A great day to be alive and a beautiful day to ride!
The day began, sunny and warm, a nice 70 degrees. Our first stop was in Marana, AZ. We gassed up at the Circle K and swung around to stage in the parking lot of a little bar. We were thrilled that the parking lot was paved this year and we didn’t have to deal with gravel. It’s the little things in life. We did need to use kickstand pads as the black top is so soft the bikes sink. Gotta love Arizona ☀.
Marana, AZ might be a small town out in the Arizona desert, but they have big hearts! The gas stop was donated by DVMA 3212, VFW Post 5990 Auxiliary, breakfast was donated by Mike Kemery and Maricopa VFW. Wow! a big Thank you from RFTW – Southern Route!
Gunny was in Marana and we got a peek at his new FNG Patch that was presented to him yesterday. Gunny and I discussed the other 15 original ATW riders. Looking forward to seeing Cowboy in Odessa, that leaves 13 missing riders. Perhaps someone will seek them out… hint, hint.
Before we knew it, it was time to hit the road. We crossed into New Mexico at 1:40 and crossed the Continental Divide at 2:40. That’s always fun. Next stop, Wilcox Arizona.
Wilcox is another small town in Arizona with a big patriotic heart! The kids come out with posters and flags welcoming the riders. The Elks lodge hosts our lunch. The VFW performed a flag ceremony. So much happened in such a short amount of time, I didn’t get the names of everyone involved in the program. The Wilcox PD lead riders in and out of town.
Upon leaving Wilcox we experienced a 100+ mile leg, 100 degree weather and 100 mile per hour winds. It was a fabulous day, because, it wasn’t raining!
I have a question for local New Mexico residents. There are signs posted telling travelers what to do in a dust storm:
1. Get off the road.
2. Stay buckled up.
3. Turn lights off
4. Take foot off the break.
What the heck is that? Seeing all the signs and the fierce wind, I wondered what we would do on motorcycles if we experienced such a dust storm.
The day ended at Barnett’s Harley Davidson Shop. They do such a good job hosting the riders of the Southern Route every year. One of the favorite high lights is the ginormous flag flying from the Fire Engine. Thank you Barnett’s for hosting us year after year.
I just have to give a shout out to my most wonderful husband. He gassed up my bike tonight so I could start working on the sit-rep. It’s a good man that will gas up your bike after a long day of riding. Thank you honey! (he never reads this, but what the heck)
We’ll end tonight with this thought:
POW/MIA
For as long as we have Wars
And we send our Young to fight
We’ll have Those who are Missing
And the POWs plight.
All People of this Nation
Have this Duty to fulfill.
We must keep Them in our thoughts
And, We must have the Will
To bring every One home
And do all we can to find
All those POW/MIAs
And leave NO Souls behind.
Good night and God Speed
