May 7, 2005

Part Two Doth Approach

I have been over overwhelmed with the interest in this trip.  My plan was to do the travel silently and report my ventures after the fact.  Of course, I was to write journals and then friends and Thunderbird Alumni with Jake's help would read them and pull my chain and things like that from the old days.  Ah, the memories! And when I returned home (RTB for the uninitiated) I would collect my thoughts and pictures and notes and write an article for RoadBike Magazine trusting their ability to correct my syntax and grammar.   Quite the opposite has happened.  I am now honored and humbled to learn how many F4 Phantom 'Phans' (outside the Thunderbird family) there are out there! You can't believe the enthusiasm for the F4 Phantom II I have met with and how wonderful it has made me feel.  When I begin to doubt the future of this country, I need only remember their words to me in countless emails.  It has been remarkable.

The article is still on track.  Jessica Prokup and Steve Lita of RoadBike Magazine have been supportive and given me encouragement to complete this 'Long Rider' trip, as Jake calls it.  So Part Two is well underway and we will have a good go at it.

The cast for this part consists of me, of course, and two others: Michael 'Jake' Jacobssen and Don Mann.  Jake is the unofficial historian of the F4 era I have mentioned in past journals.  Don is a long time friend from when our sons played high school football and we both thought they would be pro. Jake is driving from near Ft. Worth on Saturday toward Fair Oaks Ranch, TX, in an attempt to beat some rain expected on Sunday.  He will spend the night with Don so they may become acquainted before the trip. He rides an Intruder.  On the trip, Don will drive my pickup truck in trail for support and because he likes to have fun.  He is a biker who recently had to stop but still likes the thrill of the travel. We will have communication devices so we can talk.  Jake will be stuck in the middle...don't think he will mind.  We'll let him lead from time to time.

We are all excited about this part of the adventure.  It promises to be challenging, yet, very rewarding.  We will meet people in Tucson, Atwater, and Battle Mountain.  We will visit friends along the way in Tucson, Las Vegas, Sparks (NV), Boise, a new found friend in Salt Lake City, who is associated with Beehive Communications in the Utah/Nevada area, and in Tijeras (NM).

Life is good.  It is better when you make it so with positive thoughts and choices.  We are ready to roll.

I RTB Fair Oaks Ranch on Sunday, hook up with Jake and Don, and head west at 0-Dark-Thirty on Monday morning.

I am excited and filled with anticipation.

More to come.