Day 3:  Mobile, Alabama (Free Day)
 
Now that we’re finally in Mobile, it’s time to check-in and pick up our supplies, meet the friends we’ve made over the past five years on these rides, and get the low down for the next two days in Mobile.  We’ve heard that there are 750 riders registered for this ride, so we headed to the Convention Center early to get registration out of the way.  This year they have added a twist to the Posse Ride, and it’s called the “No Whining Coin.”  Part of the Posse Ride Oath that we all take includes instructions to look out for our fellow Posse Riders, swear to honor and cherish our motorcycles, laugh at the rain, shout back at the thunder, and honor all the rules of common decency, and more.  Part of the oath also contains the admonishment to never whine about the food, weather, schedule or directions (or anything really).  This year we were given a beautiful Posse Ride coin that another rider can take from you if you are caught in the act of whining. You must be given the opportunity to redeem yourself and regain your coin.  Needless to say, it has already done wonders to keep all of us on our very best behavior with not a foul word about anything thus far! Our day included a Dealership Party at the Mobile Bay Harley Davidson, a ride up and down Government Street where some of the city’s finest mansions remain, and a Rendezvous back at the Convention Center complete with a Cowboy band, food and other entertainment. It was a great day of relaxing. Tomorrow we tour the USS Alabama and take our Group Photo in front of the battleship and then ride over, en masse, to the Convention Center for our first Rider’s Meeting and dinner with the final instructions before heading out on the road.
 

Motorcycles take over the front of the Marriott.

We beat the crowd at check-in to avoid the lines.
 

Bill with Beth Berdes, our immediate supervisor while working with Harley Davidson as Elite Volunteers for the Open Road Tours and the 100th Anniversary in 2002/2003.  Beth was truly inspirational to us!
 

Bill getting his boots shined at the dealership.

 
Ventura and Superstition Chapters are well represented on this Posse Ride!
 

Bill and Chris overlooking the Mobile River.
 

The Cowboy Band looks hokey, but boy could they play!