Today we started with our breakfast and meeting at American Legion 430. Breakfast was GREAT and if you need to know what it was come ride with us next year! All of us sang Happy Birthday to Baby Buzz!!!
At the Legion, as with every leg of this ride we set up a Missing Man Formation. This morning Karoni Forrester rode in memory of her Father Capt Ron Forrester. His home town is Odessa TX.
Off to the Permian Basin Vietnam Veterans Memorial. While there Native Americans offered to cleanse us of Evil Spirits by using Eagle feathers to fan smoke from smoldering sage across all parts of our bodies. The smoke cleanses us just as rain from a storm cleanses the air.
Leaving the Permian Basin we headed for we headed to Alsups in Colorado City for fuel. After fueling we went to have lunch at Abilene VFW Post 6873. This is the home of the best burgers and dogs in Texas. One of my fellow riders said his dog was “the best ever!” It really was good and fueled us to go on! On we went to Cisco Texas and the Road Ranger Truck Stop for fuel. Getting there my bike showed me 96 degrees as the ambient air temperature and it felt every bit of that while there. While there our departure was delayed to try to avoid weather. That was a great decision!! We basically only got sprinkles and light rain. In Fort Worth there was construction and horrid traffic conditions. Mix a storm with that and results could have been much different. Despite many issues our Road Guards and Leadership got us to Dubiski Career High School safely. There were no reports of any incidents or RFTW Riders being hurt.
At the school we presented several plaques, two scholarships and got to honor a woman who lived in the Phillipine Islands when WW2 started and served as a Japanese Civilian American prisoner.
FNG Melissa has joined our Family!!
The heading says that but in actuality she was already part of us, “Fit Bit” is her husband. Her husband and “Leatherneck” pushed her to get involved. She told me she was nervous at first but now she knows it was to be for her. Home is Norco CA. She is not a Veteran, she is a Patriot and “cares deeply” for people. She works to help the homeless, homeless Veterans. She didn’t say it but I sensed that she would help anyone in need any way possible. She also has a personal tragedy with the loss of her son and knows how loss feels. Many Riders on RFTW have experienced loss and she wanted to help. What has struck her the most is that her Heart Strings have been touched every day. I didn’t ask if she would be back as I knew the answer. When I stated that to her there was a big smile and an affirmative nod.
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Midway Route Photos from previous runs are no longer available. 