Phoenix, AZ – Las Cruces, NM, 398 Miles
Can you say, PICTURE POSTCARD PERFECT DAY? Today, the Southern Route had just one of those days. It began with staging at the Phoenix Holiday Inn at 5:30 am, followed by the usual, breakfast, flag ceremony, and a brief riders meeting. We were on the road at
6:58 AM under an azure blue sky and white fluffy clouds. The temperature was a whopping 68 degrees, can’t get much better than that☀️. The Arizona Highway Patrol escorted us through town, ahead of the rush hour traffic. I have to tell you, the Phoenix skyline was beautiful in the early morning light. Once we cleared the city the Arizona desert opened up before us and it was magnificent! The early morning sunlight shining on the saguaro cactus was indescribable ????????????????☀️.
Our first stop was at the Marana, AZ Circle K. For a small town they did a bang up job welcoming us. Flag waving Americans and many civic groups greeted us with ice cold water and snacks. The remainder of the rider’s meeting was held (as I said earlier, we were under a time crunch to get through Phoenix before the morning rush hour). One of the highlights of Marana was the flag ceremony performed by Golden Ranch Pipes & Drums Local 3832 Firefighters. There is a video showing it on Facebook @ Run for the Wall – A Journey to the Vietnam Memorial
After the brief stop at Marano, it was on to Willcox, AZ for lunch. Willcox is an amazing little city in the middle of the Arizona desert. After gassing up we paraded through town ending up at the Elks Lodge. We were greeted by local children, veterans and other civic groups. We were provided with a delicious lunch of pulled pork sandwiches, fruit and cake. The Willcox Police Department escorted us in and out of town. I was able to snap a photo of our escorts after lunch. I imagine that’s the entire police force ????????✈️. Gotta love small town America ????????.
Once we left Willcox, we had 193 miles left out on the road. We made a quick stop for gas and a break in Deming, NM and then onto Las Cruces, NM. The valley of Las Cruces, NM laid out before us (sorry if the valley has a name, feel free to comment if you know it) it was a spectacular sight. The sky was a crystal blue with more white fluffy clouds, it was truly spectacular. We pulled on into the Barnett Harley Davidson for a delicious Mexican food dinner.
I am telling you, life can’t get much better than today! Thank you to all the Veterans that make days like today possible. Today’s quote comes from General Robert E. Lee
“Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less.”
Good Night and God Bless
Kristine “Eyes” Wood
kristine.wood@rftw.us
