After Camp Pendleton, Terri insisted on us spending the night, and after that visit, quite frankly, I wasn’t prepared to hit the road. Her brother and sister-in-law, Chuck and Rosanne Glynn, allowed us the use of a bonus room and made sure we were all comfortable for the evening. But before hitting the sack, there was more food, coffee, homemade cookies and another evening of great conversation.
The next morning was a difficult farewell as we left Terri on our way to Las Vegas.
Terri, you’re wonderful… thanks for everything!
As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, Sergeant Eric Mejia, one of Christopher’s fellow Marines who had served with him in Iraq, insisted on meeting us in Camp Pendleton to escort us to the memorial and spend some time with us during this very special visit. With us was Ron, Wayne and of course Terri who had coordinated all of this.
I knew this was going to be an emotional time for me but regardless, I was still unprepared for the wave that was about to come over me. Even before arriving at the memorial, just speaking with Eric and reminiscing about Christopher was difficult. And when we arrived at the memorial… well, let me put it this way, I wasn’t the only one all choked-up.
There’s been too many lost. Let’s make sure we honor them all by helping those Veterans in need that are still with us… our wounded warriors.
At the Memorial with Sergeant Mejia and Terri Beauchamp
The Memorial at "The First of the First"
The Plaque
Painting commemorating the First of the First's Fallen Heroes made by one of Christopher's fellow Marines.
1st Battalion, 1st Marines
After leaving Andrew’s family last night, we made our way down I-5 and I-805 to San Clemente where we camped out on one of California’s state parks right off of the beach. The next morning we had a relatively short ride into San Diego where we spent the day enjoying the renowned San Diego Zoo. However our highlight was yet to come.
Ron has been working tirelessly on behalf of Camp Hope and one of his dear friends, Terri Beauchamp, has taken up the torch as well. So after a day at the zoo, Terri invited us over to her place for a home cooked meal, an evening full of delightful conversation where we were able to enjoy something that has been in short supply on this trip… relaxation.
Terri is a lovely lady who has been working behind the scenes for the past week or so contacting members of Christopher’s Marine unit in Camp Pendleton with the hope of getting some media attention for Camp Hope in the San Diego area. She also put one of these individuals, Sergeant Eric Mejia, in contact with us. Her desire was to make our visit to Camp Pendleton special and her wish has come true.
As soon as Eric heard about the ride, the riders and our mission he insisted on coming out to Camp Pendleton to escort us to the memorial and spend some time with us. More to come on this in tomorrow’s post.
For now, enjoy some of the pics from the San Diego Zoo.
Monkeying around
Potential new recruit for the ride... hey, it worked for Hannibal.
Some feline friends... lunch is served.
Today was more of the same as we rode through beautiful California vistas from San Luis Obispo, through Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, and into Los Angeles. To be honest it got a bit hectic when driving through Los Angeles on I-5 and then especially on I-405, but we were on a mission nothing was going to keep us from.
One of our good friends from Iraq, Andrew, while still in country and unable to join us insisted on participating in some way in this endeavor. And I promised him that I would make him a part of this journey by stopping at his home and taking a photo with his family. Am I glad we did!
Besides the opportunity of meeting his wonderful family—wife, three sons, and in-laws—we were prepared a wonderful feast of Persian food, and it was absolutely delicious.
Thanks to Andrew’s family for a fantastic time!
Stearns Warf in Santa Barbara
Working out the details of the ride
Scenes from the California Coast
Another Caliifornnia sunset
With Andrew's family in Torrance, CA
After leaving Steve and Vicki’s, we started to make our way to Monterey, CA and back to the California coast. We had a nice ride through some of California’s wine country, and arrived early enough in Monterey to appreciate some of its beauty. A night at the Presidio of Monterey in Army Lodging and we were off again working our way down US Highway 101 and California Highway 1. All I can say is what an absolutely spectacular ride through Big Sur. The California coast is a must, but make sure to take more time to appreciate the area. What a ride!
Of course we weren’t the only bikes on the road; there were plenty of riders enjoying the ride, the day and the beautiful vistas. There were two bikers that were on a road trip of their own, Keith Libby and his son, of Libby’s Motoworld in New Haven, Connecticut—www.libbysmotoworld.com —that showed an interest in Camp Hope and its mission.
We all stopped at a scenic overlook together, had a brief conversation about the ride, our routes and the weather we’d encountered coming across the Upper Midwest. Of course, one thing led to the other and we were telling him the story of our ride and Camp Hope. After thanking us for our service, he took a brochure and promised to send in a donation.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… one person at a time, the word is getting out and spreading across the US—from California to New England in one conversation, one handshake.
Enjoing the beauty
Scenes from the California coast
California sunset
Seals sunbathing on the beach
After experiencing the majestic sequoias, our next stop was in Clovis, CA. Steve and Vicki, our new and very dear friends, hosted us for an absolutely wonderful time at their home.
Steve and Vicki own and live on a working vineyard, and we had the distinct pleasure of join them for an evening. From the opportunity of helping with the latest harvest, including the pressing of grapes… no, that didn’t include me taking off my boots and trouncing about barefoot in a huge vat a la I Love Lucy… to a bonfire, homemade marshmallows and the making of smores… not to mention some fantastic wine. We had a great time!
Steve, Vicki, a sincere and heartfelt thank you from us all.
In Clovis, CA at Steve and Vicki's
Steve and Vicki with their vineyard in the background
OK, it’s no surprise for those of you following the Blog that I’m way behind on my posts. It’s been crazy! Besides the long hours on the road and the pockets of service or the lack thereof, it’s been hard to stay on track. If it wasn’t for FirePin, you all would have no idea where we’re at… hmmm? Just kidding!
We’ve been having an amazing time and I’m not just talking about the places we’ve visited or the many sites we’ve been able to experience. We’ve had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful people along the way. Many of those you’ve had the benefit of reading about on this Blog, but there’s been so many more. It’s so hard to keep track of all the many people we’ve meet along the way, and when I’m late posting to the Blog… well, it’s that much more difficult to keep it straight. My sincere apologies…
OK, enough of the snivel.
From Yosemite we drove to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks to check out some more amazing sites. What can I say about these behemoths? The General Grant, not the largest of the Sequoias, has a diameter of 37 feet and a circumference of 102 feet. Not sure if even the photos will capture the size of these trees, but we’ve tried to do our best to give you an idea. Enjoy!
Posing with some of the younger trees in Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks
The Fallen Monarch... yes, that's a person inside
For the purpose of scale... WOW!
The General Grant tree, the nation's Christmas tree.
Admiring the General Grant tree
The General Grant from a distance
As I promised, here are the photos taken during our down day at Yosemite National Park. And while these may look grand, they don’t do the park justice. Yosemite is a must see!
Enjoy… next stop, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.
Just below our colossus with the newest addition to our group (Wayne, far right)
Scenes from Yosemite
Some local fauna... ahem... check out that rack!
After meeting with Mike the night before and having a great evening of fellowship, Mike was off for an early flight back to the east coast to get ready for some more Camp Hope activities. Make sure to check the Camp Hope website in the next few days for updates of the events taking place on and around the farm: www.ChrisNealFarm.com. Wish I was there… but we have a lot more riding to do.
We didn’t get to do much of any sightseeing in the bay area, but we were busy just the same.
Prior to joining this band of brothers (um… sorry Kristen, you too), Ron had plans of his own in San Francisco. Ron was looking to spend time with his son, Wayne, and well guess who’s joined us? Wayne, glad you could make it.
After some much needed down time, we got a late start and headed off for Yosemite National Park. We had a beautiful ride out to the park, but as the night fell and the altitude rose, it was goodbye warmer weather. We arrived to the park after dark, and started to make our descent into the valley in total darkness. All we could see were black silhouettes highlighted by our headlights; all around us a black abyss. It was a slow journey down into the park, but we finally arrived to the Curry Village campsite, turned off our engines and in the total darkness, lit up only by the moonlight was a massive rock wall looming above us. What an impressive sight! Unfortunately in that darkness, none of our very limited photographic equipment could do that colossal sentinel justice. Amazing!
Tomorrow is a down day, a day to just check out the park… photos to follow… I promise!
Another late night, and we ended up calling it quits when we got to Klamath, California. We pulled into a Campground to rest for the evening… Brrrr!… so much for warmer weather… thank God for the RV.
Most of the day found us on US Highway 101. From beautiful costal scenes, to close encounters with some majestic elks, to winding mountain vistas and close encounters with some huge redwoods. What a beautiful ride! But besides a great ride, we had a busy schedule ahead of us.
We met up with another one of our Camp Hope Riders in Santa Rosa, California; Dave got a late start from the Tampa, Florida area and made a beeline to reach us as soon as possible. After that the group split up. I drove into San Francisco, California to pick up my wife who flew in to join us for a couple of days, while the rest of the group rode into Concord, California to meet with my brother-in-law, William “Mike” White, the founder of Camp Hope. Mike was in the Bay area on business and we had an opportunity to join him for an evening.
Next stop… Yosemite National Park.
Camp Hope Ri...
One way or another... the word is getting out.
Warmer weather and all smiles... Ah! California
Wax on... wax off... wax-o
Some redwoods on the Avenue of the Giants off of US 101
Ron working on gathering some firewood
Timber!