HEADED HOME!

Day 21, Saturday, May 20, 2017

My alarm sounded at 6:30 AM.  I got up and started getting dressed.  In the dark, I heard, “Good Morning Albert.”  I was a little startled, but knew it was Ken.  I had hoped it was Ken…it was Ken.  He got up and started getting dressed and we both packed up our bags.  Our Motors were right outside the side door and we were able to see them from our window.  We packed our bags and Ken went in to have breakfast.  Ken had cleaned his Motor last night.  I chose to do it in the morning, so that is what I did.  When I was done, I joined the guys for breakfast.  We were done with breakfast and one by one, we returned to our rooms to take care of our morning business.  I know!  Too much information.  Well, that is what we did!  We finished getting our stuff from our rooms and we were all ready to leave.  It was a clear day at 61 degrees.  We left at 9:07 AM.

I led the Group onto I-25 southbound.  Jan followed me, then Ken, C.E., Chuck and Jake.  We headed south to Socorro.  That was our plan so that C.E. could top off his gas tank.  We rode for 44 miles and at 9:42 AM we stopped at an Exxon gas station in Socorro.  We left at 9:48 AM.

We continued on US 60 through Socorro and saw many familiar places that we have visited in the past.  We rode through and soon were passing the Very Large Array, “VLA.”  We continued on this good road.  We rode for 66 miles and we stopped at 10:51 AM for a pit stop in Datil, NM.  This was a two pump gas station with a mini mart and a restaurant.  We parked our Motors and went into the mini mart to use the facilities.  Ken was waiting because someone was using the men’s room.  The Lady at the counter told us that we could use the restroom in the restaurant.  I walked into the restaurant and when I went into the second doorway, I saw many Police Patches pinned to the wall and the doorway.  I looked at them and noticed that many of them were from all over the U.S.  I did notice that there was none from Phoenix PD.  I went to the restroom and when I came out, I asked the waitress about the patches.  She told me that many people have given the patches to the restaurant and some mail patches to the restaurant and they are displayed.  I told the waitress that they were missing one Patch.  She asked me, “Which Patch?”  I gave her a Phoenix Police Patch and told her, “This One.”  She thanked me and told me that it would be pinned to the wall as soon as possible.  I told her that we were all retired Phoenix PD Officers.  We left at 11:12 AM.

We continued south.  We turned onto SR 12.  Chuck and Jan had talked about going on this road before, however, they never did.  We went on the road and it was a very good road.  There was a sign that read, “Caution, Congested Area Ahead.”  REALLY?  For 50 miles we only came across 4 cars!  At mile post 61 at 11:24 AM, we saw two Elk cows to the right of us jumping a fence.  Now, I have never seen Elk in the wild and was certain that Elk was a myth.  I finally saw them.  A few miles down the road we saw three antelope on the left and then further, we saw a single antelope on the right.  Jake later told me that even further, he saw three Elk cows on the right, grazing.  This road was awesome! We were coming close to a small town and there were many “Street Snakes.”  They were very slippery and we could feel the effects on the Motors when we ran over them.  A few gave me that “Pucker Factor!”  We rode for 70 miles and then stopped at 12:19 PM in Reserve, NM. for gas.  We all gassed up.  There were only two pumps so it took a while.  When we were done, there was Jo Jo’s Restaurant next door.  There were several Motorcycles parked so we figured that it might be a good place to eat.  We parked our Motors in front of the restaurant and went inside to eat.  The food was good and when we were done, Jan and I went walking.  There was a statute with a marking which gave the story of Elfego Baca 1865 – 1945.  It was a very interesting story.  We took pictures of the display and the marking giving the story of Elfego Baca.  I remembered that Disney made a series on Elfego Baca.  Anyway, we returned to the Motors and left at 1:35 PM.

After we left Reserve, NM., we soon came to US 180 and took that north.  There were no more “Street Snakes” to worry about.  The road had many twisties and hills.  C.E. was leading the Group with Ken following.  Jake was next, then Jan, Chuck and Me.  It was a beautiful road and the weather was cooperating.  At 2:05 PM we crossed over the border and into Arizona!  We gained an hour and it was now 1:05 PM.  We continued on the road and after riding for 64 miles, we stopped at 1:40 PM in Eagar, AZ.  We stopped for a pit stop and drinks.  As the Guys were inside drinking and talking, Jan and I were outside and met a young, Springerville Police Officer.  We spoke with him a bit and before he left, I gave him a Phoenix PD Patch.  He thanked me and he was off.  We were ready and we all left at 2:09 PM.

We continued on from Eagar on US 260.  We came upon two Police Vehicles with lights on at the side of the road.  One Sheriff’s Deputy Truck was behind a DPS cruiser.  We were all wondering how fast the DPS cruiser had to have been going before the Sheriff’s Deputy pulled him over.  Who knows?  We passed by Sunrise Ski Resort and saw some snow on a couple of runs on the slope.  We rode through McNary, Pinetop/Lakeside and after riding 58 miles, we stopped at the Best Western in Show Low at 3:18 PM.  We parked in front and I went in.  Jan followed.  We spoke with the Desk Clerk to “Make the Deal.”  We got a good deal!  We checked in and were lucky enough to get three rooms next to each other and right across from the front desk.  We unloaded our bags and put them in our rooms, cleaned our Motors and tucked them in for the night.  Dinner is going to be either next door or across the street.  We’re not sure yet.  Jake and Ken played “Frogger” by crossing the street and walking to Safeway to buy some traditional, celebratory beer.  Jake and Ken bought different kinds of beers to try and please everyone.  It was nice outside and there were tables and chairs outside in front of the Lobby.  I took my computer to the table and started my Blog.  I wasn’t finished when Ken was trying to put his Motor on its center stand.  He injured his right knee, hearing a “Pop.”  He limped to his room and the guys tended to him.  They got plastic bags filled with ice and a wet towel.  Ken lay on his bed and elevated his leg while the guys put the wet towel and ice on his knee.  Jake went across the street to K-Mart and bought a knee brace for Ken.  I put my computer back in my room and we all went to dinner at the Native New Yorker, a couple doors down from the Hotel.  Ken stayed in his room.  We returned to the Hotel after dinner and checked on Ken.  He seemed to feel better and was still on his bed.  We all hope he does better by morning.

Today we rode for 302 miles.  They were good miles and we had a good time on the road, except for the Street Snakes.  We saw some “wildlife” and rode on twisties.  We were dry!  So far we have ridden approximately 6,319 miles.  Tomorrow will be bittersweet.  Our ride ends when we ride home.  When I get home, I will write my last Blog for this ride.  So, until tomorrow…