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This is written from the wife's perspective. Cam and I recently rode with the IAFF MG 8th District to the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial. It was a wonderful trip for both of us. Cam and I were married after he retired from the Dayton Oh department. The world of firefighters and Harleys is still new to me. Cam broke me into riding with a trip to Alaska in 2008 so I knew I could handle the ride to Colorado Springs. I had never been to the canyons of Utah and Arizona and the scenery was breathtaking. I definitely want to go back and see the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and take more time exploring Arches National Park. The ride was well planned in that gas stops were made so no one ever ran out and we were to our hotel each evening before dark. Even more impressive to me than all I have just said was experiencing the "brotherhood" between the guys. Even though most had met for the first time on the trip there was an instant connection with each other. I now can understand why the Memorial is so important. Janet Dalton

I've ridden motorcycles since age 16yrs. In 2003, I bought a new Harley Firefighter bike. I have ridden to 49 States and most of the Canadian Provinces. My most recent trip was with a group of firefighters and their wives/gf's to the Fallen Firefighter Memorial. Even though I had never met most of them it soon became like we were traveling with family ( without the bickering). The trip was very well put together. With quick travel to the scenic part (out West), there everyday the ride was amazing and beautiful. I feel bad for anyone who never gets to see in person, the sights we saw in the areas we rode. On we rode to Colorado Springs to the Fallen Firefighter Memorial. The activities and memorial ceremony should be experienced at sometime by all firefighters. It is another very special place. I want to thank Dennis Swan , Steve Strauch and any others that helped from making this one of the best motorcycle trips of my life. Where do I sign up for membership with the IAFF MG? Put us on the list for the next ride.

Cam Dalton

retired Dayton Firefighter

At the first two IAFF-MG rallies, members of the 8th district rode with the 5th district, so this time I rode with the 8th district on what could be the ride of a lifetime.

The scenery, riding and especially the new friendships made!

I now ride a couple hours to ride for days with the brothers I've met over the years, but that is what the motorcycle group is all about.... the brotherhood!!!

Greg Gollner

5th District

L-1963 retired

A couple of things that I came away with from this trip are:

Before I spend any more money traveling to other parts of the world, I want to explore more of what we have here in this country.

Being a charter member of the IAFF Motorcycle Group I haven’t participated in any rides or even purchased my colors. I’ve had my mind changed about both of these issues now thanks to the 8th district’s ride to the 3rd Annual Motorcycle Group Rally and attending the IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial Services. I plan on attending every ride I can from now on and I’m ordering my vest and colors this week.

Dave and Renee Schoenung

8th District

Dayton, OH

Local 136

I've hesitated in the past to join the Motorcycle Group due to the fact that I ride a Goldwing. I knew the by-laws had changed to allow my membership, but I still hesitated. I changed my mind when I found out about the ride of a lifetime that our 8th District planned for this years National Rally. My wife and I joined 13 other bikes, 22 other members, and a chase truck representing 4 states. The sites seen, miles ridden, and friendships made are too numerous to detail here, but as I said it was a ride of a lifetime for my wife and I that I would never had planned or attempted on my own. Thanks to Dennis, our 8th District Director, and the rest of the guys from Muncie, Indiana for all your hard work and great planning. If not for this trip I would not be a member of the IAFF MG.

A note to anyone hesitating to join for whatever reason, give it a shot for a year and participate, you won't regret it. There was some ribbing for the Goldwing, but it was all in good fun.

Dave Parker

Local 2150

Kettering, OH

2005 Goldwing

Swanny.

Just a note to thank you and Flossy for letting myself and Raiford tag along . The friends made and the experiences will last us a lifetime. I don't know if I can forgive you for the picture but I guess it goes with the territory. You will be getting some event patches in the mail-I e-mailed M.Crouse and asked for a few for those of us that weren't able to get one.

Back in the Eighty's myself "Tiny", Bobby Collins, Harry Gaunt planned a trip to ride the Baja 1000. About three weeks before the ride Bobby broke an arm. Needless to say, that trip never happened. I feel that this trip made up for the one missed so many years ago.

Thanks Again

Rex(DF)

Local 1348

Retired

Dear Dennis;

I have been riding for a long time; and a lot of that time with my wife Judy, but we have never had as great of a time as we had on the ride with the 8th district. There were several contributing factors to the overall success. The organization of stops, hotels, routes etc. and the beauty of Gods creation played a big part but it's still people that make the world go around. Riding with strangers at the beginning that evolved into old friends at the end of two weeks was amazing to say the least. Judy had a tear in her eye as we said good bye and commented that she feels like she has known these people forever and I agreed. Getting back to our everyday life at home and at the Firehouse pales in comparison to our gypsy life on the road. Perhaps one day we will just keep riding. So mission accomplished in my book...this was why the IAFF MG was started.

Sincerely;

Jim Parks (Local 363)

Before I joined the IAFF-MG, I have not been a person to travel much or take vacations to places I have never been. I have been going to the same little resort in Missouri for the past 24 years for vacation. I loved it there, and thought why would I want to go anywhere else. Since I have joined the group, and started to go on the rides with them, I have realized that I have wasted numerous years of exploring our own great country. I went on my first ride with the group last year to Fayetteville. Last spring I packed up the Harley to leave on a trip where I literally knew no one that I was going to be spending the next week with. I have to admit that I was a little nervous to journey out to a place that I had never been riding with guys that I had never met. Needless to say, I had the time of my life, and met some lifelong friends. Since that trip, I have rode the last two years with a lot of the guys I met, and can't wait for the next rides.This year I ventured out with the 8th district to places that I thought only existed in calendars. I put 5200 miles on in 13 days, and have officially put more miles on my Harley this year than my truck! Some of the sights we saw, and experiences I encountered could never be replaced. The memorial in Colorado Springs is definitely a bucket list item for all fire fighters to see, and there is no better way to experience Colorado than on a motorcycle. I encourage all to join the group for the well planned rides, brotherhood, and the great times I have got the pleasure to experience. Thanks again to Dennis Swan for all his hard work in planning, and all the members that rode for making it such a memorable trip.

ADAM WAMPLER

Ottawa Fire Dept. Ottawa, IL L523

Dennis and All!

I retired in 2-2008, and planned all of the next ?? months of riding that I could. (before my lovely blond put me back to work). I to am a charter member and Fayetteville was my first ride with this group, Jay Smith got me there. I had heard of the ride being planned for the 2009 Fire Fighters Memorial, had never been and always wanted to go West, I made plans. This would be my last ride, for retirement, then go back to work. WHAT a ride!!! I had ridden out west before, but not there. "the ride": was the best ride I had ever been a part of and would do it again. I have 61000 mile on my scouter, but this last 4600 was the most memorable of them all. Dennis and Steve, thanks for the planning, that made the ride the easiest ride I had ever been a part of. And to all that went on the ride, thanks, we all rode alot of miles, had a great time ( some got married????), and we all came back with all our fingers and toes.

Thanks you all!!!!!

Nick / Bloomington, IL

Dennis,

I want to thank you, Steve, the truck guys and anyone else that had a hand in planning this trip or making it happen. I purchased my first bike late 2008 so I have not been riding that long. I am a member of my local HOG chapter and have attended some nice rides in Southern and South Eastern Ohio.

I was very intrigued when I read the invite for this ride and thought "wow, that would be great but how could I take myself away from my wife and 2 children for 11 days! I must have forgotten how great my wife is along the way, as soon as I described the ride to her she said "that would be a ride of a lifetime, you should go" I am so glad that I took her advice. Though I felt incredibly guilty long before and during the trip, she kept reassuring me that I was doing the right thing.

Like a few others have commented, once we all hooked up in Indiana and Illinois, it was like we all knew each other for a long time, firefighters speak the same language no matter where you are from. There where many aspects of the trip to enjoy. The riding, fellowship during meals and each night at the hotels along the way, and lets not forget the scenery.

If someone would have told me how beautiful the Grand Canyon and the "Red Rock" was I would have believed them but not understood fully. Once we got into the "red rock" (as you called it many times) I found myself saying one word after we passed into another valley of it. That word was "wow!" In my opinion, that was the only appropriate word to use, that was some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. I cannot imagine anything topping that and cannot wait to ride through it again as well as take my family there.

I know that planning, procuring a truck, trailer, and 2 guys to man and stock it every day was not an easy task but for me it was well worth it. I can only hope that we do it again someday! Maybe after the 2011 New York Ride we can plan a Red Rock Tour for old times sake, skipping Colorado and spending more time in Moab.

Thanks again for a memorable trip!

Jeff Greenup

L2150

Kettering, OH

Eighth District Motorcycle Trip 2009

The IAFF-MG Eighth District had a very successful and enjoyable trip out to the Third Annual Motorcycle Group Rally and IAFF FFF Memorial service in Colorado Springs.

The Eighth District decided to do a long trip in conjunction with the rally route this year. We left Indiana on September Eighth and journeyed by interstate to Springfield, MO. By the end of day one, all bikes were with the group at motel.

Day two was much the same, just road work to get out to Gallup, NM to start the tour through Arizona, Utah and Colorado. Only difference was the over four hours of driving rain. All marched through it. Day two ended at the Big Texan Steak House in Amarillo. Always thought of this as a "Tourist Trap", but the steaks were great and enjoyed by all.

Day three again was just seat time to Gallup but the scenery change started to hint as to what we would see.

Day four was the start of the two lane tour. After a brief moment of silence, (Sept, 11) we were off to "Four Corners". Second was over and up to the "Valley of the Gods". As this has a "wash board" gravel road through it, I ask if some wanted to go in a ways for a photo, all agreed. After they saw what most visitors miss, they decided to do the whole 17 miles of gravel. Out the other side and up more gravel switch backs we made it into Monticello, UT for the night. Most chose to clean bikes as the dust made them look sad, as well as use materials from the coolers in chase truck to clean the dust from their mouths. Most could not believe that the sites could get any better than this first day, they were mistaken!

Day five took us first through "Monument Valley", another of the many must ride areas. Then over and up to Page to catch 89. Right before 89 ties into 89A, we stopped at the scenic overlook of canyon we would go through on or way to the North Rim of Grand Canyon to spend the night, again, most felt it could not get any better than this.

As we had several Brothers with good cameras and the knowledge to use them, Jeff Greenup volunteered to ride ahead and setup for individual photos of each bike as they passed. Another little something extra that happened. After a stop at Lee's Ferry we ended day at the North Rim of Grand Canyon. After a good meal and sun-set over canyon, we spent evening on patio at rim of canyon enjoying a fire provided and good company of all. Most later commented how well they slept, as cabins provided no TVs, A/C and such, cool breezes through windows and just quite provided by location was great after the long days of heat and noise of wind and bikes.

Day six was a relax day. First part was sunrise at canyon and relaxing till about noon at the North Rim. Then individuals broke off and rode their own ride and pace the short distance to Kanab, UT where we spent the night. Most spent afternoon doing a bit of laundry. Then most ate at Houston's Trails End in Kanab. Great chicken fried steak and pies a foot thick if you have room for desert.

Day seven we were off to Zion National Park, this is another must ride. We did a trip through and then a turn around and back through. It has a tunnel through the rocks. We put the trouble truck in front of us. As it had a wide trailer, they shut the tunnel down to one way. This allowed us to have both lanes for this one and one-half mile portion. I made the mistake of telling all I wanted to hear the pipes they were so proud of in the tunnel. Loud is an understatement. The entrance road on East side of Zion has a restaurant that serves buffalo burgers, it was decided to eat lunch there on our way to Bryce Canyon. After lunch we took the short trip to Bryce Canyon National Park and spent night there. The short section of highway 12 East to Bryce through Red Canyon was only a brief preview to the next days journey East out of Bryce on the same road.

Day seven took us east on 12 to 24 and up to I-70. Again, these are very scenic roads. If one has the time, at Hanksville, go on with 95 over to the Blanding area, great road also. On I-70 we took the short jaunt to 191 and South into Moab. Stopped into the upper portion of Canyon Lands National Park. (Islands in the Sky) Hit a hard driving rain in park, some chose to go onto motel but those who chose to ride it out were given some great views when the skies cleared and sun came back out. Then we high tailed it to Motel in Moab and dinner of soup, salad and brick oven pizza at ZAX in the center of Moab. Others chose the Moab Brewery and The Branding Iron with great results for all. Can not beat the Moab Diner for burgers or ice cream.

Day eight (second day in Moab) saw two couples renting a jeep for a tour of Canyon Lands the only way you really see it, driving down into it and through it. The rest of us headed south to 211 and into the lower portion of Canyon Lands. (The Needles) I had boosted that the entry road was as good as anything they had seen to date. Well the first few miles fool you, then it drops into a canyon and some of the best riding bar none. On return trip I road one of the chase truck guys so he could experience it on a bike. I think it was more an "experience" for me! Then back to Moab and Arches National Park. Most spent time there till sunset.

Day nine took us through Colorado on 50 and over the mountains through the Monarch Pass. For once the weather was good, only dropped to 45 at pass. We had one bike break down but the chase truck was able to haul it on into Colorado Springs for repairs on Friday.

Spent Friday, day ten, with some doing rides provided by Local 5 and others visiting with old and new friends. Friday evening we took the MG provided shuttle down town. We ate at Quinn's Pub, (Great Shepherds Pie) and then were treated to hearing all the Drum and Pipe folks in town for the FFF Service. They cut loose out in the blocked off street in front of pub. Hard to describe hearing all of them together.

Day 11 was about the reason we took this trip, The IAFF FFF Memorial Service. Every fire fighter should attend this service at least once in their life. Held at what I consider the Holy of Holies of the IAFF, Memorial Park in Colorado, Springs, the IAFF always provides a fitting tribute to those who paid the ultimate price in service to their communities.

The group then chose to ride into the night ending the day in Weekenee, KS.

The group broke down further the next day with some taking the long ride home and some spending another night on the road in Columbia, MO and then on home on Monday.

I would like to thank the following sponsors of this ride. Without their support we would not have been able to support the group with the chase truck and trailer.

The Professional Fire Fighters Union of Indiana (PFFUI)

The Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois (AFFI)

Muncie, Indiana Local 1348

Kettering, Ohio Local 2150

IAFF Motorcycle Group (Eighth District)

The truck provided much needed hydration during the days we were in very sparsely populated areas as well as the added support for any bike that may have broken down. Some shared they would not have attempted some of these areas without this type of support.

We planned this trip to expose the group to what was out in these areas. We went through areas in one day that a person could spend a week in and not see all that was offered. To this end, we hope they now take time to revisit those areas and enjoy them fully.

Great ride, if you chose not to go, you missed a good one. Think about joining the Motorcycle Group, small price to pay for what you get.

Dennis Swan, Steve Strauch Muncie, Indiana Local 1348

IAFF/MG Eighth District