Run for the Wall 2013 (Day 1)

Hello my family and friends,

I had to keep a record of each day or I will forget what happens each day and so I thought I would do this as a journal entry and send it out to you. This morning we met as both groups -the Central and Southern routes for the color guard, pledge and prayer and safety meeting and then the boss man turned the microphone over to a young man who had a little ceremony he wanted to do.  He is an American Indian and is from New Mexico and his friend was one of the big road guards for this trip but his daughter was killed in Afghanistan 3 days ago and so he couldn't do the run so this young man said in tribute to his daughter he wanted to cut off his pony tail.  It was long too.  So one of his buddies came up to the stand with a big dull knife and cut off his ponytail.

We were just finishing that and the Director said he had a surprise and to look up and in no time 5 world war 2 planes flew overhead in missing man formation it was great.

Fueling the bikes was the next big surprise for me.  They fueled 700 bikes in 11 minutes.  It was amazing.

They are so organized.  We are in platoons 1-15 we are in #9  Platoon leader and an assistant and a tail gunner.  They have to have 5 years going on the run and then training for a year and so forth, they are like gods.  But really nice.  Dad and I are called FNG-try and figure what that stands for....It’s an old military term for the new guy.... and have to wear a badge and at the end of the ride we can turn it upside down and we are then part of the family.  If you wear the badge all kind of people come up and hug you, of course Dad is not so good at that and runs the other way or says my wife will take the hug.  

Lunch was provided in Blythe with a special program with the mayor and other guys.  Dinner was by Golden Coral and a nice spread too.  Everyone is asleep by 9:00.  HAHAHAHHA  Pepsi supplied all the water and ice and naked juice and Gatorade for the entire trip to DC.  We get cold water at every stop and can ice up the neck things too.

This is called a mission and we are reminded all the time no partying. No alcohol during the day.  

The last big surprise that I thought was so cool was we were in the HOA lane just as we arrived to Phoenix and the Highway Patrol buzzed in and shut down the whole 10 so we could maneuver from that lane to the exit lane 4 lines over and it took 10 miles to do it.  We were the only ones on the freeway and it felt weird.  We are 4 miles long doubled up.  Platoons #2 and 3 ride side by side and the rest of us are staggered.  

It is hot and yet everyone who lives in Blythe was on the street waving to us and almost every overpass on the freeway has had tons of people waving with flags and signs.  We pulled in to this hotel complex and there was 51 flags and someone at attention and saluting while every bike passed them.  Just stood there straight as could be.  Very touching.  I will probably be crying every day.  The Director said "this will change your life"  It is also meant to help heal those who have been carrying around garbage for years from Viet Nam. 

Well thats about it.  We love you all and are so grateful for this experience.

No Whimps Allowed

NO WHIMPS ALLOWED

By: Margie Marshall

A few weeks ago I was coming home from the office in my car, in my scrubs, and it was cold.  I was driven off the road by a man in a large black van while he was talking on the phone.  Our lanes merged and he wasn’t paying attention.  As he came up along side of my car, I was yelling and blowing my horn to let him know that I didn’t have anywhere to go but up on the sidewalk and into a wall.  Traffic was heavy and I was starting to panic and then he came so close that I did go up on the sidewalk and blew 2 tires and my steering was uncontrollable and I finally came down back onto the road and didn’t hit any other cars or the big concrete light poll or the wall-that was a miracle in its self- and I continued on 2 good tires until I came to the nearest street that I could pull over on and stop.  I got out of the car with my cell phone and looked at the car and the 2 tires… I then started to shake and cry.  I just sat down on the curb and tried to call Edward and our son, but they were in the movies and had their cell phones off. 

A few minutes later a policeman on a HARLEY came up and asked if I was alright, was I hurt, and did I need to call anyone?  My whole head hurt and things went black and I knew I might pass out.  He took my cell phone and was about to call my ICE # and I said “Please don’t call that, I will be fine..”  He then sat down beside me on the curb and said, in a matter of fact voice, “Do you ride a Harley?” ( I guess he saw my sticker on the window).  I said yes and then he said – without missing a beat.. “Then buck it up!”  I was so surprised I started to laugh.  I just looked at him and kept laughing.  We called AAA- he waited until I was able to drive and go home. 

I thought about what he said for hours and later decided that I was a tough old broad and could handle some jerk in a big van that cost me 2 new tires and an alignment and half of my Saturday wasted in a tire place.   Some of my non-Harley friends look at me now that we ride and have said that I have changed a little.  I seem to have more “moxy” – I can’t think of a better work for a lady… If I were a man, I might say something like – I finally got ----s.. But… It felt good to think that I might have gained a little bit of strength by riding a Harley and of course being influenced by you’ll.  I still turn red and get all sweaty when I have to speak but at least next time some big jerk tries to run me off the road I won’t fall apart….

10 things I learned on our trip to Sturgis and 4 National Parks 2010

(No particular order of importance)

1. Edward has a new name-"Left Brain". After 38 years you would think I know him pretty good. I have never met a man so obsessed with some stamps and stickers for the National Parks "Passport" and photos at each state line for the Harley ABC patch. I still have some patience left but it is wearing thin.

2. Honda Riders wearing Harley Davidson gear. It is just wrong....

3. B and B's are great. (Bed and Breakfast) We tried one in Sturgis for 2 nights and loved it. Met some great guys, all Harley riders and the best part of the day was breakfast and the hour when we all got home to visit. Great food and the owners were great.

4. Using the bathroom in State and National Parks- OK so it's really an outhouse in a bathroom. But it was really cold and we were in cold weather gear and my personals were so cold I didn't know if I finished the job......

5. Mountain Ranges run North to South.... So where was I in the 4th grade? Oh Yeah -Australia living next to a big red rock.....in the outback.....

6. I watched "Left Brain" eat a 16ozs Buffalo Prime Rib very rare....all by himself and he didn't get sick. On another occasion he had a venison sausage, Elk chop and another buffalo prime rib all on the same plate. It was just gross....

7. I am still afraid of heights....

8. 90% of the visitors to State and National Parks in the USA are foreigners. That's just sad. Take your families and go see what the rest of the world takes time to come and visit.

9. Turn on the cold water tap in any northern state and the water is COLD... It was so good to drink.

10. We can have a "Chapter Ride" with 10 bikes 1,500 miles away from Temecula, and on a Chapter Meeting Sunday.

So there are some observations from a back seat rider!!!

Look for information and sign-ups for the Mystery Ride at September and October Chapter Meetings.

Live, Laugh, Love and Learn
Margie

AM I A REAL BIKER?

I have often wondered, when I would consider myself a real biker. I once thought if I rode to Sturgis and back all the way, I would feel like a real biker. I did that this summer but didn't quite feel the vibe.

Maybe it was the distance I rode in one day. I did 720 miles in one day but still didn't feel anything. On our ride Sunday, after the Chapter Meeting, on our way home from San Diego, I looked down and saw my gloves. They were faded and looked well worn. They fit like a second skin and had seen 20,000 miles of sun, rain and cold. They are the first thing I pick up when I get my things together for a ride. I don't have lovely hands and they don't do surgery or life saving things, but if I couldn't use them I would be lost. Looking at those gloves I suddenly felt like a real biker. Sometimes it is the little things that help us realize a goal or a dream. I am not quitting riding, just because I had a AHH AHH moment, but realized I feel very comfortable saying and thinking that I love to ride a Harley.

So much for mushy stuff. This month we will hear from the people nominated for office on our board to help lead our Chapter. I would hope that you cast a vote for choice and support and confidence for those nominated. I have seen firsthand these last few years just what it takes to keep the peace and plan and be responsible for a group our size, with such a wide range of personalities and diverse talents and professional occupations. I don't know of any other organization that I belong to that has the makeup of this group. I look forward to each ride and activity with you all. If you can't be at the November Meeting, Call Kat and get an absentee form and vote and mail it back to her before the November Chapter Meeting. Your vote counts. I was so impressed on Sunday for the courage that it took for a relatively new member, compared to my time in the club, to volunteer for the office of Secretary. To offer her skills and talents and to give back to an organization that see belongs to.

I have included the upcoming rides and events in this article. I gave out my "Pink" Calendar at the Chapter Meeting. Don't forget the Breakfast in October Meeting. The board will be cooking and we will start serving pancakes, bacon and eggs at 8:00 to 8:50. Meeting will start at 9:00 sharp.

The Big Chapter Picture will follow the meeting so don't leave.

$10.00 is the cost of the Indoor Poker Run and will go on while breakfast is being served and you will have a choice of 3 stations to pick your 5 cards. Winning hand gets half the pot and the worst hand gets their $10.00 back. Until next month ...

Live, Love, Laugh and Learn.

Margie