144 days to the Ride

For some reason the number of days left seems significant. But, there really is a deeper reason for writing today. In the last 30 days I have lost 3 very close friends; all military, two I actually served with. All 3 had cancer. Why am I writing this on a blog that was designed to be fun? Because it reinforces for me the reason for bonding together to have an adventure that will live in our memories for the rest of our days. Too many times I have regretted not doing something that was important, or fun, or a little risky. Too many times I haven't taken the time to contact someone I hadn't talked to in a while and then learned they were gone forever. I've been dreaming of this trip for most of my life and in the last year it has taken on a life of it's own and the fact that it will be shared with each of you just makes it that more special. We'll have fun, we'll have laughs, we'll tell outrageous stories, we'll meet up with guys we have yakked with on the various BBS and we'll do something that others will enjoy reading about.
I always envied the guys who were able to make it to the BASH at the Ranch. I couldn't make it for a variety of reasons but Cowboy was kind enough to send me the video so I could experience it vicariously. When we meet up with Sue in Washougal it will feel like I finally made it to the party.
Call somebody you haven't spoken to in a while and find out how they're doing.
Be well, shipmates.
Doc