Riding 10,000 Miles

It's official. I have 10,000 motorcycle miles under my butt belt! We were out for a 100 mile drive today and I knew my odometer would be turning over before we got back home.  The plan was to go all the way to The Dalles and then on to Rowena Point but this chick got cold before I even drove 20 miles. 

When I'm not having fun on the motorcycle, it's not good for me to be out there on the road. We stopped for a cup of coffee out of the thermos and ate the bean burritos I rolled this morning and I told Gene the only thing I could think about was how cold I was.  When I get cold, it's right down to the bone, baby! Luckily, he had an extra thin flannel shirt that I added to my layering and it got me home. Don't call me a wimp. I have survived -60 degree weather along with 115+.  You may, however, call me Princess or truly, I prefer Goldilocks.  I have this small window of temperature where I am comfortable.  It's that niche right between 70 and 75. Today is far from 70.

I bought this motorcycle back in 2005 or 2006 when I lived in Yuma, AZ, from an attorney who only had put 566 miles.  So technically, if you want to get really picky about it, I haven't really put 10,000 miles under my belt. So sue me.  I'm grateful to the guy I bought it from. He practically gave it to me and I have loved it ever since. If you are ever thinking you might like to ride, I would suggest you take a motorcycle safety course. They provide the motorcycles and you'll get your endorsement that way. It will also help you decide if you really want to ride. It's scary out there on the road the first time you take 2 wheels out. After I bought this bike, I drove it around the 'hood in Yuma and just kept branching out a street at a time. Highway driving is not a problem ~ learning to turn your signals on and keeping a constant eye out for what traffic around me is doing is the hardest part. 

Today, we drove through a new round-a-bout and it was a little hairy coming out of it. It's not me I worry about, it's other people ... and quite frankly ... the many distractions drivers have these days.  Not going to get on that soapbox right now.

I always say a little prayer to the motorcycle gods before I roll ~ to please help me be safe, let me be my most attentive self, and if I must die today please let it be quick and painless.  I always ride within my limits and am aware of my surroundings.

Sometimes when I'm riding, I'm thinking about what I'd like to write about next or maybe a recipe I'd like to try. Today I was thinking about the price of gas and how in summers past, we'd think nothing of just getting on the bikes and riding and not think much about the cost. And, oh yeah, I was thinking about what it must be like to freeze to death. 

If you'd read down this far, I decided to throw in a couple of photos of flowers from my back yard as I realize motorcycle talk might be kind of boring.

These little pansies or Johnny Jump Ups (?) came up through the rocks recently. Not sure how the seeds got there but I love surprises!  

The chamomile is starting to bloom now. It has kind spread all over in the herb garden and I'm okay with that.  I think their little faces are so cute ... don't they just want to make you smile?

Hope wherever you are that you've got flowers and sunshine.  I've got to go warm my toes now.

love, susan