By Guess Again 2
Today was one of those days that somehow felt loud, emotional, exhausting, comforting, and unforgettable all at the exact same time.
Our morning started in Cookeville at Country Inn & Suites, and before we even thought about kickstands up, the staff had already gone out of their way to make sure every rider was taken care of. They specifically opened breakfast early just for Run For The Wall riders so we could all eat before departure, which meant so much. Feeding this many tired, hungry riders before sunrise is no small task, but they handled it with kindness and smiles the entire time.
After days on the road, hot breakfast and endless cups of coffee start feeling like absolute luxury. Little acts of kindness like that really stay with you out here. These hotel employees did not have to go above and beyond for us, but they did anyway, and you could tell they genuinely cared about the mission and wanted us to start the day happy, fed, and ready to ride.
Outside, the Tennessee morning was already warm and humid. The air smelled like coffee, gasoline, sunscreen, and that thick southern humidity that somehow hits you before the sun is even fully awake. Sleepy riders wandered through the Sam’s Club parking lot carrying helmets and breakfast plates, trying to fully wake up while laughing with each other and preparing for another long day on the road.
Some people looked exhausted. Some were somehow already full of energy. Music drifted softly from a bike speaker somewhere in the distance while engines slowly started roaring to life one by one. There is something about those early morning parking lot moments that has started feeling strangely comforting. It is chaotic, loud, sleepy, and exciting all at once, but somehow it works perfectly every single day.
At the beginning of the riders meeting, an Iron Maker generously handcrafted signs for each branch of the military and gifted them to Run For The Wall for riders to purchase as a fundraiser for the mission. There were only a few made for each branch, which made them feel even more special. You could tell how much time, effort, and pride went into every single one. Riders gathered around looking through the signs, pointing out their branch or the branch family members served in, and purchasing them to help support Run For The Wall. It was such a thoughtful contribution and another reminder of how many people quietly use their talents and creativity to give back to this mission.
This morning’s prayer was led by Addy Reilly, and it was such a nice way to start the day. Her prayer was positive, heartfelt, and really set the tone for the morning before departure. The parking lot got surprisingly quiet while she spoke, with riders gathered around their bikes listening before another long day on the road. Addy came on the Run with her grandpa, Gary Burs, which made it even more special seeing a younger generation involved in carrying this mission forward.
Before departure, all the road guards gathered everyone together to review hand signals one more time. Watching them work together every day is absolutely incredible. So much trust and coordination goes into moving this many motorcycles safely across the country, and those road guards carry so much responsibility while somehow still keeping everybody smiling and laughing at every stop.
Our first stop of the day was Wilson Elementary School in Crawford, Tennessee, and I genuinely do not think anyone expected such a tiny rural school to leave such a huge impact on us.
Today was actually the students’ last day of school before summer break, but instead of mentally checking out for vacation, these kids chose to spend the day honoring veterans and welcoming Run For The Wall riders.
As we rolled in, students lined the sidewalks waving flags, cheering, and holding handmade signs. Some kids were jumping up and down trying to high five riders as we passed. Volunteers had cameras out everywhere. Teachers stood smiling while trying to keep excited students organized. The entire school felt full of energy and heart.
Everything took place inside the gymnasium, and that made it feel even more personal. The gym was simple, decorated with patriotic colors and filled with excited students who were so happy we were there. You could hear kids whispering excitedly to each other while riders walked in, and every veteran who entered the room was welcomed with applause and smiles.
Principal Mrs. Fisher welcomed us before the students began their presentations and performances. One of the moments that really stood out to me was when they asked Desert Storm and Gulf War veterans to stand in honor of the 35th anniversary of Desert Storm.
Watching those veterans slowly rise while a small gym full of children clapped for them was incredibly meaningful. It did not feel flashy or overdone. It just felt sincere and full of appreciation.
The fourth grade class dressed up as the branches of the United States Armed Forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. There were oversized uniforms, tiny salutes, nervous smiles, and one little Uncle Sam proudly standing with the group. It was sweet in the best way possible.
Then the seventh grade class performed “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood along with a choreographed dance routine, and you could tell how much effort and pride they had put into it.
Riders clapped along while veterans smiled watching the students perform. The entire stop felt less like an event and more like a community coming together to say thank you.
This year also marks the 250th anniversary of our country, which made the stop feel even more meaningful. Right Turn, the RFTW Ambassador Lead, and his wife also had shirts specially made for all the students, teachers, and faculty, which was such a thoughtful gesture and made the day even more special for everyone involved.
After all the presentations wrapped up in the gymnasium, the school invited us into the cafeteria for food before we got back on the road. Riders filled the cafeteria grabbing food, cooling off, and talking with students, teachers, and volunteers before departure.
One thing I loved seeing was that some riders skipped food altogether and stayed back in the gymnasium just to spend more time with the kids. They handed out bracelets, stickers, and pins while talking with students, taking pictures, and answering questions. Moments like that are what make these school stops so special because the kids are not just watching riders pass through for a few minutes, they are creating memories and connections they will remember for a very long time.
After leaving Wilson Elementary, we headed to Fuel Stop 1. It was one of those quick but needed stops where everyone topped off, grabbed water, stretched their legs, and checked in with each other before heading toward Knoxville. Even the short fuel stops have their own little rhythm now: bikes rolling in, road guards directing everyone, riders waving to locals, and people using the few minutes off the bike to cool down before the next stretch.
Eventually it was kickstands up again as we headed toward Knoxville under bright blue skies and some serious southern heat.
By the time we reached lunch at the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial, everybody was hot, hungry, and very ready to get off the bikes for a little while.
One of the traditions at the memorial is walking through the fountain, and as soon as we arrived, riders immediately started making their way through the water trying to cool off from the Tennessee heat before lunch. Watching everybody splash through it laughing like little kids after such a long hot ride was such a fun sight.
My grandpa and I decided to wait until after we ate to do it, and I am so glad we did. Right before we got back on the bikes to leave for the next stop, my grandpa Richard Fielding, a Vietnam veteran, and I walked through the fountain together holding hands. The cold water felt amazing before heading back out into the heat, but the moment itself is what I will remember forever. Everything slowed down for a second in the middle of such a busy day, and out of all the miles we have traveled so far, that memory with my grandpa will stay with me the longest.
After cooling off and making our way over to lunch, riders quickly started talking about one thing in particular: the pulled pork.
I think people will still be talking about it by the end of the Run.
It was so tender and juicy that riders kept joking it did not even need barbecue sauce. There were beans, chips, cookies, sweet tea, and groups of riders sitting together under shaded areas cooling off and relaxing before getting back on the road.
The memorial itself was beautiful, but one thing that especially stood out to me was the patriotic memorial wreath decorated with red, white, and blue flowers and a navy bow in the center that was carried by Run For The Wall members. There was something really meaningful about seeing riders themselves take part in honoring and remembering those who served. Wreaths like these symbolize remembrance, honor, and respect for fallen service members and veterans. The circular shape represents eternity and remembrance without end, and standing there looking at it among all the motorcycles, veterans, and American flags made me stop for a second and think about why we ride.
Something else that stayed on my heart all day was traveling through East Tennessee and Western North Carolina knowing so many communities here are still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which devastated the region in September 2024. As a North Carolinian, it hurts seeing how quickly people moved on once the national news coverage stopped. There are still families living in tents, campers, motels, and temporary housing while trying to rebuild their lives after devastating losses. Some roads and buildings still show visible damage. Entire communities are still struggling quietly while the rest of the country seems to have forgotten.
That is what made today feel even more emotional to me.
Despite everything these people have been through, they STILL showed up for us.
They stood outside waving flags in the heat. They volunteered. They fed us. They handed out waters and ice cream. They smiled, cheered, and honored veterans despite carrying struggles of their own behind the scenes. That kind of strength and kindness deserves the biggest hug imaginable.
I think people forget that recovery does not end when the cameras leave. For many families here, the hardest part started after everybody else stopped paying attention. So being able to ride through these communities today and shine even the smallest light on what they are still going through meant a lot to me personally.
Fuel Stop 2 in Hartford ended up being exactly what everybody needed because the Amoco station staff greeted riders with free ice cold waters and free ice cream to help beat the southern heat. The second people heard “free ice cream,” the entire parking lot suddenly became VERY energetic.
Then we crossed into North Carolina.
My home state.
And I just sat there taking it all in.
Hearing riders from all over the country talk about how beautiful North Carolina is made me really proud. Riders from out west especially kept talking about the mountains, the trees, the winding roads, and how green everything looked compared to home. Watching people experience the beauty of Western North Carolina for the first time after everything this region has been through recently felt really special.
Dinner tonight was hosted by Harley-Davidson of Asheville where we had turkey, mac and cheese, chips, cookies, and more sweet tea. After dinner, riders wandered around the dealership shopping, relaxing, laughing together, and taking pictures after another long day on the road.
By the time we finally made it back to the Holiday Inn, the lobby was overflowing with tired riders trying to check in all at once. Even with the chaos, the hotel staff stayed unbelievably kind. One woman walked around handing out ice cold water bottles to everybody waiting in line, and she instantly became everyone’s favorite person.
Eventually the hotel started settling down. Some riders stayed downstairs talking and laughing in the lobby. Some headed to the pool. Others disappeared straight into their rooms looking absolutely exhausted.
And after today?
I am definitely part of the shower and bed group.
Today reminded me that some of the strongest people are the ones quietly carrying heartbreak while still finding ways to show kindness to others anyway.
Goodnight from Asheville, where the mountains feel like home, the people feel like family, and today gave me memories I know I will carry for the rest of my life.
-Natalie ‘Guess Again 2’ Fielding
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Midway Route Photos from previous runs are no longer available. 