You Can Leave Your Hat On

First off a quick nonsecquitor; I just got back from Vegas ! I’m sticking with that enchanting Elvis energy. A holiday in Laughlin didn’t work out for me but I did get to laugh a lot when I saw Spamalot...I worked, walked and shoppedalot. Spamalot is a must-see. It’s a somewhat updated musical (even on Broadway) version of Monty Python’s Holy Grail (for more info http://www.montypythonsspamalot.com ....alright, back to our regularly scheduled program/blog:

Many wear hats to hide their helmet hair. Some sisters are just stylin as they sport scarves and or beenies...but on occasion you might see a cowboy atop someone's curly locks. It ain’t easy packing a hat that isn’t supposed to fold up. Packing heat might be simpler (Renee has bullets and a gun mounted on the side of her Harley but no hat could withstand that).

One day as the GtG ride was near, Renee (the Sol SIster web goddess) sent a notice out for the girlz to send in pictures of themselves in cowboy hats. She wanted us to adorn cowboys hats because she felt it would express our connection to Elvis. She told me the only hat she’d seen on Elvis was a cowboy hat and since the group was going to the South and through country music land it made sense to her.

Memphis is not so much country music but rather rock-a-billy yet I don’t think there is a hat for that. The girlz did ride through Texas and there you can find lots of country music and hats (my sympathies to anybody not into country music who passes through them parts).

I have a nice little hat collection myself. When I think of motorcycle ride trip the hat that come to mind is the Betty Boop police like cap. I did a search on the internet seeking images of Elvis in hats. Google showed me Elvis in a cowboy hat (must have been from one of hs movies) and a bunch of his Army pics, oh and one of him as a baby. Good thing this group isn’t taking a pilgrimage associated with someone who wore a turban as that would have been challenging to pull off.

To see a few of us in cowboy hats you can visit http://solsistersmc.com/events/graceland08/graceland08.html
My photo is from a road trip to Scottsdale, AZ when some of us dressed up in drag as characters from the Okay Corral (more on that flashback in the next blog).

Hats Off to my 3 Amigas

“Independence day” what does it really mean ? Most holidays are spent by most people in America celebrating a day off work and gathering with some friends/family. While I am bummed I am not riding a motorcycle to Laughlin to watch fireworks with my sisters in the wind, I am reflecting on the real inter-dependence that I can rejoice in knowing people can be angels. The real heroes are those who express universal peace and brother/sisterhood.
Trips (life) isn’t so much about getting to a certain destination as it is having the adventure and living a story to share. Motorcycles turn any traveling into an adventure. Having people support and understand your needs in a crisis brings grace and bonding to the circumstance banishing stress. My hat’s off to my three sisters who endured such an adventure at Four Corners.

They were in the true spirit of that freedom and adventure sought after in Easy Rider (classic movie). Jett, Carol, and Kaye found themselves far away from easy city life when Kaye broke her ankle at Four Corners. The logistics of: getting a call out, getting to the nearest hospital (then finding out the surgery needed on Kaye couldn’t be done there as that hospital only treats Native Americans), and going back and forth many miles to get the bikes and car, made for what will be a legend now in the motorcycle community. I think they all deserve a purple heart for what they’ve been through and how they stuck together and handled everything. You can read the details in Jett’s blog
( htt://wrongwayjett.blogspot.com ).

Bikers are a breed of people that traditionally behold freedom and are bound to be angels on the asphalt. Old School bikers may seem scary to the average folk but their loyalty to humanity is beyond any political party, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic heritage, etc. And on this Independence Day I wonder if the new riders, those ones that are now acquiring motorcycles in order to save money on gas will realize the nation of nomads and rebels yet heart centered adventurers they are joining on the interstate of interdependence.

PS-- an interesting and thought provoking yahoo group called Biker’s Independent Party has some ideas on freedom and “progressive politics” for our country. You can check it out at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bikers_Independent_Party/

PPS- The next blog might be more about actual “hats” so stay tuned-- did Elvis really wear a hat and if so why would he wear a cowboy hat ?

Laughlin -- a Road Less Traveled

You know what they say how to make God laugh...tell him your plans...

I was thinking about going to Sedona to meet up with Sol Sisters (Girlz who had gone to Graceland) then riding to Laughlin with them. I was afraid that if I went to Sedona I might be frustrated when everyone went to eat at McDonald’s.

Red rocks, vortices's, hiking, yoga, swimming holes, good places to eat such as their Indian restaurant, or the Thai place, plus some cool cafes, art gallaries, etc.-- all stuff I usually partake in while in Sedona. I didn’t want to ride all the way there and not get to do some of the things I like to do there. I could ride there on my own lateron in the summer so I decided to conserve my energy and plan to meetup in Laughlin for a relaxing couple days and celebrate the fourth of July. My plan was to ride to Laughlin on the 3rd and meetup with Sol Sisters/GtG (catching up with their itinerary).

Ever since I got home Tuesday June 24th, I’ve been looking forward to getting back on the road again and rejoining the Girlz. A few days ago I sent an email out to the group asking if anybody was willing to let me crash in their room on the fourth. The only hotel with a room still available was $300. so I was hoping for a roommate to come forth. However, the email replies I got back changed everything.

It seems the group had split up and along with the disbanding of the GtG,
the plans for spending 4th of July in Laughlin was abandon as well !
Reading between the lines I can only imagine everyone was getting burnt out and less anxious to follow the designated route; more anxious to go straight home.

I’m always shocked when people decide things and fail to consult me ! The whole world is operating on this level-- hardly anybody consults me before they make plans, change plans, etc. What’s with that ? If only president Bush would have consulted me on certain events.

I’m bummed I am not going to get to celebrate the fourth by meeting up with GtG. This holiday weekend the road to and from Luaghlin shall be less traveled.

Supersize Me -- the Motorcycle Version ?

No, the title doesn’t mean we’re all getting bigger bikes (although that usually happens after awhile). The caption for this blog is a commentary on the fact that GtG seemed to be going to McDonald’s way more then I could have expected. At the McDonald’s in New Mexico I was really beginning to wonder if the documentary that was being done on us was really a sequel to Morgan Spurlock’s movie Super Size Me.

I know a lot of people make a habit of going to McDonald’s when on the road (or even when not) because it is always fast, easy to find and if you’ve been there before you know what you like there (or got used to something there). All these factors enable you to be more in a comfort zone about being in an unfamiliar territory as you try to stay on course on you trek. I get it...but for me, I’m on the road for adventure and experiencing new places that I cannot see at home.

I can always go to a McDonald’s . Actually I pretty much avoid them as there is nothing there for me except on rare occasion I am traveling with others and they wish to stop there-- then if I’m lucky I get the toy from a happy meal !

What I usually do when I ride alone is ask a local where the closest ethnic joint to eat is.
Nowadays just about every town has a mexican and or chinese restaurant. I really like “mom & pop” places as I like knowing where my money is going. Being self employed I have sympathy for small business owners and I appreciate their hard work and unique recipes, atmosphere, and or getting to meet them in person when I eat at their place.

In Dateline we got such royal treatment because the owner/wife of the place saw a bunch of motorcycle women stumbling in from the extreme heat. She offered to soak all our cooling vests (lightweight guilt vests designed to soak up and hold cold water) and bandanas in cold water for us while we ate lunch. She let us park our bikes on the sidewalk so they could be in the shade. The average corporate chain eatery wouldn’t do such things.

I’d rather give my liver a chance to smile at hospitality then be exposed to the smells and ideas of foods I don’t like. I was vegan for awhile and I really feel that it was ideal in many ways but since I had radiation I’ve been eating some cheese as my body is so depleted from the disease and more so the chemo. It is a tough balance; ideals, the planet, survival needs, comfort cravings, the company of others and all their needs.

Back to Morgan Spurlock, I met him a couple years ago. My yoga school and Complementary Medicine center/clinic ( YogaWell & Institute of Progressive Therapies ) had a booth at the Body-Mind-Spirit Expo ( www.bmse.net ) in San Diego. There were lectures and workshops going on and I was the opening act for Morgan. My colleagues and I gave a workshop on yoga therapy just before Morgan gave the keynote address.

I told Morgan he should do a documentary on motorcycling. I was half kidding. Turns out he and his girlfriend Alex (now wife) ride !

At the Roswell Museum

top left = simulation of hands in healing of an alien, top right = model of a spaceship as seen in 1947 in Roswell, bottom left =our wonderful tour guide, bottom right = Jett being kewl next to her bike.

While the Sol Sisters were incredibly silly in the museum, they heard, saw, and contemplated the very credible information that was presented there. The Science Chanel recently filmed a documentary on Roswell and documented some very interesting stuff. There was a professional and scholarly archaeological dig that was done and in that dig was found over 50 pieces of material that cannot be identified as any material possible from this planet.

I wonder if 45 years from now there will be a museum in New York about 911 that can enlighten us about what really happened ? Meanwhile you can visit the website to the Roswell museum and even listen to the 1947 radio broadcast reporting the UFO crash. http://www.roswellufomuseum.com/

Road to Roswell, Day 2 Part 2 (It's a Good day to Ride in the Rain)

At first the rain was light and as the sun was beginning to set a great huge rainbow appeared in the sky. It was a magnificent full arched bow from one end to another. We rode right underneath it and as we passed under it it disappeared. After that the road got a little windy and the deer were strolling across the street.

I dropped from 80/85mph closer to 65/70. Then as we got on a bigger uphill road the wind really kicked up and the 650cc I was on was being pushed around. The fast group behind me passed me up as they were on heavier and more powerful bikes. The rain got more fierce and I was having trouble seeing anything. The chatter of my own teeth due to the cold and dampness kept me alert.

I was drenched. In a few miles I saw the group of riders that passed me and they had pulled over to the only rest stop that seemed to exist. They were putting on their helmets and getting a little shelter but I couldn’t stop to jpin them. My body wouldn’t allow me to stop. There was no reason. I was so wet and cold that stopping would only prolong the discomfort. I thought to myself if one of those ladies were in trouble I had nothing to offer that they weren’t already getting from the others that stopped with them. So, I pressed on.

I hate riding at night in a place I am not familiar with. I hate riding in the rain anytime. I can’t stand being cold and was really missing my heated grips that I have on my Indian. Then I remembered what Lance Armstrong wrote in his book about when he would be racing and encounter a tough hill while already exhausted, He would tell himself that nothing compared to fighting cancer and since he did that he could push through anything . I realized that my suffering the scary winds and heavy water relentlessly hitting me like bullets wasn’t so bad and would only be temporary. I realized that given the choice of having chemo or riding through tough conditions, I made my choice and was happy to be on that road under those circumstances.

I rolled into Roswell and looked for the Best Western. After a bunch of blocks I stopped at a convenience store and through chattering teeth asked the clerk if he knew where the hotel was, He said it was just a couple blocks more, turn left and just before the Denny's.

When I walked out of the store there was a car sitting in the parking lot waiting for me ! A man and his little girl. The father called out to me “excuse me, could you come over here, my daughter doesn’t believe you’re a girl” ! I approached the car and was tempted to say “are you kidding me, you don’t think I’m a girl with this ass?” Instead I was playing it G rated
(after all I was at that moment representing all women riders to some extent), I pulled down my mask and looked at the little darling in the car as I exclaimed “ I am a girl”. The dad said then “you see honey, she’s not only riding a motorcycle but she’s riding in the rain”. To which I further exclaimed “I rode from San Diego, CA...and you can you do anything you want to, being a girl shouldn’t stop you, in fact you might even do things better !”.

After my brief yet nonetheless spontaneous sisterhood civic duty, I hopped on my wet chariot and sailed to Best Western. I swaggered my soaked body into the lobby to check in but the front desk person was occupied. After 15 minutes of standing and shivering, I spotted the bar. I made a beeline for the bar and peeled off my helmet, bandanas, jacket, and gloves. I sat on a barstool and asked the bartender for some hot water ( I often carry a pocket knife and ginger root with me). I made friends with some guys who asked “did you ride a motorcycle in this rain” ? Geez, nothing gets past these folks. I reframed from being sarcastic and once again did my best to represent women bikers in a positive and politiically correct light.

Debbie came in after awhile and said that the front desk had no record of us staying there !
She came in and out and then informed me we were at the wrong hotel ! She discovered the right hotel was down the street, I bid her adieu and let he know that I wasn’t budging. I found a hotel with a bar, jacuzzi, washer & dryer. I was staying put. When I checked in they even let me park my bike by the front door, on the sidewalk where it could dry off under the overhang, It was a good day to ride.

The Road to Roswell-Day 2 part 1

It seemed every time I saw Lilia Saturday night the time for departure kept changing. The last I heard was 8am. In GTG time (the opposite of “dog years”; more akin to space travel where time and space are experienced in a very relative fashion and completely different then on Earth-- which is appropriate since our next destination was Roswell, NM). Not sure when we left but it was well after 8am. It was good riding out of Globe as we went through some rocky yet green mountain roads that wound up and down and around some great canyon views. I road this exact stretch with Sachi when she & I did the ironbutt ride in 2005.
All was well with me until I smelled rain in the air and got a little anxious.

It is monsoon season in NM. I know this because the last time I rode in NM was during my cross country trip of 05 when it rained and hailed on me often (you can read more about that lateron when I post photos and reports from that trip after this thread of GTG is past-- maybe in a couple weeks). I was nervous about getting caught in heavy rain or flash flood in the middle of nowhere and possibly having to ride in the dark and cold.

I think somewhere in Sholow we ended up stopping for lunch...guess where....Mc Donald’s. I really felt like complaining but Lilia pulled out a little toy doll that looked like Yoda and shuffled across the table after being wound up. This gizmo was so amusing to me that it had overridden my frustration about having MickyD’s as a ritual stop. The “happy meal” was actually happy in a token way for me (Lilia gave me the honor of being the toy’s custodian so I put it in my tank bag, in the clear window section so I could see it while riding and smile at how absurd it is for me to feel like a hostage in a place that has “happy meals”.

We get on our way but ended up stopping a few more times that all lasted awhile. We had managed to escape rain but Roswell was still a couple hours away and the day was no longer young. I was worried about nightfall hitting us in the mountain passes and finding ourselves dodging deer as well as wind and a sea of rain. I had a driving need to move on and when I thought I heard Carol say we were staying at the “Best Western” and Jett say that Roswell was straight ahead, I took off channeling my anxiety into being an arrowhead for the rest of the group...that is until rain, wind, darkness and deer did manifest.