Madison Hash House Harriers

July 5, 2008

HASH HISTORY - HASH RUN #1612 - The 2008 4th of July Weekend Run

Hares POOP EYE, CLITIGATOR and SHARE ME started their 4th of July weekend run at the Jaycees Park in Oregon. About 20 hashers showed up for the pleasant weather that accompanied this run including visitors VIV (Virile Irish Viking But Ireland Ain't Near) from the Carolina Trash Hash, IT'S TOO SOFT from Chicago and COIN OPERATED from the White House DC hash. There was also one new boot who accompanied VIV, Just Fred, a bartender at Jolly Bob's on the east side of Madison. As the pack was enjoying a few beers while waiting for the start of the run, an unmarked police car pulled into the parking lot and everyone hastily hid their bottles. It turned out to be a false alarm when IT'S TOO SOFT got out and announced he had just bought this second car for trips like this one. Although it took quite a while for the pack to find the start of the trail, the remainder was well marked with flour. The route started with a really long backcheck that eventually led almost all the way back to the start. The trail continued to meander all over town and even into the periphery so the lead changed many times and almost everyone had a chance to be FRB for a while. After what seemed like an excessive distance, the pack found the first beer check at a picnic table under a fine shade tree at the edge of an industrial park on the west side of Oregon. The beer included some of the left over Hamms that was passed on from a few previous hashes. This was such an enjoyable beer check that everyone stayed for an extended time and almost no one wanted to continue. Eventually the pack moved on and soon got separated into a few groups. One of these groups made a big mistake and took a significant short cut back to the start. They missed the second beer check at a bowling alley bar not far from the finish. Eventually, everyone made it back to the cars and they all headed SHARE ME's fabulous party house for the On-On. The hares served lots of good beer and margaritas along with jambalaya, grilled brats and other picnic food. Several hashers and other civilians who skipped the run portion of the event showed up for the On-On and eventually the place was packed. Nearly everyone was honored during ceremonies before heading to SHARE ME's back yard for one of the best ever backyard fireworks shows. The party continued with more drinks and just a little flooding as the grotto hot tub became the focus of the party.