Blog- 9-11 Freedom Ride

[Lamonster]

I woke up about 4am and the news had a tribute to those who lost their life on 9-11. I had forgot what day it was and when I knew it was 9-11 I couldn't go back to sleep. That was the day my boys decided they wanted to serve their country and fight for our freedom. My oldest son Lance is in Iraq now and Nathan is in Africa both as Marines. My son Alex just signed up for the Air Force today and will go do his official sign in on Monday and pick his job.

I got done with all my web work about noon and decided to take a Freedom Ride and spend the day thinking about my boys and all those who are in harms way to help keep our freedoms here. I felt a little guilty knowing what they were doing compared to what I was doing. I'm very proud and thankful for their service.

I decided to try and make the best of what little time I had to ride today and take lots of pics. This was a great shot of a tobacco field not far from my house. I know the stuff will kill you but it sure is pretty.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2616/3910363401_fd5dc692cf_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/canamspyder/3910363401/)


I took this little video going down the road.
YouTube- Broadcast Yourself.



From there I headed toward Deals Gap again because they are having a Sportbike Rally this weekend. I thought I would stop by a couple of dealers along the way. It was raining pretty good but I didn't get wet at all on the RT.



Mountain Adventure
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2551/3910363787_5bdfdd9b06_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/canamspyder/3910363787/)




The guys at Alcoa Good Times were all over the RT. I think they may have been as excited as I was.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2675/3911151522_0f6e5cc3e0_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/canamspyder/3911151522/)


It's not far to Deals Gap from Alcoa and the weather had cleared up pretty much and the rest of the ride was great. Here's a few of the stops I made.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3475/3911151826_9a50393b30_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/canamspyder/3911151826/)


See what this sign says on top? Is that perfect or what? I bet you didn't know that the RT project name was called "Freedom". Very fitting for the ride and the RT.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2426/3910363991_c6d576cfd1_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/canamspyder/3910363991/)


This is just before you get to the lake.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2672/3911147578_ca8288b144_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/canamspyder/3911147578/)


Not a great lake shot but it is a great RT shot.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2428/3911147780_0c6ae29bd6_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/canamspyder/3911147780/)


One of the dams on the lake.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/3911147996_404c733cbe_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/canamspyder/3911147996/)


Entrance to Fontana Dam
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3469/3911150372_02a374df41_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/canamspyder/3911150372/)




This is Fontana Dam.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2544/3911149086_9ddb277968_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/canamspyder/3911149086/)


YouTube- Broadcast Yourself.



Some steep piping.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2570/3911148518_b2a7511a11_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/canamspyder/3911148518/)




This is one tree you don't want any part of. This is "The Tree of Shame" at Deals Gap. I don't know when it started or who was the first to donate to the tree but folks will take their bikes body parts and nail them to the tree after a wreck.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2462/3911151270_a7df6f9c3a_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/canamspyder/3911151270/)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2557/3911150994_7b245bd8fa_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/canamspyder/3911150994/)


This is the sign in front of what use to be the "Hell Bender" store on 28 but now all those signs are gone. Not sure why.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/3911149686_c525a3730a_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/canamspyder/3911149686/)




This is a great place for Bikers to camp.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2532/3910366707_ded8047339_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/canamspyder/3910366707/)


YouTube- Broadcast Yourself.


That was about it for the pics and videos. It was a great day of freedom on my loaner RT and I'm sure one day I own one of my own, with a trailer!

[tatt2r]

Tell the boys thank u and they are in my thoughts also

[Zerocool]

Lamont, your boys will be in our prayers.

My office was in Tower 2 (a.k.a. 2 WTC) and I was standing under Tower 2 when the second plane hit my building. I lost quite a few friends 8 years ago, one of whom was on flight 11; others trapped in Tower 1 on the 101st floor while attending a Financial Services seminar. They never made it out. Their children will never know their fathers. The memories of what unfolded that day from my vantage point are etched in my mind. I pray my daughters never witness a tragedy of this magnitude.

They are still too young to understand, so I simply tell them a group of cowards murdered innocent people.

[Lamonster]

Lamont, your boys will be in our prayers.

My office was in Tower 2 (a.k.a. 2 WTC) and I was standing under Tower 2 when the second plane hit my building. I lost quite a few friends 8 years ago, one of whom was on flight 11; others trapped in Tower 1 on the 101st floor while attending a Financial Services seminar. They never made it out. Their children will never know their fathers. The memories of what unfolded that day from my vantage point are etched in my mind. I pray my daughters never witness a tragedy of this magnitude.

They are still too young to understand, so I simply tell them a group of cowards murdered innocent people.
Wow, I can't even imagine what that must have been like. Let's hope it will never happen again.

[ataDude]

... The memories of what unfolded that day from my vantage point are etched in my mind. I pray my daughters never witness a tragedy of this magnitude.

They are still too young to understand, so I simply tell them a group of cowards murdered innocent people.

.
We will never forget.
.

[Roaddog2]

Tell the boys thank u and they are in my thoughts also+ 1 Big Time :ani29:

[jasonwilson1974]

I am Air Force at Ellsworth AFB, SD. Tell your kids in the Marines I said thanks, and the other one; I may see him one day.. Thanks!

[Dukester]

Lamonster, your boys are in my prayers, my son is in Iraq for his second tour, he's in the Army and works on Blackhawk helicopters. The emotions parents go through from time to time is hard to explain. I thank your boys, and all service people past, present and future.

[Lamonster]

Thanks for the comments.

This is Nathans crew
http://www.bigbikeriders.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=543

Nay is on the left
http://www.bigbikeriders.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=542

On the left first row.
http://www.bigbikeriders.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=541

[bjt]

Thanks for the comments.

This is Nathans crew
http://www.bigbikeriders.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=543

Nay is on the left
http://www.bigbikeriders.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=542

On the left first row.
http://www.bigbikeriders.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=541

:thumbup: