California!
Thirty miles into the day's trip, Stu needed to make an unscheduled pit stop. Evidently he had intestinal issues. Sure am glad he didn't get snake bit on the butt!
How do you spell relief?
The guys crossed the Yuha Desert. Here they experienced searing dry heat. Vegetation was sparse at best. That's why it's called a desert.
The second corner is just behind that sign...1 1/2 miles away!
Uh oh...the quest for the second corner squashed. The Border Field State Park was closed. The park is only open for short periods of time on the weekends. The daily influx of illegal immigrants has forced closure on weekdays. Since the sign did not say, "No trespassing", the boys forged through an opening between a fence and pipe gate. Within minutes their progress was halted by Border Patrol Officers who had spotted them via GPS. They were told to turn around and leave the area immediately.
Mike leading the way through the opening they had just come through.
The guys were heartbroken and dejected. They stopped outside of the park. While re-grouping United States Border Patrol Agent, Jared McKenzie rode back to talk with them.
The boys explained the purpose of the 4 Corners Ride. Jared was interested, asking and answering questions. He told the guys what his job was like on a daily basis. He suggested going down the road a little way to a stable. There the guys could rent horses, ride back in order to get to that southern point monument. Well, this could not have worked any better. Just yesterday they had made the decision to park those bikes, continuing their journey via horseback, (only while they were "out west", of course). They warmed up to the idea, even getting a little excited about it. Suddenly Jared said, "Let's do it!" Now the guys were really confused. Jared said, "You've come so far, I'm going to take you back to that monument." The guys reminded him they had just been tossed out of the Border Field Park, and that the other agent was none to happy about their trespassing. "Ahaha..what are they going to do? Fire me?", Jared asked.
The guys mounted up and followed Jared along the United States, Mexico border.
The monument is right on the border between the two countries. The location of the fencing, which is actually 50 feet away from the border on the U.S. side, prevented the guys from getting close enough to have their photo taken on the monument spot. Close enough! Let's give them that second border!
Fred, Ron, Mike and Stu inside the Border Field State Park. The fence - the border between the United States of America and Mexico. Road Ends in Water! That's the Pacific Ocean behind them. The boys thank United States Border Patrol Agent Jared McKenzie for taking the time out of his grueling work day, allowing them to make the second corner a reality! And, for the job he does while protecting our borders. Thank you Jared!
Fred has been leading the riding since leaving Chesapeake City, Maryland. Freddie has done an outstanding job everyday for 16 days! Having corner #2 in the bag, it was time for the official exchange of the GPS. Fred gives the unit to Ron who will lead the rides up the Pacific Coast.
Leaving the desert behind them, the boys are enjoying more picturesque scenery. 325 miles ridden today before reaching their evening destination of Temecula, California
California!
Thirty miles into the day's trip, Stu needed to make an unscheduled pit stop. Evidently he had intestinal issues. Sure am glad he didn't get snake bit on the butt!
How do you spell relief?
The guys crossed the Yuha Desert. Here they experienced searing dry heat. Vegetation was sparse at best. That's why it's called a desert.
The second corner is just behind that sign...1 1/2 miles away!
Uh oh...the quest for the second corner squashed. The Border Field State Park was closed. The park is only open for short periods of time on the weekends. The daily influx of illegal immigrants has forced closure on weekdays. Since the sign did not say, "No trespassing", the boys forged through an opening between a fence and pipe gate. Within minutes their progress was halted by Border Patrol Officers who had spotted them via GPS. They were told to turn around and leave the area immediately.
Mike leading the way through the opening they had just come through.
The guys were heartbroken and dejected. They stopped outside of the park. While re-grouping United States Border Patrol Agent, Jared McKenzie rode back to talk with them.
The boys explained the purpose of the 4 Corners Ride. Jared was interested, asking and answering questions. He told the guys what his job was like on a daily basis. He suggested going down the road a little way to a stable. There the guys could rent horses, ride back in order to get to that southern point monument. Well, this could not have worked any better. Just yesterday they had made the decision to park those bikes, continuing their journey via horseback, (only while they were "out west", of course). They warmed up to the idea, even getting a little excited about it. Suddenly Jared said, "Let's do it!" Now the guys were really confused. Jared said, "You've come so far, I'm going to take you back to that monument." The guys reminded him they had just been tossed out of the Border Field Park, and that the other agent was none to happy about their trespassing. "Ahaha..what are they going to do? Fire me?", Jared asked.
The guys mounted up and followed Jared along the United States, Mexico border.
The monument is right on the border between the two countries. The location of the fencing, which is actually 50 feet away from the border on the U.S. side, prevented the guys from getting close enough to have their photo taken on the monument spot. Close enough! Let's give them that second border!
Fred, Ron, Mike and Stu inside the Border Field State Park. The fence - the border between the United States of America and Mexico. Road Ends in Water! That's the Pacific Ocean behind them. The boys thank United States Border Patrol Agent Jared McKenzie for taking the time out of his grueling work day, allowing them to make the second corner a reality! And, for the job he does while protecting our borders. Thank you Jared!
Fred has been leading the riding since leaving Chesapeake City, Maryland. Freddie has done an outstanding job everyday for 16 days! Having corner #2 in the bag, it was time for the official exchange of the GPS. Fred gives the unit to Ron who will lead the rides up the Pacific Coast.
Leaving the desert behind them, the boys are enjoying more picturesque scenery. 325 miles ridden today before reaching their evening destination of Temecula, California
Hi Stu!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt was soooo good to talk to you tonight! We are having such a good time but we miss you soooo much! You guys look you are having a blast! What a wonderful opportunity! I can't wait to see more pics!!
Lots of love from all of us!
Kaitlin
Happy father's day, Dad! We love you!!
ReplyDeleteBeth & Adam
Stu, you won't believe this but I visited you, Jill and the family for about 5 days in St. Croix back in 1979 with your Aunt Bette. She is the Godmother to all 3 of my sons and we taught together in 1970-1972 in Santa Ana and have stayed close all these yrs. I travel a great deal and I'm really enjoying your Blog!!!
ReplyDelete