RUN FOR THE WALL Jean and Larry: May 16, 2018 - Day 1 to DC

Yeah the day is finally here!!! We leave on our mission.

First order of business is finding WHERE you need to park your bike. All 3 routes are in this huge parking lot. Ok start looking for your number. Remember the paper plates we colored..... well now you can see how they are used.

Breakfast is served. Look at all the help

They are cooking on what looks like Coleman camp stoves.

Courtney birthday is today and Gunny gave her a big huge. The guy on the left is Bungee. He started riding in 1990. He go his name because he was going to camp all the way across. He had all kind of camping gear bungeed to his bike. He did not get very far and things started flying off. Gunny said everyone was ducking.

What time it is? It is Hug-30..... Blue is a Vietnam vet and has had a rough way to go for many years. He is now on the straight and narrow and helping many with the addictions at local hospitals. Years ago he never would get close enough to hug anyone. How he hugs everyone. Love ya Blue!!

Presenting of the colors

This gentleman is from New Zealand and has been on the run for 3 years now. Look at his hand in his salute. Just a little different.

Gold Star families gather

American Gold Star families are immediate relatives of members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been killed in combat or in support of certain military activities.

Blue Star Families have family member there are currently servering.

These families are normally recognized every morning

This is the board. All volunteered.

WhiteBurch and Mama O - the Route Co-ordinate

And ...... we are off. All 3 route leave back to back. So about 1000.

The truck is one of the chase vehicles. Look closely there is already a bike on it. What a way to start.

First ramp!!!

Beautiful Day!!! ( little hazy though)

Our first Patriot!!!!

Enjoy the pics

Yeah !!! the platoon signs showed up !!

Hydration trailer. Snacks and warter/Gatorade donated.

I am a sucker for scenery... sorry some are not so clear. hope you enjoy anyway.

Deano - part of the fuel team.... loves his job...

Jenny, Larry and I went ahead of the pack since this was a split gas stop. As the Pack came off the ramp, some went left and the rest went right. So I had a little time to take some pics of what happened prior to the pack getting off the highway. Fuel, Staging and Hydration teams need to be in place way before.

Staging team have to get on orange vests

... get their signs.....

..... walk off the position for each platoon.....

... then some platoons (L=Leadership) have to get names too.

Leadership = RC, ARC, State coordinator.....

Mike Malta - he is our videographer. Also found out he works as software person and is and artist.
Check out his artwork below.

He painted these.!!!!!..... you just never know who you will meet.

This was on the bathroom door.... only in California LOL

Here the come off the ramp!!!

So you can see how a fuel stop works. They line up next to each other. The hose is never stopped. It your cost is $7.25 you owe $8.00. The extra goes to the chase vehicles. Can normally run them all thru in 20-25 minutes.

All waiting for gas.... looks like the start of a race

Organize Chaos!!!.

Staging crew in action. All waving signs so the bikers will see their platoon

You see some amazing painting on the bikes and trailers:

"All Gave Some, Some Gave All"

You met Kris as we started our journey..... oh no... having clutch trouble.

As I stated earlier. Road guards have several duties. Here is Wild Bill directing the pack

Here is Rick running back to the front. They will sit on entrance ramps so no traffic comes in from and on ramp. Then they have to recycle to the front.

LOVE IT!!!! out in the middle of no where

on the exit ramp into Needles, CA

There are many of these for each of the branches of the service

one of the road guards uses and umbrella. It was 103 when we arrived

They direct traffic

This little girl just came up to me and wanted to sit in my lap....I was loving this.

High school ROTC performed for us. Check out the rifles in the air.... pretty even

This is our table clothes.

What being an American means to me? .....Freedom to go to school

oh yes.... more wind and back to staggered

Check out the size of this flag!!!

Check out this country!!! Beautiful ... and windy

Took this one facing backward... zoom in here too...it goes a long way

This road guard is stationed at an exit ramp

Please take a few minutes and zoom in on this one. At the last gas stop, Jenny, Larry and I were not quite quick enough paying and got left behind. It happens....the whole run is set to schedules. ( you can see the route intinerary on the web site: rftw.us). So in this pic we are at the back of the pack.You can see bike all the way up the hill. ( I love my camera)

Zoom in on this one too

Trailer platoon

Yeah!!!! we arrive in Williams for dinner. It is amazing. pulled pork and beef, home made veggies and the desserts are to die for

Check out the line. Normally we have 50 degree temp but today is was 74. Nice to eat out side

This is Scooter. He is out in front of the pack making suggestion for lane changes, giving head up if something in the road, 5 miles exit heads up.... love to hear his voice over the CB