Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Amazing Arizona Adventure: All Good Things Must Come To An End

It's taken me awhile to get around to writing my last post about our Arizona trip. I guess it's because I didn't want it to end, but it did, so I guess I'll have to get over it and write about the ride home.
Ann was supposed to wake us up around 6:30. I woke up and the sun was so bright I thought for sure that she forgot, it had to be at least 10. Then I looked at the clock, it wasn't even 6 yet. Wow, it's never that bright that early in Salinas, NEVER.
There's something about the sun shining so bright in the morning that makes it easier to get out of bed. Maybe it's because you can actually see that you're 'burning daylight', or maybe it's because you can tell it's going to be a beautiful day and you need to get out there, or maybe it's just because it's too damned bright to sleep anymore.
Whatever the case, I was ready to get up. What I wasn't ready for was the fact that we had to go home. This trip was not nearly as long as it needed to be, but I guess I should just be thankful that I was able to make it at all.
We got up and visited for quite awhile before we decided we better hit the road. So we finished loading up and said our goodbyes. Kickstand was nice enough to escort us to the road we would need to take to get out of town.
The ride home was uneventful in the good way, but we did have fun at all our little stops that we made. We knew it was a long ride home, but none of us were really in any kind of hurry.
Right after we got into California I started to feel really yucky from the heat, it's probably because I had to put that helmet back on. I knew that we would be stopping before too long so I was trying to just ride it out, but I finally told Dave that we needed to pull off soon. Willy must have read my mind because he took the very next exit.
I was okay, but I knew that if I didn't take care of myself I wouldn't be. We hung out in the shade for awhile and drank about a gallon of water, and I put the water vest on. That made a huge difference. After that I was fine.
Fast forward I don't know how many hours and we were in Paso Robles at about midnight and it was freezing. We pulled into a gas station and I put on the chaps and some more layers. Dave and Willy were laughing at me because I had a beanie on and then my hood pulled up over that and then my helmet over it. I looked like a big dork....did I care? NOOOOO. I just wanted to be warm.
The last two hours of the ride were cold, freaking cold really, but it was still just awesome. The night was clear and I just stared at all the stars and thought about the really great trip we had. Every little bit Dave would give me the thumbs up to see how I was doing and I would give him my thumbs up to let him know I was still there.
It was almost 3 AM when we rolled the bike into the garage. I was really surprised at how my body held up. That was the most extreme trip I have ever taken. Somewhere around 1600 miles in 4 days, extreme heat, extreme cold, and I did it. And yes, I am patting myself on the back a little bit. I didn't complain, I didn't even feel like complaining. I loved every minute of it! And when asked if I would do it again, my replied would be, "In a heartbeat!"
I was glad for a lot of reasons that I decided not to ride my own on this trip, but next time......I think I'll be ready!

16 comments:

Ann said...

We were so sad to see you guys leave! I can't wait to see you all again!

Glad to see Kickstand made the blog! :)

Great post, and loved all the pics!

mq01 said...

great post, great pics (funny happy ending, lol), and i so understand the feelings leaving. that part always sucks but works seems to wait for no-one, lol. the water vest, is this a must have? ive been considering one...

Big Daddy said...

I know I haven't commentted till now.
I'm Sorry.
You are welcome to come spank me...In the jacuzzi...Drunk...Naked...
Love the posts and enjoyed your company.
Even enjoyed hanging around with those two cretins you brought along...;}

Big Daddy said...

BTW in my defense...My google reader wasn't telling me you had posted.
I don't know why it does that sometimes...?

Dean "D-Day" said...

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

Thanx for sharing all the pics!

Learning to Golf said...

It was great to meet you three California bloggers and Linda and I agree that all of you are now friends. Hopefully a run up your way is in the future.

Mr. Motorcycle said...

Pictures are worth a thousand words.
Awesome. Looks like a beautiful ride.

Baron's Life said...

Superb post B.B....you actually drank a whole gallon of water...did ou have to make a pit stop at the next rest area?
Awsome post and pictures sista...Big Daddy is waiting for you to spank him...

B.B. said...

Ann- We were sad to leave, but hopefully it won't be too long before we all get together again. We loved meeting Kickstand, just wish we would have had more time to hang out with him. Tell him we say hi!

Ms. M- Thanks! The water vest...that was the first time I used it, and I really think it made a huge difference. If you are riding for any length of time in triple digits, I would recommend one.

Big D.- Hmmm,,,since I'm so far away I'll have Ann punish you for me! Some punishment! We enjoyed your company as well!
I don't know why google reader does that sometimes, but it annoys me!

Dean- You are welcome for all the pics! Hope you're doing well!

AHD- It was awesome meeting you and Linda. I feel like I've made some lifelong friends from this trip. Any time you're ready, we would love to see you two here.

Mr. M- Beautiful it was!

Baron- That was the routine. Stop, drink, pee, ride.....
Glad you enjoyed the post!

Lady R (Di) said...

When I read the part about the sun shining so bright, earlier in the morning, reminded me of when we are in Iowa. It gets dark about 7:50 PM this time of year here in Alabama, but back home, it was still daylight till almost 9:00 PM. My timing was so off.

Glad you had a great trip, in spite of your little heat issue. It sure doesn't take much to get overheated and under hydrated when riding in hot conditions.

Thanks for sharing your excellent adventure with us. I hope that you and I are one day hugging our "hellos" in person too.

Until then...
Ride on sista!

FLHX_Dave said...

Nope, you didn't bitch once. I give you an A+.

Stick around cupcake! There a whole bunch more where that came from.

Cretins BigD! Well, I outta'....oh...yeah, the truth hurts sometimes I guess.

B.B. said...

Lady R- I'm glad you enjoyed following along for the adventure. I'm definitaly counting on one where we get to meet up!

Dave- Thanks! Looking forward to many more!

Jovita @ Inky Impressions said...

I've enjoyed reading your posts about your AZ trip and the pictures you took along the way are great... thanks for sharing. :)

IHG said...

Great Post and Pictures! Thanks for sharing your trip with all of us and glad you all had a really great time!

B.B. said...

Jovi- Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Steph-We did have a great time, I know someday we'll meet and then I'll have the Amazing Iowa Adventure! :)

kathy said...

Great pics - looks like you all had a fantastic trip. My daughter and I just finished a 2300 mile trip from Ft Lauderdale to Charlotte to visit family. Her bike broke down at 2000 miles - so close to home and yet so far away. We rode 12-14 hour days there and back and some in between. Going to chronicle our trip on the blog soon - it was quite an adventure :)

Really wish I'd had a water vest on that trip - but a Mickey D milkshake and a wet T-shirt helped a lot.

Bright sunshine has a way of revving the engines - even when its 5 am (time the sun shines into the bedroom window in Rouses Point, NY in the summer). FL summer mornings are a bit more reasonable - 6-6:30 am.