Little cooler today!! Long trek still to Philly!! Becca, hoping for thunderstorms today!!
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Columbus, OH
July 19, 2011 by Linda Lee Patterson
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Surrendering to Lifes Stuff!!
July 18, 2011 by Linda Lee Patterson
It was already hot this morning at 6 am!! Almost 80 degrees!! I put all my cooling gear on!!
The elevator was down and I was stuck on the 11th floor!! When I finally got to my Dragon Slayer, the tire lock wouldn’t come off… OH YEA!! This is going to be a great day!!
The country side was beautiful!! So lush and green!! Very pretty to look at and I took a few pictures from my bike!!
My body is determining what I can do and how far I can ride. I had a few melt downs as I got too tired. At one gas station, the attendant kept coming up to me to ask me if I was ok. I said I was even through the tears were flowing steady. She even sent a customer out to say a prayer for me!! I would make phone calls, cry and keep pushing, getting back on the bike. Finally, I didn’t think I could stay awake any longer and I pulled off the road, laid down and fell into a deep sleep for 45 minutes!!
When I woke up, I felt a million times better and felt like I could ride again for hours!! I was due to meet with Terry of IndyWest H-D and Cyndi of Heels on Wheels although I missed them both. Sorry to the both of them!! I guess it was better to arrive safely!!
Funny thing about today… My fear left me!! I’m on an adventure!! My Dragon Slayer is riding sweet and fast!! She’s a champion!! I was so grateful for all the working out Annie and I’ve been doing!! I wouldn’t make it otherwise!! This pace is grueling on my body but my Dragon Slayer keeps pulling hard!!
I’m not sure of the day and the time change is throwing me off schedule. I didn’t anticipate 12 hour days of riding. I’m not sure what I expected but I was thinking more like 8-10 hours for 600 miles… Guess I was dead wrong!! The roads sometimes are under construction and that slows me down also.
Terry set up an interview with IndyStyle TV and I will be at their studio at 8:30 am Tuesday morning!! I am also meeting with the girls from Hocking Hills Motorcycle Ranch!! Looking forward to that!! Not sure of the additional stops I had planned for tomorrow as it’s a long day of riding. I hate to disappoint people that I said I would see.
Hello to all my friends at home!! I miss you all!! Your posts and text messages are welcomed!! I’m so excited for the next leg of my adventure!!
I stay with a friends on Tuesday!! I’m grateful to be with someone familiar and I’m looking forward to visiting!!
Well, I guess I better get back to sleep!! Sweet dreams my Dragon Slayer!!
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Indiana
July 18, 2011 by Linda Lee Patterson
Hello!!! In the beautiful state of Indiana!!!
Posted by Linda Patterson on the run!!
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Rest
July 18, 2011 by Linda Lee Patterson
Had to shut down and rest a bit… Needed a spot of food and some talk with some friends!! Laughing through my tears!! The country here is a beautiful green and very lush!! Makes me want to lie under a tree and take a nap!! Almost to St Loius!!
Posted by Linda Patterson on the run!!
Category Journal | Tags: | 5 Comments
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Smile
July 18, 2011 by Linda Lee Patterson
It’s funny how a bright smile will go a long way!!
Came down for breakfast, my body is feeling shaky. There is a tour bus with a slew of retired folks. When I smile at them, they light up and smile back!! Struck up a conversation with one couple and the bus is traveling to Salt Lake City!!
Traci, you will be happy to know that, even though this is a no helmet state, I’m still wearing mine!! I love you Baby Chicken and I’m looking forward to talking to you soon!! Thank you for all your hard work on my Journey!!Off to St. Louis!!
Posted by Linda Patterson on the run!!
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We’re not in Cali anymore, Dragon Slayer!!
July 18, 2011 by Linda Lee Patterson
Long, hot day across Kansas!! Flat country here. Drank lots of water and was very grateful when I finally got to Topeka!!
I seem to hit a wall about @ 400 miles and I stopped for lunch then. My legs were weak underneath me and I’m sure it is due to the heat.
I’m certainly glad that I’ve been training my body, getting ready for this trip. All those squats made my legs strong!! When I would tell people about training for my trip they usually say the same thing, “Are you riding every day.” I would think to myself, why would I ride every day, I know how to ride? For a brief moment, I would wonder if I’m doing something wrong. “No, I’m training like an athlete would, to prepare my body.” “Good idea”, they would always say!!
My Dragon Slayer is running beautifully!! Strong and sure, she carries me over the miles!! A few times, her gas light came on, I always get nervous when that happens. She can go about 150 miles on a tank when I’m doing 80. She does much better on gas mileage at 70 or below!!
When I arrived at the hotel, I could barely hold onto my emotions and the tears wanted to come. I sure cry a lot!! I miss everyone at home and I was hungry, hot and tired. I didn’t even clean up before I went to eat. The girl at the restaurant was sweet to me and got me my food quickly!! I felt so much better after I ate!! Laid my head down and off to sleep I went!!
Posted by Linda Patterson on the run!!
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Package
July 17, 2011 by Linda Lee Patterson
When I arrived in Denver, there was a package waiting for me!! It was full of little simple gifts!! It’s great to have friends!! What a nice surprise after how I was feeling that day!! One very special gift was a dog tag with my name, Journey to Change and July 15, 2011!! WOW WOW!!
Posted by Linda Patterson on the run!!
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Triple Rainbows??
July 17, 2011 by Linda Lee Patterson
I woke up this morning feeling well rested and ready to go!! I packed up my Dragon Slayer and returned the key. The lady who works/lives at the campground came to clean my room. She doesn’t know me very well, you wouldn’t even know I was there!! She said to me to stop in Salinas for gas as that was the last stop for a long time. I thanked her for her advice and she said, “Us girls, we gotta stick together. Not that I would be brave enough to do what you are doing.” I use to feel that way also!! I was too afraid to live life. Now, I embrace each moment and squeeze all that I can from it!! I put my bling helmet on and she looked at me, “You look like a girl alright.” I laughed, waved and took off.
I learned a few things so far… pack lighter, pack things in the order that you will need them, pack a towel and feather sleeping bags will pack into smaller spaces!! I also need to allow myself more time in the morning!! It’s a lot of work packing the bike and I have to adjust things as I go because I’m still learning what works.
I stopped at the gas station to check my Dragon Slayer’s lights, tires and oil. Two couples approached me and asked if they had to wear a helmet in this state. I pulled out my HOG guide and told them no!! They got so excited. They told me they were riding from Nova Scotia to Arizona!! I wished them luck and one man told me to watch out for the large grasshoppers!! He turned to me and said, “Being the expert biker, what advice can you give us?” I looked at him and started to laugh, “This is my first trek!!” “Really?? Wow!!” The look of surprise on his face was priceless!! We shook hands and off we went!!
As I turned East on I70, I was filled with exciting terror!! That feeling you get when you are going to ride a scary roller coaster for the first time!! I can’t believe I’m doing this!!
At one point, I felt like no matter how far I went, Denver just kept getting farther away. I was tired and it was getting late again. I’m doing something wrong because I keep getting in too late. My head started to say things to me and my feelings were overwhelming. I started to cry and felt like, I just can’t do this. Just about that time, a little girl in a red truck turned and waved at me from the back window. I started to laugh and felt better. I then passed the Welcome to Colorado sign and I was reminded of taking Traci to college. I didn’t think that was possible either!! Well, if she could go to college, then I could do this trip!!
I looked towards the mountains to the west, the layers of red are beautiful!! Fingers of snow are barely at the top. Everything is so amazing!! I noticed the sky was turning darker and I pulled off the road to put on my rain suit!! As I got back on the road, the clouds opened up and drenched me!! I sure was glad I listened to my instincts!! I got to ride through two more rain pours!! I also got to see two beautiful, side by side, rainbows!! God saying, things are just fine, Girl!! I wonder if it is possible to see three rainbows at the same time??
When I finally arrived at Brian’s house, Traci’s boyfriend, I was grateful for the big hug he gave me. I walked into the house, tired and hungry and he had food already waiting for me!! Sweet boy!! I left some items at his house to lighten my load!! He will ship them back to me!!
I laid my head down that night, grateful for the comfortable bed to sleep in!!
Sweet dreams my Dragon Slayer!! I will visit you there!!
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Russell, KS
July 17, 2011 by Linda Lee Patterson
Hot one today!! Over 100!! Glad I have water!!
Posted by Linda Patterson on the run!!
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