I travel I94 into Chicago; damn I wanted to go around but I missed an Interstate somewhere. Now I’m stuck in the traffic and there is no where for me to go!! My Dragon Slayer lets me know she’s unhappy by sending her hot steamy breath along my legs. My leathers catch the heat and hold it tight against my jeans. I should have ridden without leathers today!!
I can see the sky turning black and I’m hoping the rain will come and cool me down!! The traffic moves along at about 5 miles per hour. Inch by inch we crawl. I think about pulling into the emergency lane and shutting her off. I wonder if I can split lanes here but I haven’t seen another rider. I think, “Nobody else is stupid enough to ride this darn Interstate but you, Girl!!”
A truck pulls up beside me and says, “What are you doing here?” I smile and nod. I wonder the same thing. Finally, the traffic clears and we start to move again. The skies open up and dump some rain down on me!! Oh, I love the cooling rain!!
I decided to stop for some coffee and lunch before I get to Milwaukee. I see a Starbucks, I pull in and park. As I’m waiting in line, this tall lanky gentleman is standing in front of me. I’m looking at the sandwiches and not really paying much attention to him. He turns and says, “You riding a bike?” I briefly glance at him and say, “Yea.” A few brief moments go by while we are waiting. He turns to me again, “All alone?” I focus on him a little more. His eyebrows are raised high above milky gray eyes that stay at half mast. His long legs are clad in faded blue jeans and he has a white t-shirt on. I chuckle in my mind and look at his t-shirt sleeve expecting to see it rolled up with a red Marlboro pack of cigarettes!! He stands about 6 ft 2 in and has flowing white hair. “I bet he stole a few hearts,” I say to myself.
I give him my full attention and tell him about the Journey. I pull my business card out of my pouch to show him my route. “You’ve gone all this way, all by yourself? A girl? Most men wouldn’t ride that far! How long you been on the road?” he says in wonder. “I left July 15, so it’s been 7 days.” “Damn Girl, let me buy you a cup of coffee. Any girl that is willing to ride that fast and that long deserves a cup of coffee!!” I laugh and agree.
As we move outside, Mike begins to tell me tales of his own adventures on the road. He talks about times his bike broke down and what he did to continue on his Journey. He shares about the people he has met along the way. He imparts advice and I listen intently!! I sat with him for about an hour and a half and I gathered a treasure chest of stories!!
Thank you Mike for sharing your Journey with me!!
