A Final Sign Off from R.P. ....

America! She is the greatest country in the world and filled with beauty from coast to coast.

We have ridden from the white sand beaches, through commerce and oil exploration fields in the southeast and the Atlantic, through hot desserts in the southwest.

We have witnessed magnificent beauty along the rugged and pristine Pacific coast line. Huge timbers of the Sequoia and Redwood trees dwarfed us in massive forests.

There is indescribable beauty in places like Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Crater Lake, Mt. Saint Helen's, Mt. Rainier and the pure open country of Montana.

When you see the powerful buffalo in Yellowstone, you can only imagine what massive herds of the woolly beasts would have looked like decades ago.

In northern Minnesota we took in the tiny, creek-like beginning of what would turn into the mighty Mississippi River. Other rivers like the Ohio, Hudson, Illinois, Missouri, Columbia, Colorado, St. Johns, St. Lawrence and the Rio Grande roll along through their banks without a second thought. Spectacular bridges...the Golden Gate, Mackinac, Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, the Skyway Bridge in St. Petersburg and the bridge crossing the Charleston in South Carolina are true marvels of engineering; works of art in their own right. We maneuvered our iron horses across great bodies of water such as the Chesapeake Bay, Tampa Bay, Delaware Bay, San Francisco Bay and the Puget Sound.

We have seen the sparkling waters of the Great Lakes. The cities of Charleston, Key West, San Antonio, San Francisco, Portland, New York and Washington, D.C., our nation's capital, were all special in their own way.

Being able to circle the United States in one large loop, was simply, the trip of a lifetime!

Special thanks to my three traveling comrades - Fred, Mike and Stu. Our friendships have grown stronger through our magnificent adventure.

We also owe a special thank you to our loving and supportive wives. Without their support this trip would not have been possible. And, to our children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, relatives and many friends, it has been our pleasure to have had you along with us on this trip. I hope you have enjoyed "riding" along with us and enjoyed "seeing" the beauty of our great nation through our eyes.

THE END!!

4 Guys Ride 4 Corners - Facts and Figures

Some interesting facts regarding the 4 Corners Ride

* The guys departed Chesapeake City, Maryland on June 3, 2010.

* Three of the guys returned to Chesapeake City, Maryland on July 17, 2010.

* The total length of the trip around the United States was 45 days.

* 3 1/2 days of total down time occurred because of - bike servicing, breakdowns and viewing
the city of San Francisco.

* The entire ride loop length was 14,610 miles.

* The average number of miles ridden on a daily basis....352 miles.

* There were 112 fuel stops.

* 417 gallons of gasoline per bike was used.

* The bikes averaged 35 miles per gallon of gas.

* The guys traveled through 31 states.

* 9 national parks were visited.

* 25 different animals were viewed along the route.

* 26 different species of crops, fruits and vegetables were seen.

Consecutive days on the road and the total miles traveled on the trip

* Mike - 46 days ridden, equalling 14,930 miles.

* Fred - 48 days ridden, equalling 15,546 miles.

* Stu - 48 days ridden, equalling 15,812 miles.

* Ron - 49 days ridden, equalling 16,001 miles.

Day 46 - Then There Were Two! Washington, D.C. to Wheeling, West Virginia.

Having been on the road for 45 days, Stu developed a slight case of barn fever! He left Ron and Fred to fend for themselves for the day. Stu departed early that morning heading south for Asheville, North Carolina. He was meeting his wife, Jill, at the Biltmore Estate. Farewell and safe travels, Stu! Then there were two!
Because Ron and Fred missed visiting Arlington National Cemetary yesterday, they made a plan to stay in D.C. a little longer so they could see the historic site.
Fred stands by the directional sign pointing the way to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and John F. Kennedy's Grave.

Arlington House in Arlington National Cemetary. Arlington House was the home of Robert E. Lee. Lee lived there for almost 30 years.

Perfectly arranged headstones mark the graves of deceased United States Service Men and Women. There are appoximately 230,000 graves located in Arlington National Cemetary.

Since 1937 every minute of every day the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded by dedicated United States Soldiers. The Soldiers are from every branch of the Armed Forces. Forming the Society of the Honor Guard, these young people describe their service as a very humbling experience and one of high priviledge. They change the guard every 30 minutes during the summer when the cemetary is open to the public. During the hours when the cemetary is closed, the changing of the guard occurs every two hours. They walk 21 steps each way in front of the tomb. Each turn they make takes 21 seconds to complete. This alludes to the 21 gun salute. The average service time of each guard is about 1 year, but, that number does vary with each person.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The laying of the wreath ceremony. Ron and Fred felt they were very lucky to be able to witness the pageantry of this ceremony. TAPS played by a bugler, made the hair on the back of their necks stand up. It was quite a moving experience for both of the men to have witnessed. Ron told Fred this was the last thing he wanted to see on this trip. It was the perfect ending to the entire venture!

On the way back east, Fred and Ron stopped by St. Joseph's Hospital in Leesport, Pennsylvania. Their mission....visit Rick Kolb! Rick had major back surgery and has been fighting the good fight against a nasty infection. The guys have been friends through motorcycling for many years. Despite everything Rick has gone through, the boys found Rick looking tired and weak, but overall pretty good. Rick tried to talk the boys into breaking him out of the hospital. For a change, cooler heads prevailed. They simply wished him well and said, "good bye!"

Rick even got up and walked the boys to the elevator! He was very excited, as well as surprised, that Ron and Fred stopped by to visit him. From all of your friends out there...Get Well Soon Rick!!!!

From Leesport, Pennsylvania, the boys continued on to Wheeling, West Virginia for the night. They had put 450 miles behind them, but ahead of them had thoughts of home and the families that eagerly awaited their arrivals the following day!

Day 45-White Plains, New York to Washington, D.C.

In order to beat the New York City traffic, the guys leave White Plains, New York bright and early in the morning.
They were pleasantly surprised how little traffic there was on this Saturday morning.
The Statue of Liberty stands proudly on Ellis Island. Imagine what a welcome sight she was, many years ago, to all of those immigrants coming to the United States of America on those long, ship voyages to register at Ellis Island. Those tired, poor, huddled masses...
Stu, Fred and Ron with Lady Liberty in the distance.

The guys motor on through the streets of the city with a specific destination in mind.

Ground Zero, the site of the September 11, attack on the World Trade Towers. The guys visited the temporary museum.

Across the Hudson River the state of New Jersey is visible.

After leaving New York City, the guys traveled to Maryland on the New Jersey Turnpike. Making the ride complete, the guys wanted to finish where they began, at Canal Place.

Back in Chesapeake City to complete the journey!

Fred, Stu and Ron finish the 4 Corner Ride where they began at Canal Place in
Chesapeake City, Maryland. They have now ridden a total of 14,700 miles!

Cheers! Here's to a job well done!

Ron, Christopher Dann, Fred and Stu in front of the sign where the journey began.

Fred and Ron visit with Christopher's son, Brodie.

The Dann's; Christopher, baby Brodie, Suzanna, and baby Isabel take time out of their day to let the guys back into the boatyard for photo opportunities. Thank you Christopher and Suzanna!

The boys missed Washington, D.C. on the front side of their trip. They didn't want to miss the sights there. This is the Lincoln Memorial.

Ron, Stu and Fred on the Mall, in front of the Relecting Pool and the Washington Monument.

The White House.

The American Flag of the United States of America with the POW flag.

Fred and Stu at the Vietnam Memorial. Fred and Stu both served our country during the Vietnam War era. Thank you gentlemen for your service.

Fred, Stu and Ron by the WWII Monument.

This beautiful pool is part of the monument.

Unfortunately, the guys were unable to visit Arlington National Cemetary. The cemetary closed at 7:00 p.m., the fellows were in the area at 7:30 p.m. Because of the brave men and women that have served, and presently serve, our country, we enjoy many freedoms. Ron, Fred, Stu and Mike are thankful to those military personnel. Without them, they feel embarking and completing the 4 Corner Ride may have been an impossible freedom!

Day 44-Calais, Maine to White Plains, New York

Mike leads the way from Calais, Maine towards Freeport. Remembering waaaay back to the early days of the ride, Fred directed the routes south down the east coast to the first corner, then west across the southern states to the second corner. Ron took over routing the guys north up the west coast to the third corner. Under Stu's guidance the group got from the third to the fourth corner along the northern route.

A close up look of Mike's riding parter...a big hairy orangutan.
Isn't it calming to know that Stu and Ferdinand are still together after all this time? The boys continued through the eastern portions of Maine to the town of Freeport. Freeport is the home of LL Bean. The company is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! Rumor is they don't have locks on the doors 'cause they're open all year round. The guys found a little Italian restaurant in town. Pizza sounded like a great idea. So, they parked the bikes across the street from the restaurant. Noticing a sign that read, "Fifteen Minute Parking ONLY", they shrugged it off and went to lunch.
Uh oh! When they finished lunch they found the local meter maid with her ticket pad in hand. Her name....Bonnie, (seems about right doesn't it?) Who in their right minds, thinks they can order a pizza AND consume it in 15 minutes? Nobody but these 6 jokers! Stu tries to sweet talk Bonnie out of that parking violation.
That silver tonged devil can't penetrate Bonnie's crusty exterior. Stu was forced to call for back up. Enter, Mikey to the rescue. Now Mike, could talk a leopard into giving up his spots. Let's see how he fared against the fierce parking attendant.
Apparently Mike hasn't lost his touch! His delivery was smooth as glass. Bonnie became so entralled with the epic tale of the 4 Corner Ride that she buckled and pardoned their parking faux pais. Whew....that was a close one.

The fellas continued on until nature called. Stu called over the CB radio, "Hey Bugsy...you got any of that strikin' iron?" Everyone knows that Tom Porter was a good boy scout and is always prepared. After pulling safely to the side of the road, Tom quickly produced a huge roll of striking iron. For the rest of us, toilet paper!

There he goes on his toes, off to use the potty, I suppose! Oh brother...

This photographic documentation can only lead one to surmise that, Stu does, indeed, poop in the woods.

From the state of confusion to the state of New Hampshire. I'm glad we've been able to move on!

Sadly, the guys are going to lose Gary Beagell and Tom Porter, and his emergency bathroom kit. Being back into New Hampshire, this is a very direct route for these two guys to head on home. Ron, Mike, Stu and Fred really have appreciated having Tom, Gary and Joe, who had to leave the ride several days ago, accompany them through their New England venture. Thank you friends, it has been purely a pleasure!

Tom fuels up before heading back to N. Salem, New Hampshire.

Tom and Gary split off from the gas station leaving Mike, Ron, Fred and Stu to forge on towards Beantown...Boston, Massachusetts. Guess they're headed for lobstah, chowdah and an ice cold beah in Haavaad yaad, which is not by the haabaah.

Cough up some coins guys...you're on the I-90...the Mass Turnpike.

Stopping at a rest area on the Mass Turnpike it's the original 4 Guys-Stu, Mike, Fred and Ron. Sadly, they are going from a quartet to triplets. Even though two days remain of the official ride, Mike has to return home. We can neither confirm, nor deny, that he is actually headed for Rhinebeck, New York, the suspected location of Chelsea Clinton's nuptials. I hope he had time to purchase a gift. Oh well....he could always wrap up that big orangutan!

Farewell Mike! Have a safe trip, wherever you're heading.

Having planned on continuing their ride to the point of origin, Ron, Stu and Fred make it to Connecticut. They viewed the skyline of Hartford, Connecticut.

With some sore tushies, the guys rode a total of 533 miles, the trio finished the day in White Plains, New York. They are now 25 miles north of New York City. First thing in the morning they are going to pay their respects at the former site of the Twin Towers, now known as, Ground Zero.

Day 43 - Bangor, Maine to Calais, Maine-The 4th Corner!

Seven Harley Davidson CVO bikes are parked outside the hotel in Bangor, Maine.
Joe, Gary, Tom, Fred, Ron, Stu and Mike pose for a photo before leaving Bangor, Maine. Today is an exciting day for Fred, Ron, Stu and Mike. They have been away from home for a very long time. Reaching the 4th corner will almost complete their ride. The guys are eager to return to their homes.
Dirt and gravel roads will not deter these boys from completing their goal!

The town of Madawaska and the Four Corners Park is within reach.

The four amigos have reached the town of Madawaska! Four friendships are made stronger and bonded together by the memories of quite a journey.

Blooming potato fields are frequently seen along the route. More potatoes are grown in Maine than in Idaho. These spuds will be made into potato chips!

Stacks of pine trees have been harvested for the production of paper. This sight is a common occurrence.

Well kept properties with lots of pine and deciduous trees make up the terrain.

The Four Corner Park sign!

A notebook is kept at the park for those brave souls embarking or completing the 4 Corner Ride. The fellows have added their names for posterity sake!

A little fountain at the Four Corner Park. The pavers contain the names of folks that have completed the Four Corners Ride. The guys have planned on purchasing one of these pavers...adding their names to the walk way.

Ron, Fred, Mike and Stu at the fourth corner monument. Congratulations men! Well done! We are all proud of you and have enjoyed following the journey with you via the blog.

Ron by the fourth corner monument.

The fellows decided that seeing a moose would make their New England states trip complete. Oh moose...why do you elude us?! Seeing not a single moose they had to settle on viewing lobster. To celebrate their accomplishment, and since they were in Maine, they enjoyed a lobster dinner.

Eighty year old Margaret delivers a steaming hot lobster to Stu. Margaret was the restaurant owners mother. She was extremely hard of hearing. Ordering dinner was somewhat of a task considering her handicap. She simply loves to work!

Tom...hasn't anyone ever told you it's not nice to play with your food?

Mike and Fred show off their dinners. Mike surprised the guys and bought dinner. It was his way of thanking the boys for the time and effort put into researching and creating the ride routes. Awww, shucks Mike...you really shouldn't have.

But we're awful glad you did! The guys showed their appreciated by giving Mike the mosh treatment!

The guys rode a total of 410 miles today. The guys have approximately averaged about 14,250 miles!

Tomorrow the guys make the turn and head south.