Always an adventure!

After a leisurely morning packing and headed into more desert, we quickly realized the desert was having a cold snap.  So we stopped to add a layer and hydrate.  Yes even though it's in the 60's in the there still is no humidity, and we found ourselves getting a little disoriented.  So, after a brief stop at Carl's Jr. in Thousand Palms, we started riding into some pretty dark clouds that looked like they may dump on us before they lift over the mountains, which brought us to another brief stop for another layer.  The wind was so strong even cars were slowing on the 5 lane highway headed to LA.

(I've always wondered if these people going 85 or 90 miles an hour, 5 lanes sometimes as many as 7, headed down this mountain all of rallying for the front of the traffic, ... do they know there is an ocean in front of us, and all this rushing comes to an end right up here? It is the most aggressive traffic with lane changing going on bumper to bumper at literally 80 - 85 mph, make no mistake!)

Anyway, back to our second stop for more layers, wind, rain, and what? (Dope deals going down in the gas station parking lot ... OK - maybe we chose the wrong exit to stop, but it was here that I saw messages, texts and FB posts, when my phone has been so quiet for 4 days.

And at the same time the hubby states:  "I believe  left my phone at our last stop - remember Carl's Jr?"

So, I'm so brilliant, I decide to check my voice mails, emails and texts etc on my phone and they are all about the hubby's phone.

The waitress calling phone numbers to find it's owner, friends calling my phone to get a phone/owner reunion going, and in all those calls we have no idea where that Carl's Jr was.  Finally deducted it was 30 miles back, and at the same time remembered Don is coming through on the same route tomorrow, so he's getting Russ's phone, giving a sweet thank you to the waitress for her honesty and efforts, and we will be able to stay in communication on Run For The Wall.  Our jobs take us different directions so much the next 12  days, two phones are critical.

Cell phones what did we ever do without them?

We arrived in time to attend a memorial for one of our riders, Vance Scott, who died since we were all together last year, we also lost, Tom Lockett, and were thinking of his wife Julie.

Caught up with several friends, and met a new couple, Karen and Jim, and already exchanged patches and pins, what a sweet couple, we're going to keep track of them across country.  This is such an emotional event.

Run For The Wall starts in a few days.

Well, people are arriving,

Reunions are happening,

Vendors are setting up,

Motorcycles are everywhere,

Signs and schedules are going up

AGAIN - it's Run For The Wall XXIII

Just a few miles from here in 1989 a small group of bikers took off on a venture to see their new memorial in Washington D.C.  I'm sure there were visions of a growing event, and they tossed around names of what the event would be called, but I'm also certain they had no idea their meager 20 or so riders would grow to over 2,000, nor did they comprehend the amount of organization and planning that would be necessary to replicate their journey annually.

With that in mind, we welcome over 600 pre-registered riders and many walk-ins in California, and prepare for hundreds more as we traverse this great Nation.

This is my 9th year on the Run.  This year, I'm Chairman of the Board.  I've conducted the monthly meetings for the Directors this year.  Our duties include all financial, legal and liability responsibilities, oversight of the route leadership, documentation and public relations.  Run For The Wall has it's own merchandise that is sold to the riders also.

Some of the meetings the first day include getting all our support teams up to speed on any changes from last year, and orienting new leadership team members.  Small groups holding their own meetings and mini-reunions everywhere.

When Merchandise opens there will be lines of riders buying patches and shirts, and the stitchery will be busy.

Motorcycle Riders are on their way to Run For The Wall's starting location.

Here we go.  People are leaving home, packed and ready to ride Run For The Wall.

The web page www.rftw.org has a link called Runs to the Run, groups of riders are meeting up via the net, and the Forum, and riding to California for the organized ride that leaves next Wednesday.

In California next Wednesday hundreds of riders will leave Rancho Cucamonga headed across country in an event that celebrates it's 23rd year.  To ride with this group is such an honor it's hard to put into words.  Just standing back and watching the riders who are joining for the first time integrate into the group, ask questions, pack and repack, and get photos ... knowing how much work and preparation goes into the final project, gives me pause.

I'm praying for safety for all the riders on their way, and for a wonderful trip to THE WALL.

You see everything on America's highways.

Last year at Sturgis, I had to snap this photo.  Sturgis, SD  bike week is one of our annual ministry locations.  We were walking downtown before the huge showing arrived.  We set up about 3-5 days before the event begins, so that we can get in and out with our trailer.

We were walking downtown, waiting to cross at an intersection.  The city only allows motorcycles on the main roads during bike week, but a lot of people come in vehicles before the events get started to gawk and check out the rides.

This man was actually riding his motorcycle dressed like this, (not unusual in this setting) but here he is stopped at an intersection taking a phone call.  So funny, people everywhere getting the shot

OK BACK TO PACKING FOR RUN FOR THE WALL

Lego Land in San Diego - miniature Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall

This is adorable, moving and I'm so honored that the San Diego Lego Land would do a miniature of the memorials in Washington D.C.  Kudos!!

see my blog on my run for the wall

Over 1100 people are pre-registered for Run For The Wall XXIII

The 2011 Run is in place.  Over 1100 people have pre-registered on-line.  People are on the road now headed to California.  All across the Nation communities are preparing for the parade of motorcycles.  Several last minute details are being loaded into support vehicles.

And a huge thank you is going out to all our volunteers.

In 2 weeks we will be on the road with Run For The Wall.

I have been honored to serve as the Chairman of the Board on Run For The Wall this year.  When I step down at the end of my term, I know that I will miss all the people I've worked with through the years.

All the preparations that the hundreds of volunteers have made are coming to fruition.

As we relax and visit with family, and tidy up details on the home front, I also am in touch with people who are registering and those in leadership.  This event sees over 2000 participants join the event.  Many travel from California to Washington D.C., some travel a few days or through a few states.

Everyone who experiences Run For The Wall is touched emotionally by the outpouring of volunteers, communities and fellow riders.  RFTW XXIII - 14 days away.