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The American Legion Legacy Run

Indianapolis - Louisville
August 18-23, 2009

Riding for the children of fallen heroes.

An online gathering of American Legion Riders and others interested in the annual American Legion Legacy Run. Click on the "Post a Comment" link following the articles below and join in the discussion!

Friday, August 22, 2008

Thursday, August 21, Gallup, NM to Tempe, AZ

Early. Really Early. Posse up was at 4:30 am for a 5:30 am kick stands up. This was our last day of riding as a group under the direction of 'Uncle' Dick Woods. So glad to be riding - so sorry to be done!

It was a little chilly - 47 degrees!

I checked with T. J. 'Tom' Haines about how it is to ride at the end of this group - he is the 'sweep' and rides behind everyone. He is also the one who works out all the logistics for this ride - a very tall order! Here is what he had to say...(did I mention that TJ wears highly visible clothing and gloves that glow in the dark???)





Today's ride started so early because we needed to get into Phoenix before the high heat really hit - - our scheduled arrival time was 12:30 pm.


We left in the dark but the sun came up behind us with a vengeance. When we stopped for gas at Snowflake it was already starting to warm up.
Dick had promised a really great ride through the Salt River Canyon but I don't think any of us were ready for the gorgeous ride we had. At first we were saying - we got off the Interstate for this? But about 10 miles into the ride the pine trees got more abundant and then the real ride began!


Canyons, rock bluffs, 25 mph curves, 180 motorcycles, knowing it was our last day together, memories for a lifetime!


I'm hoping to have a video of the canyon ride tomorrow - just have to get it from a rider I know who was filming...



Group A3 - This one's for you, Don, in Dover. We all missed you!


We arrived into Tempe at the Post at 12:30 (as scheduled!) in 108 degree weather. I've ridden in hotter weather but something about the humidity (yes, they have humidity in Phoenix in August) nearly killed some of us!

Once at the Post, we had pictures of TJ and Dick, the Texas/Michigan Logistics Crew, Road Captains, Asst Road Captains, and Sweeps, Lady Riders, etc. It is hard to imagine that the ride is officially finished.

Texas/Michigan 'Crew'

Road Captains/Sweeps/Asst Road Captains
Ladies who rode from Indy to Tempe!
One important note: National Commander Conaster took donations and the tally is up over $240,000.00. There will be more donations made tomorrow when we get the 'official' greeting for Convention.

For now, suffice it to say that I am proud to have ridden with all you Legion Riders from Indianapolis, IN to Tempe, AZ. Can't wait to ride with you again next year!


If you have pictures or a blog that you would like to have posted here, please email me at tinakirchoff@knology.net and I will get it posted.

This Blog will be posted for a while to make sure that people have time to get home and read/look at all this info!

Signing off from Tempe, AZ: Flamingo Tina

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the memories Tina. Thanks to you and Mike for taking care of me and teaching me. I feel as if I've known you for years. Robert