Kola's Interesting Adventures

It's official...Ruben's new bike can hold two, thus this year we rode in the annual Rolling Thunder rally.

Ruben and I met at Fort Washington Harley dealership and rode to the Pentagon under police escort...no traffic on 295 or other roads...as those of you from this area know...that never happens!

Rolling Thunder is an annual motorcycle rally that is held in Washington, DC during the Memorial Day weekend to call for the government's recognition and protection of Prisoners of War (POWs) and those Missing in Action (MIAs). To find out more information: http://www.rollingthunder1.com/

After a slight detour down to the monuments...instead of taking a "left", we were following the crowd...who were following the crowd. Even though we were not with police escort during our "detour," the cars and buses waited for our group to pass by.

We ended up at the Pentagon about 10 am. Everyone is so friendly! It's amazing, hot weather, some sun and people in the parking lots around the Pentagon for 4-8 hours waiting to depart (to be in the front of the line you have to arrive around 6 am)!

We walked around, talked to some people and watched as many of the bikes departed (the ride began at noon). We departed around 2:30 pm.

The Rally is all about our veterans (those missing, lost and still living)! And bikes on bikes...I'd guess about 200,000 at least in the parking lots and more parked on the Mall.

The ride is amazing, heartening, and moving ...numerous people lined up to support the cause and watch the line of bikes moving through DC for hours. Many people were thanking the bikers as we rode by for their service and support of veterans, while waving and supporting with signs.

Pictures during the Rally around the Mall.

Following the event, we 'detoured' through D.C. back to my apartment before the drizzle of rain began!

Today we went back to Thunder Alley (a street blocked off down by Lincoln's monument) to do a little shopping (and maybe win a raffled bike)!

Pictures of our new vests. The coat came a few weeks ago, along with the helmet ;-). And yes...even with suntan lotion this weekend, my color is a little browner (and redder) in spots!