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Murphybrown's Spyder Adventures 2017
- Thread starter murphybrown
- Start date
jaherbst
New member
murphybrown
New member
Lazy Murphy Post.
Actually our platoon leader covered today very well.
[h=1]Midway SitReps 2017 Day 4[/h] Tom LystrupMay 20, 2017Uncategorized0 Comments
What a fantastic day. Great weather! A little cold to start and a little windy, but we’re under a high pressure area. Know what that means? No rain. The high pressure is pushing the rain east. God is blessing us just as our Chaplain’s Corp has prayed for. Thank you Heavenly Father. I’m sure the weather is helping us travel safely as well as all your prayers. Thank you. Everyone made it to Shawnee in one piece. We had LEO escort throughout our trip through Oklahoma.
The morning started with the usual mandatory meeting, except that the Outreach Program director Vickie Meyer “Needy” got up and read us a couple stories of fallen heroes, more specifically one Missing in Action and one Killed in Action. The Outreach Team will be visiting their families today. God bless them. Then High Maintenance read another bio of a fallen hero. These stories are touching and bring emotions sometimes uncontrollable. Rightly so. This is why we ride and we will Never Forget.
We started out from the Sam’s Club parking lot again like last year. The overpasses were covered with patriots waving flags and saluting as we passed under. Again our fuel stops were sponsored in Oklahoma. We were scheduled to stop in Clinton at the Veteran’s Center, but for some reason we couldn’t and arrangements were made for us to stop near the Stafford’s Air & Space Museum for lunch. These arrangements were made by local folks with only a few days’ notice. We sure did appreciate their service and the great food we received there.
While were having lunch, I talked with Laurie Waggoner “Talking Hands” for a little while. I told her I was writing up the Sit Reps and she mentioned a lady that is traveling with us. She said at age 70 she decided to get a tattoo and buy a motorcycle. Her family didn’t know about this idea. They thought she had lost it when they finally heard. This is now her 77th year and she still rides. In fact, she’s going all the way to DC with us. Her name is Karol Oules and she rides in my platoon. If you happen to see her, recognize her for her efforts. This is one amazing lady. Thank you Karol for stepping up your game to include Run For The Wall. I think you show remarkable resilience and gumption not present in the ordinary. You are unique. Truly a one-off gal and I’m thankful to know you.
After lunch, we had a few minutes to spare so we headed over to the museum. “The Stafford Air & Space Museum is located in Weatherford, Oklahoma. The museum features exhibits about aviation, space exploration and rocketry, and a collection of over 20 historic aircraft. Displays include artifacts from the Space Shuttle program, Hubble Space Telescope and the Mir Space Station, a Moon rock, a Titan II missile, a Mark 6 Re-entry vehicle and a Gemini spacecraft”. (Thanks Wiki).
On our way to Oklahoma City, traffic got plenty worse but riding with LEO escort made it much easier. Still there was some rubber-banding and the occasional vehicle that needed on or off the interstate, so we made room for them. That’s really not an option since most of the time motorcycles lose. One of our Road Guards, Peter Green “Gearshift” noticed a driver in a cage determined to merge into our pack while the platoon was unaware of her presence. He pulled in front of this car in as safely as he could and the driver knew not to proceed, all the while keeping the pack safe. I’m not sure others know that although the Road Guards are not to endanger their own lives, what they do is dangerous and they are all appreciated by our riders and our leadership. They do keep us safe and their mission is to get us to DC in one piece. They do a dang good job of it as well. Thank you my brother Gearshift.
We made it to downtown Oklahoma City under full LEO escort and without much effort we arrived at the Oklahoma City Memorial and spent some time there. A ranger for the memorial was on hand to explain the design of the memorial. It’s quite an amazing story and all aspects of the design have meaning, from the Gates of Time (9:01 to 9:03), to the Reflecting Pool, the Field of Empty Chairs and the Survivor Tree. It is a wonderful memorial to a devastating attack against the American people, women carrying unborn children, mothers, fathers, children, families, all innocent people. These words are on the wall behind the Survivor Tree:
Team 5 4-19-1995
“Search for the Truth.
We Seek Justice.
The Courts Require it.
The Victims Cry for it.
And God Demands it”.
The story in brief: At 0902, a rental truck packed with explosives detonated in front of the nine-story Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. The powerful explosion blew off the building’s north wall. Emergency crews raced to Oklahoma from across the country, and when the rescue effort finally ended two weeks later the death toll stood at 168 people, including 19 young children who were in the building’s day care center at the time of the blast. More than 650 other people were injured in the bombing, which damaged or destroyed more than 300 buildings in the immediate area. The Survivor Tree and many buildings in the area still bear the scar of the horrific event for what happened here twenty two years ago. Lives were forever changed. Our country was forever changed, but we will NEVER FORGET”. You know, I’m not even sure it’s any consolation that the perpetrator of this crime paid with his life June 2001 by lethal injection. We know his name, but I’m not mentioning it. Only those whose lives were taken away from us are worth mentioning. Their names are under the chairs in the Field of Empty Chairs. Nineteen of which were children. God grant peace to their families and to the community of Oklahoma City. Our hearts go out to them all and to the thousands that came to rescue hundreds of survivors. The American Spirit lives on.
We arrived in Shawnee and headed to the VFW for dinner. A most excellent meal was provided by the VFW. Following the meal there were probably the usual awards, plaques and certificates graciously handed out, but I had to depart early so I only suspect this occurred. Feeling a little under the weather, I asked Bandit if it was okay to leave early and was granted his permission. Hope I feel better tomorrow, but regardless, I’ll be there to Continue the Mission.
Day 4 is done. Onto Day 5, the half way point
[h=3]Share this:[/h]
Actually our platoon leader covered today very well.
[h=1]Midway SitReps 2017 Day 4[/h] Tom LystrupMay 20, 2017Uncategorized0 Comments
What a fantastic day. Great weather! A little cold to start and a little windy, but we’re under a high pressure area. Know what that means? No rain. The high pressure is pushing the rain east. God is blessing us just as our Chaplain’s Corp has prayed for. Thank you Heavenly Father. I’m sure the weather is helping us travel safely as well as all your prayers. Thank you. Everyone made it to Shawnee in one piece. We had LEO escort throughout our trip through Oklahoma.
The morning started with the usual mandatory meeting, except that the Outreach Program director Vickie Meyer “Needy” got up and read us a couple stories of fallen heroes, more specifically one Missing in Action and one Killed in Action. The Outreach Team will be visiting their families today. God bless them. Then High Maintenance read another bio of a fallen hero. These stories are touching and bring emotions sometimes uncontrollable. Rightly so. This is why we ride and we will Never Forget.
We started out from the Sam’s Club parking lot again like last year. The overpasses were covered with patriots waving flags and saluting as we passed under. Again our fuel stops were sponsored in Oklahoma. We were scheduled to stop in Clinton at the Veteran’s Center, but for some reason we couldn’t and arrangements were made for us to stop near the Stafford’s Air & Space Museum for lunch. These arrangements were made by local folks with only a few days’ notice. We sure did appreciate their service and the great food we received there.
While were having lunch, I talked with Laurie Waggoner “Talking Hands” for a little while. I told her I was writing up the Sit Reps and she mentioned a lady that is traveling with us. She said at age 70 she decided to get a tattoo and buy a motorcycle. Her family didn’t know about this idea. They thought she had lost it when they finally heard. This is now her 77th year and she still rides. In fact, she’s going all the way to DC with us. Her name is Karol Oules and she rides in my platoon. If you happen to see her, recognize her for her efforts. This is one amazing lady. Thank you Karol for stepping up your game to include Run For The Wall. I think you show remarkable resilience and gumption not present in the ordinary. You are unique. Truly a one-off gal and I’m thankful to know you.
After lunch, we had a few minutes to spare so we headed over to the museum. “The Stafford Air & Space Museum is located in Weatherford, Oklahoma. The museum features exhibits about aviation, space exploration and rocketry, and a collection of over 20 historic aircraft. Displays include artifacts from the Space Shuttle program, Hubble Space Telescope and the Mir Space Station, a Moon rock, a Titan II missile, a Mark 6 Re-entry vehicle and a Gemini spacecraft”. (Thanks Wiki).
On our way to Oklahoma City, traffic got plenty worse but riding with LEO escort made it much easier. Still there was some rubber-banding and the occasional vehicle that needed on or off the interstate, so we made room for them. That’s really not an option since most of the time motorcycles lose. One of our Road Guards, Peter Green “Gearshift” noticed a driver in a cage determined to merge into our pack while the platoon was unaware of her presence. He pulled in front of this car in as safely as he could and the driver knew not to proceed, all the while keeping the pack safe. I’m not sure others know that although the Road Guards are not to endanger their own lives, what they do is dangerous and they are all appreciated by our riders and our leadership. They do keep us safe and their mission is to get us to DC in one piece. They do a dang good job of it as well. Thank you my brother Gearshift.
We made it to downtown Oklahoma City under full LEO escort and without much effort we arrived at the Oklahoma City Memorial and spent some time there. A ranger for the memorial was on hand to explain the design of the memorial. It’s quite an amazing story and all aspects of the design have meaning, from the Gates of Time (9:01 to 9:03), to the Reflecting Pool, the Field of Empty Chairs and the Survivor Tree. It is a wonderful memorial to a devastating attack against the American people, women carrying unborn children, mothers, fathers, children, families, all innocent people. These words are on the wall behind the Survivor Tree:
Team 5 4-19-1995
“Search for the Truth.
We Seek Justice.
The Courts Require it.
The Victims Cry for it.
And God Demands it”.
The story in brief: At 0902, a rental truck packed with explosives detonated in front of the nine-story Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. The powerful explosion blew off the building’s north wall. Emergency crews raced to Oklahoma from across the country, and when the rescue effort finally ended two weeks later the death toll stood at 168 people, including 19 young children who were in the building’s day care center at the time of the blast. More than 650 other people were injured in the bombing, which damaged or destroyed more than 300 buildings in the immediate area. The Survivor Tree and many buildings in the area still bear the scar of the horrific event for what happened here twenty two years ago. Lives were forever changed. Our country was forever changed, but we will NEVER FORGET”. You know, I’m not even sure it’s any consolation that the perpetrator of this crime paid with his life June 2001 by lethal injection. We know his name, but I’m not mentioning it. Only those whose lives were taken away from us are worth mentioning. Their names are under the chairs in the Field of Empty Chairs. Nineteen of which were children. God grant peace to their families and to the community of Oklahoma City. Our hearts go out to them all and to the thousands that came to rescue hundreds of survivors. The American Spirit lives on.
We arrived in Shawnee and headed to the VFW for dinner. A most excellent meal was provided by the VFW. Following the meal there were probably the usual awards, plaques and certificates graciously handed out, but I had to depart early so I only suspect this occurred. Feeling a little under the weather, I asked Bandit if it was okay to leave early and was granted his permission. Hope I feel better tomorrow, but regardless, I’ll be there to Continue the Mission.
Day 4 is done. Onto Day 5, the half way point
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BLUEKNIGHT911
Sadly Passed Oct 2024 - RIP
THE WALL - YOUR JOURNEY
I have been following this , but not commenting ..... I'm proud of you and with you in spirit ..... Mike :thumbup:
I have been following this , but not commenting ..... I'm proud of you and with you in spirit ..... Mike :thumbup:
SpyderAnn01
Active member
Karyl you are an inspiration to all of us! I hope you have an amazing day again tomorrow.
PrairieSpyder
New member
I'm in awe of you and what you do, Karyl. :bowdown:
ray: I hope you got over whatever was making you ill and that you'll feel better for the rest of the trip! ray:
ray: I hope you got over whatever was making you ill and that you'll feel better for the rest of the trip! ray:Machinegunner
New member
This is the BEST detailing of the ride I have ever read. So much patriotism. Thank you very much for sharing.
R FUN
New member
Hi Karyl;
Hope you are feeling better,we love your reports. You are a HERO yourself and a big insperation to your country. We feel honored just to have been able to ride with you on the NTA ride. Keep up your good work and keep us posted. Ride safe and see you in Valcourt.
Roger & Linda
Hope you are feeling better,we love your reports. You are a HERO yourself and a big insperation to your country. We feel honored just to have been able to ride with you on the NTA ride. Keep up your good work and keep us posted. Ride safe and see you in Valcourt.
Roger & Linda
SpyderAnn01
Active member
I believe it was the platoon leader who was feeling ill.
murphybrown
New member
Huh...dang what did I post that made you think I was sick??
Absolutely haven't had a ache or pain...soooo alll golden Patti....but thanks for your care and concern. See you in a few...:yes:
I'm in awe of you and what you do, Karyl. :bowdown:
Absolutely haven't had a ache or pain...soooo alll golden Patti....but thanks for your care and concern. See you in a few...:yes:
murphybrown
New member
Day 6 in the books. wow it just gets better and better...
Hello everyone: Last night was a very short night. Up at the usual 5 a.m. to get ready to roll on Day 6. We staged at a most appropriate parking lot in front of a business with big sign STAGED. Located in Forrest City, AR.
Weather report for today looks very promising. Blue skies...low 70's...nothing appearing on the weather radar that is cause for concern. So put the heavy ryding clothes in trailer. Means that the trailer got repacked....yep it always looks like an explosion happened in the parking lot of the motel...because I literally dump stuff out of trailer onto ground and sort through looking for what goes on the bottom...this time it was heavy winter type ryding gear. Next layer...is dirty clothes...figure I'm good for clean clothes until we reach Arlington...go trailer all packed nice and neat (well it will last until I hit the first pot hole then it all goes wherever it would like to anyway.
Had our, every morning, mandatory riders meeting. And then we departed at 8:00 a.m. Had our first fuel stop in Bells, TN...I'm still amazed at how efficiently they can fuel almost 300 bikes...the system the team has never fails...well at least I haven't seen any oooops....
Today we rode a total of 345 miles. We had 3 fuel stops...average about 110 miles between fuel stops.
We were hosted by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Dickson for lunch. These host places give us the royal treatment. Police escort...folks along the route waving flags...folks on the overpasses. It just never gets ho hum...These folks love their veterans, military and those of us who support them.
Now getting through Knoxville was a test of our driving skills. We did not have any LEO's to help out and those cagers (cars, etc)...reallllllly don't want to share their road space with a bunch of bikes. But I can report that we made it safely through...got separated a few times, but all came through with flying colors and we regouped and fueled at Gordonsville, TN...
Then we headed for a final destination for today...Cookeville, TN...
Wow I have been impressed by the welcomes that we receive from folks in other areas. But Cookeville realllllly had the folks lining the streets and cheering us to th Leslie Tow Center where we were served a delicious pulled pork dinner. This carnivore is loving all this BBQ.
Hello everyone: Last night was a very short night. Up at the usual 5 a.m. to get ready to roll on Day 6. We staged at a most appropriate parking lot in front of a business with big sign STAGED. Located in Forrest City, AR.
Weather report for today looks very promising. Blue skies...low 70's...nothing appearing on the weather radar that is cause for concern. So put the heavy ryding clothes in trailer. Means that the trailer got repacked....yep it always looks like an explosion happened in the parking lot of the motel...because I literally dump stuff out of trailer onto ground and sort through looking for what goes on the bottom...this time it was heavy winter type ryding gear. Next layer...is dirty clothes...figure I'm good for clean clothes until we reach Arlington...go trailer all packed nice and neat (well it will last until I hit the first pot hole then it all goes wherever it would like to anyway.
Had our, every morning, mandatory riders meeting. And then we departed at 8:00 a.m. Had our first fuel stop in Bells, TN...I'm still amazed at how efficiently they can fuel almost 300 bikes...the system the team has never fails...well at least I haven't seen any oooops....
Today we rode a total of 345 miles. We had 3 fuel stops...average about 110 miles between fuel stops.
We were hosted by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Dickson for lunch. These host places give us the royal treatment. Police escort...folks along the route waving flags...folks on the overpasses. It just never gets ho hum...These folks love their veterans, military and those of us who support them.
Now getting through Knoxville was a test of our driving skills. We did not have any LEO's to help out and those cagers (cars, etc)...reallllllly don't want to share their road space with a bunch of bikes. But I can report that we made it safely through...got separated a few times, but all came through with flying colors and we regouped and fueled at Gordonsville, TN...
Then we headed for a final destination for today...Cookeville, TN...
Wow I have been impressed by the welcomes that we receive from folks in other areas. But Cookeville realllllly had the folks lining the streets and cheering us to th Leslie Tow Center where we were served a delicious pulled pork dinner. This carnivore is loving all this BBQ.
YPILOT
Member
Welcome to Tennessee
I must say that the folks making this journey are heroes just as the ones you ride for.
I can only hope to someday make a journey such as this.
Looks like you'll be bypassing upper East Tn by going up I-40 into Asheville NC tomorrow.
Good luck to you and all your fellow travelers. Dennis :bowdown:
I must say that the folks making this journey are heroes just as the ones you ride for.
I can only hope to someday make a journey such as this.
Looks like you'll be bypassing upper East Tn by going up I-40 into Asheville NC tomorrow.
Good luck to you and all your fellow travelers. Dennis :bowdown:
murphybrown
New member
Day 7...Run for the Wall...Midway routr
Well started the usual wake up ring on my phone of The Ballad of the Green Beret.....luv that song...the words are sooooo poignant and relevant to The Run for the Wall and Rolling Thunder. Now that song plays at 4:30 a.m. I am sharing motel rooms with another couple so we have the shower schedule worked out that 2 "get er done" at night and one in the a.m. So we pack up, load up, ate a wonderful motel breakfast...serious it was awesome. I'm telling you folks Cookeville, TN know how to make you feel like you are lifelong friends. And heck the motel coffee was even wonderful and BOLD...
At this point all things are rolling together smoothly. Head over to staging area at a Sam's parking lot .... thing are going great....meet a couple wonderful mute patriots with their sign interpreter. Wonderful time with them.
After opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance We had special prayer for England terrorist attack. Got weather update. Put on rain gear rain today. Then we were told delayed depart there has been a multi 18 wheeler accident with big rigs overturned and blocking I-40East...so back to bikes, put on rain gear and here comes Sam club employees with basket full of juices, bars, sweet rolls, oranges, apples, water and all sort of things because we were being detained.
Then it registers in my addled brain that our trip yesterday was through Nashville without any LEO support and that today we were headed to Knoxville...sorry hope no one was planning a trip with my directions!!! Yep that's why I have adventures and misadventures.
OK after about a 40 minute delay we get the 5 min warning sign...which is get your helmet on and butt on the saddle...cause the platoons are about to depart. The be there or be square time. We depart one platoon at a time. Now because of all the highway traffic there are allowing about 2 - 18 wheeler lengths between platoons. Get on highway and I notice that my helmet face shield is not right...I'm about to have it blow off at 75 MPH. So I "tap out"...which is the signal you give when you are living your pack/platoon...so I tap top of my helmet with lefr hand and point over my head to the right...indicating that I'm pulling off to side of road on right. At this point if all under control you are to give a thumbs up sign until every bike, vehicle, small animal or wild animal has passed you. That way they keep rolling. So since I need bothhands to fix my face shield. I wait until I see the last chase truck/trailer go by. yea I'm following rules like a good soldier!!! Get busy putting helmet together and immediately there is a tail gunner saying in my face ARE YOU OKAY...whoops I didn't know they were back there. I had them stop cause I had not given them the thumbs up. Told them yep....they left. I fixed helmet...didn't even have to get out my Gorilla tape....and I catch up with the end of the pack. Until the next stop.
Which was at the Knoxville Veterans Memorial. A beautiful permanent memorial to all lost in all wars from TN...Had a beautiful wreath ceremony with our Gold Star Mom placing the wreath...but the couple I'm sharing room with, Terry and Connie Verellen, were asked to be part of that wreath ceremony. Had bagpipes ... a very moving event... Then the local VFW fed us a wonderful lunch of chicken, wraps, tossed salad and Moon Pies....holy cow now there is a dessert that I probably won't miss eating!!! I don't like Spam either .. just sayin' before they run me out of TN for stating such a sacrilege as ugh on Moon Pies!!!
Oh yep and it has been raining alllll day.
Yep came upon the 18 wheeler wreck. a Dandy mess...pray none of the people were injured.
Total was a short ride of only 223 miles...but we still didn't get into motel room until 7:30 p.m.
Today we lost another hour of sleep .... eastern time zone now.
The local Harley dealership here in Asheville had a great BBQ of pulled pork....yep carnivore "heaven"....One of the speakers was Wayne Carringer, World War II, POW and surviver of the Bataan Death March...the 60 mile march that killed thousands. Then he was a POW for over 3 years.
Run for the Wall MIssion Statement: To promote healing among ALL veterans and their familes and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW?MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.
Such a blessing for me to be part of this Mission.
You and I are having our freedoms and the cost was HUGE and so not FREE
Well started the usual wake up ring on my phone of The Ballad of the Green Beret.....luv that song...the words are sooooo poignant and relevant to The Run for the Wall and Rolling Thunder. Now that song plays at 4:30 a.m. I am sharing motel rooms with another couple so we have the shower schedule worked out that 2 "get er done" at night and one in the a.m. So we pack up, load up, ate a wonderful motel breakfast...serious it was awesome. I'm telling you folks Cookeville, TN know how to make you feel like you are lifelong friends. And heck the motel coffee was even wonderful and BOLD...
At this point all things are rolling together smoothly. Head over to staging area at a Sam's parking lot .... thing are going great....meet a couple wonderful mute patriots with their sign interpreter. Wonderful time with them.
After opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance We had special prayer for England terrorist attack. Got weather update. Put on rain gear rain today. Then we were told delayed depart there has been a multi 18 wheeler accident with big rigs overturned and blocking I-40East...so back to bikes, put on rain gear and here comes Sam club employees with basket full of juices, bars, sweet rolls, oranges, apples, water and all sort of things because we were being detained.
Then it registers in my addled brain that our trip yesterday was through Nashville without any LEO support and that today we were headed to Knoxville...sorry hope no one was planning a trip with my directions!!! Yep that's why I have adventures and misadventures.
OK after about a 40 minute delay we get the 5 min warning sign...which is get your helmet on and butt on the saddle...cause the platoons are about to depart. The be there or be square time. We depart one platoon at a time. Now because of all the highway traffic there are allowing about 2 - 18 wheeler lengths between platoons. Get on highway and I notice that my helmet face shield is not right...I'm about to have it blow off at 75 MPH. So I "tap out"...which is the signal you give when you are living your pack/platoon...so I tap top of my helmet with lefr hand and point over my head to the right...indicating that I'm pulling off to side of road on right. At this point if all under control you are to give a thumbs up sign until every bike, vehicle, small animal or wild animal has passed you. That way they keep rolling. So since I need bothhands to fix my face shield. I wait until I see the last chase truck/trailer go by. yea I'm following rules like a good soldier!!! Get busy putting helmet together and immediately there is a tail gunner saying in my face ARE YOU OKAY...whoops I didn't know they were back there. I had them stop cause I had not given them the thumbs up. Told them yep....they left. I fixed helmet...didn't even have to get out my Gorilla tape....and I catch up with the end of the pack. Until the next stop.
Which was at the Knoxville Veterans Memorial. A beautiful permanent memorial to all lost in all wars from TN...Had a beautiful wreath ceremony with our Gold Star Mom placing the wreath...but the couple I'm sharing room with, Terry and Connie Verellen, were asked to be part of that wreath ceremony. Had bagpipes ... a very moving event... Then the local VFW fed us a wonderful lunch of chicken, wraps, tossed salad and Moon Pies....holy cow now there is a dessert that I probably won't miss eating!!! I don't like Spam either .. just sayin' before they run me out of TN for stating such a sacrilege as ugh on Moon Pies!!!
Oh yep and it has been raining alllll day.
Yep came upon the 18 wheeler wreck. a Dandy mess...pray none of the people were injured.
Total was a short ride of only 223 miles...but we still didn't get into motel room until 7:30 p.m.
Today we lost another hour of sleep .... eastern time zone now.
The local Harley dealership here in Asheville had a great BBQ of pulled pork....yep carnivore "heaven"....One of the speakers was Wayne Carringer, World War II, POW and surviver of the Bataan Death March...the 60 mile march that killed thousands. Then he was a POW for over 3 years.
Run for the Wall MIssion Statement: To promote healing among ALL veterans and their familes and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW?MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.
Such a blessing for me to be part of this Mission.
You and I are having our freedoms and the cost was HUGE and so not FREE
PrairieSpyder
New member
I know you love bagpipes, so I'm sure that ceremony was even more special for you.
I also dislike Moon Pies. I tried one while I lived in Georgia. That's good, so now I don't ever have to have one again. Kinda like Vegemite!
I also dislike Moon Pies. I tried one while I lived in Georgia. That's good, so now I don't ever have to have one again. Kinda like Vegemite!
Desert Spyder
New member
Wow what a day...Alarm went off at 4:45 a.m. because we had to be to staging at 5:45 a.m. This morning was everyone that is doing the Run...there are three routes: Central, Midway and Southern. I am ryding in the Mdway ... So at the staging this morning we had close to 1500 people. The people who run this do an incredible job. Very committed to making it an amazing experience whether it is your first year or your 17th. First they had assigned us to platoons. This would be the group within my route that I will ryde with for the entire journey. While we were waiting for the mandatory riders meeting they were preparing and serving a hot breakfast to all of us. Eggs, sausage, potatoes, sweet rolls, juice, coffee, milk. All you can eat. Let me tell you bikers sure do like to eat!!!!
After we were all lined up I was in group #6 which is bikes with trailers. The mandatory riders meeting started. Always open and close with prayer from one of the chaplains that rides with each group. Then the honor guard presents arms and a gal sang out awesome National Anthem. Soon there was a roar in the skies and we had a full fly over....one of the planes was off by itself...I still have not found out what the significance is, but everything has meaning..so know there is a story about that particular position. The fly over was east to west and north to south. Very exciting.
We learned all the hand signals that we have to use on the road. We have to be able to communicate with the other riders and hand signals gets the job done.
We stop for fuel about every 100-125 miles and wow do they have a system. Someone is at the pumps you are two deep...hose goes to each bike..fill up, don't even shut bike off...It was announced that a donation had been made and all fuel for all bikes has been paid in advance. All they said is the benefactor is so grateful to the Run for the Wall because it saved their life that this is one way they can pay it forward.
I had the incredible privilege and honor to ride for THE MISSING MAN. This position is at the head of the line. You have to honor guards riding in front and two in back. I was to center my ride between. And then I was presented with a pin and a patch ... very very humbling and special.
We had been told that folks would be on the overpasses, along the road, on bridges and street corners waving flags and showing their appreciation for those of us doing this ryde. Everytime I come upon a group I choke up and have to use my coat sleeve..
When we arrived in Flagstaff this evening the VFW had prepared and served us a hot meal and lots of hot coffee. We needed it. Dang it got cold and had started to rain....sure did appreciate that meal. We stage at 6:00 a.m. for another day of incredible "happenings". I'll be sharing those with you...
The other awesome thing is that my good Spyder friends Ann and Joe Meyer from Las Vegas grabbed some of their Spyder ryder buddies and came to Kingman where we stopped for lunch, provided by the Kingman area Harley dealership. And gave me big hugs...I realllllly like hugs of all sizes...but big hugs are realllllly special. Then Ann said the roads to Flagstaff are reallllllly beat up. Suffice to say that is an understatement. Several bikes are getting parts put back on that got beat loose...yes beat.
OK have a great evening. 4:30 a.m. comes early...so off to zzzzz land and sweeeeeet dreams for this biker gal..
Hugs for all of you,
me
I would have greeted you guys in Barstow, like I always do, but I had an important mission at my daughters house 15 minutes before I was going to my "rally point". I had some PGR buds in the Victorville area on overpasses to greet you. Maybe next year I can participate in RFTW XXX. Its on my bucket list.
Buckeye Bleau
New member
WOW, Murphey, I am speechless for your dedication to the cause, your tireless and exquisite reports and Patriotism. You are a blessing and model for us all!
Thank you, be well,
Joe
Thank you, be well,
Joe
murphybrown
New member
Day 8 of Run for the Wall
Days always start the same: My alarm wakes us up at 4:30 a.m. playing The Ballad of the Green Beret...we rally around get ourselves ready and our bikes loaded. This morning the Holiday Inn in Asheville serveda huge buffet breakfast. They started it at 5:30 a.m. just to accomodate our schedule.
Mandatory meeting at 7:00. Today they shared that our group is up to 300 plus we would be adding more as the day progressed.
The Siler City LEO were amazing and pretty sure that those officers that drew the short straws and had to drive cages were pretty jealous of the 6 that were on motorcycles. After we fueled they escorted us to the church lunch.. Again rows of people waving flags and cheering as we roll in. The local school kids had made special pictures and gave them to us. Mine says "thank you for our freedoms" inside was a picture of our American flag and a statement...there is no greater love than a man gives his own life for another. I am so impressed by how much the public and private schools teach history of American and these kids know about POWs/MIA's and KIA's. How much do you know about what the Run for the Wall is Really all about. I'm here to confess I thought I had a reasonable understanding. NOT.. Sure would love to see our schools, all our schools, teach the truth about the cost of our freedoms.
After an incredible lunch of steak, chicken, spuds, beans and to finish off home made peach cobbler with homemade/hand cranked ice cream. The Leo's took us on a 70 mile fast paced trip. we were running about 75 mph in a 55 mph zone and the leos were zipping their bikes , leap frogging to block for us...had to be hitting 90-100....I talked to a couple of the motorcycle cops and they said they realllllly like us to come. The one day a year they can run wide open!!!
We spent a couple hours at a great Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, NC.
Then headed to the Destiny Now Church for dinner and awarding thank yous to all that make this journey of ours so "easy". Lots and lots of people and incredible planning and logistics.
I am rooming with folks from my home town and so they get to listen to my alarm every morning. So as we are sitting at our table all of a sudden this Green Beret (the real deal) Hawk gives me a big bear hug and kiss and says understnd you like to wake up with the Green Berets....I give a great back rub!!! Wow Terry Verellen you got me good...I was blushing clear to my painted toenails.
Weather warming up..but getting showers. Nothing that will cause any issues.
Tomorrow is Day 9 and will head into Virginia.
Have a great evening. This East Coast time is "killing " me...
Blessings,
me
Days always start the same: My alarm wakes us up at 4:30 a.m. playing The Ballad of the Green Beret...we rally around get ourselves ready and our bikes loaded. This morning the Holiday Inn in Asheville serveda huge buffet breakfast. They started it at 5:30 a.m. just to accomodate our schedule.
Mandatory meeting at 7:00. Today they shared that our group is up to 300 plus we would be adding more as the day progressed.
The Siler City LEO were amazing and pretty sure that those officers that drew the short straws and had to drive cages were pretty jealous of the 6 that were on motorcycles. After we fueled they escorted us to the church lunch.. Again rows of people waving flags and cheering as we roll in. The local school kids had made special pictures and gave them to us. Mine says "thank you for our freedoms" inside was a picture of our American flag and a statement...there is no greater love than a man gives his own life for another. I am so impressed by how much the public and private schools teach history of American and these kids know about POWs/MIA's and KIA's. How much do you know about what the Run for the Wall is Really all about. I'm here to confess I thought I had a reasonable understanding. NOT.. Sure would love to see our schools, all our schools, teach the truth about the cost of our freedoms.
After an incredible lunch of steak, chicken, spuds, beans and to finish off home made peach cobbler with homemade/hand cranked ice cream. The Leo's took us on a 70 mile fast paced trip. we were running about 75 mph in a 55 mph zone and the leos were zipping their bikes , leap frogging to block for us...had to be hitting 90-100....I talked to a couple of the motorcycle cops and they said they realllllly like us to come. The one day a year they can run wide open!!!
We spent a couple hours at a great Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, NC.
Then headed to the Destiny Now Church for dinner and awarding thank yous to all that make this journey of ours so "easy". Lots and lots of people and incredible planning and logistics.
I am rooming with folks from my home town and so they get to listen to my alarm every morning. So as we are sitting at our table all of a sudden this Green Beret (the real deal) Hawk gives me a big bear hug and kiss and says understnd you like to wake up with the Green Berets....I give a great back rub!!! Wow Terry Verellen you got me good...I was blushing clear to my painted toenails.
Weather warming up..but getting showers. Nothing that will cause any issues.
Tomorrow is Day 9 and will head into Virginia.
Have a great evening. This East Coast time is "killing " me...
Blessings,
me
Let's do it. I think I will have the time by then.
SpyderAnn01
Active member
Karyl, I wake up with a real deal Green Beret every morning and he'd like to know how I can get my phone alarm to play the Ballad??
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