FOR THE HEALTH OF IT

The journey of my life.

Name:
Location: Anytown, USA, United States

I am a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, wife, daughter-in-law, lover, friend, and nurse. I have lived my life trying to please everyone. I'm not sure what would be left if those titles were to go away. About Ron: I am Candy's husband. My previous life before undertaking this trip was working in the paper manufacturing industry in the Pacific Northwest. I am taking this time off to have the adventure of my life, meet new people, get fit, discover our country on a more personal level, and accomplish something that I will always remember which is to circumnavigate the US on a HPV(Human Powered Vehicle). I am 52.

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

OK, if we can go to Daytona Bike Week

Deciding to stop the bike ride was mutal. I did negotiate a trip to Daytona Bike Week on the Harleys before I return to work.

Ron kept busy through the month of January doing chores around the fifth wheel and helping family with computer problems.Same for me, I also helped Claudia at her office "Southgate Realty". Around the first of February he anounced he needed to have his forks fixed and new break pads, my response was"go for it". He sent the forks off repair and brake pad s were ordered. He then said he wouldn't go with out a Russell Day Long seat and a GPS for the bike. So off to Portland for a TomTom GPS and a drive in appointment made for the seat.Guess what? A mix up and Ron had to drive to Eugene (2/18) to get the forks so we could leave on time.It took us an extra day(2/19) to pack as the motorcycle clothes and equipment had been packed away (and I don't think that Ron thought we were really going to go and waited to the last moment to get ready). As a result we left Silverlake(2/20) in the snow and rode 500 miles to Shasta Lake in one day.

We spent the next day (2/21) killing time in between fittings riding around Shasta and Redding. We got on the road about 4pm and made it to Willows and a Motel 6.

I-5 South (2/22) there are miles and miles of pink flowering trees, we were told they were almond trees, and I ended up with a scratchy throat... Allergies? We stopped at Andersons Pea Soup House, lots of memories of Dick Jernberg, the love of my Mother's life. At the Motel 6 in Bakersfield, a guest was happy to tell us where to go, so to speak.


From Bakersfield (2/23) to Needles was quite an experience. We stopped in Boron to go to a couple of museums. You would have thought I was pulling Ron's teeth but he ended up liking the time he spent there. It was getting late as we headed into Needles, about 15 miles out his bike started backfireing and conking out,bad gas. I was sent ahead to get gas treatment. On the way back to Ron I checked out the oncoming traffic and who should pass me but Ron! Thank God I saw him and I did not find him gone from the side of the road. We called Claudia and sang Happy Birthday.

The bike starts right up (2/24) and off we go to Yuma to see Dad and Millie. A stop at the London Bridge,against Ron's wishes, and on the road again. There is nothing between Lake Havasue and Yuma except a very large garage sale or flea market in Quartside. The bike starts acting up again. We stopped along side the road frequently, tempers getting shorter and shorter. We called Dad and let him know we were spending the night in Yuma.

Ron removed the gas tank(2/25), removed gas and water, replaced the tank and filled with new gas. Before we left Ron put the Mustang motorcycle seat in the garbage, he is satisfied with the Russell Day Long seat...another believer. Off to Dad and Millie's in Wellton. Without the TomTom we would not have found the house. Millie's lot is wonderful, and I can see why she brought Dad to this special place and her friends. They have placed a "park model" on the lot. Dad seems to love it, his head is tanned, he follows the shade while eating oranges from the trees on the lot. Dinner in Tacna to celebrate Dad's birthday and their anniveresary. We slept on the floor in the bedroom while Millie and Dad slept on a hideabed in the livingroom.

We head for El Paso(2/26). All day the bike acted up. We drained the tank again, new gas, and off we go again. Stop and go. Finally it hit the fan, Ron removed his gloves and slapped them on his seat, removed his helmet and pulled out his phone "Do you have your AAA card?" We get Ron's ride and the trailer towed back to Wilcox and a Motel 6. Guess what, no bike shop.

The next day (2/27) we are towed to Tuscon Harley Davidson. Sorry, they won't work on Harleys with RevTec engines. They didn't have a shop pin, all out. Now I was mad! Deep breaths and walking around and I made the one block to the shop that will work on the bike and I was better. Lunch at the Bull Pen and off to the another motel for a nap.

Here it is 2/28 and we are waiting to see if a new ignition module will fix the bike's problem. Ron is getting restless. I am grateful that Ron is in my life. He is so patient with me, unlike the others in my life. With all the aggravation this past week I am not anxious or living in fear.


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