AHR 2024, Oct 7-11

[Lee]

I sent a text to the reservation center and made a reservation for next year.
The website would not let me reserve that far ahead.
They called back to set it up.
We're in 104. Updated room with Queen bed.

[K1DUDE]

What are the dates?

[Lee]

Oct 6,7,8 and 9

[Lee]

A little chilly this morning

[955i]

Man, what weather. You Iowans are getting a nice autumn reprieve on this trip.

[Lee]

After restarting the app a few times it changed from 0 to 65.
At Granny's Kitchen now.

[Susan]

We got home at 10am through 35 degrees and a bit of heavy fog. We were happy to go our normal curvy US 64 route. What a great trip, spectacular electricity and WIFI, made to order weather, good food and some wonderful hooligans. Many big THANKS to BMJr for feeding us and trusting Tim to drive his truck!
Looking forward to next year!

[955i]

We got home yesterday. Now the van won't start (despite new alternator, battery and starter) AND the window is stuck halfway up (or is that halfway down?). I'm a real hillbilly now!

[Lee]

Small crowd at Oark today.

[955i]

Looks like the wait was short. I hope the pie was good!

I have to say it again, these particular RS's look really good. That red trellis frame is just the piece that pulls it all together in such an attractive package. (BMW had their best design team on this project. The interns were assigned to the GS's and GSA's.)

[Susan]

I think that a vintage Porsche club was supposed to be there today (Monday). Love that place.

[Lee]

Cathy made a Quilt of Valor for Mike Knox.
I'll let Tyson explain.

[955i]

Cathy made this "Quilt of Valor" to say "thank you" to our friend, Mike Knox. Here Dale and Cathy are holding it up for all to see at the beginning of our AHR fish fry.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation began in 2003 as an idea in which volunteers would donate their time and materials to make a high-quality handmade quilt to be awarded to an individual veteran that they might know. The volunteer quilters must go through the Foundation, and the quilts themselves must meet certain requirements. The quilt makers pledge to award the quilt in a ceremony before other people or at a function. Most importantly, the veteran recipient must also meet requirements and each is identified as an official veteran before the quilt may be awarded. Each quilt receives an official presentation panel. That's what Mike is looking at, Cathy is also showing him that all of AHR folks signed their names in indelible ink on a special signature panel Cathy made for that purpose.

That our friend Mike Knox meets the requirements and is a most worthy recipient is proven by his service. A "grunt" in the USMC, Mike served from 1966 through 1970, He separated as an E-6 S.Sgt. Mike fought in Vietnam. He completed not one, but two tours of duty in that war. He was active during the brutal so-called Tet Offensive, where he and his men came in on landing craft and helped retake the provincial capital. He was awarded one of the highest recognitions for an enlisted man - the Bronze Star. His Bronze Star is one that says "With Valor." They don't pass those out readily - they are earned the hard way. He received that in 1968.

At the award presentation, the entire AHR group gave Mike several sincere rousing cheers for his service. For our group, being serious and sincere is not all that easy. This time, however, it was. Mike seemed touched, and well and properly honored.

"Not everyone answers the call to serve our country. It is those rare individuals who are selfless enough to sacrifice so much so we can all enjoy the freedom we have. We'll never know exactly what each Veteran experiences and how they are touched by war. But we can welcome our Veterans home, support them and their families, and thank them for their service whenever possible." Lori Thompson, Former Exec. Dir. Quilts of Valor Foundation.

Thanks, Mike. We love ya, man.

[Lee]

Sun Flowers on hwy 39 near Stockton, Mo.

[Lee]

[955i]

One feature of the quilt that doesn't show in these photos, is that there are Bronze Stars on the top side of the quilt.

[Lee]

Heavy clouds and 48 in Clinton, Mo.
Iowa will be sunny and high of 56.
Our first day for clouds.

[wildbears]

Only hitting 53 today in central Ohio.

[cabnfvr]

Small towns often have interesting spots but unfortunately we have no idea where we were, somewhere in Alabama.


Headed to the TAT in Trenton, AR.


Percy just turned 89 years young. He held on to Susan for more than 31 seconds. She didn't mind.


Chit Chat & Chew (red canopy) for breakfast in Searcy, AR.


Remember, vote early and often!


Lunch in Leslie, AR followed by dessert.


Daisy Air Rifle Museum in Rogers, AR. We managed not to shoot our eye out.


Looking at guns makes us hungry.


Shortly thereafter we were flashed magnificently by a Zebra.

[cabnfvr]

Well, meanwhile, back in Yellville AR.


We noticed that the Oark sign was missing. A vintage Porsche club rented out the store and would be placing their sign there on Monday for filming.


They can do whatever they want as long as they don't get between us and our Angry Birds and Possum Pie (and my coconut meringue pie.)


Arkansas backroad photo op.


Meanwhile, back in Yellville.

[cabnfvr]

The last night in Yellville. Another gathering over too soon.


Headed east.


Pin Oak Lodge, Natchez Trace State Park.


Walking tall.


Wagon Wheel Cafe, Waynesboro TN. Travel used to be be all about curvy roads, but now it's food.


We were very happy to be able to do our normal last day 167 mile ride on US64 all the way home.


4 miles to go.


2341 miles, 9 days, 7 states. We are home and looking forward to Texas, Arkansas, and possibly a Rocky Mountain gathering. It was great to see everyone again and just the respite that we needed.
Speed safe!

[955i]

Tim, Somehow I missed this post until today - 10-28-2024. Great post and photos.

[wildbears]

Tim, As usual. Great report and pics. Many thanks.

[Lee]

Arrived home this afternoon. Windy and low 50s. After a few of those low 90 days it felt cold enough to wear our heated jackets all day.
On the plus side, the dark clouds only lasted a hour or so, the remainder of the day was sunny.