The sun is down, the bikes are silent as we close day 3 of the Midway Route of Run For The Wall 2025.
Starting this morning with crisp air and clear blue skies at Rich Ford in Albuquerque, NM, all of the riders were treated to a hot New Mexican breakfast. Tortillas, eggs, potatoes, sausage and bacon, and who could forget the New Mexican green chili along with coffee and hot chocolate.
Everyone was enjoying and reminiscing of last year’s experience with pouring rain. No one could ask for a better start to a day of riding ahead. During the morning announcements, a Vietnam Veteran bio was read aloud with an FNG volunteering to take it to the wall.
Albuquerque’s finest escorted the pack from the dealership out onto the freeway and on up the Sandia Pass through the mountains.
A quick parade through Moriarty, NM brought out members of the community to wave, salute, and cheer on our riders on their journey to the Wall.
Back on the freeway and on towards Santa Rosa for fuel and a traditional stop at Blue Hole, a crystal-blue natural swimming hole with hidden underwater caves that are used to swim, snorkel, and even scuba dive.
There Mark ‘MAZZ’ Masman took the plunge with the vest of a fellow Road Guard, Peter ‘Greenie’ Green that passed May 19, 2024 a solemn tribute to a friend, a brother, and veteran.
Several other riders took the plunge to include our youngest FNG Matthew Bancroft, who kept the tradition going.
The pack continued down the road to Tucumcari, NM where we ran down the main street, Route 66 waving, revving motors, and honking at the folks that lined the streets showing their support of our riders and their mission.
Our final fuel stop was just west of the New Mexico and Texas border at Russell’s Travel Venter where volunteers not only came to show their support, but also gave everyone ice cream to help ward off the increasing desert temperatures. Folks enjoyed the cool treat as well as a small museum just inside with vintage cars, motorcycles, and Americana.
Our final leg of today’s adventures brought us to Christian Heritage Church in Amarillo, TX where we were again treated to a fantastic home style meal of smoked chicken, fall off the bone beef ribs, and all the fixin’s to go with, including both peach and apple cobblers.
The local high school’s Cadet Color Guard presented the colors while the pledge of allegiance was led by the cutest little girl in the ~1st grade??~ as well as the national anthem being sung by the children’s choir; all of them receiving a standing ovation.
Tonight we also honored a Gold Star Spouse, wife of the bio in which was read aloud only this morning.
During the ride today, everyone could see the beautiful landscapes of high desert grasslands turn into hills and plateaus, and the change again into the Texan landscape of field grass and sage, all of which could be seen and smelled, until the cattle pens near Amarillo that is.
I leave you with this final quote that a simple Disney movie made famous, but still bears the true meaning of what we do, as a family:
Family means no one gets left behind, or forgotten.
Until tomorrow, we’ll see what adventures are in store for us. How far are we going? ALL THE WAY!
Written by STITCH. Photos by Kim Butler
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Midway Route Photos from previous runs are no longer available. 