May 20, 2022 - Day 2 To DC - Gallup, NM to Raton, NM
Today was a little chilly, about 48. And the winds were still blowing. Still looking at snow tomorrow…so all you prayer warriors, keep the prayers coming for no snow.
First I need to make a correction. Deano is actually on the Fuel Team. OOPS. Sorry. Well I at least know someone is reading my blogs. :-)
As people begin to show up I see something very strange. It sort of resemble a person but….
He wore it at least the full first leg. Definitely will keep you on your toes.
He is the person under the mask…and an FNG. He is loving the run so far.
Soooo this looks like a great way to start the day. RIGHT??
It is a perfect way to start each leg and with an “I love you” to follow.
We have now made this a daily ritual.
Never forget to say “I love you” to your loved ones.
.
Every morning Tom has several names he reads of MIA or KIA service men or women. He reads the bio then asks for someone to take the paper to the wall. It is a way to remember why we are riding and never forget we want to bring everyone home.
Our morning riders are ready to go.
As we are getting ready to leave, everyone is layering up. Courtney is using rain gear to stay warm. Have to improvise when there is so little space on the bikes. WOW this will wake you up!!!
As we had out so early in the morning, check at the kids that are there to wish us well. The people of Gallup have such respect and what a great live lesson for them to see.
We have only gone about 5 miles…. and look at the flags.
Looks like a beautiful clear day.
Not totally… it was part of the wind but this time is was carrying dirt/sand.
After this I felt like I was eating dirt. Tastes so good.
Now we get the idea of why Gallup was named the most patriotic small town.
Gomez and Dan salute as the pack comes in.
Cannot miss this guy!!!
We have local law enforcement to get us through Albuquerque. SUPER to not have to deal with trucks and cars thru big cities and all the interchanges. Thanks to all.
They have stopped all entrance ramps
NO cars thru a major city.. SWEET.
More overpasses…. never get tired of seeing this. It can be 1 or 30 people. We still have patriotism.
If you have been reading my blog, you will know that we had to deviate from our normal route. This means lunch and dinner had to change venues. These towns work real hard for this. Our lunch was at the Black Mesa Casino. Thanks so much for accommodating us on such short notice.
Some of the riders took a few minutes to play the slots…
Dan and Kay played $20
Check out the cashout… oh well. It was fun.
Todd also spent $20 (Steven had to watch)
Holy Cow!! Sounds like a good dinner for mom when you get home.
Sea of helmets. Looks pretty straight to me. Ready to roll.
oh no not again!!!!
We got another escort down the road…
Then at the end here is what they did…. pretty cool.
Roll on. Beautiful winding roads.
Then we see the smoke from the fires. So surreal.
We drove for several hours as we went around the mountain where we were supposed to stay. The smoke just lingered in the air. Please keep all the people that had to be evacuated in your prayers.
Since we had to re-route, there was a 167 mile leg with no gas stops to accommodate us. Most of the bikes can make that distance, but as Tom said, “my bladder will not”. Improvise…The team of guys working this found a small rest area for a stop. Staging team has done an outstanding job with parking lots not laid out prior to the run. In a later post I will show what it takes to preplan parking lots and directions for these lots.
Women get the bathroom, men behind the hill. No complaints and we were back on the road in 20 minutes.
This road went on forever….
and ever.
I finally got a pic of my family here on the Run. We are all doing different things and I never seem to get a quick pic. Jean, Larry (my husband), Jamie (Ron’s daughter), Ron (my brother), Courtney (the other daughter).
Tomorrow we were supposed to arrive in Raton, NM at 9:15. We always see the junior ROTC. But the re-route brought us to Raton tonight. The town was excited to help and fed us dinner. Again another town stepping up for the Run. We even got burgers from elk. Really good. Along with all the other sides, they even had dessert. I will gain 15 pound by the end of this trip.
It was pretty cold and windy (go figure) and we were eating outside. Most everyone ate and headed out to hotels to warm up. But several of us were around when a gentleman read a poem to us. He wrote it. I did not want to retype this but to allow you to read it from his paper.
Tomorrow we are still looking at snow. The temps all day are not supposed to be above 44. Lets gear up and keep the mission going. Like our service men and women, we will persevere. Keep all in your prayers for safe travels and NO SNOW!!!
Temps: 48-84
Route: I-40E, I-25N
Miles: 363
Quote of the day:
All gave some, some gave all
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