Registration took place in the parking lot for the Chopper Gallery in Temecula. On the initially overcast morning, the prevalence of Marine Corps and veteran patches was uplifting for this gray beard retired Marine.
Just as was the banter common among and between Marines.
This morning the banter was familiar and comfortable, as the gathered Marines are also bikers. While no excuse is really needed for a real biker to throw a leg over the saddle, dropping down $20 for the entry in a poker run supporting the Semper Fi Fund was a no brainer for these Marines. Semper Fi is short for Semper Fidelis -- Always Faithful -- the world renowned motto of the United States Marine Corps. What could be better than riding with fellow Marines in support of the indisputably best military charity?
In addition to registering, getting the first card for the poker draw, and grabbing a fat pill (also known as doughnuts), it was shaking hands, slapping backs, and acknowledging one another. Then it was time to crank up the bikes and head onto the route for the next four stops, drawing a card at each and ending up in Winchester for a BBQ lunch.
Riding along some of the best biking roads in region, as evidenced by countless other bikes we encountered, my favorite stop was the Round Up, located by an RV park overlooking Lake Henshaw. Nice little restaurant that seems to cater to bikers, since it is open only Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
From there, it was only two stops to the Wild West Arena, where the lunch was superb (beef, ribs, salmon). Predictably, my poker hand was miserable, but it didn't matter. I had spent the day riding with my best friend since grade school and shared the event and roads with fellow Marine bikers, all in support of the Semper Fi Fund. Doesn't get any better than that.
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