Hazy Shade of Winter

Wow...how fast did 2011 fly by. I feel like I worked through most of it, but I guess that's what life is all about. Gotta make a buck to pay the bills and put gas in the motorcycle, when you have time to finally ride it. I haven't graduated to riding to work everyday, you'd understand if the quickest route you had to go is Interstate 80. I think I'd have to say 10 consecutive Hail Marys each trip.

I rode so much more this year and even helped found the Des Moines Chapter of the Chrome Divas. Being asked to be one of the founding 4 was really a honor and one I never expected. Thanks to Janet who writes Biker Chick News for thinking of me when she decided to bring this to fruition. We went on our first ride together in September and it was an amazing experience. People really look when a group of women roll into a restaurant or gas station without men in tow. It's a GREAT feeling. I felt truly empowered and can't wait for more rides with my WindSisters!

Dan and I rode together a lot too. I think our best trip together was my first distance ride up to my folks, in the spring. It still brings a smile to my face knowing the big hurdle that I jumped with pushing myself to ride Interstate 35. That ride was a huge turning point with me deciding that I was going to keep Sadie because I truly love riding her. I know some of you know after my first year of riding I almost sold her which would have meant that I would have returned to backrest status with Dan. Once again though that fighter instinct in me forged through and I'm truly glad I kept my pretty chrome horse.(Dan told me that he wouldn't have let me sell her anyway. He knew that I'd eventually ride her like I had dreamed of doing so many times.)

It was fun meeting Dean, Karen, and Di this summer. I hope to hang with them again very soon.(DI, I'm crossing my fingers for Christmas) Next year I want to ride the Great River Road and I know we'll stay in Lacrosse again, so D-Day and Karen, LOOK OUT!

I did the craziest thing a couple weeks ago. I did my first 1/2 Marathon. If I do it again next year I'm definitely training for it. About mile 11 I was hating life but I made it in 3 hours and 36 minutes. I have a medal to prove it. Holy Horseradish that was an experience but one I'm so glad I had. I kept looking at the people cheering us on and thinking...I used to be those people and now I'm on the other side. I truly liked the side I was on this time better. My finish was emotional because almost 2 years to the day of the event I was admitted to the hospital and spent my month kicking Leukemia. Thank you Jesus for keeping me on earth. I still have a lot of things on my bucket list that I want to do!!!

A day after the 1/2 Marathon, Dan and I drove down to Nashville, TN just because we felt like Honky Tonking. What a fun place, I can't wait to return and spend more time. Hopefully my next visit I get to meet Ronman and Swag. We did hear some great music at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge and The Stage. The Country Music Hall of Fame was amazing. The only issue I had with the trip was I didn't see Trace Adkins walking down Broadway...boo! Southern people are the friendliest people that I've ever met and I believe that us Northerners need to take a few lessons from them about hospitality. I was seriously impressed with the staff of 4 Rivers Harley Davidson outside of Paducah, KY. Nice folks selling pretty Harleys! I think the one sales guy thanked us 5 times for stopping by. Anyway...I loved the south and this Yankee will be back.

I seriously can't believe how fast this year has gone by. Monday is Halloween and Thanksgiving and Christmas are around the corner. 2012 will bring more and more political ads and politicians to Iowa. Hopefully the Troops will really be home for the Holidays and nothing more happens over there so they need to go back.(like that will happen) And may all my friends in warmer climates enjoy their all year riding weather and rub it in my face from time to time.

I'm going to close this post with one of my favorite chick groups from the 80's. I'm really not looking forward to the Hazy Shade of Winter but ya know...it comes every freaking year so whatcha ya gonna do except maybe move??


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