We seem to be rock stars now. After presenting our little slide show for the Post 180 ALR, we got asked to do the same for the Legion meeting. Now it sounds like we're taking our show on the road to a couple of other posts out here in Western Kansas! That's fine with us - the more people we can get excited, the better. More $$$ for the Legacy Fund and more riders on the Run next year!
Yeah, yeah, I know. The clock is ticking on our 15 minutes of fame...
Monday, September 8, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wrapping up...
We've been back for 4 days now, and we're ready to get back on the road! We got to show a few of the 1,233 pictures we took at the ALR meeting at Hoisington Wednesday night. I'll also be showing those pictures at the Legion meeting next week, and I have them uploaded to a web album, which you should be seeing to the right of this blog entry. You can click on the album to see the pictures larger.
The overall contributions to the Legacy fund are now over $515,000 dollars and Kansas' share is now over $40,000! Wow.
We can't wait to see what the route is going to be for next year. Until then, we'll have to busy ourselves with getting started on fundraising for the 2009 Run, along with all the other ALR activities. It was truly an honor to take part in the Run this year, and represent Post 180 and Kansas.
The overall contributions to the Legacy fund are now over $515,000 dollars and Kansas' share is now over $40,000! Wow.
We can't wait to see what the route is going to be for next year. Until then, we'll have to busy ourselves with getting started on fundraising for the 2009 Run, along with all the other ALR activities. It was truly an honor to take part in the Run this year, and represent Post 180 and Kansas.
Monday, August 25, 2008
We're home!
Got back Sunday night at 9:45pm. Tonight I'll post some pictures from Friday, Saturday and Sunday to get you up to speed. For those of you at Post 180, I'll have a slide show after the meeting Wednesday night at Hoisington.
I think the donations for the Legacy Fund went over the $350,000 mark on Saturday, and will likely go higher yet.
Here's Socko announcing the final total for Kansas at just over $38,000!
More later...
I think the donations for the Legacy Fund went over the $350,000 mark on Saturday, and will likely go higher yet.
Here's Socko announcing the final total for Kansas at just over $38,000!
More later...
Friday, August 22, 2008
Mission Accomplished!
Woohoo! After 5 days and 1800 miles, the Legacy Run is over. We are no longer rookies! You can bet we'll back next year.
We rolled from Gallup this morning at 5:30 local time, and arrived at Legion Post 4 in Tempe at about 1:00. Along the way we traveled an absolutely beautiful road through the Salt Fork Canyon. You have to see it to believe it.
Temps started out in the low fifties, and stayed fairly cool until around Globe, AZ. It was funny watching everyone shed leather jackets and chaps (yours truly included) while moving up in the gas line every 15-30 seconds.
From there things steadily got hotter, until we arrived in Tempe at 108 degrees. (How do these people survive here?) We had a lot people that turned out to watch and wave in Globe, and we got a great welcome from the post in Tempe. We had one minor incident where a rider clipped a vehicle at a stop light and went down, but was able to ride her bike on into Tempe.
At the lunch hosted by Post 4, more donations were turned in, bringing our total so far to over $242,000, and tomorrow we should add a significant amount again.
Tomorrow we will participate in a parade from Post 4 to the Legion Convention, with lots of media and press coverage. We hope to have as many riders as possible to maximize the impact of the Legacy Run.
Damn, it's early...and dark. Dave Schoonover from Hutch tells us at the briefing to watch out for deer and elk. Fortunately, we didn't see any.
I know this is a bad picture, but it shows the snake of taillights stretching out for 2 miles in the dark.
Heading south in Hwy 77.
Also on 77, in the Sitegreaves National Forest.
Leaving our gas stop in Globe AZ. We knew we would have police escort out of Globe, but five minutes before leaving the cops told us they wanted us to take up two lanes and ride 4 abreast. We haven't done that at all in the previous 1,700 miles, but we pulled it off. Looked pretty cool too.
Pulling into the Legion Post 4 in Tempe.
Socko presenting Commander Conatser with another donation from Kansas.
Here is the Legacy Run Staff, who put the ride together, did all the planning, and gave up riding to make sure it all ran smooth. These folks are awesome.
The Ride Captains. They encouraged, pushed and prodded us until we worked like one big well oiled machine.
Next year the national convention is in Louisville, so we're not sure what form the run will take, whether a loop or something else. Stay tuned.
We rolled from Gallup this morning at 5:30 local time, and arrived at Legion Post 4 in Tempe at about 1:00. Along the way we traveled an absolutely beautiful road through the Salt Fork Canyon. You have to see it to believe it.
Temps started out in the low fifties, and stayed fairly cool until around Globe, AZ. It was funny watching everyone shed leather jackets and chaps (yours truly included) while moving up in the gas line every 15-30 seconds.
From there things steadily got hotter, until we arrived in Tempe at 108 degrees. (How do these people survive here?) We had a lot people that turned out to watch and wave in Globe, and we got a great welcome from the post in Tempe. We had one minor incident where a rider clipped a vehicle at a stop light and went down, but was able to ride her bike on into Tempe.
At the lunch hosted by Post 4, more donations were turned in, bringing our total so far to over $242,000, and tomorrow we should add a significant amount again.
Tomorrow we will participate in a parade from Post 4 to the Legion Convention, with lots of media and press coverage. We hope to have as many riders as possible to maximize the impact of the Legacy Run.
Damn, it's early...and dark. Dave Schoonover from Hutch tells us at the briefing to watch out for deer and elk. Fortunately, we didn't see any.
I know this is a bad picture, but it shows the snake of taillights stretching out for 2 miles in the dark.
Heading south in Hwy 77.
Also on 77, in the Sitegreaves National Forest.
Leaving our gas stop in Globe AZ. We knew we would have police escort out of Globe, but five minutes before leaving the cops told us they wanted us to take up two lanes and ride 4 abreast. We haven't done that at all in the previous 1,700 miles, but we pulled it off. Looked pretty cool too.
Pulling into the Legion Post 4 in Tempe.
Socko presenting Commander Conatser with another donation from Kansas.
Here is the Legacy Run Staff, who put the ride together, did all the planning, and gave up riding to make sure it all ran smooth. These folks are awesome.
The Ride Captains. They encouraged, pushed and prodded us until we worked like one big well oiled machine.
Next year the national convention is in Louisville, so we're not sure what form the run will take, whether a loop or something else. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
New Mexico Rocks!
Today was New Mexico day. Started at Tucumcari in the east and travelled to Gallup in the West. Along the way we stopped in Albuquerque for lunch at the Albuquerque Legion Post 99 where we were treated to another great meal. From the NM border, we had an escort from the State Police, the Alb police and several sheriff depts along the way. In fact we had the interstate all to ourselves going through Alb, as the police had every on ramp blocked as we went through. They much have 50 mounted officers. The State Patrol blocked ramps for at least 50 miles west of Alb as well. They rotated from one exit to the next, and after we all passed one ramp, the officer would flash past us at 100+ on the their BMW police bikes. Very cool. I think they were ejoying themselves.
We started seeing some higher temps today, close to 90. But we had several rain showers that would cool us for a few minutes so it wasn't bad at all. Tomorrow will be a different story, with temps around 105 in Tempe - and they're having a cooler spell right now!
I know these pictures of a line of bikes get a little old, but I think I have a couple of good ones here that are close to being in focus.
You really can't visualize being in a group this big for this long, but after a couple of days we all really start working well together. Even the lead ride captain, "Uncle Dick" says we're doing great.
Here's one of the motor officers escorting us through town.
The police bike in the left lane is doing well over 100, or 40 mph faster than we are. If you weren't ready for it when they came by, it would scare the crap out of you.
Well, I'd better get to bed. KSU (kickstands up) is at 5:30 tomorrow morning. Later!
We started seeing some higher temps today, close to 90. But we had several rain showers that would cool us for a few minutes so it wasn't bad at all. Tomorrow will be a different story, with temps around 105 in Tempe - and they're having a cooler spell right now!
I know these pictures of a line of bikes get a little old, but I think I have a couple of good ones here that are close to being in focus.
You really can't visualize being in a group this big for this long, but after a couple of days we all really start working well together. Even the lead ride captain, "Uncle Dick" says we're doing great.
Here's one of the motor officers escorting us through town.
The police bike in the left lane is doing well over 100, or 40 mph faster than we are. If you weren't ready for it when they came by, it would scare the crap out of you.
Well, I'd better get to bed. KSU (kickstands up) is at 5:30 tomorrow morning. Later!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Day 5 - Rain...and more rain...
Yep,we missed another day of blogging. Let's start with Monday - we left Fort Leonard Wood and had a great ride, leaving the interstate and travelling for a few miles on the old Route 66. through the towns of Catoosa and Claremore. Had lunch at Post 308 in Mohawk, OK. Very good brisket. We rejoined the interstate, and started to get a few drops of rain. Not enough to stop and put the rain gear on, though. Getting through OKC was a challenge - but eventually we made it to the Biltmore (or less) hotel. I don't recommend it. About the time we got there it started RAINING and did so all night.
We awoke to the same driving rain on Tuesday and put on the rain gear. After the usual briefing to start the day, we splashed our way west on I-40. Stopped in Clinton Ok and was treated to coffee and donuts by the Legion post there. Moved on into Texas, and stopped at Shamrock for lunch. The Post not only fed us a fantastic Texas sized meal of ribs, brisket and all the trimmings, but they paid to gas up all of our bikes! They really do things bigger in Texas.
Coming out of Texas, the rain began to slow and finally stopped, and this strange and wonderful yellow ball appeared in the sky, and seemed to follow us into Tucumcari, our destination for the night. We had a great dinner at the Elks lodge, co-hosted by the local Post. We were finally able to present our check from Great Bend, along with Wichita, Hutch and several other KS posts. All together our donation today was over $21,000, with more to come. The grand total is now over $250,000, with more to come.
Instead of staying at the regular chain hotels, tonight we're staying at the Blue Swallow Motel, a Route 66 landmark. Brenda and I stayed here a few years ago on a trip and loved it. Pictures are below.
That's it for now...
I meant to post this Sunday, but here we are with Commander Conatser. Pretty cool guy.
Gas stop on Monday - while it was still dry.
Route 66 and the bridge at Catoosa.
Riding in the rain.
Presenting our checks to National Commander Conatser
Our lodging for tonight. We even have a garage to put the Wing in!
We awoke to the same driving rain on Tuesday and put on the rain gear. After the usual briefing to start the day, we splashed our way west on I-40. Stopped in Clinton Ok and was treated to coffee and donuts by the Legion post there. Moved on into Texas, and stopped at Shamrock for lunch. The Post not only fed us a fantastic Texas sized meal of ribs, brisket and all the trimmings, but they paid to gas up all of our bikes! They really do things bigger in Texas.
Coming out of Texas, the rain began to slow and finally stopped, and this strange and wonderful yellow ball appeared in the sky, and seemed to follow us into Tucumcari, our destination for the night. We had a great dinner at the Elks lodge, co-hosted by the local Post. We were finally able to present our check from Great Bend, along with Wichita, Hutch and several other KS posts. All together our donation today was over $21,000, with more to come. The grand total is now over $250,000, with more to come.
Instead of staying at the regular chain hotels, tonight we're staying at the Blue Swallow Motel, a Route 66 landmark. Brenda and I stayed here a few years ago on a trip and loved it. Pictures are below.
That's it for now...
I meant to post this Sunday, but here we are with Commander Conatser. Pretty cool guy.
Gas stop on Monday - while it was still dry.
Route 66 and the bridge at Catoosa.
Riding in the rain.
Presenting our checks to National Commander Conatser
Our lodging for tonight. We even have a garage to put the Wing in!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Day 4 - The Ride Starts!
Plenty of movement, even at 4:30 am.
Socko and Jeannie
Flamingo Lisa.
Here's the main group of bikes....
And here's the trailer trash.
How about we go for a ride?
Several overpasses had people sending us off.
The first gas stop.
Bikes for miles...
More tomorrow!
Day 3, after the fact...
I apologize, but we just didn't get to it yesterday. Too many things to do. We stopped by the post several times, went on a wild goose chase for a tire for another rider's trailer (3-1/2x8" tires are very hard to find in Indy - go figure). Anyway here are some pics from the day.
Brenda with Jeannie from Wichita
Indianapolis Post 64
The only yellow Wing. The only yellow bike, in fact.
Road Captains meeting. Zzzzzzzzz....
Went for a ride, along with my ear...
That's Socko and Dave
...and we're back!
Hmmm...much more people than earlier.
The Kansas delegation!
The flights - note that we're in flight F1, reserved for trailers, trikes and sidecars. We're the trailer trash.
Presentation of some of the fund raising proceeds. We're waiting for a day or two and will present the entire Kansas donation.
Brenda with Jeannie from Wichita
Indianapolis Post 64
The only yellow Wing. The only yellow bike, in fact.
Road Captains meeting. Zzzzzzzzz....
Went for a ride, along with my ear...
That's Socko and Dave
...and we're back!
Hmmm...much more people than earlier.
The Kansas delegation!
The flights - note that we're in flight F1, reserved for trailers, trikes and sidecars. We're the trailer trash.
Presentation of some of the fund raising proceeds. We're waiting for a day or two and will present the entire Kansas donation.
Friday, August 15, 2008
We're here...
Sorry this is so late, but it's been a full day. At Columbia we hooked up with Socko and Jeannie from Wichita, and Dave from Hutchinson. Dave took us to Indy on the back routes and avoided going through St. Louis. Great weather today - a little fog this morning, but otherwise sunny. Got into our hotel, went to Post 64 to check things out prior to all the festivities tomorrow, got some dinner and went to the hotel. Walked over to the restaurant next door and a beer or two with 15-20 other riders from Georgia, Texas, Virginia, Minnesota, and Florida. This is going to be a great time. You can check out the official ALLR blog posted by Flaming Tina at http://www.legacyrun.blogspot.com/ - We're on there today! We're famous!
Ready to move out!
We received a $5 donation from a gentleman in at breakfast stop.
The mighty Mississip...
Indianapolis Post 64
Some photos from inside the post...
Ready to move out!
We received a $5 donation from a gentleman in at breakfast stop.
The mighty Mississip...
Indianapolis Post 64
Some photos from inside the post...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)