Hey Tracy, sorry to hear you won't be making the ride. I know what you mean about the cost. It's a long and expensive way to go to ride your bike.
Anyway, I will miss meeting you. However, I will be in your neck of the woods in December for a wedding on the 31st. Since I'm not real keen on flying, I'm thinking about driving and bringing my bike along. We will be in Hemet and will be staying there the first week of January. So maybe we can meet up then. BikerHen