Day 4 Vaughn NM to Laredo TX - WHAT A WINNER!!!

 Well the day started off well enough.  We weren't abducted and I think the red lights may have been from windmills and what I thought was choppers might have been trains.  Hey my mind got the best of me at night when you can't see shit!

So we made our way thru Roswell and I guess I was unimpressed.  For some reason I was anticipating something along the lines of Coombs, with aliens but it was a pretty normal town with an occasional alien statue here and there and of course businesses with an alien theme.  So pretty glad I didn't make a point to stop.  Carried on to Carlsbad, where the caverns are.  Cute town but still uneventful and that is where todays excitement starts.

We left there and headed along our route to find mass construction. 2 very narrow lanes that were still waiting for repair for miles and miles.  Think it was over 20 miles they were working on.  Well thru this area, the texture of the road surfaces made a hell of a noise and vibration in the jeep, plus the bumps and heaves in the road had it bouncing around, not to mention being so close to the oncoming lane when a semi blew by and the noise from the gust of wind terrified Kahlua.  She was so panicked, that she started climbing back and forth from front to back and was trying to get in the trunk.  I was getting a little fed up with the road and her so when we stopped in Ft Stockton, I remembered I had packed an anxiety collar in her bag, so I put it on her.  Damn thing worked like a charm and she ended up crawling into the back seat and going to sleep for the next shit show.

So we left Ft Stockton and started working our way towards Laredo.  Well the first part of this next section was all thru and and along the mesas.  Again the road surface was shit.  I think it was some form of gravel tar seal but not like we have at home.  The noise was horrendous (thank god she slept) not to mention heaves and bumps all well your navigating hills and valleys and curves and doing 60 to 70 mph.  I was worn the hell out from it.  Now somewhere along this stretch, I think I saw a Chupacabra, okay maybe it was a wild pig/boar but didn't look like any I've ever seen.  This is also where I drove all along the side of the border just live 0 Ave in Vancouver.  Only difference is it is extremely well patrolled.  They also have a roadway of a white rock/sand surface that they rake with 3 tractor tires behind their trucks.  I wasn't sure exactly what they were doing.

I was so glad to be done with those 2 stretches when I hit Del Rio.  Finally so semi normal road and was able to motor along and try to make up some time.  I got to Eagle Pass and that's when some idiot wasn't paying attention and just about rear-ended the guy in front of him.  Instead he hard cranked to the left towards me.  Thankfully I was watching everything and saw it coming so I in turn did the same thing into the middle lane and evaded being taken out 2 hours from my destination.  As I sat there cursing him out, puppy stood up on the console and started kissing my cheek, telling me its all okay mommy, I got you!  She's such a good girl.

We kept moving trying to cover as much ground before dark.  Along the next stretch between Eagle Pass and Carrizo Springs the border patrol has a checkpoint.  So talked to the guy for a few before traffic caught up to me.  As I pulled up he was staring at my plate trying to figure it out.  He was amazed when I told him 3 days and it was my first time doing it.  I asked him about the white sand and tires.  He said that basically it is to track illegals.  When they swim the river and climb the mesa(that part amazes me as they are not small) then they cross this substance and 1 leave prints and 2 carry it on their shoes which allows them to be tracked.  Makes sense.

The last eastbound leg was after dark and was 100kms.  I was not amused.  It was a 2 lane road at 75mph...not fkn likely!!  I was having a hard time seeing with oncoming lights and just wanted to get here.  The end part of the road was a bit better as they finally put a bit of a extra lane which helped some of the lights but it took longer then it should have.

Then don't know if it was expedia or me and the nav system but it sent me to a different address for the motel.  So I had to call and find them.  Then when I got here, there was nobody here to check me in, so I had to call again and get them to send someone, all to give me my key.

So all in we are now here and will cross the border in the morning.

Viva Mexico, we made it!!

Day 3, Tremonton to somewhere close to Roswell!!

 Well this has been truly an eventful day, starting with logging 1200 kms in total!  I can do an Iron Butt, I can do the same in a cage.

I thought I had come to the realization that the Jeeps navigation system was sending me on some wild goose chases but after talking with my mother and looking at my google route, they are in fact the same.  I didn't recall the town names that it sent me thru from SLC, nor at the one stop and it being another 5 hours to Albuquerque but I was wrong, they were the same.  And again this evening, I have no idea on the route it sent me but I was starting to sweat.  More on that later.  I ended up travelling thru 3 states again today, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.  

Anyways, I started off nice and early at 7am and got on the highway into SLC.  I was told that it is a total nightmare except for Sundays between 10 and 2.  Well I was quite impressed as I only really slowed to under 20mph once and the rest of the time traffic was moving at around 60.  Hence why I was able to pull off 300 km within about 2 hours with my first check in at Price, Utah.  I left there and carried on and I have to say it was a very boring drive and desolate.  The only part I liked was Moab.  

Speaking of Moab, I almost decided to stay as there was a Jeep Jamboree and they were everywhere, some covered in the red mud of the area, others on their way in to play in the canyons.  The town it self is super cute also.  I would love to go back and check it out more, maybe on the way home.  Lots of the red rock and arches along the way.

I got excited entering Colorado as there were finally some tress and green space but nothing really eventful thru there.  Then well we entered New Mexico and if it wasn't for the change in landscape I wouldn't have known as there was no "welcome to" sign.  Again New Mexico is another desolate landscape.  Sure in a few spots there are the cliffs and rocks but otherwise very desolate.   I did manage to catch a tumbleweed in my bumper!  New Mexico really needs to work on their highways as I feel like I have whiplash or shaken baby syndrome.  It was pretty bad with dip after dip after dip in a row, like riding a small rollercoaster.  This was also causing the Jeep to bounce around all over the place, mind you doing 80mph probably didn't help.  Even the semi's were all over the road.

Anyways, I persevered and made it into Albuquerque at about 6 so I decided to keep going and knock off a few hours for tomorrow.  Well, I had already looked before about possible motels along the route into Roswell and there were some, so I figure I could stop along the way, if I didn't want to go all they way.  All was good along the Interstates and then the Nav told me to turn off onto a secondary highway.  It was pitch black along this road and yet it was still a 70mph zone.  All good besides the acres of flashing red lights in the distance.  I kept going, as I didn't really have a choice but I was starting to get sketched out.  I was waiting for a little grey man to be standing in the road!  I kept going waiting to find a town but I kept going and going and nothing.  It was probably about an hour down the road and I'm starting to get a bit concerned as I'm now closing in on a quarter of a tank of gas.  I was trying to compute in my head the distances from what the road sign said to the distance in kms on my nav and things weren't adding up.  when the nav told me to turn again, I pulled over to decide if I was going to listen to it or find this town.  My phone said I was basically in it.  Then I checked for motels and it said that there were some so away I went to find the town.

Thankfully, I managed to get a room and there is a gas station so I was able to settle for the night instead of going further.  So now I am in for the night, with flashing red lights all around and I have heard choppers overhead a couple times.  If you don't hear from me tomorrow then I may have been abducted!!

For now, we are all good and heading for the area of Laredo, Texas tomorrow.

From Kahlua and I, Wags and wishes

Day 2 - Yakima to Tremonton, Utah

 Well I got started a little later then I was hoping for even thou I was awake around 530.  I kept rolling over trying to sleep a bit longer.  When I did decide to get up, I took Kahlua out for her potty break, then went to get a coffee and came back to research how much further I could go today.  I was hoping for Provo, thinking I could get thru morning traffic in Salt Lake tonight but I forgot that there was a time change and lost an hour, plus I was getting a headache and just tired and to hard to concentrate on the road at night so I called it quits about 45 minutes from SLC.

So all in, I covered 1000km today and it only cost about $170 in gas!  I don't think that's too bad.  I went thru 4 states, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and now in Utah.  The highways here rock, legally, I was doing 130 to 140 all the way until construction slowed me down and sent me off an exit that I didn't want.

Had a bit of rain trying to be snow in the snow zone leaving Washington but otherwise it was sunny all day but fk its cold here, must be the elevation.  

I will have to wait and see how far I get tomorrow.  I would like to get past Albuquerque to maybe Roswell, but I think I will have to play it by ear as I've been told traffic in SLC is a nightmare.

Kahlua has been absolutely amazing!  Just curled up in her bed, sleeping the whole way until I stop. and she is already asleep beside me.  Thank god she is not a puppy and instead a grumpy old woman.

I downloaded some of the dashcam video of the snowstorm and I will have a look in the morning of some of the picturesque views, there were a lot of them.  I will post them later both on each days blog and on Facecrack.

Alright folks, sorry for the short entry, but like I said pretty uneventful day.  I need to lay down and rest my head and body and get some sleep.  So until tomorrow and possibly an alien sighting.

Wags and Wishes from Kahlua and I.

On The Road - Vancouver to Yakima

I came over to Vancouver on Saturday to hang out with Krystal and her boyfriend Marc in their new condo.  Krystal and I went to an interactive Halloween play on Saturday nite.  It wasn't as good as past years according to her and even thou it was local theatre, it was still a little corny for my tastes.  Some of the performers were pretty good thou.  We spent the start of Sunday waiting on Len to arrive with the furniture from her Great Gran, then after he left I took her shopping for some things they needed.  When we got back, I helped her build a few things that I had ordered for her and then got ready to go.

Krystal suggested that I might want to consider leaving this evening due to Monday morning rush hour traffic.  So I figured WTH, I could get a jump on the long days I was going to be putting in to get to the Mexico border.

It took me 30 minutes to get from her place to the boarder and I have to say, I LOVE MY NEXUS CARD!!  No line up in the Nexus line, showed the camera my card, drove up to the agent.  All he asked is if I had anything to declare!!  I said no, he said okay and that was the end of the crossing.  Didnt ask for the CDC form for the dog, nothing!  I had to call my mother as I started down the I5 cause she is having a panic about what hoops they may have to jump thru to go to their place in Florida.

So I crossed the boarder right around 6pm and it was fairly uneventful until south of Bellingham.  Then the rain started and of course its getting dark now and well, I hate driving thru Seattle, even more so then Vancouver.  So of course I'm a little on edge watching for my exit to highway 90, found it and off I went.  I had multiple messages coming in from folks that are watching my location but just kept going.  I stopped in Issaquah to stretch my aching legs and give the dog a chance to do the same and have a potty break.  Well she wasn't to keen on the rain so it was a short stop.  I responded quickly to the messages that came in and then got back on the road.  If I had of known what was ahead of me, I think I would have stayed there.

I have a love hate for the highways here, at least around Seattle.  Sure you can do a buck 20 legally or 70mph but they are rough and I find them narrow.  Anyways, I left Issaquah and head for Yakima, it should have been about another 2 hours ..... well that got extended due to down pouring rain, with lots of pooling and of course as we got closer to the summit the rain turned into sleet, with a dusting of snow/slush on the road.  Everyone started slowing down.  By the time we reached the summit it was a total whiteout!!!  I think there were a few places we were under 20mph and all the cars were following each other and a semi.  I threw it into 4 just to have some extra traction but still took it easy.  Not being overly familiar with the highway, it being night and piss poor weather, I decided to just behave.  Not like home when we have a snow storm.  I was starting to have second thoughts about leaving early.  I would have preferred to drive thru the snow in the daytime and not at night when it is like flying the Millennium Falcon thru the stars.  Think I passed by about 4 crashes on the way.

Anyways finally got down the pass and into the flat lands.  The rain stopped and I kicked it into gear.  I contemplated stopping in Ellensburg but it was only another half hour to Yakima, so I just kept going.

Kahlua was an absolute angel.  She slept pretty much the whole way, except for a few times when she heard the slush kicking up under the Jeep or the rain pounding on the roof.

We are now safe and sound in our room and will head out for day 2 tomorrow.  The original stop was Twin Falls, Idaho but since I have already drove 4 hours, then I may push a bit further.  I will check the map and see in the morning as for now I just need to rest.

Okay just checked the map and think I will aim for Provo, Utah tonite.

One day closer to the sun!!!

One Week Til Go Time.

 Well, it has been an eventful summer and I'm looking forward to getting back to the summer heat.  As most know by now, I left Len and have been living with Kahlua in my motorhome.  I have had a few downs but overall it has been great.    It has been a trying couple of years both at home and dealing with my grandparents and estate.  Now its time to put the motorhome in storage and head south for the winter.  I am a week away from leaving with a weekend stop in Vancouver to see Krystal and Marc as they have just moved into a new home.  I will be leaving the island on the 25th and Vancouver on the 27th.

Yes, I will be driving down in the Jeep with Kahlua, cause well the Diva will not fly!!  She does not do crates, she has separation anxiety and well she's too big to go in cabin (not to mention she would cry the whole time to get in my lap...that would make one really long annoying flight)  So drive it shall be.  I don't mind as then I will have my vehicle there and can come and go and explore as I please, instead of relying on Uber or drivers or having to rent a car.  My friend Dana was supposed to drive down with me but some things came up and she can't leave just yet, so she will join me on December 1st.  She does plan on driving back with me though and we will make a point of doing some sight seeing on the way back.

Now I know some of you are probably in a panic mode thinking about me doing this on my own.  Well stop it, I will be fine.  We went through all this when I took off on the bike to find Flo during the Congas.  Yes this is much further and thru 2 different countries but I have my bases covered.  I have done obscene amounts of research and have covered all my bases on things that can help protect me along the trip.  Not to mention, I will be stopping the second night into Mexico in Queretaro to see an old friend that moved to Mexico 22 years ago and his wife and son.  I will spend a day with them doing a little sight seeing in SMA - San Miguel de Allende (and it will be Dia des los muertas) and then head for the airport to pick up Ismael.  Ismael is the young man who has been our caretaker for the past few years and he offered to come an meet me and drive the rest of the way with me.  He is more excited then I am as he has never been on a plane or outside of his home state in Mexico, so this is a big deal for him.  He has already been asking how to check in for his flight!  So I will only be on my own for 2 days in Mexico and then I will have a Mexican national with me for the rest of the journey.

I have all the paperwork that I need to have with me and for Kahlua.  I have installed a 4 camera(front rear and sides but can also be moved to inside, so might have video of me singing as Im driving thru Mexico) dashcam in the jeep and stickers on the side windows in English and Spanish stating as much.  The  Mexican federales don't much like being on camera when they try to get lunch money, so generally let you go.  I also have a printed letter for them, that basically states that I know my rights and how to proceed if I have legitimately made a traffic infraction.  I have put Canadian flag decals on the Jeep, so they know I'm not 'Merican, just in case they don't know where my plates are from.

I am also hoping to blog and post pictures/videos each day, so you can check in on my whereabouts and how things are going.  If anyone else is worried and wants to keep a closer watch on me, (B&B) then send me a message and I will share my live location with you.  I plan on doing this with Krystal, Lorie and my Mom but willing to share with anyone else that wants it.

The basic plan is for 3 days through the states and then 6 days in Mexico (with 1 being a rest day with my friends)  Starting on October 27th and arriving in Progreso on November 4th.

• Vancouver to Twin Falls, Idaho
• Twin Falls to Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Albuquerque to Laredo, Texas
• Columbia Bridge Crossing (just north of Laredo) to Matehuala, San Luis Potosi 
• Matehuala to Santiago de Queretaro, Queretaro - staying with friends for 2 nights.
• Picking up Ismael at the airport in Queretaro and heading to Orizaba/Cordoba, Veracruz
• Orizaba to Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche
• CdC to Progreso, Yucatan

I will have my first guests at the end of November, before Dana arrives.  My fugly cousin Robyn and niece Lindsay are coming for a week from Ottawa.  It will be nice to spend the time with just them and enjoy the weather.

So this is the plan and I'm looking forward to it.  It is a different house this year that is closer to Progreso, not beachfront but does have a pool, fully walled and 5 bedrooms.  So again, if you want to escape just give me a shout and I will let you know what is available.  The most expensive part of a trip would be your flight.  With that said Black Friday is coming up so may get some good prices at that time.

Until next weekend,

Wags and Wishes from Kahlua and I.

Milestone

Well last Saturday, Len and Kaylee had a great day trip to Tofino. Poor K hasnt done to many long trips and her first words on rolling in were her butt hurt. She had lots of great pics and I received one text around 3pm that uncle was snoozing on the beach. They stopped at Taylor Flats and Kay went swimming in the river and played underwater with my camera. Chasing fishies and underwater videos. Len said it was friggin cold and he couldnt believe she was in for that long. Long 12 hour day for them but they had fun and that was the important thing. Sunday Len decided to head for Gold River with the gang. That would be to much of a trip for me so I elected to stay behind and do my own thing. He headed out at 7 am to meet up in Lantzville and go from there. He had a great day and was so happy to actually get some long rides in, to a total of about 1300k in the weekend.

Me, well Saturday was uneventful, waited around and eventually Sue and Steve showed up, we went to Arrow and then back down to the Swan, home again and eventually they were getting ready to pull out. I heard the pipes coming off the highway and said oh theres Len and K now, well wasnt I confused when this bright pumpkin orange Roadglide came around the corner. Not realizing at first who it was and then saw the shit eating grin on Kellys face. Guess he just made the trade of a lifetime and swapped the guy his Ultra plus a grand for this RG. He was smilin in a big way. S & S left and I stood around talking with Kelly for a bit and then the real pipes did come in and Kelly hid around the corner as Len pulled in with the same dumbfounded look on his face that I had. He stopped, looked at me, then Kelly came out and he was completely confused. So Len got filled in and we ogled the great pumpkin and the story again. Kelly headed off to torture his wife with his orange bike and we came in to relax.
Sunday the plan was to head to the S&S at the Arlington. Sue and Steve were to meet up with Bear and Kimmie then head here to get me before we headed to Nanoose. Guess they met up on time but they took their sweet time getting here. We shot the shit for a bit then off we went. Bear and Kimmie decided to hang with us for awhile before heading home, we stayed for the judging then headed home ourselves. Was a decent day but it did tire me out. It was the longest ride for me so far and lack of windshield sure does tire you with the wind pushing on yer body. Len eventually made it home from Gold river and actually in some good time. Got a text that he was at Fanny Bay and then next thing ya know he was here, he was hauling some ass coming home, but from the sounds of things they all were most of the day.

Back to normal on Monday, starting a new course, my very last one!!!!! But its a four weeker on Child development. Oh well, I just wanted the info for the project because that was going to be the biggest portion of the whole course really. The rest of the week was just getting by til the weekend. It was a busy week for both of us, mind you it helped to make it fly by. Wednesday I had to leave class early (we are now stuck there until 430 everyday, which is not amusing me) and race home to get K and Lumpy. We had an appointment at the vet to have her put down. She was quite old, had lost all her weight, had some bumps on her neck that I believed were cancer and she had been having seizures on a daily basis, some day 4 or more. K didnt want to put her down but I had to try and make her understand that it was the best thing and that she wouldnt be in any pain any more. It was difficult but we managed thru. Thursday I had to do the run around Victoria before coming home. K came with me to school as she was upset about the Lump and didnt want to be alone at home. On our way in there was a sign I had seen all week with kittens so we stopped to have a look and K fell in love with one almost right away. So I said that more then likely we would be back at 430 to pick him up. She had a tough afternoon, thinking about Lump and getting a new one. She thought it wouldnt be fair to the Lump but I told her Lump would be glad that she had someone new to keep her company and that she wasnt just replacing her. So stop we did and got the new addition, Oliver is his name and he is gray and white and full of beans. From there we headed over to Steves, where wee swapped out vehicles. I took his van and left him my car. This way their bed would be here for the weekend and they could ride up on Saturday and ride to the show. Then another stop in Langford to pick up the rest of the camping gear that K and Wayne had left behind at Luxton. After all that we were finally able to come home. In the process Len has hooked up with 443 and they are heading for Duncan Starbucks, so he says get the bike and come join them. Well I was close, saw them all at the light in Mill Bay and then they were out of sight heading north. I came home, parked the van got K settled in with Oliver got changed and off I went. Good little blast up to Duncan and shoot the shit with those that were there. The Vic group headed back and the 5 of us stayed a little longer before heading back to our neck of the woods. Got home and just tried to relax knowing the tomorrow and the start of Saturday was going to be a blur. Then the rest of the weekend was going to be a different blur.

Friday came and as far as I knew B & B would be here that evening to set up camp and spend the weekend. I ran around out in the yard prepping a few things and then next thing ya know it is time to run. I check the puter one more time to find a message the Bee has fallen down some stairs and is in the hospital. Well I hauled ass and stopped in to check on her and offer a ride in the truck if she didnt want to be on the trike. They said they were going to stay in town one more night and would be up in the morning. Alrighty not to worry then can get a few things done tonight. Tortured myself sitting thru class and was anxious to leave, but everyone kept having discussions and was drawing things out. I was not impressed, just wanted to get on the road and get the hell home. Well Bee tried to call at 4 but I let it go to voice mail and checked it when I left. At 430, Len was sitting at the summit, taking a breather from the traffic and insanity. I said well depending how bad it is, I might see him up there, then I checked the message from Bee and they were in Mill Bay already heading for the house. Ummm Len stop relaxing and get yer ass home, they are already there. For me it took over an hour and a half to get home. The traffic was insane. I can tell ya now in two weeks when we are supposed to have another late Friday, I wont be staying, I will go in early and leave early but Im not playing that game again. The other 2 we have exam so I will be ahead of the traffic.

I finally get here and they are set up so we sit and catch up and next thing ya know the Bear pulls in and he is ready to go for the weekend. He is moving in and here to stay and PARTAY!!!! So we sit around and bullshit for the course of the evening and nothing much really gets done. Thankfully K was able to manage kitten duties as well as getting the house cleaned up. Bear is gung ho and wants to party and we keep reminding him it is tomorrow, dont want to burn out tonight. The boys wander off to bed around 10 and I went about 1030. Bear was a good boy and came in around 11 and went to bed. Saturday rolls around and it is going to be a whirlwind. The boys after Len finally gets out of bed, head off to Bears to pick up the trailer for Rick. Us girls are making a trip into Duncan. We wait a bit in the hopes that Ed shows up to set up his spot and finally they do. Ed makes plans to meet the rest of the boys at Dranes and Suzie is coming to Duncan with us. Off we go in the truck to pick up last minute stuff and try to get back at a reasonable time cause there is still more yard prep to do. Surprisingly the boys werent back yet. Oh well get in and get things unloaded and as that is getting done the boys start tapering in. we start getting the rest of things set up while having a drink and of course peoples started showing up. It was great to have everyone here from all over the island. Even had a group from Courtnay show up. I knew Crash and Ruthie were coming and I had a good feeling that Dez and Paws were going to make it cause she was trying to be sneaky bout it. They did and a little later Roy showed up as well. Not to mention all the rest of our mixed bag of friends and B and B from the interior. Was a great evening that is for sure, but Im going to get that little rotter Kazz one of these days. She had to make me a cougar suit and it was all good except the headband that wouldnt stay on. Everyone had a good time, including Ed who was mesmerized by the fire most of the night. Good cookies eh!!!! In the morning, everyone pitched into to clean things up so there wasnt too much to do at the end of the day. Got it to the point that it was just the chairs that would have to be stored. We all got ready and headed off to the Cassidy for the show n shine. It was a warm day, thats for sure. Well out of all of us that entered our bikes, only Rick got no award, but it was also the biggest class for a change. I took first and Suzie second in the softail, Kazza took first in sportie, Adam first and Sheila second in Road, Di first in 3 wheel and Kelly took first, Len second in Decker. Poor Rick especially when he is so proud of his new baby. But it made Kellys day and Suzie was all excited about her first award. B&B and Bear headed out earlier for the house and presumably to get Bear homeward. When the judging was done we said our goodbyes and headed off in our own direction. Kelly rode with us back south, atleast til Duncan where he stopped for gas. We got to our lite and were waiting to turn left and as we come up the street, there is Bear in the uturn route waiting for us and follows us back into the house. Im LMAO that boy oh boy Kimmie is going to kill him when he does make it home. He has sat around and BSed with B&B and was attempting to leave when he saw us and figured he had to come in for one more goodbye and thanx. I only promised Kimmie he wouldnt fall down and break another hip, I never said I would make him go home on time although I did try.

We relaxed for a while and I had a call from my cousin Beav in Ontario and eventually B & B made dinner for us which was nice. We pulled out the mini eclairs that we forgot to put out at the party and proceeded to eat almost the whole box. We sat around for a little and around 8 I gave up, I needed to go and lay back on the couch and put my feet up as I was getting some achy after being on them all weekend. Bee downloaded her pics and around 10pm everyone toddled off to bed. Need the good nights rest now. Yep everyone was exhausted.

Good this morning and back to normal it will be. Now that the party is over with, I have to focus on my project, the last 3 weeks of class and find one other practicum placement. Heres hoping we hear something from the Praxis program this week. Have to take the van back to Steve today on my way in but will hopefully be able to ride the rest of the week.

My next mission now, is to make sure all is good to go for the show n shine in August. Thanx to Moe in PA for finding me the last couple of sponsors, it was a huge help. The awards are being made and I think everything is in place. Will have to do a follow up and go up for the day to figure out the set up for the day of. Besides that things are looking up.

Thanx to everyone that came to the party, I had a great time. Thanx for all the wishes and gifts as well.

Basically Back to Normal

Well it seems things are getting back to normal now. The last posting, I had a mid term and pulled a 94 which is normal for me. Guess the brain is starting to settle down and not scramble information as much. Still having some dizziness but usually only when getting up, laying down, or doing stupid shyte like looking down, bending over or looking up into the sky. That really gives the head a spin. Otherwise things arent bad. The rib still has its moments and the ankle is still tender, especially if I spent to much time on it but bearable overall.
Got to leave school a little early on The friday thankfully, as traffic was fairly busy. Got home to take a short break then we loaded up and headed to Crofton to meet up with the gang. Definitely a great weekend, for sure. Got settled in and then headed to the pub for dinner, back to the resort for a bonfire and amusement. Saturday, I was just going to stay behind and relax and let the boys torment me while I did some homework but I decided to ride to Duncan so I could check on the boots that were ordered in for me. We waited around for a while waiting for Suzie to arrive, we finally headed out to the highway to meet her then went to Duncan. everyone went on a little shopping spree methinks. I bought the boots to replace the old ones, Len got me a new DOT helmet and Im not sure what all else was bought but I know I saw the girls going thru the racks of clothes. The rest of the group decided to make a run out to Lake Cowichan and I said I would just head back to the cabins. Suzie decided to come with me, so we waved them off and then we headed to Crofton. Well they all got their chance to tease me with my homework, but I just wanted it out of the way so I didnt have to worry about it later. Eventually all returned and the kibitzing continued. I tried to take a nap but it didnt work out that well and finally gave up, thankfully in enuf time to see Pam who had stopped by for a visit. The same usual BS insued for the evening, mind you it was much tamer. I think the biggest laugh of the weekend was when poor Bear walked face first into a sliding glass door. Oh and of course getting the blackmail evidence on Ed for riding bitch. yep, good times.

Back to the work week and a final exam on friday. Lots of info to deal with on this one. I didnt feel all that great going into it but who knows, I have said that before. I was one of the last to leave for a change but methinks it paid off. I ended up with the highest in the class and that is a good thing cause the marks were all low but I scored a 91. After I got home on Friday, we decided to take a trip up to Crofton to see 394 and if they wanted a tour guide the next day. Well a surprise for sure, the good Doctor was actually very calm and well behaved for a change. It really didnt seem normal. Oh well, plans were made for me to meet them and lead them on a backroads tour to Vic and area and eventually end up in the inner harbor. So Saturday comes and Len is working but I head off to take the group out sight seeing. We have a great ride down and everyone enjoyed it over taking the highway. When we hit the harbor, everyone dispersed on their own missions and eventually it was just Crash and Ruthie and I that were heading back up. we stopped off to wait for Len to finish and meet us for the ride up. They stopped off at the house and had another short visit before heading back to their campsite. we ended up heading to Duncan for a Canada day party for the night. So fairly busy weekend none the less.

This past week, I took the bike into Dranes on Tuesday to get the rear running lights dealt with on warranty. I took it in, got picked up for school and came back for it at the end of the day. Len met me there and all seemed to be working again. I had lights and the horn was replaced and didnt sound like a dying goose anymore. Len decided we should ride to Saltair for dinner, so we did. That has been about the longest ride for me so far and it did take a toll on me. We relaxed and had a nice dinner, ran into some friends I have not seen in years and then headed home. We switched bikes to give me a break and when we got home and Len pulled up to the garage he realized there were no headlights now. Well WTF! He pulled it in and tried the switches, then off comes the seat and we find a blown fuse. As we are looking we find that the wire that was pinch for the tail lites is mickey ducked together in a ball of electrical tape. Len tried another fuse and sure nuff as soon as we turned on the driving lites, poof, up goes the fuse. So they half assed fixed one thing to cause another problem. Guess its going back.

Wednesday I had an interview for my practicum and got accepted for a group home in Duncan. Should be kewl as they are going to give me a couple of my own residents to deal with on a daily basis. Off to school straight from there in a mad hurry but made it for 1pm. Thursday the bike went back in to hopefully be fixed right this time. so far so good. Nothing else has blown up since leaving and the tape issue was done properly now. Have just finished a lame one week course and on to my last course. Yay, one month left and I am done and heading out on practicum. Still holding a 95 GPA and believe this dumb biker chick is top of the class!

Today so far, Im just taking it easy and relaxing. Made some potatoes to create potato salad for later and Len and Kaylee have gone off on a ride to Tofino. He has been chomping at the bit to do a long ride and with school then the accident we havent been able to go anywhere. Kaylee has never been there so he figured what the heck, go for it and take his other favorite girl for a day out. Im sure they will have a great time although her butt may be sore by the time she gets back cause she isnt used to the long rides. They left a 8 am and havent heard anything yet. Me well, I will prolly get my act in gear and head out on the bike somewheres and maybe head to Vic later to see my class mates who are having a grad BBQ for those that finished yesterday. Otherwise, Im not in a rush to do much.