By Mary Blackard, Reasons to Ride Contributor

Sixty years ago, my love affair with motorcycles began. I rode every chance I got with whomever would take me. Life in the mid-sixties was certainly a safer time AND God kept His eyes on me! After many years of cycle envy, I bought a new 1978 orange AMF Harley 350. My husband and I took turns getting our cycle endorsements, riding and learning. But, alas, our daughter took precedence and our riding was suspended. 

My desire to ride my own Harley did not wane and we planned to someday explore the United States together. Unfortunately, I went on alone, due to my husband’s death in 1996. In 2001, I bought my 2002 Harley Low Rider! My first REASON TO RIDE: Because I finally could!  Many classes to hone my skills built confidence. HOG meetings, rides and trips, great new friends, mileage challenges and the tragedy of September 11, 2001 [NEVER FORGET!] filled many hours and days with unforgettable times in the wind. Also, I had the opportunity to go on a Harley Cruise with HOG friends and our bikes. We rode on guided tours around the Islands of St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Puerto Rico. OUTSTANDING!! 

In 2011, I graduated from the Low Rider with 165,000+ miles to a new Ultra Limited. REASON #2 TO RIDE: Many more miles with new acquaintances and dedication to the remembrance of September 11, 2001, especially Flight 93 and those brave heroes who lost their lives in Pennsylvania. 

Another Ultra Limited in 2017 continued the wind and sun on my face and the making of more memories as I traveled around America. REASON #3 TO RIDE: I was blessed to reach my goal of riding in each of the 48 contiguous states.

I am now comfortably astride an Army green 2022 Tri Glide Ultra Enthusiast. The change to three wheels was a positive decision and I feel safer as I age. I am part of the Tour of Honor (TOH). We proudly celebrate and honor American Heroes – our veterans, first responders and American citizens who have built this wonderful nation. This association with TOH has given me the BEST REASONS TO RIDE: Honoring those selfless individuals that protect and serve.  In addition to the deep friendships that have developed and our shared times of riding together, I am able to visit memorials and statues about which I would not have known if not for the guidance of TOH. With the available lists, maps and locations, I have a mission to see American Doughboys (WWI soldiers), Madonnas of the Trail, Hueys and Cobras, Gold Star Family Memorials (honoring families who lost a military family member), National Cemeteries, 911 Memorials and salutes to K9/War Dog Heroes as well as Veterans’ Memorials. 

With TOH research in hand, I planned a trip for May of 2024 to accept the challenge called Sea to Shining Sea. I wanted to visit the 12 Madonnas of the Trail. These are identical statues, other than color, set across America from Bethesda, Maryland to Upland, California on National Old Trails Road. They represent the courageous Prairie Women who bravely traveled this road with their families in the 1800’s; they were dedicated by the DAR in 1928 and 1929. 

My decision made to travel West to see seven of the twelve Madonnas, I embarked on the solo trip of a lifetime!! By the time I left home in Michigan, I had added many more different memorials to my route and had the opportunity to take pictures of the seven Madonnas, plus 19 911 memorials (at least one per state except Oklahoma), 18 TOH State sites, in addition to the original Freedom Rock, five Gold Star Families, four Doughboys, three War Dogs, two National Cemeteries and a Huey.

For 18 glorious days, I was blessed to ride roughly 6,500 miles through 18 states. It began across the diverse terrain of Northern USA from Michigan, mostly on I-80. Through Indiana and Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and Oregon I went, all the way to the Pacific Ocean! That led me to the Red Wood Forest of northern California. OMG!!! I actually parked in one of the trees. A bucket list item, to say the least! Heading south through California and Yosemite National Park, I arrived at Madonna #1 in Upland. From there, I traveled east to Payson, Arizona to visit a lifelong friend before stopping in Springerville, Arizona and Albuquerque, New Mexico to see Madonnas #2 and #3. Being so close, I took a short detour to Vega, Texas to view a 911 memorial there. Cutting back west to New Mexico and then north through the panhandle of Oklahoma, I was headed to Madonna #4 in Lamar, Colorado – one of my favorite states! Council Grove, Kansas is home to the fifth Madonna of my journey. While in Kansas, I stopped in Lansing to hug my daughter and son-in-law. The sixth Madonna visited was in Lexington, Missouri. Returning to my Michigan home, I stopped in Vandalia, Illinois visiting the final Madonna #7 of the trip. My soul was filled with joy! What an experience!! 

Of course, the enthusiasm did not end. In June, the quest continued East. Two friends of mine joined me on the next leg of the journey to see the remaining 5 Madonnas. Our first was in Richmond, Indiana (#8). Then we traveled on to Springfield, Ohio for #9. Wheeling, West Virginia has Madonna #10. We went to Beallesville, Pennsylvania next to see Madonna #11 and finally, in downtown Bethesda, Maryland, hidden between buildings, was Madonna of the Trail #12. I was elated to share my conquest with my riding buddies. 

As we traveled, visiting other memorials brought miles of pleasure and honor through Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia. While in Ohio, we happened upon the gravesite of Annie Oakley near Brook. Our visit to the Flight 93 Memorial in Stoystown, Pennsylvania always fills our souls with thoughts and prayers for the 40 heroes who died there protecting the USA. New Jersey included the Tear Drop Memorial (911) presented to the USA by Russia and Empty Sky Memorial which is New Jersey’s tribute to the state’s 911 victims. Both look across the Hudson River to New York City and the new skyscraper named One World Trade Center. Our totals were 11 911 memorials, four TOH state sites, three War Dogs and one each of a Huey, Gold Star Families and Doughboy, in addition to the five Madonnas. Our voyage was 1,750 miles. REASONS TO RIDE for me now are many. I have the desire and purpose to honor and thank those who have served or are serving this wonderful country, as often as I can. NEVER FORGET 9/11 and thank those who have maintained the freedoms we enjoy every day in these United States.  GOD BLESS AMERICA!