Notice that's not "Drive a Harley".
I'll try to hold down the fireworks, but WHAT A BLAST!!!!!!!!! So here's the story:
( I'm still in Phoenix, by the way. ) On March 16 I made a side trip to California. The occasion was a surprise birthday party (more on that in another post). While visiting over the next couple of days there, I mentioned my Bucket List and of course my friend asked what was on it. The first thing that popped into my mind and out of my mouth was "Ride a Harley" - especially since I'm technically if not actually 60. Next thing I knew, a couple of phone calls were made and my friend's husband says, "Hey your ride will be here at 5:30!" Whoa!
Then we went shopping, and in all the excitement of finding some terrific sales, I forgot about the ride. Until about 5:30, when I had just changed into cooler more comfy sandals - and this rumble comes down the street - my friend hollers from the kitchen, "Candy! I think your ride's here!"
Now if you have anything on your Bucket List, you KNOW how exciting it is to have an experience present itself - I was SO excited!! I dashed out the door, got a big hug from a walking beard, and went straight to the bike to say "hello, beautiful!" I was practically bouncing like Tigger, it was hard to believe the moment was at hand. James, the biker dude, pulls a shopping bag out of the saddlebag on the bike, and hands me a PINK doo-rag, with a white skull-and-crossbones, no less. James tied it on for me, explaining the headgear was necessary cuz' I was going to be wearing a helmet - for which I was very grateful, so many states don't require helmets. Makes my noggin cringe when I see bare heads on motorcycles...
As I dashed back to the house to change into more appropriate footwear, I said I'd dig up a jacket from my host - James says, "Here, this should work!" and hands over a nifty new hoody from the local bike shop. I was flabbergasted; this guy whom I had never met, who had just been called that morning while he was at work to see if he would give a visitor a ride, had gone the extra mile to make the experience fun and authentic!
Just let me say, doo-rags are SUCH a fashion statement...
Can you tell, I'm just a little excited? Man, I was READY!!! But I do have to say, I'm very glad my friend manning the camera was kind enough to desist from snapping pics while I was getting on...
And WE'RE OFF! I got a grand tour of the town and country side - lots of vineyards, dairy farms, almond orchards (only they are called "a-monds" by the natives - it was explained to me that they are "almonds" while on the trees, then rubber mallets were used to knock the nuts off, effectively knocking the "L" out of them, so they are "amonds" on the ground. True story. Although mechanical means are used now, rather than mallets and kids...)
45 wind-blown minutes later, we reluctantly returned. James reported to the committee awaiting us that he had NOT taken me to the biker bar. They were relieved. Guess we had been gone long enough they were getting antsy.
Two things I discovered about riding a Harley - besides that it's fun. One, you can't talk, without a headphone, after you hit 70 mph. Two, you have to have help dismounting if you have been in the passenger seat longer than about 30 minutes :)
Doesn't she look lonesome? I really think I should keep her company. Oh yeah, I'm going to be going back to California. I don't see any problem with having more than one check mark by a Bucket List item...Oh, and I'm thinking I should maybe add a new one on my list: Learn to drive a Harley.
Whaddaya think?
No comments:
Post a Comment