Monday, April 12, 2010

Is This a Dream?? No, It's The Answer to One! IHG and Her Motorcycle Become a Reality!

About a month ago Dan said..."Baby, I think we need to get you that motorcycle." I looked at him with that are you pulling my leg look and said..."REALLY?" "Yep...I think we can swing it and you more then deserve a motorcycle of your own." So the hunt began. We looked on craigslist and went to some dealerships. One night Dan said..."Baby, I found the bike for you. Take a look and let me know what you think." I sat down at the computer and looked at the beautiful black Sporty on the eBay site and smiled. I was pretty skeptical about it though because if we won the auction we'd have to drive to Waukesau, Wisconsin to get her. I thought about it for a bit and said to Dan..."Let's bid on her and see what happens." Dan put in the bids and we waited the auction out. I'd look at the auction everyday when I got up, when I got home, and before I went to bed. The auction ended the Saturday before Easter at about 4:15 in the afternoon. When the auction finally ended and the bike was mine I was laughing and crying and jumping up and down. I called Dan at work and was yelling in the phone..."I JUST BOUGHT MYSELF A HARLEY!!! OMG!! IT'S MINE!!!!!"

My folks came on Easter and I told them the great news and asked if we could borrow the pick-up and trailer to go and get my Harley. They of course agreed and wanted to go along to share the experience with me. They have always joked that the Zippy Pickle is their grandchild and now they have another.

The week dragged on but finally Friday night came and Dan and I started out to my parent's place in NE Iowa. About 7 miles outside of Albion, IA, Dan's car overheats and we had to pull over. The car cools down enough to make it to Albion. We park it and call my folks to pick us up. A broken down car was not going to keep me from making my dream a reality. Long story short...the Caddy got towed to a station and is being nursed back to health so Dan can drive it another 100,000 miles. :)

Saturday morning we were up early and on the road to Wisconsin. 4 hours later we were turning into the neighborhood that my new baby currently called home. When I exited the truck I saw her immediately and immediately knew I had made the right choice. She was perfect...beautiful...everything I'd always hoped for when I'd finally be able to purchase a bike of my own. I could tell Angie, the previous owner, was a little sad that she was selling her beloved Harley to someone else. She told me that she was very happy it was being purchased by another female. She won't be without a motorcycle long because she purchased a new one. I could tell though that she loved this bike. It was spotless, it looked like it had just rolled off the showroom floor. Dan took her for a spin and came back to let me know she ran like a dream. And man oh man when you flip that ignition switch those pipes rumble like no other. She sounds amazing!

I talked to Angie for quite a while. I found out my bike has done the Tail of the Dragon. Angie also rode her as a Road Captain of the Milwaukee Chapter HOG. There are stickers on her windshield that show these two accomplishments and I've decided to leave them there because those are part of her history. One wild thing is that Angie is from Ankeny, IA which is a suburb of Des Moines and about 5 miles from where I currently live.

Angie and I were standing there watching the guys strap my bike into the trailer and I said to her..."You know, I'm having a really hard time not crying right now because my dream is coming true." She looked at me and said..."I'm having a hard time too because I'm really going to miss this bike." I gave her a hug and then we had to look away from each other before we both broke down and cried.

We finally were ready to get back on the road and we said our good-byes to Angie. She stood in her garage and watched us drive away. I'm not sure if she was crying but boy I was. This is something I've wanted for years and it finally was real. I finally had a motorcycle of my very own.

I'd like you all to meet my new beautiful baby, Sadie! I'm so happy that I feel like I'm walking on sunshine.

Come back in a day or two for the rest of the story! :)

31 comments:

Ann said...

I'm crying, too, dammit! LOL!

Walking on sunshine kicks ass, Steph! You look like a million bucks on Sadie! Damn I'm happy for you!

Would love to get out there and ride with you someday! I can't wait to hear all the great riding stories you're going to tell. But beware...you'll be so busy riding, you won't want to stop and write!

Ride safe, Sista!

Allen Madding said...

congrats!!! Shiny side up!

-Peace

Rick said...

Congratulations. Nice ride. And that's a Sportster?

Gary France said...

Congratulations. May you have many miles and smiles together. It is good to hear that you have achieved your dream :-)

Canajun said...

I love stories with a happy ending. Congratulations!

Farmer Jim said...

Congrat's on the new scoot! I'm sure you and Sadie will rack up many happy miles together.

Liz (Rippin-Kitten) said...

YAY!! Congrats to you. Been a long time coming and you deserve it. Ride it well and ride it safe.

:)

Ken said...

Congratulations, Steph ... beautiful bike, especially the wheels! The bike was well-cared for, and I'm sure it will continue to be. There's nothing like bringing a bike home, especially a Harley ... I know that thrill first hand. Enjoy and God Bless!

Lady R (Di) said...

I'm sooo excited for you! Woo Hoo! I'm like Ann... we really need to get together for a nice ride. You look great on Sadie. How did you come up with her name?

I detect many happy blog posts throughout this summer!

Ride on sista! (for real this time!)

Rick said...

Hello again there Harley Girl. I noticed that you became a follower of my blog. I am honored—truly. Thank you very much. Please stay "tooned."

Dean "D-Day" said...

Congrats again Steph!
Too bad I was out of town. I would have loved to come over and see the happy occasion.

mq01 said...

woohoo!

"Joker" said...

Damn! You two look good together, and I meant you and Sadie, not that you and Angie didn't as well ;)

Oh yeah, I'm with the rest, wanna ride with ya, wanna see all the posts this year about you riding Sadie, the whole 9 yards! It's just great to see you finally getting your Harley, and a really nice one to boot. I really like the passing lamps on her...I think that's about the only thing Gray Lady doesn't have. I may keep that for a surprise bling for Susan's birthday, now that GL is hers.

I've been waiting so long to read this post I almost can't believe this is all finally happening. You must be tingling! Enjoy the moment Steph...and always Ride Safe!

FLHX_Dave said...

Wow, I suddently remembered the thrill of my Yamaha Seca 550 in 84...my first bike. Thank you for sharing the bliss.

Man, this is awesome! Life is such a dirty bitch most of the time...but seeing you get just what you want helps balance it out somehow.

Savor the moment! I know I am, and I'm feelin' the jazz right there with you. Sweet! Sweet! Sweet!

I also have to give your guy a hearty slap on the back for being man enough to let you live out one of your dreams. That is a righteous man in my book.

Congrats all around

Mr. Motorcycle said...

I'm Soooooooooooooooooooooo Freaking happy for you! Yeah!!!!!!!!! I almost cried reading this.

RazorsEdge2112 said...

Almost cried, my ass. Had to take off my glasses! Steph, that is FANTASTIC!

In my book, both Dan and Sadie are keepers. Hope to ride with you all one day.

Chessie (Chesshirecat) said...

Life has a way of rewarding the good un's.... wow, quite a reward...hard work and good karma... you go girl.
God bless ya.

Janet/Corn Dog said...

What a great story - I'm SO happy for you! Can't wait to ride with you and Sadie - she's gorgeous! Congratulations!

IHG said...

Thanks for all the comments! I'm still smiling about this and probably will be forever! Everytime I walk into the garage I look at Sadie and say...Are you really mine? LOL

Kathleen Jennette said...

YAYYYYYYY!!!!!!! You've been writing about it now ride it! I'm so happy for you IHG! Let's hear those stories and keep feeling the groove like you do now!

Rob said...

Crazy Cool for the both of you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big Daddy said...

Steph...YOU ROCK!!!
Infinite Congrats!!!
I always knew this day would come..

Willy D said...

There goes the neighborhood! ;)

WooleyBugger said...

Ahhh Stephanie, I am so happy for you and your new ride. Nothing like your very first bike and the butterflies in the stomach. Then you wake up and think it's a dream so you go in the garage and HOLY COW it's real, it's really really real. Then you sit on it and the smile just grows bigger and bigger.

Anonymous said...

Hi Stephanie! Beautiful post! When I read it the other morning I was next to tears. I'm so happy Sadie has found such a wonderful new home and I wish you all the joy, inspiration, exhilaration, and pride that she brought to me over the past few years. By the way, love the name, I actually called her Serena so it seems like we are on the same wavelength. I look forward to reading about your experiences & wish you all the best! ~Angie

IHG said...

I love all the love I'm getting from everyone! Thanks all!!!

Angie-when I saw your comment I did cry! After talking to you the day that you sold me your motorcycle I felt like I found your bike for a very special reason. I promise I will love Sadie aka Serena as much as you did! She's a very special motorcycle!

Judy LaParne said...

Oh, sweetie, she is beautiful just like her owner. Congrates and ride it like ya stole it!
Also, kudos to your man. He did good ;)

dan said...

What a great day Steph. Im so happy for you. Im sure everyone remembers that day of there own. May you and Sadie have many a journey. Ride Safe, dan

mrs rc said...

I got my first bike on eBay too! Had to rent a cargo van to go pick it up from several hours away. Then I met the woman who bought my bike when I traded her in a few years later. I can sooooo relate to your story from many angles.

Congrats girl! Ride safe :-)

WooleyBugger said...

Now you are really ONE with the wind.

Jovita @ Inky Impressions said...

Congrats, looking forward to reading about your riding adventures. Ride Safe ~ Jovi