Last minute preps for this trip just didn't come together as planned.. Oil changes, chain lubes and new spark plugs turned into one delay after the other.. Sheesh.. you'd think these guys in the motorcycle business would stock simple things like oil filters.. The mexican and I finally left Irving early on Thursday morning and did us a nice and pleasant ride, all the way to El Paso, where we were joined by the Zeke from Eagle Pass.. whew.. That custom van of his is really something.. more like an ambulance or something.. After we all gathered in the Pass.. the little convoy started the 400 mile run to Casa Grande, Az.. Deming, New Mexico was a nice little hop and the designated rest stop to catch our breath .. My two up was pretty well used up and we checked into a motel for a well deserved nap.. Friday morning was another early to rise and everyone was looking forward to finishing this little run.. Long sleeved shirts came out of the bags and felt good.. Middle of the morning found us sliding through Tuczon and just north of town, those shirts all came off.. The top off, to finish the run, only took about ten minutes, or so and we were back on the slab, headed for Phoenix.. Suddenly, that pleasant little run turned into a blazing inferno.. The blast furnace hit us and it was a wall of heat that slammed into us.. Fifty miles up the highway, everyone was burnt and ready for some A/C.. That's exactly what we were searching for, when we pulled off at Casa Grande.. Saturday morning, that heat was building up early and we made our way into Phoenix for the planned reunion .. Those old veterans and their families met at one of the Catholic churches, where one couple was renewing their vows which they'd taken fifty years earlier.. Nice..hmmm ? A fine and almost elegant restaurant had been reserved and the feed bag was on.. The buffet which was arrayed before us was Mexican themed and there was plenty of good food for all.. While everyone ate, old relationships were re-developed .. Some of those old eyes were just a bit dimmed and those faces were more lined than any of us remembered, but we all went back through the years .. Mariachi's came in to entertain us .. What a show.. When they did their rendition of "Orange Blossum Special", that restaurant roared with applause.. Even the cooks and waiting staff came out to listen.. The rear tire on the Green Vulcan was pretty slick and I decided to replace it, before the return trip.. hmmm.. Seems like I didn't account for the two up and the heavy bags we'd loaded it with.. After careful consideration, I'd decided not to punish the lovely two up on the return trip to Irving.. She sighed with relief when I announced that she'd be coming back by alternate transportation.. An early start got me to Lordsburg, New Mexico before the heat finally overtook me.. and I checked into a convenient and refrigerated room.. Riding solo does have some advantages.. You can make all those decisions without a lot of discussion.. After a well deserved rest and a couple of cool showers, back on the highway about ten o'clock that night.. Even the night air was hot.. Daylight next morning, I was topping off in Pecos, Tx. Four Houston riders joined me there and we continued the run to the east.. The Houstonians left me at Abilene, going south on 84.. The solo run on into Irving was a piece of cake and uneventful.. Although the entire week was an exercise in nostalgia, there was a feeling of self satisfaction, as I eased the Vulcan into the patio.. Someone took a tentative head count, and there were almost 100 people who enjoyed this reunion with us.. Out of 68 of us who made that long ago adventure in Korea, the three of us who have survived, are very grateful to those who shared with us and made it possible, one more time.. Special thanks go to the fine hosts who closed their restaurant to the public.. Their hospitality and the fine food that was provided, with the entertainment, will be fondly remembered .. Happy Independence Day, everyone... Your Friend in Irving Bill Walker
