(Sorry it’s been a while since my last post… been a little busy with this guy, who was just a week old here, but is now 7 months!)
February 12, 2012 marks the 2-year anniversary of the Gene Yang Gang! Our meeting spot was Picacho Peak, Arizona. The plan was for the riders to head out at 8:30AM, meet everyone for a short gathering at 10:30, and go for a nice hike (at everyone’s own pace).
The weather was beautiful – not too hot, not too cold, but a little windy for the riders!
Baby Philip and I were “race chasers” – I drove along the route in case any riders needed a lift! As I drove that 30-mile road from Casa Grande to Picacho, I had the chance to reflect on the many trips my dad has taken, the miles he’s ridden with these guys, and the last trip he took across those train tracks. I miss him every day, but this time of year, I miss him a little more.
Once we arrived at Picacho, my dad’s good buddy Wes Baker said a few words (tear-inducing, of course). He reminded us that the theme this year is “love”. We focused on the miracle of Phil’s surviving the accident that day, so he could create another miracle – our little Philip!
We handed out these laminated GYG “trading cards” (a picture of my dad on the front, Phil and Philip on the back. The caption reads: “The miraculous thing about life is that it goes on.”), which coordinated perfectly with the story that Wes told about my dad’s good friend, Kevin Burns. Every time Kevin does a big ride, he pulls out a picture of my dad that he keeps in his helmet, and uses that as his inspiration.
