Leather and chrome and Palmer

The bikers came to Palmer on Saturday afternoon. By the hundreds. They wore leather, and the chrome on their Harleys and Indians gleamed. The Blessing of the Bikes in Palmer is now in its 11th year and for the second year in a row has taken over the heart of Palmer. At the pavilion across from the Visitor Information Center preachers huddled with the participants to pray for safe travels and mechanical soundness, passing out "I was blessed" stickers with each Amen.

"It gives you peace of mind when you get your bike blessed," said Butte resident Scott Paquette. "You can relax. You've got somebody looking out for you."

Contact Stephen Nowers at stephen(at)alaskadispatch.com.