The wife and I rode down from the Syracuse area. Although we slabbed it on I-81 most of the way, the ride was fantastic both ways. A few years ago we took a tour of England, and the tour guide kept using verdant and lush to describe the countryside. All the way down and back his descriptions were running through my mind. We ran through mountains (big hills to the folks out west
) and valleys on 75% of the trip. One valley in particular sticks out in my mind; it was a mile wide with a small knoll off to our left. On the top of the knoll was rustic barn, with large gaps in the otherwise vertical walls and a rusting metal roof. Someone performed enough upkeep to make the building structurally sound, without bothering with the appearance. This contrasted with the surrounding acres of freshly mowed bright green grass and well kept fields. There were a few large puffy clouds in the otherwise brilliant blue sky for the sun to peak out from behind - the combined scents and views were really stunning.
Sorry no pics, some dope left the camera on the kitchen counter. The wife insists we use all of the pics on the disposable camera we bought before we get it processed. 20 more pics of the puppy should take care of that I guess
Anyways, we got to DC in the typical v65 mode, without very little clue as to what we were doing. I had managed to print out directions to the hotel and some phone numbers, so by 7pm we had arrived at our destination using the pillion in GPS mode. We arranged to meet Indian Scout at the Holiday Inn at around 9.
That worked out splendidly. He had made the entire RFTW from Cali, and introduced to the some of the other riders from that group. What a friendly bunch! Unlike these folks my wife and I have no military experience, they had just finished riding three thousand miles in ten days in some damn hot weather, and they welcomed us in like part of the family. At this point we decided to run in with the RFTW group to the Pentagon in the morning instead of meeting at the Dunkin Donuts. So we were up at 5AM, got to the meeting place at 6AM, and rode over to the Pentagon at 6:30. Then we got to wait around the Pentagon parking lot until 1 when we rode over to the mall.
We started out on the grassy hillside in the pics. But as time went on it got hot in the parking lot, so we spent a lot of time hanging out in the cooling tents that were set up and and under the portable shower. We also had time to go see the repaired portion of the pentagon from 9/11. Its fixed now, but the repaired section is huge, TV doesn't do it justice.
We were told that when we passed the Marine, on the run to the wall, that was in the middle of the road saluting we should go from two to four abreast. Well that didn't happen but we did see the Marine. It was over 90 degrees and humid. It was an hour from the time that the parade started until we saw him, and he was obviously faltering. The parade lasted for another two and a half hours after we went through, but I suspect he toughed it out. I know I went through two quarts of Gatorade and gallons of water that day (like everyone else), and he didn't get squat. Irony is he probably had to fight to get that job.
The wall was a pretty emotional experience, and I don't have the skill to convey it. But I can tell you that walking by a vet when he says (pointing to names on the wall) "I knew those five guys right there" makes it darn clear why we were there. We left the mall somewhere around 5pm. We met up with Indian Scout for dinner that night, with more of his friends. Right now some of them should be headed for Nova Scotia, the rest will be headed back west. I hope they have a safe trip!
All in all this was a very positive experience despite the heat and wait at the pentagon. My only regret is not meeting up with the rest of the group (my fault, last minute change of plans). Hopefully next year!
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