On the road again

Spring came to most of the nation, even if some late unseasonable storms played havoc in portions of the country.  Nevertheless, as spring passes and summer approaches, the bikers across the states begin hitting the highways and byways and planning for the next road trip.

  

Here in the southwest, the Laughlin River Run informally marks the beginning of the serious riding season.  Of course, the area's prevalent weather encourages and permits year 'round riding.  The serious riding, however, comes late spring and into the summer and early fall.

For patriots and Vietnam veterans, the annual Run for the Wall in May is a must do, bucket list ride.

For the rest of us, thoughts of open, virtually traffic free roads dominate. 

Whether riding solo or two up, the annual road trip is singularly important.

Away from urban sprawl, perhaps along the coast line, or rolling along in valleys and over mountains, the real biker contemplates the open road.

As written of earlier, the experience actually indescribable to one who has never thrown a leg over a motorcycle.  Apart from the freedom accorded a rider, who is out in the elements.  This physical expression of independence is unlike anything else.  Yes, the so-called biker image may play into it for some.

And, to be honest, the looks one receives out on the road are uniquely satisfying, whether at the road side eatery, when stopped for gas, or while just resting between miles.  Young boys, eyes wide in amazement.  Adult males, middle-aged and older, with their woulda, coulda, shoulda envious stares.  Yep, those looks contribute to the experience.

But the best part for this old gray beard is simply rolling along the empty-to-near-empty road, with the sounds of the bike accompanying the basic pleasure of riding a motorcycle.  

   
I, for one, am narrowing down the when and have opened discussions with my lifelong buddy and fellow rider as to where.  The northwest?  Arizona, when it's cooler?  Who knows.  By June, however, the when and where will be set and serious planning underway.  Can't wait.

Far from ordinary

For the vast majority of our fellow citizens in La Mesa, California, it was most probably an ordinary, average Thursday.  Nothing memorable.  Simply routine.  However, for one family, the day was traumatic, as they laid to rest their husband, father, grandfather.

At the funeral home, the family was joined by volunteers from the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR), who came to honor and pay their respects to a veteran, "standing for those who stood for us."

Some of the PGR went ahead to the Miramar National Cemetery, preparing to honor the arrival of their fellow veteran by standing a flag line.  Others escorted the procession as it made its way to the cemetery, American flag flying from some of the motorcycles.

At the committal shelter the volunteers, mostly veterans, formed another flag line to honor their brother.

  
This they did in supporting the family and (in this case) the Navy Honor Guard.

Not one of the PGR volunteers was acquainted with the veteran they were honoring this day.  There were no connections; no links to serving on the same ship at the same time.  The only shared experience was having served our great nation.

Indeed, it was not a ordinary, routine, or average day for the family.  Nor was it an ordinary, routine, or average day for the PGR members.  In fact, for this Patriot Guard Rider it was far from it.  How can one not be touched by the raw, gut wrenching emotion displayed by a grandson?  Hearing his anguished sobs and seeing the obvious pain.  The tears of the family members, with their voices catching during comments about their loved one touched us all.

No, it was not an ordinary, average, or routine day.

It was an important day, as strangers voluntarily came together to honor a fellow veteran.  As they do countless times during the year.  The race, ethnicity, gender, age, cultural, and other socially prominent identifiers used by all too many to separate us matter not to the PGR.  The only identifier that matters is that one who is or has served honorably was being laid to rest.

Tomorrow there will be another mission, with another following on Tuesday.  And another, then another, and another.

No routine, average, or ordinary days.