Before long Gordo was using a crowbar to pry open his wallet.  With a fun group like ours, how could he not belong? Gordo enjoyed the fest with the company of his bodyguards Albert and Jeremy.  We planned a delicious dinner with Gordo and a few of the elite.  Elite meant anyone who could afford a dinner in excess of $30.00 each.  The Country Squire in Lake County was an excellent choice.  We all fit in, Dave and Gordo in short pants, and the rest of us in casual wear.  Of course, all others in the restaurant were in suit and ties or nice evening gowns.  You had to be there to experience all the fun.  If you remember some of the scenes from the Blues Brothers movie, like in Chez Paul, you have an idea. Before we said goodbye to Gordo, he signed a QSL card for everyone at the restaurant.  73 Gordo see ya next time.

Gordon West, WB6NOA at the WAFAR table Gordon signs a few QSL cards at the WAFAR table Gordon and John, N9RNQ, WAFAR Trustee