My son and his family picked me up at my hotel and we all went sight seeing in DC this morning.  We went to the Jefferson Memorial, World War II memorial then over to the Lincoln Memorial for my RFTW group picture then the Korean Memorial on our way back to the car. Later, after grandpa and the grandkids had naps we went to dinner at P F Changs.  A great day.

RFTW XXV Dept+10

This cold blustery morning we sent the "cages" (cars and trucks) ahead for the final day on the road.  Only the "Last Man Vehicle" and "Chase Trucks" accompanied the motorcycles.  One of the prettiest legs is the run out of the hills and into the flat lands of Virginia.  Fuel at Rapine, VA went smooth (they didn't run out of gas this year). Then fuel and the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at Front Royal. Next stop Arlington.  the Virginia State Police were out in force and passed out tickets to two of our Road Guards for stopping traffic on the on-ramps!  They used to help us, now they write tickets!!!

The last few miles were stop and go but we finally turned the music back on and were greeted in front of the hotel when "The Last Man" (Stew and I) arrived.  We made it again. My son and his family were there to greet us and even brought me my traditional "we made it beer".  After checking in we went out for Mexican Food and Margaritas.

RFTW XXV Dept+9

We had good police escorts getting into the capitol building at Charleston where there were the traditional doughnuts and coffee.  There were three Navy Active Duty men at the ceremony and one gave me a Navy Flag Pin which will reside on my vest.  The group picture on the capitol steps and off we went to Rainelle.  In one of the small towns we pass through there is a convalescent home and each year they have about a dozen people at the curb to watch us go by.  They wave and it gets to me every time. The effort it takes for them to be there to watch us makes me think we should be thanking them.

Then there is Rainelle, the school and the kids. It is amazing when you walk up and kids are asking you to autograph their home made books. I found the prettiest girl in Rainelle and you can see her picture when you click the link.

RFTW XXV Dept+8

Todays first stop is the Robley Rex VA Hospital just outside Louisville, KY.  I met Robley a few years ago when he was 107 years old. He was a WW I vet and they named the facility for him. The staff and patients always welcome us and it is good to see them each year.

Next stop is the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial outside Frankfort, KY. This is always a moving stop with the Stainless Steel arm pointing out and the shadow falling on the names of Kentucky's KIA's.

RFTW XXV Dept+7

We form up in the church parking lot near the VFW for the short ride into town for a ceremony at the Wentzville Veterans Memorial. It is a moving ceremony with the high school band and fire department taking part. We lay a wreath and take a group photograph at the site. Once again I found the lady than helped make this memorial a reality and met my daughter a couple of years ago.

Then to Jefferson Barracks outside of St. Louis.  The high light for me was the two men comparing the decorations on there artificial legs.  Great spirits and would have been perfect if they had the same shoe size.

We arrive in Corydon Indiana for the fish dinner at the fairgrounds. I have been looking forward to this as the fish is really good.

RFTW XXV Dept+6

We made it through Topeka without any detours this year.  Fuel at the Service Center then meet the escort at Kansas City and off to Concordia Mo. for lunch. This is a great setting in the city park with a parade through town before and after lunch. A great small town much like Mayberry.  For me this is the highlight stop of the day.

RFTW XXV Dept+5

Lunch at Oakley after only 57 miles on the road since breakfast! There was a time change so the clock says 10:30 so I guess lunch is OK.  This park setting is perfect for us.  The people brought out a bunch of cookers and fixed steak sandwiches for all of us.

Have been looking forward to the arrival at Junction City, they always do it up right.  As we got closer it started raining, then lightning, thunder and even a little hail! We skipped the parade and ceremony at the  park and went directly to the church for the ceremony and dinner.

RFTW XXV Dept+4

I got to sleep in this morning. I was waiting in Raton, NM with the man I brought down the mountain last night. It was great to be there to see the pack arrive for a change.  After Cinnamon Buns, coffee and a brief ceremony we paraded through Raton and Trinidad before making our way to La Junta, CO for lunch and fuel.  This is one of our longer days, 390 miles on our way to Goodland and dinner at the armory.  Lots of open country as we travel through the almost flat country that is south-east Colorado.

RFTW XXV Dept+3

We stop at two casinos today.  The first is just west of Albuquerque for fuel the second is near Santa Fe for fuel and lunch.  After lunch it is off to Taos then up the mountains to Angle Fire and Eagles Nest. The Memorial at Angle Fire is as emotional as always even in the cool wind of the higher altitudes.  The dinner at Eagles Nest is amazing once again.  This is a pot luck dinner but the town supplies the pots and all we bring is the appetite.  Plenty of variety and all home made, even ice cream.

Checked into our motel and starting to get settled in when a Road Guard came over and said that one of our riders was having trouble with the altitude, over 8,500 ft.  They wanted me to take him down the mountain to Raton and meet the pack the next morning. I grabbed my bag and off we went.  Got into Raton about 10:00 that night which made this a very long day.  The rider was feeling better as we got lower and I didn't even run over any of the many deer that were out feeding.

RFTW XXV Dept+2

 

There was a new staging area in Williams and things went well. We left on time for our much shorter, 3 leg, day.  Fueling at Winslow went well then off to Holbrook for lunch. Before lunch we drove through Holbrook and passed by all of the schools. The kids were all out by the road and many held up signs and pictures that they had made. They made almost as much noise as the bikes. 

After lunch it was on to Gallup and the great escort provided by New Mexico police.  They joined us at the border and began clearing other traffic off of the road. They did a rolling road block behind us while the motor officers came up and pulled over all of the other traffic until we passed. They did this while also blocking all of the on ramps. Soon we had the road to ourselves.

We then went through Gallup from one end to the other, almost a 5 mile parade.  Then out to Red Rock Park for a program put on by the local Indians.  The colorful costumes and jewelry were a sight and the dance was very moving. All of this and then they also fed us!

RFTW XXV Dept+1

Finally it s time to go! The emails, phone calls and trips to talk to the fueling sites, law enforcement, construction companies and the "lunch brigade" in Needles are over. It is time to ride. I told someone yesterday that I was throwing away my to do list. It didn't matter any more we are leaving in the morning, ready or not!

It was a really busy day for the "Chase Trucks". One was called away before he even got to the staging area! When we got to Kingman the Chase Team left 7 bikes at the dealer, a new record for the first day!

RFTW XXV D-Day

Yesterday ended with my first call for a chase truck.  The call came in a little after 9:00 about a bike that wouldn't start at the Holiday Inn.  Told them I would get a truck over there this morning.  I went over to see if we could jump start the bike but it didn't work so they went off to buy a new battery.  I found out later that the battery didn't fix the bike and it was tailored to Pomona.

I acted as the "Last Man Vehicle" for our run to Riverside National Cemetery and the Medal of Honor Pavilion.  A very interesting presentation about the Cemetery, the Medal of Honor and those that were awarded the "Highest Honor".

In the afternoon I ran off to get ice, 60 bags, and a couple of folding chairs before dinner.  I finally have given all of the supplies to the Chase Drivers and briefed the new drivers about what to expect.  Tomorrow we will see if it all works!

RFTW XXV Dept-1

Old friends and new are gathering for RFTW XXV.  Great to see everyone again and meet the FNG's. Meetings today for finance (how do we pay for this) and later Central Route Leadership.  Picked up the window banners, patches and hats for me and the chase trucks.  It's been hot, 102 today but should cool to 92 tomorrow, yea!

RFTW XXV Dept -2

We gathered with friends both old and new for the annual B-BQ at Raytheon in El Segundo.  We are all getting excited about the 25th annual Run. It is fun to talk to the FNG's and try to answer their questions while knowing how this Run will change them in ways that they don't expect.

RFTW B-BQ 04May2013

A great time to renew old friendships and pass on some information to some of this years FNG's

Meet and Greet Chino

Both old and new friends meet at the Moose Lodge in anticipation of another great mission.

Simi Valley Meet and Greet