RUN FOR THE WALL Jean and Larry: May 20, 2023 - Day 4 to DC

May 20, 2023 - Day 4 to DC - Eagle Nest, NM to Limon, CO

(Note: May 19 has also been posted tonight)

BRRRRR, it was 37 degrees today. I think heated gear may be in order today. Last year, we were not able to go Eagle Nest because of fire. The fires were too close and they were not exactly sure the direction they were going. We had to re-route after we started the Run. I believe somewhere there is a saying "adapt and overcome". And we did.

As we stage the bike before breakfast, Steve, staging crew leader, is walking over our way. I looked at him and he said he was pretty hungry this morning.

Really, he was being a nice guy. His team is there again at o'dark thirty staging the bikes before we leave. They have to get there pretty early and not much time for breakfast.

Morning meetings. Katherine walks in with this around her neck. You never know what is going to happen with this group. She said something about being accident prone.

Lance at his best as an auctioneer. He really is good. It amazes me every day with the number of items he has accumulated for the Run.

Hands up for all the FNGs. LOVE IT.

Great story here. I was selling 50/50 tickets and this little guy asked me how it worked. He bought 2 tickets and said, "I hope I win." He held those tickets like they were gold. When the number was drawn, Ed had the ticket. This little guy actually knows him. So, Ed gave in the ticket. I handed him $136. His eyes got huge. He was sooo excited. He ran over to his grandpa to show him. A few minutes later, he came to me and said he wanted to donate it to the Run. HOLY COW! I really need to keep tissue in my pocket.

He walked it over to Paul, hands over half to Paul and wants to donate it to the Run. The place was going crazy. What an amazing gesture.

His grandfather is in the white and owns a business in town. The boy lives 20 miles away but wanted to come and see what the Run was all about. Rumor has it that the pack took up a collection for this little guy and gave it too him. I love this family!!

This is Bobby, Wild Bill's son. He and his dad modified/built this bike.

A bit dirty from the ride in yesterday but the picture on this bike a so cool. This is about the only one I could get for you to see.

This kid in the middle (kids to me since he is only 24) is a friend of Lorenzo and Ed. He served in the Army for 6 years and is currently flying small plans for "rich" people (his term). He wants to join the Run next year and would love to be in Platoon 1. Yeah some younger blood for the mission. This is definitely what we need.

We have to go over signals, my turn today.

Platoon 1 today. Every day there is a different group.

Back of the pack still but moved up one spot. Order: 4,5,6,7,8,9,1,2,3

Cannot believe the people that come out so early in the morning to see us off. We do have an itinerary, so they know when to be there. Believe it or not, we leave at the on time every day. This is a military operation, what would you expect. If you are not ready on your bike and helmets on, you get left. And it has happened. I witnessed last year that a platoon leader got left. No exception for anyone. LOL

YEAH...dry roads. This is normally a very pretty ride, but it was a bit foggy so not so good for pics.

Courtney took this pic. Platoon behind us.

A few years ago, there was a huge fire over1000s of acres. You can see that there is evidence of it but some of the growth coming back. There is still lots of bare hillsides.

Several times during the Run there are "breakouts". A few platoons are selected to go see a memorial then will rejoin the pack at the next stop. Here is Veteran Memorial in Cimarron, NM.

NM officers still with us. Here they have blocked the highway for us to get on. You can see it is still pretty foggy.

Heading for Raton for a gas stop. They have much of the town out. And they have the best donuts (my opinion).

Coming away from the pump is Tom. Oh no, he has a whistle in his mouth. I guess he is going to make sure no one F.....s this up.

We are going to switch places with one of the tail gunners. Ron does a nice job moving the leadership around withing the platoon. The gentleman here owns the hotel behind us. He did not server here, but he did serve in his country. He opened up a few of his room for rest room facilities. Always need at these stops. Remember we have to "hydrate, hydrate, hydrate".

No speaker so someone found a bull horn for Paul. Adapt and overcome.

Gomez ready to roll. Always with a smile on my face.

The Olsons are ready to roll also.

Right out of town is construction. Huge the right track guys, NM officers need to get by.

As we leave NM and head into Colorado, we get this from those that put us in a bubble across NM. Thanks, guys, for your service.

Heading not to Pueble for Lunch. Check out the scenery. This is Curt.

One the back of his bike is the name "Fredrick E. Gilman". This is uncle who served in Vietnam and is one of those missing (MIA).

LOVE IT!!!

The lady here on the fuel team (forgot her name) was and FNG last year. Look at her now. THANKS.

Check out all the flags. I never get tired of seeing them.

Funny. This is the staging crew's bike. Even stage themselves.

As we pull into lunch, I have wires all over me. My helmet has a cord. Since my phone battery was dying, we had to plug that in. And of course, the heated gear was plugged in. However, once we get off the mountain from Eagle Nest, temp went up to mid 50s, so need for that one any more today.

As we walk in.

Lunch!! Unbelievable the support we receive.

This little girl already has a Harley shirt. Dad is ready for her to ride. She is only 7 weeks so it may take a few years.

We normally do not say the Pledge of Allegiance at our stops. Paul could not help it here.

After lunch, we drew a target on my helmet. Ed will be behind us on the next leg. He was having trouble staying off the zipper. Thought maybe this would help. HAHA

Heading to our final destination on a county road. Kind of nice on the rolling hills. At one point, we saw a herd of buffalos. Sorry missed that pic.

Roll into Limon. I love the kids.

Dan on the right was not able to make it this year due to health issue. Hope you are there next year with us Boilermaker.

As we start walking to the High School, I realize that I forgot my phone. Kind of glad I did. There was this police officer walking next to the bike and talking to his son. His son is 7 months old. He was saying that someday we will be out riding them. OMG.

I did not know I needed tissues in the parking lot too.