JIM AND LINDA ZABLER
ALBERTVILLE,
AL
Linda and I met for
the first time at a CA District Rally in
Santa Maria, CA
in 1997. She and her husband
Jack, were in CA1-Q in Buena
Park.
My wife Kay, and I were in CA1-F in San Diego.
Over the next 7 or 8 years we got to know each other a little
better because of our chapter’s involvement.
I lost Kay in 2002 and Linda lost Jack in 2003.
I went riding and Linda and I didn’t get together until 2004 when
I invited her to go to the Lake Tahoe Rally with me.
We were married in July 2005 and have made many trips together to
Nevada, Arizona,
Colorado
and California Rallies. We rode to WingDing in Nashville 2006 and then
moved to
Alabama in
2007. Combined, we have 3
kids between us. Linda has Steve (still in CA) and Lori (in AL).
I have a son Gary (in ID).
I first started
riding when I was stationed in
Hawaii
with the US Navy. In two
years I went through 4 bikes.
Two Hondas and one Harley.
Traded the HD in for a 1967 HD full dress when I transferred back
to CA. Rode for another 5 years
and 25,000 miles plus. Got
married to my first wife (Marianne) and quit
riding.
She passed away 20 years later of Cancer.
Married Kay, and started riding again.
This time it was a 1984 GL1200.
Went to Billings, MT
in 1997 for our first Wing Ding, rode a GL1500, came home, bought a 1997
GL1500. We rode all over the
place till Kay passed away from Cancer 8 years later.
Had 85,000 miles on the bike then sold it and bought the 2003
GL1800. Did some serious
riding when I took off for two months and started riding through all 48
states. 21,000 miles later I
decided to come home. There is now 170,000 miles on the bike.
I joined GWRRA in 1996 and Chapter F.
A few years later I was Chapter Director and Couple of the Year.
I also was the Region “F” Individual of the Year, as well as the
Chapter and District IOY.
Over the years I have attended many seminars and riding courses
including Group Riding and Road Captain, so as to improve my riding
skills both for me and my co-rider.
I will have attained the Grand Master Level this year.
I have close to 270,000 safe miles and over 300,000 total miles.
LINDA’S TURN
Jack and I started
riding with the Goldwing Organization in 1991 when we purchased a used
GL1100 Goldwing, later we traded it for a GL1500 and made many wonderful
trips with our Chapter “Q” Family in
California. Jack and I were Chapter Educators
for 4 years and Couple of the Year in 1997. I headed the Charity
Committee for approximately 2 years until Jim and I Married in July
2005.
I’ve attended many
Rallies and Co-Rider seminars, Group Riding, CPR/First Aid etc and also
participated in many Talent Shows and I’ve enjoyed every minute with all
the wonderful Friends that I’ve made over the years. I have attained
Senior Master Level.
Jack and I
had 36 wonderful years of
Marriage and then I lost Jack to a tragic accident in January of 2003.
My Chapter Family encouraged me to stay involved with the Chapter by
making me the IOY ( Individual of the Year) in 2004 and I’m so thankful
that I listened because that’s how Jim and I got together approximately
1 ½ years later in 2004. God works in mysterious ways! We were Married
July 30,2005. In the past couple of years Jim & I have taken many long
trips on our Goldwing and hope to take many more with our New Home
Chapter “N”. I have close to
66,000 safe miles and over 100,00 total miles
