It's my blog

This is my final log into this blog. I've been meaning to come back and finish off with a great story that would recap the whole adventre. I haven't done that yet and there is something that just doesn't allow me to say all and so I won't.

Remember that ol' sitcom "Alice"? Flo, Mel and the Diner? Remember Joline? I'm laughing because those are the characters we ran into on this trip - this adventure to Graceland. I must say the trip to Graceland, and after - all the way to Tulsa - was fantastic. The best. Small town America is really awesome - I'm serious - get off the interstate and travel along the passage ways to another land. Each town, each person, is a gift and and I cherish the conversations with all of them. My only regret is that I didn't have my camera out or batteries charged for so many opportunities.

For those of you who are finally getting around to reading this adventure for the first time - start from the bottom. Click on June (link to your right) and scroll down to the beginning - then the whole trip will make more sense - otherwise it's like the Star Wars triology all over again - making the beginning last, etc.

Maps Vs. GPS

As we traveled along many two lane roads, catching breathtaking views, small towns, farms, rocks, praries - I thought to myself about the early travelers who mapped out these great United States of ours. We have a lot to be thankful for to these early pioneers. Can you imagine, traveling along the ravines and moutains, tredging your way to a new life at a pace of about 6 miles an hour? Plenty of time to refer to a map and locate the next stop. Of course, they were the early campers and no need to make reservations at a far away hotel during summer travels. Oh the relief they must have felt...just kidding.

We had fun planning our trip - creating this map and changing it a half dozen times again. The map - similar to this one - that I used on the trip had new marks on it as we detoured and made new plans. I left that map in Farmington (the second time we were there). I wonder who finds that, if they will try to figure out where we went and where we are headed!

Now, for some reason, the gals often put me in a leadership position (lead the ride, set the pace) - although I very STRONGLY let them know before the trip that's not what I wanted. Hey, my name is "Wrong Way" for goodness sakes. But here they are - motioning their heads for me to lead them to the next town or gas stop. The trouble is - they have no idea how hard it is to watch where you are going, the signs, the mirrors (to make sure everyone is there) and your speed - and then try to look for a "picture" moment along the side of the road to pull off. I'm too busy "leading" to be able to look for those rare and beautiful moments. Later - that comes back to bite me in Enid - oh well. It is so much easier to follow 'n' track and say - "wow we should have stopped there!" No one ever thanks the leader - just complains that they leave too early, don't stop where the group wants, goes too fast...they don't seem to realize I'm not having fun when I'm leading - it's a chore.

Now, I only give you that info - so that you understand my tendency to go the wrong way...paying attention...it's not easy! So here I am, leading the way across country with my trusty map, each turn memorized at the previous gas stop. Just need to read the signs now...track mileage...watch them truckers...count the bikes behind me...

On the flip side, three of the gals in the group have GPS - pretty cool really - it tells you the next turn before you get to it - but of course - you have to look at one more thing while you are leading. So I never got into it - sticking to old school - my map. Everytime I made a u-turn or went the wrong way the GPS'ers would ride up along side of me and say, "you should have turned back there..." Great. Why are they not leading? (Well, let me say that Anita did volunteer now and then). That being said, everyone in my group, in our club for that matter, knows how to make great u-turns, thanks to following me for the last 6 years.

But you know, making a wrong turn here or there gave us some great views - like the Tennessee River in Calvert, the River between Forth Smith and Van Buren (and the bridges that went along with it), the back side of a small town - all worth seeing. It's not really a big deal to pull into a liquer store, gas station to ask for directions - you get to meet the folks that run the town, fish from the river banks, and just sit in a rockin chair 'cause that's all they need to do right now. Yet, while the GPS'ers are entering the info into their units - I just unfold, read, and fold up my map and am ready to go while they are still feverishly entering the next town.

So, back in Farmington where I left my map in the hotel, we left Kaye behind, certain her husband was coming to her rescue. Since I had left the map, Carol gives me some directions via her GPS and I try to follow them. But I don't have the visual in my head from looking at the map. Dang. Turns out - about 100 miles later - this is the route I wanted to take and now have the visual...we're good all the way to San Diego.

But before we get out of Shiprock, NM (Navajo country), before I have my bearings, Carol tells me a few directions and of course, I go the wrong way by about one block. She pulls up next to me and tells me the next street, about 20 feet ahead of us, will take us back to the highway. I was going to make another u-turn, but what the heck, I make a choice...trust the GPS. So a right turn we make and head back in the right direction - toward the highway. Cool.

As we travel along, the pavement suddenly ends. Alright, no problem...I've been on roads like this before...the road less traveled. GPS says the highway is just up ahead. So we cruise along, passing a few driveways here and there, over a hill, over another hill, down the hills - until we come to a Y intersection. "My GPS says it is just over the hill," yells Carol...okaaay...so to the left we go - over the hill.

We come to the top of the hill and the road ends at a fence that says, "KEEP OUT" - "BEWARE of DOGS" - all five of them. I think the one on the leash must have been the meanest...I quickly do a u-turn and tell Carol to turn around. She let's me know that the GPS says it is just beyond this house...I say no, I don't care. The dogs say no. The residents come out and stare at us. Carol, ever persistant, asks if the road continues - they just merely shake their head....no.

She does a U-turn (about a 5 pointer) and we head back down the road. As we go back, I notice the backside of the elementary school we passed 4 times the day before. That's where the highway is. We once again approach the "Y" intersection - I know the locals are not going to travel in and out one road - there has to be another that leads to the highway. So to the left I go (which would have been "right' the first time). Another intersection - to the right again. I see the school. The road at this point has deep tracks and it's hard to the keep the HARLEY going - but what a trooper she is - she's a Deluxe afterall. The final little dip where I bottom out and we hit the highway!

I have a new appreciation for my bike - off road on a Harley - even with less than 2.5/32 of tread left. I don't have a great appreciation for the GPS - since the first time I trusted it 100 percent - it took me on a dirt road.

Well, "IT" (GPS) was lost. They should have a little picture of the robot from "Lost in Space" waving it's arms - "Danger Will Robinson" - when it really doesn't know the way. It was just guessing the road was beyond the Navajo family's house - "Warning Will Robinson!". Something to let the user know it's just guessing. In the end, I relied on my instincts - heck that's what got me (and everone else) across the country! Carol, well, she still loves her GPS. It does come in handy, mileage, time, ETA...I may get one one day.

New Day

By now Kaye, Carol and myself have already made it home (Anita too). On Thur Carol and I made sure George was on his way, gave Kaye some last minute attention and then hit the road. Here's a picture of Kaye and Carol before we walked up the platform (and ahem, back down). Kaye is so cool - what a trooper! Not one tear after breaking an ankle in three places!

Even though Carol and I were now a day behind...we didn't have to hustle or burn rubber to make up the difference. I would say we had a pretty easy going ride from Farmington to Laughlin. At one point - we got off at route 66 outside of Flagstaff and talked with a couple of bikers. On the way out to Laughlin - it was pretty dang hot - upon arriving in Laughlin - it was PRETTY DANG HOT - I was wearing fingerless gloves and when we rolled into the heat - my fingertips felt like they were in an oven baking. We rolled to a stop and the brake and clutch levers burned my fingers tips -much the same way it would by touching the burner on the stove (which is still warm, but not scorching). And yes, I did gamble. Laughlin was F.U.N.! fun - that's all I'm going to say!

Next morning we headed out to San Diego - we were talking with Anita and we were going to wait for her and have breakfast, etc - but with SEVERE heat warnings (which we did advise the other group) we opted for safety first - and headed out early am to beat the heat. I'm sure glad we did. We stopped often to stretch our legs and before we knew it - we were home by 1:30pm. The great thing was that every 100 miles you could feel the temp go down a couple of degrees!

Hmm...all in all...getting out of and into California is a bear! No matter which way you go - you have to exit / enter via a desert. Note to self.

I have lots of visuals in my head, thoughts, and observations to write about. I'll do a little summary later today. Crossing the United States (southwestern states anyway) has provided me with insight into our country, our people, how we prosper and how we just survive. It also has provided me with insight into those I traveled with. This was not only a grand adventure - it was a lifetime experience I will never forget. Hopefully I'll be able to paint that verbal picture for you. Next time you travel - get off the freeway and visit America.

Farmington, NM - yep again

After getting up when we were done sleeping - we took a cruise over to 4 Corners, USA.
Too cool - we got Utah as another state on our trip! First one up to get their picture taken was me. Next was Kaye. After getting my pic shot - I ran back to the end of the line to hold the place for Carol while she snapped Kaye's pic. This is when we started our trip back to Farmington, except we didn't know we were coming back here till it happened.

As Kaye exited the platform her right foot slipped on some water in the State of Arizona - in fact on the letter A. It wouldn't have been so bad if her left foot wasn't already stepping down. That's when I heard her yelp. I watched her go down in slo mo and then ran to her side. She didn't want to get up and told me right away - it's broken. Her ankle lay a little askew and a huge bulge was sticking out (a bone I later found out). She said she heard two cracks on each side. Well, most would say, "ah, come on - it's not broken, maybe just a sprain" - only I know Kaye has twice broken this same ankle before - I believed her.

No cell phone coverage, nothing out there except the corners and some gift booths. As she is laying there, Kaye tells us, "I want three pins!". We couldn't find a wheelchair and so we got one of the ladies who works there and she made a call from the trailer office to call an ambulance. About an hour later - it arrives - remember - we are in no where land about 40 minutes from Shiprock, NM.

They come, brace her up, load her into the a-bus and away they go. Carol and I leave the car where the woman can watch it and we take the bikes to the hospital. Northern Navajo Nation Medical Center. This is important to know, as you'll see.

We get to the hospital about an hour later and find that she is about to go to x-ray - so Carol jumps on the back of my bike and to go retrieve the car. Another couple of hours. It's a good ride and each time I made it - the shorter it seemed. Kinda like going to Julian the first time seems forever and now we just trek up there for an afternoon lunch no worries.

Upon returning - Kaye informs me they found three breaks (including the one to her leg bone) and a dislocation. Well, they located it and put on a temp cast. She needs surgery within a couple of days to repair the breaks (they are really bad, I saw the bone when she was on the ground, and I saw the x-ray). Oh, but the trouble is, this is a Navajo hospital and they cannot admit Kaye to the hospital or do the surgery because she is not a native american. Really? So we then begin a flurry of phone calls and sorting out logistical issues before they kick her out. They were talking about taking her down to Alberquerque(?) - but since she has to wait for the swelling to go down - she opted to go home. Again a flurry of phone calls to figure that out. All we knew was she had to leave the hospital, she was discharged. The docs and nurses were super - it's just the way it was on the reservation.

We end up coming back to Farmington to put Kaye up in a hotel to await her husband's arrival. Carol drove and I rode my bike. By the time we made the 30 mile trek here - I was exhausted - too much heat, running around and no water. Carol got out of the car at the hotel and looked at me and said, "two rooms?" and I quickly agreed! We still had to do the 60 mile round trip to get Carol's bike back from the hospital and by then we would really be tired.

So here we are back in Farmington, NM, 189 miles later. Kaye's husband should be in Farmington in the wee hours of the morning - he better not wake me up! No really. Carol and I will be heading out early in the AM. All in all, the most important thing is that Kaye is okay (for the most part), and that she will be okay. Carol and I made sure of that!

Farmington - New Mexico

Wow, we had the most perfect ride through New

Mexico today via the 64. We stopped along the way and checked out the scenery - talked with folks and took lots of pics. I'll have to get the pics up tomorrow. If you ever want to see some beautiful country side - check out highway 64 through New Mexico. Via a small spontaneous side trip - we went to the top of a local volcano and checked out the crater -impressive. The view of the prairie was fabulous!

We stoped for a leisurly lunch in Taos - a ski resort with LOTS of shopping. Kaye and Carol loved the stores, while I mostly sat in the square kicking back people watching. When it was time to go I realized that everyone has a turn - what do I mean? It was funny, I spent a lot of time supporting those who's bikes broke down during the first half of the trip and when I went to start my bike today in Taos - it wouldn't start! Battery. But how?

So this local tells me about a bike shop a block or so away. So down to the bike shop we go. The mechanic doesn't have any cables to lend out and cannot leave the shop. So I head back to the bike to check the connections - all were finger tight. I unpack my bike, put the stuff in the car and find a back exit from the town square. I push my bike down the road and pass two men sitting on the bench - as I pass them they are watching me so I make a loud, "vroom vroom" noise...they wondered if I was stealing the bike. I think to myself - now if I were stealing a bike wouldn't I be moving a bit faster instead of stopping every 10 feet to catch my breath? Really.

I get to the down hill part and coast to the end of the street while pushing with my feet - turn right and coast to the shop. Pull in back and it occurs to me that possibley the electronic key fob battery has gone dead. So I get the spare from Kaye's car and tell the mechanic. Hey it starts right up! Done. Thank Mat and I'm on my way again. Go to the parking lot, turn it off, pack up and go to start it...no dice - not working. Dang.

Push it back to the rear of the shop and fill out a work order. Within 5 minutes he has the bike running - ah - turns out the nuts on the cables were finger tight but not tight enough and were causing a loose connection...only $23 to learn that lesson - not bad.

I have some pics of the volcano, town, shopping, some view points and the mechanic - post them tomorrow. We finished our gourgeous ride through 64 - spotting an young elk frozen on the side of the road - I didn't even think it was real. I saw some thunder clouds to the North of us over Colorado and some to the South - but we were blessed with fair weather. Tonight we are staying in Farmington and tomorrow we are headed to Colorado! Right on, another state under our belt - just missing Kansas -but there will be other times to venture off to lands unknown (to me anyway) and I'll get it then.

Clayton, NM

Hey - here's the pics I promised...for now. Yay, I'm in Clayton NM with Carol and Kaye. Split from the girlz to another adventure. Anyhoo I was talking about Graceland.

THE best place I've ever been to. Thanks to the GtG for going with me. I was so excited when we arrived. This was the day I was going to see where Elvis lived, worked and entertained. His home. It's sort of hard to imagine that this was a mansion back in the day. We did not see the upstairs (off limits), shucks darn - the main rooms were rather smaller than I expected but rather interesting! Wow, every room had a differnt theme, motif. I too would put shag carpeting on the walls if Jan would let me! LOL! How I loved it. I'm not going to explain the rooms - suffice it to say that each one was spectacular! If you've been, you know what I mean and if you haven't - not going to spoil it. I do want to go again though. Museum after museum...everywhere a hidden delight...a bit of history. Here's some more photos:

After Graceland, we went to Presley Place - MIFA - an organization that helps homeless families get back on their feet by providing townhomes (rent), classes and a huge incentive to get their lives in order within a year timeframe. It's a tremendous success - and planted right in the heart of the poorest community in Memphis.

We arrived via police escort to thunderous applause from the residents and the children! Here's a photo from their wall of dreams - an awesome tribute to a boy named Jay. Above the "boy" you'll notice tiles - they cover the two walls lining the entrance - all created by the children!


We allowed the children to sit on our bikes and some of the women let them start them up...okay - just think - excited kids, lack of throttle conciousness = LOUD! But, they loved it! Here's some more photos







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And our picture below with "LottaNerve"...a righteous woman!

Tulsa...

Here we are in Tulsa, OK. We couldn't make it to OK City last night. It took us 6 hours to do less than 2oo miles - so we pressed on to Tulsa and met up with the WITW Tulsa chapter ladies. They are so awesome. We sat, laughed and drank a couple beers - they are a great bunch. After leading us to our hotel, they took us the CASINO! Oh, but it's an Indian casino and no craps table. So I played it conservative (believe it or not) and played the penny machines. Colleen and Lynette had family / friend commitments in OK City and they pressed on after meeting the women from Tulsa. We are all going to hook up in Enid, OK for breakfast and then move on.
I'm really considering going home from there.

I never get much time to myself to really tell you about Memphis (Graceland and Presley Place), so you'll have to hold on to the next time I log in. It's tough to get alone time with 9 women...ah, next time I won't sit in the coffee room - I'll hide out! LOL! It's all good. There are really, lots to talk about, things I've seen, people I've talked with...