May 21, 2022 - Day 4 to DC - Raton, NM to Limon, CO

 May 21, 2022 - Day 4 to DC - Raton, NM to Limon, CO

WOW!!   So where do I start?  The words for the day are :  ADAPT and OVERCOME!!!

It is now 10 AM in Raton.  Since things have changed I thought I would start a little early on the blog.

 Our time leaving Raton has been delayed until noon.  Weather here is good but going to Limon ( our destination) had snow.  I have gotten a few pics but this one is the most  impressive.  Can you find the Harley?

It is starting to flurry here so some of the bikes have improvised using towels for covers on the seats.  I have a feeling I will use “improvised” a lot in this entry.

Jerry is still hanging in there and ready to roll.

The teams have been meeting for several hours.  They have to find a route safe for all the riders.  Gas stops have changed and we will have to improvise.  Others are making phone calls to check with the towns we will be passing thru to see if they can handle that many bikes.  Lots of people on phones trying to get us on the road again.   Meals will be on our own since we have to re-route.  Chips and gatorade sound like a great lunch.  As of now we are planning to route to Limon.   Hope I have enough warm gear.

All the towns and stops have been informed that we have had to divert.  Some of the riders have had to end their part of the mission but I know they will keep us in your prayers. Some of the volunteers have had to move to different roles to make sure we get everyone across to DC.  Improvise.

Tigger summed it up the best:

If you're not with us, please keep the pack in your prayers or send them some good thoughts. CR battled through heat the 1st couple of days, and hellacious winds and sand and dirt and smoke yesterday and a route change because of the NM fires. Next up is snow. Hopefully the storms in Kansas and Missouri will be gone by the time we get there. We will continue the mission.

Since I have had a little time, I have had the opportunity to talk to a few of our vets.  So here goes:

JED

He served 1979-1986.  He re-enlisted once. Served in the army and was in Germany for 2 years.  Started in Fort Hood in TX.  He served as  Soviet Union order of battalion analyst.  Knew Soviet doctrine and personal.  Gathered intelligence and briefed the commanders.  He got reports from border patrols on East Germany and satellite data.  Briefing to a 3 star general.

DAN

This is Jed's brother.  He served 1983-87 during the Cold War. So not much going on. He was in the Marines. Regan was president at this time and most knew not to mess with him.  One of his 4 years, he spent one in Japan. He was in the artillery and was cross trained as a wiring man.  He would run wire from gun to gun.  I kind of gave him a strange look.  He said, remember there was no bluetooth,or …. so all communication was via wire.  He was the one that ran the wire.  

Jed and Dan are 2 of eleven kids.   His dad served in WWII and a total of 4 kids have served.  They are also a gold star family.  Dan was in first grade when his brother, Fred, was killed in Vietnam.  Fred was 20 at the time and he is on the Wall. I will be looking for his name on the wall when we reach DC.

 

BRENT

He did not serve but he made targets for the Air Force. In 1960, they made the targets that could be launched from the ground.  The pilots would fly over and shoot them down.  This is how they practiced.  (Sorry no pic)

Larry just told me to pack it up.  We are getting ready to roll…. Prayers are very welcome today!!!

********************

Ok. It is now at the end of the day and we made it to Limon.

The route was changed at least 5 times.  They even had Dadbo and another man in cars, driving some of the roads to confer it would be ok to drive.  The route we took went east and then north to Limon.  Had we stayed on the original route we were for sure going to hit snow on the road. Snow and motorcycles do not mix.

We use the full street to stage.  Pretty crazy.

The only things we did this morning was the pledge and prayers.  The chaplain talked about challenges.  We have challenges all the time in our lives and God is always there.  We have another one today, and he  will be there. We are in this together. 

Since we had no stage, Tom had to use the microphone on the fire truck.  Pretty funny.  We have had a few people changing assignments temporarily to make sure the pack gets to Limon safely.  Example: Tail gunners have been assigned to help with staging.  Fuel teams are a little short so be patient.  Road guards will be jumping in anywhere needed.

Yesterday we were putting on suntan lotion, today we were putting everything we had on.  I even saw people sharing items so all would stay warm.

It is 32 degrees and as we leave there are people still on the streets.  Original departure time was 8:00 and we did not leave until noon.  Small town I guess the word gets out.

Look at this little girl.

As we rode the road it was  mostly dry.

We thru Trinidad with very little prep.  Road guards were blocking the intersections as much as possible.  Glad it was a small town.

Back on the road. The rest of the day we were on roads like this.  Nice easy 50-60 MPH.  

We went past a field of horses.  I guess they never heard so many motorcycles and I guess we kind of startled them. They all started running around.

We head into LaJunta for a fuel stop.  Check out all the flags, you would think they knew we were coming. 

Way to go staging team!!  Small street and it was a tight fit but everyone was off the main road.

Heading out… WOW!!  again how did they know we were here.

YEAH!!!!  Blue skies!!!

Out in the middle of this road where there is NOTHING, then Larry sees metal posts that were about 4 feet tall with flags flying on the..  Flags..  out here??  Something telling us this is the way.  Love it..

On one of the turns I can see the road guards way out in front. 

Right before we get into town.  Check out the colors and look at the snow. 

 Got to 48 today but that did not feel like it. BRRRRR all day.

Arrive in Limon…

Love it..Red,white and blue table clothes.

Check out the shirt Steve has on… hahaha

We have almost 400 miles to cover, we will be leaving at 7:30, no time for church services.  Dwayne held one after dinner.  Very nice.  Thanks Dwayne.

THANKS to all the prayer warriors for getting us here safely and not having to deal with snow.  Keep all the riders still in your prayers for the remainder of the trip to DC and that all get home safely.  

Temps: 32-48

Route: I25, CO160, US350, US71

Miles: 205 

Quote for the day:

 SSome made the ultimate sacrifice