RFTW Day 11

Day 5 RFTW Weatherford TX-Monroe LA 350 miles

Long run today. Started with about 350 riders and at our first stop in Terrell TX we picked up another 100 day riders. The people of Terrell had a tent set up with free refreshments and sandwiches for all of us. Fuel Crew doesn't get to stay for many festivities because we go in advance of the group to get the fuel stop set up. We got it down now. We can fuel 350 bikes in about 20 minutes. Working as a team now and things are going good when we can find the gas station. Our next stop was Longview TX and we drove all over looking for the gas station and once again we drove by it 2-3 times before we figured it out. I should say before our leader figured it out. He sure is no path finder. Longview VFW provided a meal and refreshments for all 450 riders. We didn't get to eat there because we were behind so we got some gut bombs and hit the road. Finally got to slow down when we left Texas. Louisiana's speed limit is 70mph and we all asked things to slow down. Only hit 80 a couple of times and mostly kept it at 70 or 5 over. No clouds until late afternoon....temp was in high 90's and I fried. Didn't get sun block on until afternoon so I look like lobster boy now. I coudn't count all the overpasses that had people standing on them waving flags and banners welcoming us to Louisiana. Flags were stuck in the ground every mile for 10 miles into Monroe LA. Someone picked up the fuel tab for our stop in Minden LA. In Monroe LA the people put on a fabulous dinner including catfish, hush puppies, salads, tater-tots and pies and cakes. People shake our hands and say thank you for your service every where we go. I'll never forget the old cowboy at the end of his driveway leaning against his pick up and waving to everyone that went by.......