‘Journal’ Category

  1. Pretty Woman

    July 23, 2011 by Linda Lee Patterson

    I was falling asleep again so I pulled in to a gas truck stop on the turnpike.  I bought myself a banana and a Vitamin water drink.  The heat was intense, I laid my head down on the table and fell asleep right away.  15 minutes later I woke up refreshed and ready to ride!!

    I walked toward my Dragon Slayer and started checking her load.  I was stalling getting back on her as the heat was beating down.  A tow truck pulled into the lot and I looked at the large white cab and thought, “I could be in that cab in the cool.”  A movement from my right caught my eye and I quickly turned my head.  This woman was sprinting across the parking lot waving her arms frantically at the tow truck.  She was dressed in white shorts with pretty sandals and a cool tank top.  I thought her car must have broke down and I felt bad for her.

    The lady walked up to me and said, “Excuse me, can I ask you something?”  I smiled at her, her blonde hair was beautifully done and she had a sweet pretty face.  “You and I are about the same size.  What kind of bike is that?  Is it like in the low rider family?”, she asked.   I looked her over and she was right.  We were almost exactly the same size and build.  “She’s a Screaming Eagle Fat Boy.  She’s the lowest bike I’ve ever known.  You can get any bike lowered but she comes this low.”

    I could feel the joy radiating off her.  I thought to myself, “This woman is a rider, she just doesn’t know it yet.  She was willing to ask about Dragon Slayer and her car was broken down!! I smiled at her, “Would you like to sit on her?”  “Really, are you serious?”  The look of surprise was so wonderful to watch.

    I held my hand out and she placed her petite hand in mine.  My fingers were purple from the dye of my gloves and her nails were beautifully manicured.  Funny thing was, I didn’t feel inadequate in the slightest!!  That is one of the changes from the Journey!!  Her naked leg swung over the saddle and her perfect white shorts settled into the saddle.

    Her whole being lit up!!  I knew she was a rider!!  “Oh my, this is perfect!!”  Her excitement was catching and we both looked at each other with big grins that lit up the whole Turnpike!!

    She got off and with one final longing look at my Dragon Slayer, she skipped to the other side of the parking lot where the tow driver was waiting!!

    Another ripple that I got to see!!


  2. OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!

    July 22, 2011 by Linda Lee Patterson

    I AM HERE!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by Linda Patterson on the run!!


  3. Jacket

    July 22, 2011 by Linda Lee Patterson

    I think I must have fallen asleep, died and I’m riding in heaven!! The temperature has dropped!! I do believe it will rain again!! I will stop and lay in the grass if it does!! I might even roll around in the mud until I am as dirty as a pig!!
    I am ONLY 100 miles East of Chicago!! My Dragon Slayer is eating the miles!! I don’t feel tired, so it must be the heat that slows me down.
    I could cry with gratitude today!! I’ve done more then 3500 miles!! I’ve ridden from west coast to east coast!! I’ve cried and laughed, sang and waved at people!!
    I’ve overcome some fears and I’m LIVING LIFE OUT LOUD!!
    I love you and miss you all that are important to me!!

    Posted by Linda Patterson on the run!!


  4. Milwaukee

    July 22, 2011 by Linda Lee Patterson

    Headed to Milwaukee today!! Sad we didn’t make our goal for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee although I know I have tried hard!! Grateful for all who contributed!!

    Sometimes Journey to Change would become about something else entirely. I wonder what that’s about?? I’ve grown and changed so far and I’m only one week in!! Feels like a life time so far!! The people have been incredible and I know they have impacted my life as I have impacted theirs. Hoping to write more tomorrow about this as I will be down again another day!!

    I do believe my Dragon Slayer is calling my name. We have fallen into a pattern of riding. I’m doing so much better and the miles roll along!! I still hit a wall around 3 pm and have to stop and take a 15 min nap. I think if I was off the interstates or not so hot I would do better. The roads hypnotize me.

    Let’s roll my Dragon Slayer!!

    Posted by Linda Patterson on the run!!


  5. Down Day to Rest

    July 21, 2011 by Linda Lee Patterson

    Wanted to have a complete down day yesterday although that’s not what happen.  I had to stop and sleep for the night as I just couldn’t ride any longer.  The heat is really getting to me and I get so sleepy about 3 pm and I have to stop and rest for 15 min before I can push on.

    When I arrived at Joey’s, he had signs in the front yard welcoming me!!  It was so fun to see!! He was a great host and had a meal all ready!!

    I lost one of my small cosmetic bags along the way and Joey took me to the store to replace the items.  We were laughing and carrying on and Joey mentioned that I rode out on a motorcycle to this man that was standing there.  We all started chatting and Joey gave the guy one of my business cards.  As we were pulling out of the parking spot, the man came running out of the store waving his arms wildly.  I rolled down the window and he asked if he could donate to the Journey!!  WOW!!

    I took a nap when we returned from the store and I dreamed for this first time on this trip. When I woke up, I felt refreshed and ready to go!! I got dressed up in that dress and heels and we went out.  We met friends and had a great time!!

    I laid my head down that night with a full tummy and a full heart!!

     

     


  6. OHIO

    July 21, 2011 by Linda Lee Patterson

    Crossed over into Ohio!! Hoping to make Toledo tonight… We shall see… Heat is making it harder although so many gifts on the road!!

     


  7. Slight change in Plans

    July 21, 2011 by Linda Lee Patterson

    Leaving Philly… Had to make a small adjustment to my route. My body is determining what I can do. I will go to Toledo, not Erie tonight. Looking forward to sharing all that has happened!! Being with friends was nice and welcomed!!

     


  8. Audubon……..

    July 20, 2011 by Linda Lee Patterson

    Seems like I’ve been here before…..


  9. Fear… Here Today, Gone with Action!!

    July 20, 2011 by Linda Lee Patterson

    The funny thing about fear… It does disappear once you walk through it!!  I’m having so much fun, experiencing so many things, meeting so many people, I can’t even remember what the heck I was so afraid of in the first place!!

    My Dragon Slayer is a Goddess!! She is so steady and sure!! Clipping along with not a care in the world!! She is on an adventure of a life time and you can tell she’s happy by her content growl!!

    My biggest limitation on this Journey is my body.  The heat seems to zap my energy and I get tired easily.  I am staying hydrated although I have to stop more often then I would like to rest. I find myself unable to keep my eyes open and I don’t think my Dragon Slayer has auto pilot!! I usually find a nice rest stop, sleep for 15 min and then we are off again!!  My darling daughter told me about those 5 hr energy shots although they are also hard on my body.

    So many states are crossed into and so many things are seen in one day that it is hard to remember everything even though I record my thoughts!!  I have had to cancel meeting people along the route due to timing and the need to get to my destination.  I have been most unhappy about that.

    I got to the Pennsylvania Turnpike and messed up going into the toll road.  I got confused what to do, didn’t take a ticket and worried the entire way that the police would hunt me down and arrest me!!  When I got the to North Midway point, the toll booth lady said I would have to pay $22.00!!  I was grateful that the police weren’t waiting for me!! I sure hope I don’t get a ticket in the mail.  It was truly an honest mistake.

    I thought I was lost, stopped for gas and was told I was right on track!! Problem was, my destination was 200 more miles and it’s already after 8 pm.  I decided that I wasn’t going to make it that night.  A very nice couple asked me if I needed help and we struck up a conversation!!  They donated $5.00 to Big Brothers Big Sisters and best of all, the lady came over to me, held my hands and prayed over me!!  Tears of gratitude flowed down my face!! I gave her a great big hug!!  I miss that most of all from home, all the hugs from all the people that I love so much!!

    I saw many deer along the path as it neared dusk.  I loved seeing them with their babies although I knew I needed to be more alert for their road crossings.

    Dear Becca, there is a Santa Claus!! He delivered me refreshingly delicious cool rain!! The weather was hot and humid and I kept praying for rain!!  When I got up from my power nap, I took off my leather chaps.  I felt bad about giving up safety, although I had to cool down… About 15 minutes later, the sky got really dark and the clouds opened up!!  It rained so hard I had to slow down to 10 miles an hour because I couldn’t see!! I was sitting on my Dragon Slayer, laughing and singing!! It was the kind of rain that makes you want to dance round and round; have a popsicle stick race; and if I had a special someone, slow, sensual, sweet wet rain kisses!! Glorious rain!! I got soaked through to the skin!!

    All in all, it was a wonderful day!!  I guess I won’t get a down day this week, although I’m grateful for being able to listen to my body and accept my limitations!!

    Thank you everyone, for all your comments, texts and emails!!  They inspire me to keep going!!  Sweet dreams my Dragon Slayer!!