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CR – May 16, 2026 – Day 4 to DC – Eagle Nest, NM to Limon, CO

As we walk into the center this morning for breakfast, I see this table. What a time for the allergies to start.
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Every morning you have seen that the Run has multiple ways to raise money for Rainelle School. Well Bobbie is the main person organizing all this. She started months ago getting with people and organizations to give items to be donated. Every morning she has us rocking and raffling. Thanks Bobbie.

Today, we had 2 people volunteer to help. Eric and Jeff.

Here is a little story on how RFTW has influenced our future generation. They have gotten their classmates also interested. Way to go kids!!

From Michelle Sherrod :

Caeleb and Michelle Sherrod are from Amarillo TX.  Her parents own Nest Cabins and Marina. They invited Blake, their middle son, to stay with them during the RFTW event.  The kids have attended for several years and have become very close friends with Eddie and Laura (aka Chief and Windi).  Blake 10, his brother Collin 12 and sister Kate 8 look forward to this event every year. In 2024 Blake won the 50-50 and get half back to the military (Army).

Blake and Collin love the military and have talked about joining RFTW when they get old enough.  Michelle and Caeleb are thankful for the influence of the riders to encourage these kids to server others and missions bigger than themselves, and with intentional with honoring those who make such sacrifices that ensure we get the immense blessing of freedom.

This year the kids got tickets again and this year Kate won.  She turned around and put 50% in the Army bucket.

This is a letter from the Sherrod family last year.  Such a great family.
Thank you for being a part of the RFTW family.  See you next year.
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Last year was the first year, Ed  started this.
In Northern Virginia, The Willing Warrior Retreat Center is a major advocate for RFTW. They provide a healing retreat for soldiers, veterans and their families who are in long term rehab stays at DC area military hospitals. They believe that RFTW, like themselves are part of the large fabric of organizations that provide healing for soldiers and veterans. One of our funding sources is selling bricks. We placer RFTW bricks in an area called the Survivors Garden. It’s a garden around a tree that has been struck by lightning twice and still lives. Every morning on the Run, we will auction off the honor to carry the brick for the day. We donate money to Willing Warriors, that they continue their mission of healing for soldiers and veterans.
Here is the carrier for today.
With this done, Jim starts with the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer
  Next it the reading of one of the bios.  Everyone is someone’s family member. Tomorrow I will try to get a copy for you to also read.  This gentleman will carry this one to the Wall.
Yeah!!!..  it is not 30 degrees but 52 as we leave Eagle Nest.  It is elevation about 8600 feet.  You just never know what you will get.  Beautiful ride down the mountain.
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In 2022, RFTW got rerouted and could not go to Eagle Nest because of fire.  4 years later, nature it amazing.  You still see those trees that were burnt, but if you look at the growth next to it, you see new trees starting.
Fun Fact:
Many ecosystems have coexisted and evolved with wildfire for millennia, meaning some plants actually depend on it to reproduce. The soil contains a natural vault of dormant seeds. The heat of a fire often alters the soil’s nitrogen levels, signaling these sleeping seeds to break dormancy and germinate.
Well…HELLO.!!!  Check this out: Bison (not buffalo)
2nd Fun Fact:
Bison and buffalo are often confused, but they are distinct animals. Bison are native to North America and Europe, while true buffalo, such as the water buffalo and Cape buffalo, are found in Asia and Africa.
There were at least 3 very large herds of them.  I have never see so many.
Again we live in such a great place and you just never know what you will see around the corner.  We are able to see this and travel because of our freedom…

What a great day for a ride.  I never get tired of seeing all our family.

And more of the beauty of America.

Great reception in Raton.  Day 4 we are getting pretty good at the gas stops

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Another town that turns out for the Run.
Remember I said, we have New Mexico clear all the way by the LEOs?
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Well…. we cross into Colorado with a great send off. How cool is this!!!  Thank You!!
You just never know where you will find supporters.  The Run really brings this out.

What a great road…you feel like you are with us??

I know you all are on spirit.  The Run just draws you in.
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THEN we see this: Meaning High winds with a danger of fire.
Holy cow how beautiful
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Lunch…in Pueblo …. Thanks so much

So great to see all the kids getting involved.
Way to go mom!!!  Allie’s brother and sister all have vests.
What a great venue for parking and staging the platoons!!
Then remember the Red Flag warning…
We got a call from the advanced teams that they were getting hail. Jim make the call to pull over and suit up.  We happened to be at a section of the road that was a passing lane AND it had enough room to pull the whole pack to the right. Timing is everything and someone is definitely looking out for us. Check out the clouds.
Even Stewart has on his rainsuit.
Lets get moving.
And the people still come out to show their respect.
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Come on blue skies
Camera was put away until we got to the gas station.  We had all kinds of people getting the pack routed into the pumps.  The people here are not the staging team..where are they??
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But they managed to get us all lined up and fueled up.

Look at the blue skies.!!!!

It turns out that the staging team was one of the teams that got pounded with the hail.  I was talking tonight with one of them and she said it was crazy.  Everyone was sliding.  They were soaked and cold. Hot showers was the first order of business.

Look here and you know why.  SOOO glad you all are safe!

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FYI. I believe there are a more pics on the RFTW Facebook page.

Here is a pic someone got of the storm.  (This is like 2024 all over again)

Adapt and Overcome!!!

What a motto to live by.  RFTW way to go!!

Glad you are all safe. See you in the morning.

Temps: 52-89-63(during the hailstorm)
Route: I-25N, Hwy 24
Miles: 301
Quotes for the day:

Some made the ultimate sacrifice.  Thank the Living, Honor the Fallen