Traditionally, all three Washington DC bound routes depart the Ontario Convention Center on a staggered timeline after a rousing ceremony complete with the National Anthem, a flyover of vintage military aircraft, the presentation and retiring of The Colors, and words from RFTW board members and Route Leaders. This year things are a little different. The Midway Route departed yesterday morning on a mission to test the expansion of the run from a ten-day journey to eleven days with a rest day in the middle, so today’s departure was faster with fewer in attendance. On the other hand, yesterday’s celebration of the Midway Route as they departed was a new and fantastic experience.
This first day tests the mettle of veteran and FNG riders alike as the Central Route strikes out from Ontario across the Mojave Desert en route to stops in Needles, CA, and Williams, AZ. Temperatures start in the 50’s, soar into the 100’s in Needles, and dip back into the upper 60s upon arrival in Williams. Fuel and hydration stops along the route were as usual, also quite warm. Thanks to the Hydration Team for their hard work today. We will need you the rest of the way as well.
In Needles, lunch was served in the historic El Garces Harvey House and Train Depot which was built in 1908 as a replacement for the wooden train depot, which was destroyed by fire. The Needles, as the town was originally named, was known as the “Gateway to California” due to its proximity to the California/Nevada border and strategic location on the Santa Fe Railroad and Route 66. The region is renowned for its Native American roots tracing residents in the area back through the Mojave Nation. There are significant petroglyphs and pictographs that bear testimony to this rich heritage in the area. The current generation of the Mojave Nation is usually represented in Needles by musicians who provide a musical backdrop to our lunch stop. We missed our Native friends this year but were not without music. The Veterans In Motion Patriot Band from Bulkhead City, AZ was on hand to play a medley of Service Songs along with other patriotic tunes.
I’m always amazed at the outpouring of hospitality in Needles. Besides lunch, throughout the park used to host us, are booths with sundries needed by riders along the run, lip balm, sunscreen, cookies, snacks, ice cream, bananas, cooling bandanas, and those are just the tangibles. The hugs, smiles, music, friendly conversations, and joyful encouragement freely given to the riders fuel the pack long after the sundries are consumed. The Mayor proclaimed today Run For The Wall day and a vocalist gave a solid performance of the National Anthem and “I’m Proud To Be An American”. Thank you, Needles for contributing so well to the Healing portion of the RFTW Mission. “To promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends”. Read the full mission statement here. I enjoyed lunch in two parts today. I joined the Ambassadors team, who were nearly done when I sat down and then was myself joined by FNG’s Freddy “Old School” and his wife Gladys who filled seats vacated by Ambassadors who finished lunch before myself. Freddy and Gladys are currently from Yuma AZ where Retired Gunny Old School is now a job placement counselor at the local college. Gunny was trained in aviation fuels in the Marine Corps but finds his current role an opportunity to “give back”. I love your heart to continue serving. “Welcome Home” Gunny. Thank you for your 22 years of service. And to you Gladys, we recognize that men like Freddy do not last 22 years without support at home. Thank you for your service as well. I asked Gunny and Gladys how the first day was going for them. Both spoke with huge smiles. ‘Nuf said.
Arrival in Williams Arizona is always special. I believe every rider has their own reason for loving Williams and each is equal in comparison to another. For this rider and writer, Williams is where in 2016 I witnessed my Vietnam Era Veteran Father ride into town as the Missing Man Escort. The magic of the neon against the backdrop of a soon-setting sun, the vibrancy of the many people waving Old Glory, and the respect afforded to the Missing Man he rode for by so many is permanently imprinted on my mind. The history of Route 66 is alive in this town, and it is that history that envelops each Veteran’s personal history in respect and love through its citizens who engage each member of the pack with thoughtfulness and kindness. Dinner is always served at the local American Legion Post 13, where BBQ and the perfect pairing of sides and deserts fill the stomachs of riders while once again, showers of kindness fill their hearts.
Rain showers found us today as well. Roaming clouds doused groups of riders with rain on the leg into Williams and the full power and might of a Thunder/Lighting storm sent riders dashing for bikes and hotels as the evening set in. What a great finish to the day. The power of the human heart on display throughout the day end capped by the power of nature. This land we love sure is amazing. Day one is in the books, and we are all so very honored by the countless supporters who made today possible and made each of us feel “welcomed home.”
A quick addendum. I’m from the Pacific Northwest where Big Foot, also known as Sasquatch, is a thing of folklore and legend. In my town, we have numerous businesses using Big Foot in their name or logos and stuffed likenesses of Big Foot can be found in gift shops and places where tourists frequent. So, on a whim, I purchased a Sasquatch from an Etsy provider who had RFTW printed onto one of his feet. Squatch is riding on my tour pack in hopes of bringing smiles to those who see him. In Needles, I met Piper, who was helping her Grandmother serve lunch and at that moment knew she and Squatch needed to meet. Thank you Piper for bringing some “cute” to today’s report. We are all the better for it. Piper’s image is used with the permission of her Grandmother. And… I also found a willing LEO who posed with Squatch. Piper, maybe this is you in 20 years?
The video below, I have uploaded in full 360-degree mode. The focus of the video is the people waiting in the hot sun to support the riders as they pass through the desert, but there is more here for the viewer to enjoy. You can use a mouse, or your finger on a touch screen to drag the viewing angle any direction you desire in a full 360 degrees. Watch the riders behind me, or look to my side to watch our ARC Nick for a moment, before turning the view back to our supporters. You can even flip the view upward to see the sky or downward if you want to see my water bottle and the freeway passing under my bike. Lots to do here in this short clip. Have fun, but remember, it’s all about the supporters who stood there for some time just for a minute or two cheering on the pack. Thank You!! YouTube may default the quality to something grainy. Feel free to bump it to 4K!
