"Again In the Summer of 2005 I'll Swim, Cycle and Run From Canada To Mexico To Help Kids Walk"

Click here to hear the late great Noble Red Skelton's rendition of the Pledge of Alegiance

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The IRONDAD Shrinemason has set his sights on helping to promote, Freemasonry, the Shrine and to bring awareness of the Shriners Hospitals For Children by again swimming, cycling and running from Canada to Mexico. He did this feat for the first time in the summer of 1998.

This quest began June 15th, 2005 at the Canada/United States border near Rykerts British Columbia
(north of Spokane, WA).

The "Tour de Shrine" made stops at four Shriners Hospitals for Children and passed through over one hundred communities along the way.

With a little luck and lots of sweat the tour ended some 1927 miles later at the United States/ Mexico border at Tijuana on July 29th, 2005.
There was a "Statue Dedication" and wrap up party at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Saturday July 30th.

This journey was be 313 miles longer than the 1614 mile Tribute Triathlon he undertook in 1998.

Newest photos are at the top.

A child's smile makes each step of every mile more than worth while!

July 28th, 8:35pm

The whole family were glad to have safely arrived. It has been a long, but wonderful journey.

July 28th

Calling Illustrious Sir Monte to let him know we had arrived at the San Yasidro border crossing.

July 28th

It's always great to visit our LA SHC

July 27th

Last leg through San Diego. Really pushing hard to try and arrive before it gets very dark. Five miles to go to the Mexico border. There was just enough time to stop for directions, change to a dry shirt and have one last drink of cold water.

July 28th

The boys really seem to enjoy the trading cards

July 27th

July 27th

Visiting Eric at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Los Angeles

July 27th

It is always wonderful to chat with "our" kids.

July 27th

Ah the cool morning mist

July 24th

Roger Aderman and Bob Orgen caught up with Irondad on the PCH just before Malibu, CA

July 24th

Moving down the PCH with the wind.

July 24th

Just outside Point Mugu

July 24th

The McNaughts hosted a gathering at Flying Flags for us. THANKS!

July 22nd

Famous "Land Shark" in Santa Barbara

July 23rd

Moving along through Solvang

July 22nd

About to arrive at Buellton

July 22nd

Madi had a great time too.

July 21st

The gathering was very enthusiastic and their hospitality was touching.

July 21st

Irondad and Past Potentate Ron Ritter in Pismo

July 21st

There were about 80 people at the reception in Pismo Beach.

July 21st

Getting closer to home every stroke.

July 20th

Ah the warm waters of Pismo Beach

July 20th

Ocean swimming is much different than in the rivers.

July 20th

Males, well.....doing their guy stuff.

July 19th

Elephant Seals near San Simeon

July 19th

Of course these blue eyed beauties are my favorites.

July 18th

There is lots of beauty at the Monterey Aquarium

July 17th

Crawdad meets Irondad.

July 17th

Leo rode his Motor Patrol Harley up and met us in Big Sur

July 17th

Swimming in the river near Santa Cruz

July 16th

Cameron's was very much to Dukes liking

July 16th

The whole family stopped in for dinner

July 16th

 Catherine gives Irondad a thank you gift. July 14th

There were smiles all around. July 14th

 

The kids had fun in the activities room.

. July 14th

 

The trading cards were a big hit. July 14th

The Tour de Shrine took a day off and detoured to Sacramento for a visit to the Shriners Hospital for Children

July 14th

Irondad and Madi duplicate a familiar pose

July 14th

Irondad and TJ set to ride over the Golden Gate bridge and into San Fransisco.

July 13th

There were about 120 seals basking in the warm morning California sun just north of Jenner.

July 13th

Dad naps with Madi after a hard day on the bike.

July 12th

Taking a late afternoon hayride. July 12th

Just to prove that they can cycle too! July 11th

Madi and Benny seem to be having the most fun.

July 11th

This is the Lodge building in Mendocino, CA. Notice the wonderful artwork on the top of the spire. A closer look is shown in the picture on the right. July 11th

Time, patience, and perseverance shall accomplish all things. Hmmm, I hope this is a good omen! July 11th

The views along the coast south of Fort Bragg are incredible July 11th

Where ever Madi goes, so goes "Little Mo" July 11th

This is what rebar can do to a tire. It happened in the Safeway parking lot in Fort Bragg. We were already stopped for the night and had gone out for groceries. Fortunately we were able to get it replaced first thing the next morning. The manager at Coast Tire was very helpful and had us on the road by 8:30am July 10th

Getting closer every day! July 10th

TJ and Benny have been fascinated with these Banana Slugs. July 10th

This one was only a medium size. July 10th

The kids taking a chance to have a picture with Dad in Leggett, CA July 10

July 10th

Irondad working his way though the "Avenue of the Giants" in California's Redwood National Park. July 7th

This tree was appropriately named. July 7th

The Elliott kids were very impressed with the size of the Redwoods. July 5th

This stump was in our campsite July 6th

Paul Bunyan stands tall at Klamath, CA July 4th

This is one tough tree! July 5th

Madison, Franklin and Jefferson wishing everyone a happy Independance Day as Duke looks on. July 4th

California here I come! July 4th

The cougar cubs were very frisky July 1st

Cooking chicken dinner at Brookings on our last night in Oregon July 3rd

Irondad with kit at the West Coast Game Park south of Bandon, Oregon July 1st

The kids enjoyed all the animals July 1st

Back to work, heading to Bandon, Oregon July 1st

Benny and his Dad with a fox kit July 1st

After a day on the road we did a little crab fishing at Winchester Bay, Oregon June 30th

Although we caught around 100 crabs in total only 2 were of legal size and males. June 30th

Most of the time the ride was nice as it was with the wind June 29th

When there is a head wind though the task gets much harder June 29th

Getting ready to head out for the day June 28th

On the road again June 29th

Duke was feeling like a greyhound as he showed his speed on the beach June 28th

Madi enjoyed the beach in spite of the wind June 28th

Soon Al Malaikah will have our own Editorial Without Words! June 25th

Mo had to have his picture taken again June 27th

The whole Elliott family vistited at Portland's SHC June 25th

Portland SHC Public Relations contact Kaye Weber gave us a great tour and really made us feel welcome! June 24th

Chatting with Alyssa at SHC in Portland June 25th

Allysa just came back from hip surgery rehab June 25th

Madi, Benny and TJ have been great little Shrine family Ambassadors June 24th

The entrance to Portland Shriners Hospitals For Children June 25th

"Duke" gives a little love out at the campfire June 23rd

Posing for a picture at the Horsetail Falls along the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon June 24th

The end of the day at Boardman Oregon June 22nd

Uploading pictures to this website and answering emails as the sun sets on the first day in Oregon June 22nd

TJ rode along on the tandem for the last mile of the day June 20th

Wednesday June 22nd brought lots of sunshine and a very windy Columbia river valley as we entered Oregon June 22nd

We all shared a few temporary Shrine tatoos and smiles. June 18th

Chuck Young, SHC Administrator gave us all a wonderful tour and treated us to a first class visit in Spokane, Washington. June 18th

Visiting with a patient at the ShrinersHospital For children in Spokane, Washington. June 18th

TJ, Benny and Madi with some new friends. June 18th

This is the kind of beauty that is everywhere along the roadside in Idaho. June 16th

As we approached Washington state we experienced rain for the first time this trip. June 17th

OK, he may be slowly moving down the road, but even Irondad was fast enough to overtake this little fellow in Good Grief, Idaho June 16th

Taking a breather in Sandpoint, Idaho. Notice the name of the hotel. June 16th

We were greeted as we arived in Sand Point, Idaho by members of Calam's "Panhandle Shrine Club" June 16th

Starting off at the Kingsgate Border crossing. (International boundary between Idaho and British Columbia.) June 15th

Day # of Tour

Day of Week

Date

Town at end of day

1

Wed

15-June

Bonners Ferry, ID

2

 

16-June

Sandpoint, ID

3

 

17-June

Post Falls, ID

4

 

18-June

Spokane, WA

5

Sun

19-June

Colfax, WA

6

 

20-June

Dayton, WA

7

 

21-June

Pasco, WA

8

 

22-June

Boardman, OR

9

 

23-June

Biggs, OR

10

 

24-June

Cascade Locks, OR

11

 

25-June

Vancouver, WA/Portland, OR

12

Sun

26-June

Tillamook, OR

13

 

27-June

Pacific City, OR

14

 

28-June

Depoe Bay, OR

15

 

29-June

Yachats, OR

16

 

30-June

Winchester Bay, OR

17

 

1-July

Bandon, OR

18

 

2-July

Gold Beach, OR

19

Sun

3-July

Brookings, OR

20

 

4-July

Klamath, CA

21

 

5-July

Trinidad, CA

22

 

6-July

Trinidad, CA

23

 

7-July

Fortuna, CA

24

 

8-July

Myers Flats, CA

25

 

9-July

Leggett, CA

26

Sun

10-July

Fort Bragg, CA

27

 

11-July

Point Arena, CA

28

 

12-July

Bodega Bay, CA

29

 

13-July

Olema, CA

30

 

14-July

Sacramento, CA

31

 

15-July

Half Moon Bay, CA

32

 

16-July

Felton, CA

33

Sun

17-July

Carmel, CA

34

 

18-July

Big Sur, CA

35

 

19-July

Big Sur, CA

36

 

20-July

San Simeon, CA

37

 

21-July

Pismo Beach, CA

38

 

22-July

Buellton, CA

39

 

23-July

Santa Barbara, CA

40

Sun

24-July

Ventura, CA

41

 

25-July

Malibu, CA

42

 

26-July

Long Beach, CA

43

 

27-July

Newport, CA

44

 

28-July

Oceanside, CA

45

 

29-July

Mexico Border at Tijuana

46

Saturday

30-July

Shrine Auditorium 665 W Jeferson Blvd., Los Angeles

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