Labor Day Weekend

Got to do a little riding with the big dogs this weekend.

I Love Oklahoma!

Oklahoma is one of my most favorite states.  From childhood cabin/lake weekends with my grandparents, family reunions, good BBQ, and riding destinations now as an adult.  I should also mention my most favorite yarn shop in Tulsa, Loops.  I just can't help myself.  The boutique atmosphere and inspiration is over the top. I always leave with several projects.  See how the samples of what I chose just draw you in??

He waited patiently in the parking lot on his Harley as I made a mad dash for yarn and then we were off to our weekend with friends on Lake Tenkiller outside Tahlequah.  For work or pleasure, I always like to stay in a lakeside cabin at Burnt Cabin Marina and Resort.  The floating marina/café provides us with really good meals and a nice place to watch the full moon rise over the hilly tree line.

Riverless Festival

I planned a little overnight 250 mile riding trip with my girl moto posse to Phillipsburg for their annual Riverless Festival.  We had a blast sunbathing at the motel yesterday and taking in the vendors, turtle races, car show and a GREAT boutique shop that this friendly little town has to offer.  Kind of funny when we walk into the tavern and are asked, "Are you the girls from Wichita?"  Word gets around in a small town!

 

I Still Ride

I guess I haven't posted riding pictures lately.  Yes, I still get out and ride.  Not as many miles as I used to (been there - done that) and now what I consider more "quality" rides.
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Cassoday Breakfast Run with my neighbor, Shawndra












And a good friend had a biker wedding a few weeks ago

Rocky Mountain High

I (we) needed a getaway.  Time on the road with nothing but the wind in my ears and my own thoughts.  Time to make peace with the stress, worries and disappointments that have filled my days.  As I think through all the issues in my head I take in deep yoga breaths and let them go with each cleansing exhale.  Within a couple hundred miles all my worries are gone and only a favorite song lyric comes to mind.  It's amazing how a long weekend traveling on the road with good friends can put things back into perspective.

We have a cozy A-frame cabin on the creek, great meals, small town shopping in Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs all the while surrounded by a snowy Pikes Peak mountain.  The priceless kind of therapy professionals and/or medications just can't provide.

Shakedown

The weather has warmed and a busy summer riding season is upon us.  We like to take a short shakedown run to make sure the bikes are running well prior to making a longer trip.  I suggested my favorite BBQ joint in Pawhuska, OK, Bad Brad's Bar-B-Q for ribs and cowboy beans.  The meal was good as always, the bikes are running well and we came home exhausted.  Even riding a motorcyle is something you need to condition your body into for those longer rides.

2012 BBB Rally

Our last motorcycle trip of the year took us to the Blues, Bikes & BBQ motorcycle rally in Fayetteville, AR. It's an easy two gas stop trip that we have been making for several years. We made it down to Dickson street to walk around, went to a car show and then spent most of our time at the Pig Trail HD dealership in Rogers where there were alot of vendors, music and LOTS of biker stuff going on.

Labor Day Oklahoma Weekend

We spent the holiday weekend riding with friends to a campout at Lake Murray in Ardmore, Oklahoma. With temps in the 100's, we changed our non-airconditioned cabin reservations to a motel in town and rode out to the lake in the afternoons, explored the Arbuckle mountains and Turner Falls park. Just like a summer postcard at the lake, we swimmed in the clear aqua/green water in our denim jean shorts. Saying goodbye to summer and the warm riding months always leaves me feeling a little sad.

Rodeo Bike Games

It was a party day out at the 101 Club starting with the blues music of Nobody's Business, some BBQ and our own family of friends rodeo biker games. The guys laid out the course and ran their bikes through slow races, barrel races, balloon tosses, and ended the games with the not so classy wienner bite. We had great audience participation from those cheering from the sidelines to the women who volunteered to ride on the back of all the bikes. So much fun in true biker style with event t-shirts and trophies for the winners.

Sturgis Rally 2012

Here we are once again for our 14th Rally Week in Sturgis, SD. A place I don't think I will ever get tired of. This year, I decided to leave my Harley at home and haul husband's bike with my Jeep. I will miss riding the Black Hills but it's all good and I'll just be content to be a passenger this go around.

Goodbye Colorado

Day 4: Time Flys:So much fun:Laughed:Cried:Thankful friendships:Road travel prayer:Goodbye Colorado:Hello Kansas:Small town tavern:Chicken fried steak sandwich:Icy cold beer:Love You:Karen:Melanie

To the Top

Day 3:Rise early:Coffee:Knitting:Spice of Life:Rocky Mountains:Mineral spring fountains:Rain:Hail:Sun:Cog Train:Top of Pikes Peak:14,110 elevation:24 degrees:Snow:Twin Spring fountain favorite:Hell's Kitchen pizza:Last night in Manitou

Shop Til Ya Drop

Day 2:Early morning:Coffee:Scones:Colorado Springs Yarn:Chocolate:Shop:Shop:Shop in Manitou Springs:Amber:Turquoise:Shirts:Handbag:Butterfly belt buckle:Poppies:Lupines:Roses:Dinner walk:Chips and Salsa:Corona Margarita:Hot tub

Girl Moto Posse in Colorado

Day 1:Girl Moto Posse together again:Two days off work:Sun on backs:Gas stop questions:Where ya'll heading:West:Scenic CO Hwy 94 to mountains:Creekside suite:Two patios:Lock up bikes:Short walk to Manitou Springs:Fish tacos:Margaritas

Riding Weather

Although we had a mild winter, I haven't been on my motorcycle for about six months so it feels really good to get back on my ride for a Saturday night out on the town. We started with an early Mass then dinner and riding around with friends. Let the spring riding weather begin!

A Warm Bum

The heating element went out on my motorcycle seat and we had to send it off to get repaired. Why it took several months can't be explained but I'm happy to finally have it back. This one has a cute, lighted switch. I'm a pretty tough chic, but not when I'm cold so it's good to once again have a functioning seat warmer.

Yarn Hop (Day 2)

What a great excuse to get the motorcycle out for a 100 mile round trip hop for yarn. At iYarn in Winfield I got a couple of Pure & Simple knitting patterns and took a scenic curvy road back road home from Augusta. The cool air and smells of fall have me feeling refreshed and happy. So far I have the handle and top of my hobo bag complete and now ready to start on the body of the bag.

Blues, Bikes & BBQ

It was another good ride to Fayetteville for the Blues, Bikes & BBQ biker rally. It gets bigger every year and is now the 4th largest motorcycle rally. With temps in the 70's we had some really nice weather for hanging out in the sun listening to live bands and riding around. I found that I can overdose on caffeine and that I will never get tired of having breakfast at Waffle House.

Live to Ride

Riding my motorcycle across Kansas I watch an amazing orange sun set in my rearview mirror. I've never noticed how the red blinking lights on the tall, white power windmills look like fireflies hovering above the prairie. A bright, white moon moves in and out of the clouds following a storm while gold colored lightning strikes across the sky in the distance. We all move in and out of traffic in unison following the two red tail lights ahead and I look beside me at a good friend living in the moment just as I am. The wind is cool on my face and although I've been in the saddle for over 15 hours, I feel like I can ride forever. This is what Live to Ride means to me.

Sturgis 2011

There's a reason this was my 13th time to attend the rally. Great times with friends (& neighbors!) and the most enjoyable riding starting with 800 miles just to get there. The Rapid City HD dealership came to our rescue again this time repairing my husband's bike a couple days into our trip. We shopped on Main Street, spent a couple nights in Deadwood and rode the scenic Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road. Some things just never get old. In all, 1,955 miles of fun and adventure.