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Next coupla days were spent riding through the blazin' ass 120 degree heat of the Arizona and California desert - packin ice bags down any open cranny we could find on our leathered-up torsos and extremities. Upon departure from one truck stop, I went from a 34 D to a rock-hard, 42 DDD - but moments later, those triple D's drooped like my grandma's as the ice quickly melted into warm H2O.in the desert heat, i learned quickly that a bra packed with ice packs doesn't hold up like silicone implants!
As we made it closer to home, I charged like a quarterhorse racing towards the barn... home to my baby's arms - better for the wear... and STILL comin down from the oh so surreal experience.
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TRIP HOME
DAY 12
PART I
Moab.
It just doesn't get any more beautiful than the twisty windy roads off the 191 that lead ya into and throughout Moab. It was nearly impossible to keep my eyes on the road. With no guardrails which have always give me some sense of safety from the cliffs that hang below such moutainous roads, with each and every turn around the bend, the splendor grew. I just kept saying, actually screaming, Wow. Wow. Wow. No word exists that can truly capture the true essence of such natural beauty. I was completely awe-stricken. Speechless. A rare thing for me indeed.
We stopped at Eddie McStiff's and had lunch. Met some of the locals, though really, most of “the locals” were tourists who had visited Moab, and never really left. We jumped back on the road and with each turn, another gasp. Another wow. We blazed past Lake Powell. Ahhh. I just longed for some way to capture this beauty so I could bring it home to John and share the experience with my family, my friends, everyone! I guess that's part of what makes something like this so special – the fact that it's your experience. You can't bottle it. You can't even be sure that the person riding ahead of you, or behind you sees or senses the same thing you do. It's just so personal. It's somehting that lives in your heart. You can't share it even if you tried. It belongs to you and only you. It's healing, cathartic and just meant for me. That moment changes you. It also addressed some much needed work I've need to do on myself for some time. Living in the moment. And for the first time for as long as I can remember, I was 100 % present. I wasn't thinking about all of the challenges awaiting me at home... lookin for work, tending to the garden, etc.
That's about the time I started really getting homesick. Even though I was surrounded by all this wander, but we'd been on the road, almost 2 weeks. It was literally 110 degrees and the days seemed so long, even though we stopped each day by 4 or 5 pm.
After Moab and Lake Powell, we headed into a sleepy little town, Blanding, Utah. It was just before dusk and we pulled into a gas station there. As I was filling up, a man pulled up and began asking how I liked my Trike. He actually owned 4 Harleys. He was with his 2 grandkids, teenagers, who also loved to ride. We told him we were headed home to California, and were plannin on riding on another hour or so before stopping for the night. He and his wife had been riding for years. He's also a Vietnam Vet and his son served in Iraq. Since he lived right around the corner, he knew the area well and warned us about deer being on the road and recommended we stop in Blanding for the night.
We made a collective decision and decided he was right. Darlene & I followed him over to his house and met his wife. They're great people. I shot a video of them on my phone and asked permission to post it here. To me, they embody the message of the Courage Community and all that we stand for. It's wondrous, ya just meet good people everywhere ya go.
The next morning we left Blanding and rode through the Ceremonial grounds of Kayenta. I lost myself in the grandiose beauty and magic of my surroundings. I pulled over to one of the roadside tents where some of the Natives were selling their crafts. I bought my momma an arrowhead. My pawpaw used to collect arrowheads. He would have loved Kayenta. We stopped at a little place for lunch and drank about 4 gallons of water. It was HOT! And the longer we rode the hotter it got. We ascertained that it was another 130 miles to Arizona. At this point, things started getting a little wearisome. The heat was taking a toll on our bodies. But we decided to forge on. It was a collective decision to go ahead inspite of the heat. We Not once did we ever take any chances regarding our safety. We were a team, and made each decision along the way as a team. There was no fear of expression any hesitation or self-doubt. Had one of us voiced any hesitation -
sensitive of each others needs and made decisions as a group.
But we forged on. We finally reached the southern tip of the Grand Canyon. We stopped for a final fuel up and the cashier told us about a town Seligman which was only an additional 40 miles up the road. We had made it to the I-40 and since the hot sun had begun to seep below the canyons, bringing in the welcomed cool evening air.
We rode along the southern tip of the grand canyon and rode on another 40 miles when we decided to stop for the night.
We checked into a quaint little motel on Route 66 in Seligman, AZ. After settling in, I rolled over to the Roadkill Cafe! I hung with the locals, knocked back a few, swapped stories and shared some laughs ... and tears. Happy ones though, reflecting on our personal journeys and how we all seem to find that common niche through the struggles we face in life.
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TRIP HOME
DAY 11
PART II
So the next morning, I got up early,and went over to see if Bob was working. I also wanted to have them look over the trike to make sure everything was in good shape for our upcoming trip through the dry desert heat. Sure enough, Bob (who I found out is actually the service manager) was working and even though I hadn't scheduled an appointment, they took her right in and gave her the once-over ... even gave her a bath! And, they wouldn't accept a thing for it. All “on the house” Bob said. I swear, you meet the nicest people on the road and in the biker community. I mean, I had only met Bob that one time, and visited with him for an hour on our way one week before. Seeing him again was like running into an old friend. We just clicked.
While Bob and the guys in the shop were checkin' on “Destiny,” I hung out indoors, talking to some of the others who worked there. I was downing lots of water... staying hydrated is critical when you're riding in extreme temperatures. I met a chick, Lynda, who works in “motorclothes.” I told her how excited I was about our upcoming trip through Moab. I'd never been there. Pat had told me, “gotta stop at Eddie McStiff's” – he said. Lynda seconded that. Lynda was very familiar with the area as she has ridden through Moab countless times. With pen and paper in hand, she began jotting down the most beautiful routes and more hotspots to check out along the way. What a doll.
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TRIP HOME
DAY 10
PART 1
After leaving Denver in the morning, we jumped on I-70 South. Pat had uploaded some Samples to my phone. I rode down I-70 – listening to the Samples, and Animals... yup -Pink Floyd. Isn't it funny how you can listen to a song, and immediately, you find yourself back in that moment. I don't know, with me, music has always connected me with memories. So with the mountain fresh wind in my face, the beautiful mountainous backdrop and “Nature” booming in my ears, I relished in the fabulous memories of the good ole college days, many of which I had just recounted during the CU mini-reunion in Denver.
I had to make a quick stop by Keystone Lodge and pick up my extra things, which I shipped home. Ya really learn how to pack when you have limited space and you're living out of your suitcase.... throw in the limited space on a motorcycle. I had practically packed my entire wardrobe. Just didn't want to hassle with it, so in a box it went and shipped it home. Big worry off my mind.
I met with the grounds manager at Keystone Lodge – what a sweetie pie. I just made one last ditch effort by calling to see if they had somehow miraculously found the cushion. They hadn't. Can y'all believe she actually walked the grounds herself looking for that cushion???? I mean, she had never laid eyes on me. I was so lucky I got to stop by and meet her in person and thank her face-to-face. We hugged and promised to stay in touch. She even let me shoot a quick interview with her. Check it out on the videos here.
Leaving Keystone, we jumped back on the I-70 and stopped for the night in Grand Junction. The next morning, I visited my buddy, Bob, over at Grand Junction Harley. We met him on our way out to the conference– he brought out the bottled waters, showed us where the ladies' room was and just treated us like we were family. I promised Bob to swing by on our way back through.
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Day 1
Part I
We all managed to meet up the early morning of August 16, 2009 for the 1000 plus trek to the Colorado Rockies from Southern California. There was Debbie, the ringleader,
Debbie was unquestionably the ring-leader, tassels flowing from her crimson suede jacket as she leaded the posse. And her Harley, adorned with Debbie's signature style -Tricked out with fishtail pipes - down to the leather tassels blowing in the wind. Debbie is a force to be reckoned with. She rides, speaks, acts, with such confidence and complete jurisdiction that you don't dare question it. She's honest and unapologetic for the person she is and the life she leads. Debbie is a caretaker by nature, - she's earned her stripes and proven her unwavering commitment to those whom she's coddled under her protective wing.
She's got a story of personal ownership, integrity and unshakable self-esteem. Debbie prides herself on her individuality and personal statements. Her character and demeanor mock that of the unique trait of her dressing and style of communication. She's there to make sure everyone is taken care of. No guessing when it comes to her. That's for damn sure. You don't mess with Debbie. A force to be reckoned with. this woman has undoubtedly found her right of passage... and taken it on the road. In less that 6years, Debbie has logged over 110,000 miles on her bike. And she's just getting started.
Eldonna AKA "pinkbikerchic" - master of her domain. very feminine yet badass. great combo. she's a retired Master Sgt in the AirForce - need i say more???
Then there was the ever so confident and quiet, Syl _ who rides a "Naked Ducati" - to be perfectly honest, i was anticipating a naked chick on a Ducati... oh boy. did i have a lot to learn. Sylvia, to me, is silent strength. a woman who is unbreakable, unstoppable, and knows no boundaries. a woman after my own heart. if only i could tap into her "quiet sense of strength" AND even moreso, lack of ego. -she's in it for the personal payoff. i truly believe there is a lot to be said for that. it defines courage. absolute peaceful resolve. in a way, i resent her for that, but even moreso, ADMIRE her and want to learn from her. it hits you "spot on" the minute you meet her. this bitch ain't no victim!!!
i believe fate brought Darlene and me together. I met Darlene literally 5 days before we left. julia dillon and i were hangin out at Starbucks in Los Feliz. I was out telling everyone i knew about the ride, asking to join us on CourageCommunity.org - Ride for Courage - and that's when we met. she doesn't ride but was at a major crossroads in her life. Fate brought us together. Darlene, though not a biker, yearned for some adventure in her life and within 5 minutes of us meeting one another, expressed a desire to join the cause. and come Sunday, the 16th, she showed up at our front door, ready to go... looking more like she was ready for a photo shoot than a 1000-mile cross-country trek on, riding "bitch" on my trike. Darn, this girl's got guts cuz this was the first long cross country trek i'd EVER participated in. BUT NOW I:VE CAUGHT THE BUG!!!
Not bad company. AND THIS JUST MARKED THE BEGINNING!
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