Steve's Big Ride '24

The highlight of my second day out was the “capture” of Corner #1 at San Ysidro, CA! That starts the clock running on my 21-day period to visit all Four Corners, and it was a bit of a “high” to accomplish Step One… I took way too much time getting through Las Vegas (where I picked up a couple of Tour of Honor memorial stops), but it has been years since I was on the Strip, and it has changed SO much. They keep building more and bigger hotels it seems!

I find it interesting how much I dislike Interstate riding, but how necessary it is in this part of the country to get from Point A to Point B in a timely manner. I’m hopeful that I can modify my route plan to take advantage of more secondary roads in the coming days, and I believe the eastern half of the country may facilitate that a bit. I also have to remind myself that this is a another time-driven exercise, and I will need to make a follow-up trip with Amy to stop and explore the interesting places I’m riding by on this trip. I’m considering this to be a glorified “scouting” trip, and keeping track in my personal log of places to revisit in the future.

As I’m typing this, I’m hanging out at GO-AZ Motorcycles in Scottsdale, AZ while they mount two new tires to get me through the remainder of the Big Ride. It’s clear evidence of my retired status (and general love of motorcycling) that in less than four months I’ve put over 12,000 miles on the new Gold Wing. I anticipate that number will come close to doubling by the end of this Big Ride, and that doesn’t count 3-4,000 on the Pan America. I am definitely blessed beyond measure to have these opportunities and I definitely give all the honor and glory to God for his guiding my steps. My continuing commitment is to use every opportunity I’m giving to share my testimony and encourage others to know of his saving grace that is available.

Until next time, be safe in the knowledge that God loves you and wants you to put Him first in your life. God Bless…