The Feeling of Empowerment

Well, I finally did it.  I finally road out of my comfort zone of central Iowa.  My journey started on Sunday.  The roads were wet but I kept telling myself, as we motored down interstate 35, that this was a great learning experience.  Further down the way the road became dry.  It stayed dry until out of no where this crazy thick rainy fog began.  Spent about a hour at Boondocks and then ventured on down the road.  Where were we heading...Duluth, MN.  400 miles later, Sunday evening, I was pulling my bike into the parking lot of a Radisson hotel in downtown Duluth.  I felt accomplished and empowered.  I had finally done something that I dreamed of for many years.  I road tripped on my own motorcycle.  On Sunday's journey I motored through Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.  I have to say I couldn't really tell that I left Iowa until I made it up to Duluth and saw the beautiful Lake Superior.  Corn, Corn, Corn...Corn....more Corn.  HA!

I've had a great time riding these past few days.  I only freaked myself out twice on the entire trip.  Once was on this wicked steep hill in Duluth.  I need to work on that skill!  I kinda broke the law and ran a red light to make the hill.  Oops!  The other was in this tiny town looking for a gas station.  I didn't dump my bike but there was a quick moment when I thought I was going to.  I'm sure the guys that were watching were like...Holy Hell...get that lady off that motorcycle.  Good learning experiences all the same.  Keep your head about ya!

Tonight I'm chilling at Boom's B & B before taking off tomorrow for home.  In all I'll have about 800 miles under my belt from this adventure.  I'm pretty damn proud of myself!

My words to anyone, especially any woman that is thinking about riding her own, do it and keep doing it until you accomplish your goal of getting on two wheels.  It is truly the best experience I've ever had.  It makes me feel strong.  It makes me feel free!  This trip has helped me clear that stress out of me that has been building for weeks.  Bottom line...I needed this trip to prove to myself that I CAN RIDE!!!  I needed to prove to myself that I am IHG!



BTW...this is my 500th Post!

A Look into the Life of IHG - One or Two Questions at a Time

How do you feel when you are riding?
At first I'm really excited.  Right before getting on the road I get nervous.  Once I start rolling and get the 5 Hail Marys said, I'm as good as gold.  I usually catch myself smiling and I think to myself how cool it is to be riding my own motorcycle.  As the ride progresses I am amazed at how I feel one with the world.  Only a dog or another biker would understand.  It's an incredible feeling that everyone should experience at least once. 

Is there a motto that you live by?
Get to know someone before you decide what kind of person they are.  The reason I say this is because there is a person I worked for that judged me because I was a "Harley Chick".  She had everyone believing I was this hard, mean person.  I always wondered why some people were stand-offish to me.  One day someone said to me that another woman in my area commented to her..."Wow, Stephanie is nothing like "Blah Blah" made her out to be.  She's a very friendly and kind person."  Treat everyone with the respect that you expect and you'll make it far in life!

A Look into the Life of IHG - One or Two Questions at a Time

Was there something specific that drew you into the motorcycle lifestyle?

I first noticed motorcycles in Jr. High.  It looked like so much fun that I couldn't wait to ride on one but my Mom forbid me from catching a ride with anyone.  She said to me..." I better not ever have to come to the morgue to identify your body because you road on one of those things."  Well needless to say in high school I got my first ride on the back of a crotch rocket in the rain.  The entire ride down University Avenue, the words of my Mom repeated over and over in my head.  As you can see I'm still living.  I caught rides now and then from guys I dated.  It was just something fun at the time. 

I remember thinking that this one chick in high school was so freaking cool.  She would ride her motorcycle to school.  She was such a rebel chick and no one messed with her.  And I'd see the SOS around town and thought they looked so badass with their colors on.  The individuals I saw in my home town that road motorcycles were just so different then the people I was used to being around.  They all seemed more free and less uptight about life.  They weren't the "normals".   

It wasn't until I moved to Des Moines that I really got into motorcycles again.  My previous life never went in that direction.  After Dan and I moved to Des Moines, I discovered our apartment was right next to this place called Porky's.  They had bike nights every Thursday night during the summer.  I would wander over and admire all the beautiful motorcycles and I felt at home with all the leather clad patrons.  After my trip with my friend Kristen to Sturgis in 2004 I was totally hooked again.  I came home and talked Dan into buying our first Harley. 


This is kind of fun!  If there are any questions you've been wanting to know about me either leave it in comments or send me an e-mail to motorcyclesandskulls@yahoo.com. 

I love finding cool motorcycle videos.  This one made me smile!  Looks like these Cats are having a SWELL time!  :)

A Look into the Life of IHG - One or Two Questions at a Time

So I was thinking...I interview all these people and other people find them interesting so maybe I could answer my own interview questions and let everyone get to know me a little better. Hmmmmmmmmm...it's a thought. I'm thinking I'll start answering like one or two of my own interview questions a month just for kicks. So here it goes.

Give us a bio about yourself:
I have lived in Iowa my entire life and I'm proud to say I'm an Iowan! I grew up in NE Iowa in a town named Cedar Falls. It was a great place to grow up and I have fond memories of that town.  One of my fondest memories is cruising University Avenue in my Camaro!! I loved that car!  My parents were not motorcycle people but were old car folks so I grew up around vintage cars and went to my share of car events. My favorite was Back to the 50's in St. Paul, MN.  My Mom and Dad still love vintage cars to this day and own an awesome old Pontiac!  I have one Sister who is younger and lives in NE Iowa with her family. I call her "Little M".

I was never really into school but managed to graduate from CFHS and Hawkeye Tech. I worked retail forever while I lived in CF. I finally moved from Cedar Falls after I met my husband Dan. He was ready to move from the town he was living in and said to me, "Do you want to move to Des Moines?" I was ready to discover someplace new so I moved to the capital city with my man and we've lived here ever since! I love Des Moines! It's a great place to call home. I worked a couple retail jobs when I first moved here and then was hired by the State of Iowa. I tired of that gig and was hired by Snoopy.(if you don't understand what I'm saying e-mail me and I'll fill ya in.) I've worked for Snoopy for over 10 yrs now.  Dan and I are "dinks" aka "double income no kids".  


Check back to find out more....