Howdy from Texas!
Do you ever get the feeling you should be somewhere that you aren’t? I’m sure that like me, many of you are experiencing that dislocated feeling this week. I actually know exactly where I should be – As I write this, I should be just about to cross the Louisiana-Mississippi state line on my way to visit Earl and the Trail of Honor at Harley Davidson of Jackson on the Southern Route. Yesterday morning I had the honor of visiting with Gunny & PattiO along with their Posse as they came across north Texas, but sadly I could not join them on their journey to DC. However, I am still proud to be here virtually visiting with you, my RFTW SandBox Route “Posse” as we reminisce on Runs past and look ahead to Runs that lie before us.
You may have noticed that the other Runs are deep into Virtual activities such as the R.F.T.W. and H.O.P.E. Quest Photo Runs developed by the Southern Route and the BIOS effort initiated by the Midway Route. I hope that everyone is enjoying those and staying in touch with members of our Run Family. I have personally enjoyed reading the Virtual SITREP’s published each day by the various Routes. Yes, beginning next Sunday, 24 MAY 2020, you will also see daily SandBox Route SITREP’s from our very own writer, “Peppermint Patti” Bogan.
To further support our Virtual Run of the SandBox Route I will be conducting daily morning briefs for the Route each morning of the Run dates, 24-26 May. These briefing will start at 0800 and last approximately 20 minutes where we will do many of the usual announcements, route briefings and recognitions that we’ve come to expect on the Run. We may even have a few surprise guest speakers to say hello along the way. The Briefing will culminate with a drawing for a few special gifts before we break at the 15 minute horn to go mount up for the days virtual ride. (To be eligible for the drawing, you must be logged into the briefing.) Watch for a follow-up RC Newsletter tomorrow with the details of the Virtual Briefing – as a heads up, you’ll need to have the free Zoom app installed on your computer, iPad or phone to join the meeting.
One of the prizes awarded in the drawing will be the SandBox Route Inaugural Run patch that we will be selling as a fundraiser after next week. This patch was designed, fabricated and delivered back in February, so they will be commemorative showing the dates originally planned for this year’s Run. Instructions for ordering will be coming after next week, but you may be one of the first to have this patch if you log in to the daily briefings and stay for the drawing. We will be awarding two of these patches each day. Below is a photo of the patch which measures 4×2.5”.
I sent out a message last Wednesday (13MAY) via SandBox Registration e-mail to everyone registered on the SandBox Route just to confirm that they are and will remain a registered rider for the SandBox Route as we move forward to the Run for May 2021. If now or through the course of the year you find you must withdraw from the Route or have specific questions about your SandBox Registration, send an e-mail to sb-registration@rftw.us. You may also contact RFTW Registration directly at registration@rftw.us.
If you have questions about the SandBox Route in general or need to contact me directly, please write to billie.dunlap@rftw.us or our ARC, Six String at ken.dugas@rftw.us.
Finally, watch for another RC Newsletter tomorrow for info on the Live Zoom Broadcast of the SandBox Route Morning Brief each day of what would have been our SandBox Route this year, starting at 0800 Central Time each day.
Y’all take care, stay well and stay strong! Remember, all roads lead to all roads so no matter where you go, TOGETHER WE RIDE!
WALL 2 WALL!
Bugs out!