Had a great day today travelling first to the Four Corners, then to Mesa Verde and, finally to Durango. Sounds like a lot, but the total distance was under 200 miles.
For those who may not know, the Four Corners refers to the point where New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah meet. It's on Indian land and consists of a marker in the ground and some Indian vendors. Not a long stop, but a gotta do photo op. Which reminds me, we have lots of photos, but most of the WiFi connections available to us will not upload the photos. They may have to wait until we get home to upload more.
Mesa Verde is a National Park that sits between Cortez and Durango, CO. From the entrance, it is a 23 mile, 7,000 ft climb to the top. The primary attraction includes several ancient cliff dwellings. Most require strenuous climbs on stairways and ladders to visit. However, one, Spruce Tree House, can be reached by a paved, switchback walkway. It was still too much for my bad knees, but Bryan and & Boyd made the trip down and back. Bryan decided he didn't want to live there - no topless Indians, just more rocks.
Upon arriving in Durango, we went straight to the Durango-Silverton Railroad depot to purchase tickets for tomorrows train ride to Silverton and back. After checking into the motel and dinner at the Serious Texas Barbecue, we spent the evening people watching in downtown Durango. It was a very pleasant evening. It was a nice change of pace from the frantic pace of the past week. We plan to do it again tomorrow night.
Gunny
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Bryce Canyon and Beyond
This morning we headed for Bryce Canyon. Since it is much higher than Zion, the temperatures were far cooler (78). We were very happy about that. Bryce has very interesting geologic formations, but, as Bryan put it, "Yup, more rocks." I guess at this point of the trip have all seen enough rocks and desert. So, we made the trip up to the end of the park and back, stopped at a few of the scenic overlooks, took some pictures, had lunch at the park lodge and headed out.
That led us to the most interesting part of today's travels: Utah Route 12. It is 123 miles of tight turns, extreme elevation changes, color changes and just plain fun. The road took us from the desert floor to the mountain tops, down and up again several times. Added to that, the highway passes through open range, which meant several stops to clear cattle out of the way. What a great road! Don't miss it if you are in the area.
From Route 12 we headed southeast on Route 24 which took us through the Coarl Reef National Park. Hear again the views were magnificent, although Bryan saw only more rocks. After leaveing the park, Route 24 winds through a seemingly endless streatch of Utah desert (refer back to previous desert comment).
We finally turned onto Route 95 through Glen Canyon, across the north end of Lake Powell, across the mesa lands to Blanding, UT where we have stopped for the night.
Tomorrow should see us clear of the desert, and none too soon, as the temperatures out here have been much higher than normal.
Gunny
That led us to the most interesting part of today's travels: Utah Route 12. It is 123 miles of tight turns, extreme elevation changes, color changes and just plain fun. The road took us from the desert floor to the mountain tops, down and up again several times. Added to that, the highway passes through open range, which meant several stops to clear cattle out of the way. What a great road! Don't miss it if you are in the area.
From Route 12 we headed southeast on Route 24 which took us through the Coarl Reef National Park. Hear again the views were magnificent, although Bryan saw only more rocks. After leaveing the park, Route 24 winds through a seemingly endless streatch of Utah desert (refer back to previous desert comment).
We finally turned onto Route 95 through Glen Canyon, across the north end of Lake Powell, across the mesa lands to Blanding, UT where we have stopped for the night.
Tomorrow should see us clear of the desert, and none too soon, as the temperatures out here have been much higher than normal.
Gunny
Friday, June 20, 2008
Zion National Park
We got a late start this morning as Bryan's Yamaha needed some service. We left for Zion National Park about 1:30 p.m. with arrivial about 40 minutes later. The park is beautiful. The temperature, however, was nearly unbearable. Good hint: If you go to Zion, go early in the day. We made a run from the east entrance to the Visitor Center (about 13 miles). Took a shuttle bus up the scenic drive where private vehicles are prohibited, then made the return drive along the same route. The drive is very challenging with many hair pin turns and changes in elevation, but is very slow, especially in the area of the 1.1 mile tunnel. The scenery also makes the drive hard because it is difficult to keep your eyes on the road.
We have all had enough of this heat and are thinking of avoiding any further desert visits. Bryce Canyon is supposed to be cooler. We'll find out tomorrow.
Gunny
We have all had enough of this heat and are thinking of avoiding any further desert visits. Bryce Canyon is supposed to be cooler. We'll find out tomorrow.
Gunny
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Day 6 and the North Rim
We set out from Page, AZ this morning enroute to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to determine for ourselves whether the North or South Rim is the better destination.
As we travelled down Route 89A we ran across the Navajo Bridge in Marble Canyon. We decided to stop to take a look. What a great decision! The view from the bridge over the Colorado River is absolutely spectacular as are the views of the surrounding canyon walls. Our intended 10 minute stop turned into 2 hours, including a side trip to nearby Lee's Ferry which was the main Colorado River crossing point before the Navajo Bridge was constructed. Near the ferry site we were able to walk down to the river's edge and watch several rafts run the Paria Riffle (a riffle is white water too small to be called at rapids). Bryan is now trying to find out how to join one of the rafting trips. On the way back to the highway, we stopped to get some pictures of some unique balanced rock formations. I gotta tell you, I had a hard time keeping my eyes on the road there because we were surrounded on all side by magnificent red rock cliffs. We were all very happy to have made this unscheduled stop.
We finally made our way towards the North Rim and stopped for lunch at the Kaibab (pronounced kybob) Lodge. It was an excellent meal in a very nice log lodge.
Once inside the park, the difference between the South Rim and North Rim was obvious. Where the South Rim is a crowded, hot, modern, desert environment, the North Rim is cool, wooded environment with log cabins and a visitor's center in the craftsman style. Onto of that the drive into the park and the roads to the various viewing points winding and wooded. We all agreed that the North Rim is far more pleasant destination.
We are now in Kanab, UT for the night & will be going to Zion National Park tomorrow. More later.
Gunny
As we travelled down Route 89A we ran across the Navajo Bridge in Marble Canyon. We decided to stop to take a look. What a great decision! The view from the bridge over the Colorado River is absolutely spectacular as are the views of the surrounding canyon walls. Our intended 10 minute stop turned into 2 hours, including a side trip to nearby Lee's Ferry which was the main Colorado River crossing point before the Navajo Bridge was constructed. Near the ferry site we were able to walk down to the river's edge and watch several rafts run the Paria Riffle (a riffle is white water too small to be called at rapids). Bryan is now trying to find out how to join one of the rafting trips. On the way back to the highway, we stopped to get some pictures of some unique balanced rock formations. I gotta tell you, I had a hard time keeping my eyes on the road there because we were surrounded on all side by magnificent red rock cliffs. We were all very happy to have made this unscheduled stop.
We finally made our way towards the North Rim and stopped for lunch at the Kaibab (pronounced kybob) Lodge. It was an excellent meal in a very nice log lodge.
Once inside the park, the difference between the South Rim and North Rim was obvious. Where the South Rim is a crowded, hot, modern, desert environment, the North Rim is cool, wooded environment with log cabins and a visitor's center in the craftsman style. Onto of that the drive into the park and the roads to the various viewing points winding and wooded. We all agreed that the North Rim is far more pleasant destination.
We are now in Kanab, UT for the night & will be going to Zion National Park tomorrow. More later.
Gunny
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Day 5, Wednesday, June 19
We started out from Holbrook, AZ at 7:30 this morning and headed to the Petrified Forest National Park. The name is somewhat of a misnomer because he park contains the Painted Desert as well as the Petrified Forest. We purchased annual National Parks passes and were pleased to learn that we needed only one pass for every two bikes. That saved us $80.00. We thought we would zip through this stop in a very short time, but found ourselves stopping often to take photos of the changing desert landscapes and colors. We also spend some time at the Painted Desert Inn. Very interesting spot. Too bad it is no longer open for overnight guests. We finally made it down to the petrified trees, bought some souvenirs and headed west again.
The wind was blowing so strongly that riding was difficult and
tiring. Once we reached Flagstaff we knew it was time to get off the interstate so we gave up on going to the Grand Canyon Skywalk, which was a couple of hundered miles further west, and turned north on 180 to the Grand Canyon South 
Entrance. Now the Grand Canyon is
the kind of place that you can see enough of in 20 minutes or spend weeks viewing. We split the difference, visiting as many spots as possible in the 5 hours or so we were there.
Finally, we exited the park at the east entrance, taking 64 to 89 and 89 north to Page, AZ, on the southern edge of Lake Powell. That was an 82 mile run on 2-lane blacktop with out a single stop until we arrived in Page.
The wind was blowing so strongly that riding was difficult and
tiring. Once we reached Flagstaff we knew it was time to get off the interstate so we gave up on going to the Grand Canyon Skywalk, which was a couple of hundered miles further west, and turned north on 180 to the Grand Canyon South 
Entrance. Now the Grand Canyon is
the kind of place that you can see enough of in 20 minutes or spend weeks viewing. We split the difference, visiting as many spots as possible in the 5 hours or so we were there.Finally, we exited the park at the east entrance, taking 64 to 89 and 89 north to Page, AZ, on the southern edge of Lake Powell. That was an 82 mile run on 2-lane blacktop with out a single stop until we arrived in Page.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Day 4 on the Road
Today proved the maxim that travel itineraries should be flexible. We headed out of Taos early in the morning for the High Road to Santa Fe. Along the way, one of our pre-selected roads quickly turned to dirt, causing some route changes. We easliy made the change & got back on route for some twistes over and down the mountain, traversing from high mountain firs to desert scrub. Nice road. Great views.
Afterwards we shot down 285, across a short streatch of I-25 to NM-14 which carried us into Madrid, NM. If you have seen the movie "Wild Hogs" you will remember Madrid. Boyd, Brian & I had a beverage on the front porch of the Madrid Boading House with the owner and a few local characters. Pete, who rides an old Russian cycle complete with sidecar, told us about a ride that he especially likes. After a few more stories, we decided to follow his suggestion and headed south out of Madrid towards Sandia Crest. The road up is about 16 miles of hard switchbacks, curves and very short straightaways. Bryan even managed to scrape the pegs on his Yamaha on the way up (a first). Once at the top (elev. 10600 ft.) we were treated to a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside, include an panorama of Albuquerque. They say you can see eighty miles from up there.
Our next stop was to have been in Chambers, AZ, but after learning that the only motel there wanted $89 per person, we decided to move on to Holbrook, AZ, where we have holed up for the night. I thnk we may be changing the itinerary for tomorrow as well. We will keep you posted.
Gunny
Afterwards we shot down 285, across a short streatch of I-25 to NM-14 which carried us into Madrid, NM. If you have seen the movie "Wild Hogs" you will remember Madrid. Boyd, Brian & I had a beverage on the front porch of the Madrid Boading House with the owner and a few local characters. Pete, who rides an old Russian cycle complete with sidecar, told us about a ride that he especially likes. After a few more stories, we decided to follow his suggestion and headed south out of Madrid towards Sandia Crest. The road up is about 16 miles of hard switchbacks, curves and very short straightaways. Bryan even managed to scrape the pegs on his Yamaha on the way up (a first). Once at the top (elev. 10600 ft.) we were treated to a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside, include an panorama of Albuquerque. They say you can see eighty miles from up there.
Our next stop was to have been in Chambers, AZ, but after learning that the only motel there wanted $89 per person, we decided to move on to Holbrook, AZ, where we have holed up for the night. I thnk we may be changing the itinerary for tomorrow as well. We will keep you posted.Gunny
Monday, June 16, 2008
Two Old Guys & a Skinny Kid Head West
On Saturday, June 14, Bryan Bergau, Boyd Harrell & I met at 6:00 a.m. to begin our trek to the four corners area. J.T. Sims also met us to bless the bike and the trip. Then we were off, heading up I-75 to Atlanta, then thru Birmingham to Jasper, AL. After 658 miles and too many hours, we pulled into the motel for a well needed rest.
On Sunday we headed west out of Jasper with the goal of making it to El Reno, OK for the night. After passing thru Memphis, Little Rock and Oklahoma City, and covering 718 miles, we arrived at our destination.
Monday started out with a light rain but soon dried up. However, when the rain stopped, the wind began. After 500 miles of leaning into the wind, we left I-40 and turned north on US-85, which a remnent of historic Route 66. That and a short distance up I-25, we arrived in Las Vegas, NM, where we grabbed NM-518 north to NM-434. Finally a fun road up and over the mountain with lots of twisties, woods, hills and a beautiful stream running along side of the road. Then we had more twisties on NM-64 enroute to Taos. A total of 580 miles today.
More later.
Gunny
On Sunday we headed west out of Jasper with the goal of making it to El Reno, OK for the night. After passing thru Memphis, Little Rock and Oklahoma City, and covering 718 miles, we arrived at our destination.
Monday started out with a light rain but soon dried up. However, when the rain stopped, the wind began. After 500 miles of leaning into the wind, we left I-40 and turned north on US-85, which a remnent of historic Route 66. That and a short distance up I-25, we arrived in Las Vegas, NM, where we grabbed NM-518 north to NM-434. Finally a fun road up and over the mountain with lots of twisties, woods, hills and a beautiful stream running along side of the road. Then we had more twisties on NM-64 enroute to Taos. A total of 580 miles today.
More later.
Gunny
Sunday, June 08, 2008
June Beach Ride
I was hoping to get a few pictures from Ace to accompany this article. However, Ace did a much better job describing the ride than I could. So, I'll just refer you to his blog at:
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
New Member Inductions
We will be inducting three new members, Marc Pfister, Gaylyn Russell & Wesley Swafford, at our Chapter Meeting on June 12, 2008. Please join us in welcoming these new members. We will also be welcoming two late renewals, Dee Dee Gregory & Matt Combs. We will be meeting at Sparky's offices.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Montverde Ride - 5/10/08
What a great ride we had this weekend. On Saturday, Boyd, Preacher and his step-father, Richard, and Gunny set out from Plant City for Montverde. En route we covered some very twisty and scenic roadways, including Rockridge, Green Pond, Sloans Ridge, CR-455, and Old CR-50. This route took out around the back side of Sugarloaf Mountain, up and down some significant hills and through the town of Montverde and the picturesque Montverde Academy. After lunch in Mineola we headed back via Lakeshore Dr., CR-561 & back across Green Pond. Great ride, great company, great scenery, great day.Gunny
Friday, May 09, 2008
Recruitment Challenge
At our last meeting "Ace" issued a recruitment challenge to all members and it seems that he took the challenge seriously. Today he handed me 5 applications for new and renewing members. "Ace" will receive 4.5 recruitment credits and "Tommy Traffic" will receive 0.5 credits.
These applications will be discussed at a special membership meeting to be held at 8:00 a.m., Saturday, May 10, at Snellgroves. Please join us if at all possible.
Thanks, "Ace" and "Tommy", for your hard work.
These applications will be discussed at a special membership meeting to be held at 8:00 a.m., Saturday, May 10, at Snellgroves. Please join us if at all possible.
Thanks, "Ace" and "Tommy", for your hard work.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
SRC - Day 3
Yesterday was the final full day of the SRC conference. It consisted of unguided rides to several local areas of interest, parking lot games and a fish fry in the afternoon and culminated with a mass ride of a couple of hundred bikes to the Plant City Bike Fest. It was nice to see Blue Knights vests everywhere and everyone enjoyed the event and their visit to Plant City. Many, many Knights expressed their appreciation for the efforts extended by the City of Plant City, the Plant City PD and, especially, Chief McDaniel. Well done, folks. Gunny
Friday, May 02, 2008
SRC - Day 2
Day 2 of the SRC conference began with a breakfast at the Red Rose Inn followed by a Chapter Presidents' meeting where we learned that there were 280 participants representing 28 Chapters at the conference. The majority of the meeting consisted of minor housekeeping matters and politicking by Brothers running for International offices. If you are interested, you can read their bios on the International website and the SRC website.
Things got a whole lot more interesting well over 100 motorcycles, escorted by PCPD and Chapter XXVII members and led by "Ace" set out from the Red Rose at 11:00 for Country Roads Ride via SR-39, Old Hopewell Rd., Henry George Rd., Keysville Rd., Virgil Hall Rd., Walter Hunter Rd., Jameson Rd., back north on SR-39 to Keysville Rd then to Turkey Creek Rd. and Medard Park. The ride and those escorting the ride were highly praised by all. I have had several requests for a written copy of the route so others can enjoy it in the future.
Once we arrived at the park, we were served an excellent pulled pork and baked bean lunch. We were also treated to the presence of a large alligator swimming the waters next to our pavillion, much to wonder, appreciation and apprehension of those not accustomed such sights.
At 7:00 p.m., we all gathered back at the Red Rose for the conference banquet. The food was up to their usual excellence, but the best part of the evening came the comments ofd the keynote speaker, our own "Ace" McDaniel. Great job, Bill.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
SRC - DAY 1
The conference began today with registration in the Red Rose Ballroom. A hospitality room was also set up for the free use of registered attendees. Nice room, but far too small for the number of people trying to get in. At about 6:15 p.m. about 80 bikes set out for dinner at the Spaghetti Warehouse in Ybor City. We didn't make it very far before we suffered our first mishap. I was traveling near the end of the pack and as I entered the eastbound I-4 entrance ramp from Wheeler, I saw a sea of brake lights ahead. A Knight from Georgia failed to negotiate the tight left curve and ended up in the weeds. He was taken to the hospital with a dislocated shoulder and bruised ego. Unfortunately, his Harley suffered a broken drive shaft and multiple bent up body parts. While I sat on my bike waiting for the situation to resolve, I kept hear J.T. whispering, "I told you so" in my ear. After clearing the accident scene, we headed towards Tampa. Upon exiting I-4, the leader decided he needed to stop to make a phone call. As it was then after 7:00 p.m., I judged that it would be very late by the time 120 people were seated and served at the restaurant. So, I decided to head back to Plant City for a quiet meal and a nightcap at the hospitality room. Hope tomorrow fares better. Gunny
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Blue Knights Southern Regional Conference Spring Conference
The Blue Knights Southern Regional Conference Spring Conference takes place in Plant City on May 1 thru 4, 2008. Consequently, there will be no Chapter Ride on Saturday, May 3.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
April 19 Ride
Ace, Preacher, his wife, Boyd and yours truely set out from Plant City this morning for a great ride on the some twisty back roads to Peck's Old Port Cove on Ozello Trail in Crystal River. We enjoyed a great seafood lunch, then set out for thew return trip. After a few more twisties and some hidden, shady lanes, I ended up back in Lakeland at about 3:00 p.m. I put about 220 happy miles on the Wing today. See you all next Saturday for a trip to Leesburg for their bike fest. Note: Click on a picture to see a larger image.
Gunny
May Meeting
Our May meeting will be on the 22nd at 6:00 p.m. We will meet at the Plant City Police Department for a parking lot drill conducted by our Safety Officer, "Tommy Traffic." Afterwards, we will be grilling dinner. All members, prospective members, significant others and honored guests are welcome. Be sure to join us.
Gunny
Gunny
Sunday, April 13, 2008
April 12 Ride
Yesterday's ride started out normally with breakfast at Snellgroves. Afterwards, Eddie, Boyd and I headed south to meet Eddie's son, Paul, who had found a new route to Punta Gorda that he wanted to share with us. We wound our way down to Myakka City and, after a brief stop, headed south and west on Singletary Road. Along the way we came upon Hermann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions. Here, the descendants of the Lipizzan stallions rescued from the Russian advance by General George Patton and Colonel Ottomar Hermann in the final days of World War II, have established their winter home. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from mid-December through the end of April, the Hermanns put on free shows with these amazing horses. For a real treat, try going on May 1, 2 or 3 for the dress rehersals for their 2008 world tour.
After the show we continued down to Punta Gorda for lunch on the pier at Fishermen's Village. This was my first visit to Punta Goarda and Fishermen's Village. It is an amazing place that is well worth the trip.
Paul then led us via the back roads towards home. The ride ended around 4:00 p.m. Thanks, Paul, for a great ride on a beautiful day.
Gunny
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Blue Knights Video
Fellow Knights,
I ran across this video about Blue Knights and some of the camraderie and fun that is part of the Blue Knight experience. I enjoyed watching the video and thinking about all the things that a chapter can be...that our chapter can be...if only the members understand and embrace the spirit that lies at the heart of Blue Knights membership.
Please take a few minutes to watch the video...heck, watch it a couple of times if you feel the urge...and think about what our chapter could be like if we were all to become active and involved members of the very chapter that we worked so hard to found, build, and preserve.
I don't know about you, but I am proud to be a Blue Knight. I am proud to be a member of the largest law enforcement-only motorcycle club in the world. I am proud to be associated with an organization that contributes millions of dollars and services to charities and that strives to enhance the reputation of our chosen and noble profession. And I am most proud to be a member of Blue Knights FL XXVII!!! I am proud to be a fellow member to each and every one of you. I value you and your contribution to our chapter. I enjoy spending time with all of you in the social settings that FL XXVII affords to us. I enjoy traveling with you, whether on a short day-trip or on a week-long escape to the mountains. I enjoy sharing the wonderful experience that is motorcycling with you.
Over the past year my enjoyment has been tempered by the fact that there are fewer and fewer of us sharing in the rides, the meals, the meetings, and the good times that are part and parcel to chapter activities. I miss riding with many of you. I miss hearing your stories and your tall tales. I miss exploring new roads with you and sharing a breakfast or a lunch with you in some out-of-the-way mom-and-pop joint that we happened upon in our travels.
Blue Knights membership is not a burden, fellas; it is a blessing. We are each uniquely qualified for membership in both the International and our local chapter. Not everyone can be one of us...and that includes others who honorably wear a badge and work the streets with us. We are a small, interesting, and unique minority within our profession: we are cops who own and ride motorcycles. We are cops who enjoy the freedom and adventure of two wheels. We are cops who feel comfortable sharing our riding time with other cops. And we are cops who made the decision -- and the commitment -- to become Blue Knights.
My fellow Knights, it is time for us to quit making excuses. It is time for us to quit forgetting or avoiding chapter activites. It is time for us to quit taking who and what we are for granted. It is time for us to get involved, to participate, and to shine as Blue Knights. We have a great thing going with this chapter of ours, lets start taking advantage of it!
I'm not preaching and I'm not scolding; I am speaking from the heart. Every member of this chapter is important to me, and you are each important to this chapter. What I wrote above is the sincere truth: I miss riding with the many of you have gone inactive. And I miss the fire and the magic that this chapter seemed to have in its early days. I want to recapture that sense of excitement and I want to share miles with you, my fellow Knights.
All that being said, it is also time for each and every one of us to work seriously to rebuild and to grow this chapter. We lost several members this year because they simply didn't renew. I have talked to a couple of them and encouraged them to rejoin the chapter. You can each help me to encourage them further. As I told them, Blue Knights is not about obligations, it is about relationships; the relationships that we build with kindred spirits who share not only our professional calling, but also our love of motorcycling.
Beyond recapturing lost members, we each need to do our level best to seek out and recruit new members so that our chapter can grow and be strengthened. The more members we have in our chapter, the more fun we have. The more members we have, the more good ideas we have to act upon. The more members we have, the more effective our chapter becomes. The more members we have, the better our own membership experience becomes.
Prospective Blue Knights are all around us. We meet and work with them on a daily basis. Why not start recruiting some of these people into our chapter? Let us all make it our personal goal to recruit two new members to the club. Just imagine what FL XXVII could be this time next year if we each brought in two new members!!!
Do your part to grow the club...I will certainly do mine!
Do your part to be an active member of FL XXVII...I will certainly do mine!
In closing, I remind you that this all started with my recommending that you watch a short video clip about being a Blue Knight. Well, here is the link to that video. Enjoy!
http://www.dailymotion.com/Danilyn/video/x4tt9o_bkbel1_creation
-- Ace
I ran across this video about Blue Knights and some of the camraderie and fun that is part of the Blue Knight experience. I enjoyed watching the video and thinking about all the things that a chapter can be...that our chapter can be...if only the members understand and embrace the spirit that lies at the heart of Blue Knights membership.
Please take a few minutes to watch the video...heck, watch it a couple of times if you feel the urge...and think about what our chapter could be like if we were all to become active and involved members of the very chapter that we worked so hard to found, build, and preserve.
I don't know about you, but I am proud to be a Blue Knight. I am proud to be a member of the largest law enforcement-only motorcycle club in the world. I am proud to be associated with an organization that contributes millions of dollars and services to charities and that strives to enhance the reputation of our chosen and noble profession. And I am most proud to be a member of Blue Knights FL XXVII!!! I am proud to be a fellow member to each and every one of you. I value you and your contribution to our chapter. I enjoy spending time with all of you in the social settings that FL XXVII affords to us. I enjoy traveling with you, whether on a short day-trip or on a week-long escape to the mountains. I enjoy sharing the wonderful experience that is motorcycling with you.
Over the past year my enjoyment has been tempered by the fact that there are fewer and fewer of us sharing in the rides, the meals, the meetings, and the good times that are part and parcel to chapter activities. I miss riding with many of you. I miss hearing your stories and your tall tales. I miss exploring new roads with you and sharing a breakfast or a lunch with you in some out-of-the-way mom-and-pop joint that we happened upon in our travels.
Blue Knights membership is not a burden, fellas; it is a blessing. We are each uniquely qualified for membership in both the International and our local chapter. Not everyone can be one of us...and that includes others who honorably wear a badge and work the streets with us. We are a small, interesting, and unique minority within our profession: we are cops who own and ride motorcycles. We are cops who enjoy the freedom and adventure of two wheels. We are cops who feel comfortable sharing our riding time with other cops. And we are cops who made the decision -- and the commitment -- to become Blue Knights.
My fellow Knights, it is time for us to quit making excuses. It is time for us to quit forgetting or avoiding chapter activites. It is time for us to quit taking who and what we are for granted. It is time for us to get involved, to participate, and to shine as Blue Knights. We have a great thing going with this chapter of ours, lets start taking advantage of it!
I'm not preaching and I'm not scolding; I am speaking from the heart. Every member of this chapter is important to me, and you are each important to this chapter. What I wrote above is the sincere truth: I miss riding with the many of you have gone inactive. And I miss the fire and the magic that this chapter seemed to have in its early days. I want to recapture that sense of excitement and I want to share miles with you, my fellow Knights.
All that being said, it is also time for each and every one of us to work seriously to rebuild and to grow this chapter. We lost several members this year because they simply didn't renew. I have talked to a couple of them and encouraged them to rejoin the chapter. You can each help me to encourage them further. As I told them, Blue Knights is not about obligations, it is about relationships; the relationships that we build with kindred spirits who share not only our professional calling, but also our love of motorcycling.
Beyond recapturing lost members, we each need to do our level best to seek out and recruit new members so that our chapter can grow and be strengthened. The more members we have in our chapter, the more fun we have. The more members we have, the more good ideas we have to act upon. The more members we have, the more effective our chapter becomes. The more members we have, the better our own membership experience becomes.
Prospective Blue Knights are all around us. We meet and work with them on a daily basis. Why not start recruiting some of these people into our chapter? Let us all make it our personal goal to recruit two new members to the club. Just imagine what FL XXVII could be this time next year if we each brought in two new members!!!
Do your part to grow the club...I will certainly do mine!
Do your part to be an active member of FL XXVII...I will certainly do mine!
In closing, I remind you that this all started with my recommending that you watch a short video clip about being a Blue Knight. Well, here is the link to that video. Enjoy!
http://www.dailymotion.com/Danilyn/video/x4tt9o_bkbel1_creation
-- Ace
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