Mickey's News and Views

Hi Everyone.

I'm sure by now you know I just completed the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America. It was truly a life altering event. It is something I will never forget and it will remain in a place in my heart forever. My wife, Phyllis and I checked into the hotel on April 28th in Baldwin Park, CA. April and her friend Vicky checked in on Saturday the 29th. April's friend John also came to help take photos and boy did they do a great job. John was kind enough to put the photos on a CD Rom for me and it is very cool.

Saturday afternoon, we did a safety check out ride with the law enforcement personnel on the ride. Everyone checked out fine. That night we attended a kick off party with the man himself, Kyle Petty. The highlight of the night for me was meeting Richard Petty, the King.

Day 1 - Sunday morning we staged at the hotel and left for California Motor Speedway where we did a parade lap in front of 100,000 race fans. We left the track and headed straight for Prescott, AZ. Our first refuel stop and lunch was Indio, CA. We made another fuel stop at Quartzite, AZ and then on the Prescott. Everything went fine.

Day 2 - Monday morning we were up at 5 AM and off to Valle, AZ for fuel. We then proceeded to the Grand Canyon for some sightseeing. Then on to refuel at Cameron, AZ and lunch. Our next fuel stop was Kayenta, AZ, the same Kayenta where I shot National Lampoon's Vacation with Chevy Chase. From there Cortez, CO for fuel and on to Durango, CO for the night. Today we had a small injury. Almost missing a turn, the group slowed down rapidly and one of the bikes dropped down 3 inches off the asphalt and as he came to a stop, the bike fell over and he suffered a broken ankle. He was flown back to North Carolina for surgery where they put a pin in his ankle. He left the ride.

Day 3 - Leave Durango for fuel in Chama, NM. We then went to Santa Fe for fuel and lunch at the Red Lobster. That was great. Next fuel, New Kirk, NM. Then on to Amarillo, TX and dinner at Big Texan Steak Ranch. My kind of dinner. We were running late for a press reception for the celebrities so the Texas Department of Public Safety escorted us to Amarillo at 90 MPH.

Day 4 - Leave Amarillo, TX and fuel in Sayre, OK then to Edmond, OK for lunch. We arrive in Tulsa, OK and visit the kids in St. Francis Hospital. Kyle Petty presents a check to the hospital for $25,000.

Day 5 - RAIN - We leave and refuel in Ozark, AR. Then on to Lonoke, AR for fuel and lunch. We arrive in Memphis with more police motorcycles than I had ever seen before. We had a wonderful dinner - bar-b-que, yeah!

Day 6 - 600 miles today. Leave Memphis for Hurricane Mills, TN for fuel, then to Smiths Grove, KY for fuel and lunch. Then to Versailles, KY for fuel. Then to Kenova, WV again, fuel. Then we arrive in Huntington, WV for dinner at the Wild Dawg Saloon. Then on to Charleston, WV for the night - very tired. One small injury. I fall down. Not on a bike but I turned my ankle stepping out of a port-a-john and fall on my right arm injuring a tendon. That sucks.

Day 7 - We go to Crawley, WV for breakfast and fuel. Then to Amherst, VA for fuel and lunch. Then comes Richmond, VA and a couple of parade laps around Richmond International Raceway before the NASCAR race. Stay the night in Petersburg, VA. Another couple of injuries. The bike I have been riding and now being ridden by Richard Petty's son-in-law falls over and breaks his ankle, the son-in-law, not Richard. The next morning Kyle says "In our family, that is no big deal". Then at the end of the day a rider loses his balance at a stop and his lady passenger breaks her left arm. She is back on the bike the final day.

Day 8 - I receive the NUMB NUTS RECOVERY AWARD. Leave Petersburg, VA for Oxford, NC and fuel. Everyone was excited to cross into North Carolina. Then on to Duke Children's Hospital for another $25,000 presentation and a visit with the kids. From Duke it's on to Whitsett, NC for fuel and finally we go to Kyle Petty's farm in Trinity, NC and the end of the ride. We made it. Another $50,000 is earmarked for a new Paul Newman - Hole in the Wall Camp for sick kids. At the end of the evening I checked into a hotel for some rest and Monday morning I flew back home.

We're in Las Vegas the weekend of May 12 - 14. On May 17I go to Titusville, FL for the Cal Dixon Celebrity Fishing Tournament. I come home the night of the 19th so I can do the L.A.P.D. Celebrity Golf Tournament on Saturday the 20th. That tournament means a great deal to me so I can't miss it.

On May 21st I go to Lexington, KY for the John Michael Montgomery / Hal Mumme Celebrity Golf Classic. Back on the 24th so I can shoot a commercial on the 25th. I leave on the 26th for Louisville, KY for my friend Ned Beatty and his celebrity golf tournament. Back home on the 29th.

June 1st I go to Indiana. On the 2nd I play the Legends Country Club with Mike Quayle, yes Dan's brother and then on to Linton, IN for the Phil Harris Celebrity Golf Tournament. Home on the 5th

Phyllis and I are going to Dayton, OH on June 8th for Bogey Busters and home on the 12th. The next weekend, June 17th we go to Wichita, KS for the Charlie Daniels Celebrity Golf Tournament. Then the next weekend back to Lexington, KY for the Children's Charity Golf Classic hosted by Kyle Macy, Doug Flynn and J.P. Pennington.

Somewhat of a busy schedule but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I want to thank each and everyone of you who kept good thoughts and prayers for safe travel on the Ride Across America. Prayer really works. I got home to my family safe and sound. Thanks again and we'll chat soon. Till then, again, all my personal best and God Bless!

Mickey