The Central Arizona
Motorcycle Tour of 2005

March 21-24, 2005


By March in Ohio, motorcyclists are getting itchy to be riding, but the weather generally doesn't cooperate. Some days of riding in warmer and sunnier weather can give us the fix we need. Dave Hershberger and Barry Romich, just off four days of exhibiting, presenting, and meetings, flew from Los Angeles late Saturday night and rented a car because the motorcycles couldn't be picked up until Monday. They drove to the home of Dave's brother Mahlon and his wife Regina. Their riding partner, Ed Miller, had flown from Cleveland to Phoenix the day before and was visiting his friend Cal, who had moved from Holmes County many years ago.

The Hershbergers live outside Congress, AZ, which is a good 1-1/2 hours from Phoenix. Finding their home in daylight had always been a bit of a challenge. At night it was even more so. Dave called Mahlon as we drove and got some directions. (They now have normal telephone service, an upgrade from our 2004 visit.) The road pavement ends about a mile from their place and there is no lighting. When we got to the mining operation, we knew we'd missed the turnoff but were close. As we were to learn, Arizona was greener than ever in the memory of long term residents. We were about to experience a related manifestation of that phenomenon as we soon became concerned about getting stuck in the muddy lane that runs off the road to the homes in the area. At this point, we were very glad to have four wheels under us.

Things at the Hershberger home were much as we remembered, except quieter. All four children were off doing other things, three in Minnesota and one in Virginia. The goats were gone. But the warm reception given to family and friends was still there.

Mahlon and Regina

Sunday morning Dave, Mahlon, and Regina drove the 15-20 miles into Wickenburg where Mahlon is a minister at the Berean Mennonite Church. Barry headed in the other direction to Cottonwood for the Second Southwest Regional Hot Air Engine Show.

That afternoon, activity at the Hershberger home increased. Ed and Cal arrived from Phoenix. PRC Consultant Jane Odom and her son Chase arrived. (Jane covers northern Arizona for PRC. Chase covers a lot of territory, too.) And Barry returned from Cottonwood.

Ed and Cal

Jane and Chase

That evening Cal returned to Phoenix and the rest of us attended the evening church service in Wickenburg, after which we returned to the Hershberger home for another of Regina's famous dinners.

Mahlon and Ed Sunday evening after church

For more photos and descriptions click on the following links. The motorcycle tour starts with Monday March 21.

Ed and Cal in Phoenix

Hot Air Engine Show

Monday March 21

Tuesday March 22

Wednesday March 23

Thursday March 24


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