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Ride Recaps
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January 2005 Recap- March Air Base Museum Greetings 109ers
Well the first ride of "05" is in the books
( think I said that in the last e-mail). After the deluge of rain
we have had recently our day dawned bright and clear with temperatures
reaching into the 70's. Our ride was to take us to the "Farm
House" in Banning for elections and onto "March Air Reserve Base and
their museum of Air history. We left the "Hometown Buffet" Parking
lot and headed out to the "10 Freeway". Cliff Bennett had planned
the long way around taking us through San Timoteo Canyon Road.
Fresh clear air and beautiful sky helped us shake off the cobwebs of
December. We were greeted by some of the most lush hillsides I've
ever seen in Southern California. The back drop of green rolling hills
and the snow covered mountains of Big Bear behind them made an
impressive sight. Considering our pre-ride last week was in a major
Gully Washer it looked like a miracle of nature. Although the rains
caused a lot of devastation you are always reminded of the beauty it
also creates on a day like today. We arrived at the Farm House about
10:45 and had a great meal as they always provide. Our Elections
were held and swearing in of the new President was accomplished.
Denise Nelson reminded us of
Debi's Ride for Children
next Month and Vinnie informed us of the support of many of our neighbor
chapters. Vinnie, Jay, Sue and Mark were presented with clocks with our
logo and their names and offices held. Remember they have been
here since the chapters inception!! Vinnie also reminded us of a
very significant point, although we were not the first chapter for Star
Touring and Riding we are now the oldest existing chapter of record.
We are seven years old going on eight, anyone looking for fifty??
A small note: was the renaming of the
street above the Farm House to Joshua Palmer Rd. Joshua is the son
of the owner of the Farm House died recently in support of our country
in Iraq. Pictures of his son were at the cashier's counter in
remembrance that the war and it's effects are always very close to us.
After leaving the Farm House we headed out
to the 79 Freeway where we were again greeted by lush green valleys as
we headed to the Ramona Expressway towards the 215 Freeway and the Air
Museum. As we passed through the beautiful countryside were
greeted with the smell of money (better known as dairy farms).
Grand English Tutor homes marked the residences of the rich and not so
famous.
Hitting the 215 Freeway we soon arrived at
the March Air Reserve Base. Getting a look at some of these
massive and small planes up close is a sight to remember. Inside
the staff is all volunteer and some of the planes restored inside Hanger
#1 remind you of how fragile some of these planes are that our pilots
flew. A small theatre inside shows a movie of March AFB and its
history and support through wars and aid to starving countries.
Outside huge planes, dry-docked tell our history of air supremacy.
My personal contacts were the B-52's and KC 135's when I was in the Air
Force and being up close and personal again brought back memories.
Of Course the C141 "Spirit of the Inland Empire" and the SR 71 ( I
believe was still the fastest ever built until it's retirement). On the
Sign in front of the plane it said it flew over 5,000 miles in 3 hours,
WOW!
 "Big
Bird" "Fast
Bird"
We called the ride at the museum and
everyone went their separate ways until next time when we meet for
Debi's Ride for Children.
Remember everyone goes to YOC next month to
begin the ride. Registration is between 8:00 & 10:00 am February
19, 2005. We will see you there!
David Roskosky
President of Inland Empire Chapter #109
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