The morning started with cool air and gray skies hanging over Shawnee while riders enjoyed the

last few comfortable hours before the humidity finally caught up to us later in the day.

The weather almost felt misleading at first. Cool air drifted through the parking lot while gray

clouds covered the sunrise and kept the temperatures comfortable for the first part of the ride.

Riders actually got to enjoy those early morning miles without immediately feeling cooked inside

riding jackets. But everybody knew it would not last forever. Somewhere further east, the

humidity was waiting patiently for us.

Before the sun even fully came up, hotel parking lots were already alive with motorcycle

engines, radio chatter, coffee runs, and riders trying to convince themselves they were fully

awake. Some people looked ready to conquer the day. Others looked like they were surviving

entirely on caffeine and vibes.

Honestly, most of us were probably somewhere in the middle.

Before the morning meeting, church services were held for riders wanting a peaceful start

before another long day eastbound. Meanwhile, Walmart turned into temporary Run For The

Wall headquarters as riders wandered the aisles hunting breakfast sandwiches, ibuprofen, beef

jerky, rain gear they forgot they packed, and enough energy drinks to medically concern at least

three doctors and a cardiologist.

Back outside, headlights slowly filled the parking lot as platoons lined up row by row. Chrome

reflected off damp pavement while conversations floated through the cool morning air. Some

riders refreshed weather radar apps every five seconds while others joked about how long it

would take before the humidity humbled all of us.

Then came the prayer.

Then the announcements.

Then everybody’s favorite words.

“Kickstands up.

”

And just like that, the quiet morning exploded into the sound of hundreds of motorcycles rolling

east together out of Shawnee.

There is honestly nothing like hearing that many bikes come alive at once. You do not just hear

it. You feel it.

The first fuel stop came quickly, but like every stop on this route, it became way more than just

gas pumps and snacks. Local law enforcement helped escort Midway safely through towns and

intersections while firefighters, first responders, and community members stood outside wavingflags as the pack rolled through. At nearly every stop, people gathered just to watch the

motorcycles arrive, thank riders for the mission, or simply show support however they could.

And somehow, no matter how many towns we pass through, it is still surprising to see how

many people come out just to support the mission and welcome us into their communities.

As the miles stretched east, riders slowly melted into the rhythm of the road. Fuel stops became

places to stretch sore backs, refill hydration packs, clean windshields absolutely destroyed by

bugs, and laugh through the exhaustion. Somewhere between Oklahoma and Arkansas,

strangers had fully turned into family.

The second fuel stop honestly felt more like a reunion than a gas station.

That is Midway magic.

By the time Midway rolled into Russellville for lunch, clouds still hovered overhead while the air

slowly started feeling heavier. Lunch was set up outdoors, and the smell of southern cooking

reached riders before most of us even had our kickstands down. After hours on the highway,

people practically floated toward the serving lines. Volunteers piled plates high with fried

chicken, mac and cheese, coleslaw, rolls, and homemade desserts that tasted like they came

straight out of somebody’s grandmother’s kitchen. The banana pudding ended up being one of

the biggest hits of the entire meal, and honestly, I completely understand why.

For a little while, riders stood around outside laughing, swapping stories, comparing bug

collections on windshields, and soaking in the kind of hospitality that makes Run For The Wall

impossible to explain unless you experience it yourself.

Set up nearby during lunch were the brothers of Captain James Wayne Herrick Jr., known as

Jim, who went missing in Laos in 1969 while serving during the Vietnam War. Paul and Jerry

spent time talking with riders and handing out patches in honor of their brother and his memory.

And even without a microphone or formal speech, the weight of it was still felt.

Because suddenly the mission becomes incredibly real.

Not statistics.

Not names in history books.

Not something distant from the past.

A brother.

A son.

A family still waiting for answers.

Those are the moments that stay with riders long after the engines shut off for the night.Eventually, reality returned, engines fired back to life, and Midway launched east once again

toward Forrest City.

And that is when the humidity finally decided to make itself known.

The afternoon air turned thick and heavy while dark storm clouds slowly built beside the

interstate. Riding jackets suddenly felt much warmer, fuel stops became hydration stops, and

every little patch of shade started looking like luxury real estate.

By the end of the afternoon, riders were sweaty, bug covered, road tired, and probably operating

on at least 15% banana pudding.

As Midway entered Forrest City, local law enforcement once again helped escort the pack safely

through town while supporters lined portions of the route waving flags as motorcycles rolled past

in formation.

Dinner waited at Ridgewood Baptist Church where Mayor Larry Bryant welcomed the riders and

thanked everyone for carrying the mission across the country. The church provided a huge

Popeyes dinner for the entire route with over 900 pieces of chicken along with all the fixings

waiting for riders after nearly 400 miles on the road.

And after a full day riding, that chicken absolutely disappeared.

Christian artist Eric Horner closed out the evening with live music that turned a room full of

exhausted riders into something that honestly just felt special. Riders sang along together,

people swayed side to side with arms around friends they had only met days earlier, and for a

little while nobody seemed worried about the miles waiting for us tomorrow morning. Helmets

sat stacked beside tables while laughter, music, and voices singing together echoed through the

church.

Stories were told.

Road grime was worn proudly.

And another day of Midway memories was officially in the books.

Day 5 reminded everyone once again that Run For The Wall has never just been about

motorcycles.

It is about the people standing outside waving flags in the heat.

The first responders helping protect every mile.

The volunteers feeding hundreds of strangers like family.

The families still waiting after decades.

And the riders carrying those stories mile after mile toward Washington, D.C.

Goodnight from Midway, where friendships form fast and banana pudding disappears faster.

— Guess Again 2 (Natalie Fielding)

Eyes open, it’s still dark outside the hotel room. The clock next to the bed shows 4:40 AM, only a few minutes before your alarm goes off. Your eyes close in hopes of getting just a few more minutes of sleep that feels like hours. Then you hear it. The rumble of a motorcycle engine racing down the street just outside, and that feeling of panic sets in. Eyes wide open, but it’s still dark.  Did you oversleep? You quickly look back over at the clock. 4:41 AM stares back at you. Then you realize it’s just the staging crew starting their day and preparations before riders begin to arrive. Now that you’re wide awake from a sudden adrenaline rush, you may as well get up, pack, and get ready to hit the road. It’s a new day with the calling of the road just outside.

Tripp’s Harley Davidson and Amarillo’s HOG Chapter sponsored a breakfast for the pack with pancakes and sausage, coffee, juice, and their meeting room filled to the max with riders, volunteers, police, and supporters of the RFTW. Awards and recognitions were given along with informational reports on the weather, stops for the day, even introductions to the new FNGs that arrived and registered in Amarillo.

Just outside, bikes and trikes were wrapped around the building in platoon lines in preparation of launching the new day.

Col William R Higgins was honored with the Missing Man formation, ridden for and remembered by Birdy, a new Midway family member.

Midway was launched just as the sun was lifting from the Texan horizon. The winds had calmed down, not gone, but noticeably less than the day prior. Even the haze and smoke hung less in the air. 70 degrees added to the perfect weather to begin a new day’s ride.

Our first stop was only 95 miles out in Shamrock, TX, a location where we fueled and then traveled a few blocks to stage. An entire street being shut down to accommodate the entire group to park and stretch before carrying on. But this was no ordinary location, in fact many conversations commented on how much the area looked like the town of Radiator Springs in the Pixar film ‘Cars’. In reality, the Shamrock, TX is an iconic stop on Route 66 with its Conoco Tower & U-Drop Inn, and being the visual inspiration and exact model for Ramones body shop in the movie. Even a rusted tow truck is parked just outside in reference to the character Tow Mater.

SSgt Burt C. Small Jr was honored with the Missing Man formation, ridden for and remembered by Phantom.

Only 100 miles down the road, and with the day starting to get hotter and windier, the Stafford Air and Space Museum in Weatherford, OK awaited with a treat of lunch as well as touring  the museum. A two and a half hour stop allowed everyone time to eat, tour the museum, and relax in the newly built addition with air conditioning. All of which being a luxury at this point with rising temperatures and increasing wind speeds, both of which we knew we’d have to go back out and ride in eventually, but in the meantime we were going to take full advantage of the opportunity.

As with any event, it was time to say goodbye and continue our trek east.

LCDR Donald E Thompson was honored with the Missing Man formation, ridden for and remembered by an FNG rider.

The final leg of today’s journey would take us from Weatherford and travel through Oklahoma City and straight on into Shawnee, 105 miles. This would not (or better stated as ‘should not’) be a significant ride, relatively short, however Mother Nature seemed to have different plans.

25 mph sustained cross winds that were gusting closer to 30 mph did not make for a simple ride. Similar to day one, wind beaten and road tired, the group was very thankful to get through Oklahoma City and make it into Shawnee safely and all together.

The VFW of Shawnee, OK welcomed us with a well needed meal and a chance to get out of the wind for a while. Awards and plaques handed out along with fried chicken and smoked bologna, a very well appreciated and welcomed meal and chance to chance to meet with old friends.

Although today was another great trip of only 300 miles, the weather from today has definitely sent everyone to get a good night’s rest before heading out again first thing tomorrow.

Until tomorrow night,

Keep the rubber side down,

Shiney side up.

Be safe and Ride safe.

Stitch

Friday morning, May 15th found us in the shadows of the Sandia Mountains of Albuquerque, New Mexico just before sunrise.

The staging crews begin to set up and prepare for the arrival of Midway’s riders with a cool crisp breeze, temperatures hanging in the lower 50s, and the sounds of a city starting to wake up and start a new day.

The Rich Ford dealership sat perfectly alongside I40 in the Southeast part of town allowing us to assemble and begin a new day’s ride with little effort of getting underway.

Faintly in the distance the crews begin to hear the unmistakable rumble of motorcycle engines as they rumble down the street and turn the corner. Bit by bit, bike by bike, the platoon lines begin to take shape once again with even more than the day before. New riders joining the pack begin to sign in and embark on their adventure with us.

A small cafe within the dealership opens it doors to offer a hot breakfast of burritos, coffee, juice, and cereal bars. The burritos make an instant hit with all of the riders. As some are aware, no one does breakfast burritos better than Albuquerque as it is almost a staple during the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival every fall. Their choices of hashbrowns, eggs, bacon, sausage, all wrapped up in massive tortillas with the option of either Hatch red or green chile, a must have to truly experience the New Mexican culture and cuisine.

SP4 Elliot Cook was honored with the Missing Man formation, ridden for and remembered by Popeye, a close friend of the family.

As the anticipation grows, stories being told, APD and AFD arrive on the site, everyone is ready to start a new day. And just as the sun breaks over the mountains casting its warmth onto the bike below, the signal to go is given, and the adventure begins.

Immediately the pack heads east up into the mountain pass with APD and Bernalillo County Sheriffs guiding and trailing the pack, through the pass on out into the plains of eastern New Mexico. Blooming sage can be seen and smelled along the freeway, giving an earthy but sweet smell to enjoy while riding across the high desert in the early morning hours. Plateaus and rock formations all around, as far as the eye can see with red, orange, and a mixture of browns and yellows mixing them through.

Before we knew it, we created a hill and headed down into a depression with Santa Rosa right in front of us. Our first fuel stop at the Loves station allowed for everyone to stretch their legs, grab a quick bite plus two to three bottles of water as hydration is a much needed aspect of riding rough this high altitude and dry desert setting.

With everyone fueled and ready to go, Juice read the Missing Man biography over the radio with a PA system to help those who could not hear the broadcast.

Maj Harry L McLamb was honored with the Missing Man formation, ridden for and remembered by Sarge, a first year rider of Run For The Wall Midway.

The group departed Loves and headed to a traditional stop at the Blue Hole, a natural spring oasis with crystal blue waters that is used for underwater caving and swimming by the locals, and a refreshing point in the Midway’s journey.

Started years before, it has become tradition for Road Guards and Leadership Team to jump into the natural spring waters, rain or shine, hot weather or cold; and the waters remain a constant 64 degrees all year round. Today was no different as the temperature had risen to the high 80s and showed no signs of getting any cooler for the time being. All of the Road Guards, most of the Leadership and several of the riders took advantage of the cooling opportunity and shied their support in the Midway Family Tradition.

Lunch was also served in the banquet hall of the visitors center where folks could relax in the air conditioning for just a bit longer before beginning their trek through the desert heat once again.

As the first horn sounded signaling 10 minutes to ride, several County Sheriff’s warned us of several serious vehicle accidents up the road and began planning different route strategies if needed as the stays of the interstate was closed for the time being.

With plans set in place, riders mounted their bikes and were once again heading off to the east, their mission goal on the horizon. Word came down as we were on our way that the accident scenes were cleared enough to travel through allowing the group to press on with no worries ahead.

The desert sun had warmed the sands and winds to the upper 90s now, acting almost like a massive hair dryer for everyone, including those that jumped into the spring, drying their clothes completely within 15 minute of starting out once again.

Our next fuel stop was near the New Mexico and Texas border, Russell’s Truck stop where locals were set up and awaiting our arrival with water, sunscreen, gremlin bells and other small tokens of their appreciation. Inside the staff was handing out ice cream cones to all of the riders that wanted one and allowing for a relaxing bit of time to get out of the day’s heat, if not for just a moment’s time.

The final push was then made across into Texas, the pan handle and grasslands, up and out of the lower sand and rock basins before. Of course these plains offer the perfect opportunity for wind farms with their massive windmills dotting the landscape as far as the eye could see. Even though these structures were massive and awe inspiring, they also signaled the presence of constant winds sweeping across the land. Nonetheless, riding through these giants gave us a unique perspective of just how vast of the area was, with high altitude clouds spotting the skies along the way.

The smell of sage was slightly still present but had been almost completely replaced with the smells of plains grass on the warm summer winds. The temp had also dropped down to the mid 80s, comfortable enough with the moving wind as we continued towards Amarillo.

The traffic steadily grew as we approached the city, another oasis in the vast open plains. Texas Highway Patrol, County Sheriffs and local PD all surrounded the pack as we rode close towards the city, guiding us in as if we were a special procession that was handed off to them at the border.

We arrived at Christian Heritage Church with open arms, flag bearers, cheering crowds and an overall hero’s welcome.

Dinner was prepared by volunteers from around the area that made Amarillo, TX one of if not the favorite stop of Midway Route. Texan BBQ and hospitality is absolutely amazing and hard to beat.

Awards were given out but not before the posting of the colors by Jr ROTC as well as our national anthem and America the Beautiful being sung as well. Amarillo has won the hearts of many Midway riders and for very good reason.

Although many were there, unfortunately the fire departments were unable to attend due to wild fires burning around the city. So please say a prayer for those hero’s, their safety, and the ability to protect our communities.

Until tomorrow night,

Keep the rubber side down,

Shiney side up.

Be safe and Rise safe.

Stitch