Hey all! Remember that I talked about being on the route patrol team for this year's 3-Day Walk in San Diego? Well back in February I contacted them about Kevin & I being on the team. They don't need anymore volunteers for route patrol! We are seriously bummed about this. We could have signed up to do any number of other things but we had our hearts set on using our scooters and being part of the team. How cool would that have been?? So I think I'll take a break this year and not participate at all in the 3-Day Walk. I had a chance to do Relay for Life at work but after walking 60+ miles in San Diego walking around the track just didn't do it for me. So....I think I'll either sign up early enough to do route patrol in 2010 or walk again in 2010.
So, even though my blog is called Scootin' For A Cure I'll continue to write....just not about scooting for a cure. Make sense? Anyone who knows me knows that I love to ride my scooters! So my blog will be about what's going on in my life. Fantastic isn't it? Actually, when I think about it, I have a pretty good life. Great husband, great kids, great job, great health.....is there more that I could want? I have a family reunion this summer. That'll be interesting! With nine brothers and sisters it's always interesting. I also have my (cough, 30th cough) class reunion this summer. I've recently hooked up with many classmates via Facebook so I am very much looking forward to the reunion.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Oh just a short one here. I didn't want to combine as they're such different topics. I'm planning on participating in the 3-Day Walk this November. I won't be walking as I can't see asking friends and family for money every year. Maybe I'll walk again next year. What I want to do is be part of the route safety team. We aren't required to raise $2300 but we're still a big part of the event. AND we get to do it on our scooters! There were probably 10 motorcycles working route patrol at the event and I want to be a part of that team. Kevin & some of the other Bastards and SOBs are also interested. We have to contact them and see if there are spots available.
The job is four days. We mark the route the day before the walk and then for the three days of the walk we ensure the walkers are safe. We help them cross at busy intersections and cheer them along, offering encouragement. Believe me, it was very important to me to see one of them up ahead, cheering us on. The guy in the above picture was one of our favorites.
Hey all! I hope everyone made it through the holidays and are enjoying the new year. Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We always have the day off and I always talk about why we have it off. Students just think it's an extra day to sleep in and play video games all day. They don't understand the significance of the day. I tell them that when I was young there were some schools that wouldn't allow blacks and whites to learn together. We looked around the room on Friday and talked about the six black students in our class who wouldn't have been at the same school as the other students. We talk about his speech and the message he was trying to get out. They enjoy the little choral reading we do. It's kinda like a Jr. verson of Dr. King's speech. In the end, they get it and I hope they know how important it is to get it.
Well this year the MLK holiday has an even greater meaning for many of us. Tomorrow, we will see his dream come true, to a certain extent. Barack Obama, is sworn in as our 44th president. It's a pretty big deal. We've all gone through an agonizing eight years and we're hopeful that things will change. Many have lost jobs, homes, and entire life savings. Our country is basically in the shitter and we're hoping that things will turn around. I'd like to think that my daughters will have a better life than I did. Don't we all wish for that?
Well this year the MLK holiday has an even greater meaning for many of us. Tomorrow, we will see his dream come true, to a certain extent. Barack Obama, is sworn in as our 44th president. It's a pretty big deal. We've all gone through an agonizing eight years and we're hopeful that things will change. Many have lost jobs, homes, and entire life savings. Our country is basically in the shitter and we're hoping that things will turn around. I'd like to think that my daughters will have a better life than I did. Don't we all wish for that?
Monday, November 24, 2008
And so it is over. The walk for this year is anyway. Unfortunately, the fight for cancer will be around for a while.
This walk and my ride around the country and everything leading up to it has been life changing. You can't sit around and do nothing and expect something to get done. Shut up, get off yer ass and DO SOMETHING BOLD!
Let's talk a bit about the walk.
Thursday we spent the night at Liz & Julie's house in San Diego. Thank you to our two very good friends for putting us up again!
Friday morning, 4:30 am came terribly early. We had to be at the Del Mar Fairgrounds around 5:30 for the opening ceremony and the start of the long 3-Day Walk. Kevin basically kicked me to the curb with my gear. Thanks, Dear....Love ya.
I hooked up with my walking partner and tent-mate, Pat. I was excited to know a friendly face in the sea of over 5,000 walkers. The emotions began right away when the survivors took the flags and walked to the 'survivior's circle'. Thinking about Mom, Nancy, Karen, Karen, Sharon....et all, this all hits home when you make it personal.
The walk begins and I am amazed at the enthusiastic crowd and especially the endless supply of cheerleaders we meet along the way and we would continue to see over the next 3 days.
I won't bore you with details of the 24 miles we walked that day. I'll just say that damn, my feet hurt. Our journey took us to beautiful Mission Bay. We crashed and were asleep by 7:30. Cold and damp, sleeping in little pink tent.
Up at 5:30 for day two. Again, people are so excited to be here and I'm thinking, "We PAID how much to DO this?" Fantastic day, fantastic cheering fans, and amazing scenery.
Everyone fell in love with the San Jose bike cops and the motorcycle/bicycle route safety folks. A thousand thank yous go out to their endless support and cheers.
Pat had problems with blisters so she caught a ride at mile 8 and I walked alone back to camp. I would occasionally strike up a conversation with fellow walkers, but I enjoyed the quiet and time to think about why I was here. Rumor has it that we did another 24 miles on day two. The miles seemed very long.
Day 3 came very early. Again, Pat was having problems with her feet and she caught a sweeper van to the next stop. I didn't see her again.
The cheering fans were out en mass today. A moment here to thank some memorable ones:
*Smile Guy, you absolutely ROCKED our weekend!
*The dancing ladies with the 'butt' t-shirts, we loved ya!
*The 3 lady singers, thank you, thank you.
*The two guys in the SMART car, you're the best.
*Old guy with the 'I'm a breast man' sign, I love your spirit.
*Really loud guy with the massive boobs, how did you manage to keep your voice all weekend?
*Single lady in the white convertible, you're amazing, and we thank you.
*Ninja turtle/free mamo guy, you made us smile.
*Random people with really large fake boobs, very funny and we loved it.
*Anyone else who handed out candy, water, soda, stickers, buttons, pins, etc, etc.....YOU inspired us to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
I refused to hop a ride and never really felt like I needed to. A couple of times it would have been nice cuz I had to pee, but I worked it out and walked the entire 64ish miles.
Kevin, Rex, John, Matt, and Gitta showed up to offer support and encouragement. I think that they just wanted to check out the boobs on display. Whatever their reason was, THANK YOU!
Petco Park was our destination and it was awesome. Walkers arrived and got their victory t-shirts and the party began. I most enjoyed high-fiving all the other walkers. Finally, our last walker arrived. I remember passing her several times over the last 3 days. She's a little older lady who seemed to be on the ultimate mission. Head down, bag over her arm, she just walked. Most passed by her, many gave words of encouragement. Let me tell you that when she came in with police escort it was an amazing and wonderful site. 5,000 walkers on their feet, cheering and high-fiving her as she made her way through the crowd. Wow.
Closing ceremonies were almost anti-climatic after that. Sorry. As the survivors came in with their pink t-shirts we removed a shoe in honor of them and those we have lost. 11+ million dollars was raised by the San Diego walkers. 11+ million dollars to help fight a disease that does not discriminate and pisses me off. I pray that it's done with my family and friends, but I know that's probably not the case. So, we continue to do what we can and hope that someday it'll be a disease that will end.
This walk and my ride around the country and everything leading up to it has been life changing. You can't sit around and do nothing and expect something to get done. Shut up, get off yer ass and DO SOMETHING BOLD!
Let's talk a bit about the walk.
Thursday we spent the night at Liz & Julie's house in San Diego. Thank you to our two very good friends for putting us up again!
Friday morning, 4:30 am came terribly early. We had to be at the Del Mar Fairgrounds around 5:30 for the opening ceremony and the start of the long 3-Day Walk. Kevin basically kicked me to the curb with my gear. Thanks, Dear....Love ya.
I hooked up with my walking partner and tent-mate, Pat. I was excited to know a friendly face in the sea of over 5,000 walkers. The emotions began right away when the survivors took the flags and walked to the 'survivior's circle'. Thinking about Mom, Nancy, Karen, Karen, Sharon....et all, this all hits home when you make it personal.
The walk begins and I am amazed at the enthusiastic crowd and especially the endless supply of cheerleaders we meet along the way and we would continue to see over the next 3 days.
I won't bore you with details of the 24 miles we walked that day. I'll just say that damn, my feet hurt. Our journey took us to beautiful Mission Bay. We crashed and were asleep by 7:30. Cold and damp, sleeping in little pink tent.
Up at 5:30 for day two. Again, people are so excited to be here and I'm thinking, "We PAID how much to DO this?" Fantastic day, fantastic cheering fans, and amazing scenery.
Everyone fell in love with the San Jose bike cops and the motorcycle/bicycle route safety folks. A thousand thank yous go out to their endless support and cheers.
Pat had problems with blisters so she caught a ride at mile 8 and I walked alone back to camp. I would occasionally strike up a conversation with fellow walkers, but I enjoyed the quiet and time to think about why I was here. Rumor has it that we did another 24 miles on day two. The miles seemed very long.
Day 3 came very early. Again, Pat was having problems with her feet and she caught a sweeper van to the next stop. I didn't see her again.
The cheering fans were out en mass today. A moment here to thank some memorable ones:
*Smile Guy, you absolutely ROCKED our weekend!
*The dancing ladies with the 'butt' t-shirts, we loved ya!
*The 3 lady singers, thank you, thank you.
*The two guys in the SMART car, you're the best.
*Old guy with the 'I'm a breast man' sign, I love your spirit.
*Really loud guy with the massive boobs, how did you manage to keep your voice all weekend?
*Single lady in the white convertible, you're amazing, and we thank you.
*Ninja turtle/free mamo guy, you made us smile.
*Random people with really large fake boobs, very funny and we loved it.
*Anyone else who handed out candy, water, soda, stickers, buttons, pins, etc, etc.....YOU inspired us to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
I refused to hop a ride and never really felt like I needed to. A couple of times it would have been nice cuz I had to pee, but I worked it out and walked the entire 64ish miles.
Kevin, Rex, John, Matt, and Gitta showed up to offer support and encouragement. I think that they just wanted to check out the boobs on display. Whatever their reason was, THANK YOU!
Petco Park was our destination and it was awesome. Walkers arrived and got their victory t-shirts and the party began. I most enjoyed high-fiving all the other walkers. Finally, our last walker arrived. I remember passing her several times over the last 3 days. She's a little older lady who seemed to be on the ultimate mission. Head down, bag over her arm, she just walked. Most passed by her, many gave words of encouragement. Let me tell you that when she came in with police escort it was an amazing and wonderful site. 5,000 walkers on their feet, cheering and high-fiving her as she made her way through the crowd. Wow.
Closing ceremonies were almost anti-climatic after that. Sorry. As the survivors came in with their pink t-shirts we removed a shoe in honor of them and those we have lost. 11+ million dollars was raised by the San Diego walkers. 11+ million dollars to help fight a disease that does not discriminate and pisses me off. I pray that it's done with my family and friends, but I know that's probably not the case. So, we continue to do what we can and hope that someday it'll be a disease that will end.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Yep, it's me again. I have been training for the walk. Really I have. Ok, well not as much as I should, but I get really damned bored with the walking. I think I got a little over confident when I did the 10 mile training walk in SD and it was very easy for me. So I got to thinking that I was in fine shape. I train at 6300 feet and SD is what, below sea level or some such nonsense? I could be wrong come next weekend when I do my first 20 miles on Friday. And then another 20 on Saturday. Oh, and when I get up on Sunday....I do the final 20 miles. WHAT have I gotten myself into?
Aside from the lack of serious training, my fund raising is going well. I gave out little cookies at school as reminders and the staff and students were very generous with their donations. I'm saving them to make one lump donation early next week but I think I'm around $4200 now. Awesome!
Honestly, I'll be glad when this is all over. I'm actually looking forward to the walk because it'll be a wonderful experience but I want to be done with it. I won't do it again next year. I can't ask friends & family for money like this for awhile. Maybe in a few years or maybe every other year, but certainly not every year. Too much work and it really does put pressure on the walker and their ability to raise the money.
I will be taking pictures next weekend so you can see what it was like. We're meeting at the Del Mar Fairgrounds early Friday morning. Our walk that day will take us to the campsite for the night. Saturday's walk will loop around town and return to the campsite. Sunday, we walk from camp and end up at Petco Stadium to the cheers of our friends & family. Well, maybe not....but that's where we walk for closing ceremonies. I have the following week off and I plan to do not much of anything except read on my Kindle and catch up on 2 seasons of Prison Break. Yes, I'll be very busy so leave me alone!
Aside from the lack of serious training, my fund raising is going well. I gave out little cookies at school as reminders and the staff and students were very generous with their donations. I'm saving them to make one lump donation early next week but I think I'm around $4200 now. Awesome!
Honestly, I'll be glad when this is all over. I'm actually looking forward to the walk because it'll be a wonderful experience but I want to be done with it. I won't do it again next year. I can't ask friends & family for money like this for awhile. Maybe in a few years or maybe every other year, but certainly not every year. Too much work and it really does put pressure on the walker and their ability to raise the money.
I will be taking pictures next weekend so you can see what it was like. We're meeting at the Del Mar Fairgrounds early Friday morning. Our walk that day will take us to the campsite for the night. Saturday's walk will loop around town and return to the campsite. Sunday, we walk from camp and end up at Petco Stadium to the cheers of our friends & family. Well, maybe not....but that's where we walk for closing ceremonies. I have the following week off and I plan to do not much of anything except read on my Kindle and catch up on 2 seasons of Prison Break. Yes, I'll be very busy so leave me alone!
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Work consumes us sometimes. I'm liking my class this year but there seems to be more 'crap' than usual. Endless amounts of paperwork. Why can't we just be left alone to do what we love to do? Teach! So many checkpoints to insure accountability that they've forgotten what it's like to be in the classroom. I just wanna close my door, teach my 4th graders and not fill out anymore checklists, assessments, forms, test result sheets, on and on and on. Such is life in the class.
Training for the walk in November continues at a snail's pace. I'm doing a long (8 miles) walk to the ski resort and back today. Now that I wrote that down, I gotta actually go do it! I signed up for a training walk in 3 weeks. It's a 10 mile walk in La Jolla and will cover some of the same ground that the actual walk will cover. Later that day is an Expo so I'll get more info on what to bring/wear/do/not do. It works well because the next day is our ride to Tecate. We're joining some other riders to Tecate on the Mexican border for a fun day of riding and legal border crossing. Can't wait for that! There've been several training walks that I wanted to join but those damn scooter rallies get in the way! I know I can do the walking but 60 miles is a really long distance!
I'm also still doing some fund raising for 'my team'. My team consists of ME. The $2200 scared everyone off so I'm on my own for this one. Hopefully I'll meet some other lonely walkers at the Expo and we'll walk together. Frustrating, but I made the commitment to join and I've never been known to back out of something once I decide to do it. Alix Bryan donated $450! She's known as the PEACE scooter girl and she's done 22,000 miles on two trips around the country, promoting peace. On a Buddy!She's an amazing young lady and you should check out her blog. There's a link off to the right.
Other than work and trying to train, we've just been riding as much as we can. Spent last weekend in Thousand Oaks to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of Vespa Thousand Oaks, which now includes Genuine Thousand Oaks. They'll start selling the Genuine line as soon as they come in. Demand for the little Buddy is amazing! I brought my Pamplona to the rally and now everyone wants one. Well, not everyone but it was pretty popular. My Bastard brother Hairy, brought his cute little Smart car. Now that's a car that I wanna drive! After the rally we rode a beautiful twistie down to PCH, cruised through Malibu and up Sunset Blvd. on our way home. Where else but in Southern California can you ride at the beach, through the desert, and up 6,300 feet into the mountains in one day? Amazing ride!
Training for the walk in November continues at a snail's pace. I'm doing a long (8 miles) walk to the ski resort and back today. Now that I wrote that down, I gotta actually go do it! I signed up for a training walk in 3 weeks. It's a 10 mile walk in La Jolla and will cover some of the same ground that the actual walk will cover. Later that day is an Expo so I'll get more info on what to bring/wear/do/not do. It works well because the next day is our ride to Tecate. We're joining some other riders to Tecate on the Mexican border for a fun day of riding and legal border crossing. Can't wait for that! There've been several training walks that I wanted to join but those damn scooter rallies get in the way! I know I can do the walking but 60 miles is a really long distance!
I'm also still doing some fund raising for 'my team'. My team consists of ME. The $2200 scared everyone off so I'm on my own for this one. Hopefully I'll meet some other lonely walkers at the Expo and we'll walk together. Frustrating, but I made the commitment to join and I've never been known to back out of something once I decide to do it. Alix Bryan donated $450! She's known as the PEACE scooter girl and she's done 22,000 miles on two trips around the country, promoting peace. On a Buddy!She's an amazing young lady and you should check out her blog. There's a link off to the right.
Other than work and trying to train, we've just been riding as much as we can. Spent last weekend in Thousand Oaks to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of Vespa Thousand Oaks, which now includes Genuine Thousand Oaks. They'll start selling the Genuine line as soon as they come in. Demand for the little Buddy is amazing! I brought my Pamplona to the rally and now everyone wants one. Well, not everyone but it was pretty popular. My Bastard brother Hairy, brought his cute little Smart car. Now that's a car that I wanna drive! After the rally we rode a beautiful twistie down to PCH, cruised through Malibu and up Sunset Blvd. on our way home. Where else but in Southern California can you ride at the beach, through the desert, and up 6,300 feet into the mountains in one day? Amazing ride!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Hey all! We got the scooters back from David and they look good!!! He even cleaned em up for us. With nearly 20,000 miles on Rosie bits are starting to go so it's really just parts that need to be replaced.
We're riding down to San Diego on Saturday morning for the Motorsport Scooters Rally. They're throwing a Sweet 16 party. Should be fun! They've even asked RBSC to lead their Saturday ride. We're pretty darned honored by that. Motorsport Scooters is the ultimate place to get parts for your scooter. We bought our Genuine Buddy from them. They do a nice sale, get-together on Saturday with a short ride and then a longer ride on Sunday, followed by a BBQ and a raffle. They're giving away a Buddy 125 that Marina has her eye on.
http://www.scooterwest.com/
School is back in session this week. So far I have 31 4th graders. Seems like a very nice bunch of students so far.
Training for the 3-Day has not been going so good. Only two days of walking so far. The first couple of weeks of school are always exhausting. I get home near 5:00 and I think we've been asleep by 9:00 PM all week. I will get back on the treadmill!!
This first picture is Dan & I on our last day, just before Dan hit the road north. And we went to see Eddie Izzard at the Kodak Theater. What a treat that was!
We're riding down to San Diego on Saturday morning for the Motorsport Scooters Rally. They're throwing a Sweet 16 party. Should be fun! They've even asked RBSC to lead their Saturday ride. We're pretty darned honored by that. Motorsport Scooters is the ultimate place to get parts for your scooter. We bought our Genuine Buddy from them. They do a nice sale, get-together on Saturday with a short ride and then a longer ride on Sunday, followed by a BBQ and a raffle. They're giving away a Buddy 125 that Marina has her eye on.
http://www.scooterwest.com/
School is back in session this week. So far I have 31 4th graders. Seems like a very nice bunch of students so far.
Training for the 3-Day has not been going so good. Only two days of walking so far. The first couple of weeks of school are always exhausting. I get home near 5:00 and I think we've been asleep by 9:00 PM all week. I will get back on the treadmill!!
This first picture is Dan & I on our last day, just before Dan hit the road north. And we went to see Eddie Izzard at the Kodak Theater. What a treat that was!
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Scootin' For A Cure - The Wrap-Up
Well after being home for four days I still haven't been back on a scooter. I thought about taking the Buddy to work but just wasn't up to it. Rosie is at Vespa Thousand Oaks, getting a much needed once over. Thank you Dr. Spencer!
My friends tease me because I love to keep spreadsheets. I have one for all of the DVDs we own. Now it really isn't that strange is it? I keep the list on my Palm so if we're at the store and I see a movie I like I can check to see whether or not we own it. Makes sense doesn't it?? I'm a spreadsheet nut at work too. You name it and I've got it on a spreadsheet. I like to keep track of what my students do. Can't help it. So it comes as no surprise that I kept a spreadsheet of our Scootin' For A Cure ride. Of course I got teased by my Bastard family and SOBs (Supporters of Bastards) for that one.
Regardless of how OCD they felt I was, I'm really glad that I tracked my mileage. Total miles for each day came out to 6832. Total trip miles, door to door was 6903. Seventy-one miles at the rallies in Tahoe and Chattanooga. Twenty-one days of riding for an average of just over 325 miles per day. Lowest day was 213 miles; Monterey to Yosemite. Highest day was 438 miles; Van Buren, AR to Amarillo, TX. Below is a look at each day.
Day 1 - 427 - Wrightwood to Monterey
Day 2 - 213 - Monterey to Yosemite
Day 3 - 254 - Yosemite to Tahoe
Day 4 - 364 - Tahoe to Eureka, NV
Day 5 - 281 - Eureka, NV to Fillmore, UT
Day 6 - 221 - Fillmore, UT to Moab, UT
Day 7 - 357 - Moab, UT to Gunnison, CO
Day 8 - 300 - Gunnison, CO to Lamar, CO
Day 9 - 296 - Lamar, CO to Halstead, KS
Day 10 - 336 - Halstead, KS to Jefferson City, MO
Day 11 - 302 - Jefferson City, MO to Vincennes, IN
Day 12 - 389 - Vincennes, In to Parkersburg, WV
Day 13 - 231 - Parkersburg, WV to Middletown, VA
Day 14 - 420 - Middletown, VA to Boone, NC
Day 15 - 351 - Boone, NC to Chattanooga, TN
Day 16 - 320 - Chattanooga, TN to Memphis, TN
Day 17 - 308 - Memphis, TN to Van Buren, AR
Day 18 - 438 - Van Buren, AR to Amarillo, TX
Day 19 - 416 - Amarillo, TX to Gallup, NM
Day 20 - 393 - Gallup, NM to Needles, CA
Day 21 - 215 - Needles, CA to Wrightwood, CA
Friends at work are asking how the trip went and would I do it again. Would I? I certainly would do another long distance ride but I don't think I'd go as far. I feel like we missed out on some sites that we couldn't fit in because we had to get 300 or so miles in. What did we miss on this trip? I would have liked to have hit the Atlantic Ocean, done part of or all of Natchez Trace Parkway, visit New Orleans, and visit the Oklahoma City memorial at the Murrah federal building, to name just a few.
We've got memories to last a lifetime from this trip. People will talk to folks on a scooter much easier than they would if you're in a car. We met many local people that were fascinated with our journey. Some that stand out were the two young girls at Cluff's Carhop in Fillmore, UT. They were such sweet things that couldn't have been older than my 21 year old daughter. One had two babies at home. The other had one young child and was pregnant. They loved to talk about our journey and how their families had been affected by cancer. I could see a wistfullness as if they wished they could join us on the road. Another young man in Olney, IL just wanted to talk to us. He had also been affected by cancer in his family and he was very sweet as he talked about his friend's mom. The lady at the restaurant in Oklahoma City was such a tragic story. Roxie is battling 3 types of cancer and just wants a little help. It's difficult to say goodbye and not be able to do more for these truely genuine people.
So would we camp on the road again? I wouldn't but Karen sure would! I actually liked the idea of camping but for practical reasons it just didn't work for me. The main thing is it's just way too much gear to haul around. And after a long, hot day on the road do I really want to set up a tent? Not really. Oh, and a bed is a welcome sight when it's nasty, hot out! And a shower without spiders is a plus.
We were smart and had the right tools with us. Karen was great about checking oil and tire pressure every morning. She had the foot pump to keep the tires correctly inflated. We used the spare tire that Star so wisely sent us. We will forever be in her debt for that! Karen needed the spare belt when hers broke in Blythe on our last day. We carried extra oil and filters. The filters were used in Chattanooga. I had some coolant and water for the battery, if needed.
We definitely used our raingear! We also carried an extra pair of gloves and some rubber dishwashing gloves to keep our riding gloves as dry as possible. They helped! I was saved with my tinted helmet visor. It really helped cut down on the heat to the head. I wished we had used rain-ex. Is that what it's called? Helps the rain sheet off instead of bead up. Would have been nice. Sunscreen is also something that everyone needs to carry and use religiously.
What else? Um. AAA Maps. Yeah, I used my TomTom 720 but I still like seeing the big picture. The nice thing about AAA maps is they are free so you can leave them behind once you've done the state/area.
For now, we're back to weekend rides and work. Rally season is still going so every weekend is pretty busy until late fall.
The Scootin' For A Cure ride is over but my walking continues. I feel like I'm way behind in training. I went back to work on Monday but I'm doing the treadmill every night, working my way up again. I feel pretty good considering I've been sitting on a scooter for nearly a month. Thanks again for all of the wonderful words that have come our way. Your support means the world to us.
My fund raising will continue up until the walk in November. My personal goal is $5,000 and I have $3,210. I sure can't complain about that! I'm doing a Pampered Chef party later this year and I'll sell cookies at work. Teachers will eat anything and everything if it isn't nailed down. There are a few other ideas that we're working on to reach my goal. Please keep checking back on the blog. Between my family, scooter events, my new class, catching up on missed movies, and working out I will keep writing!!
Well after being home for four days I still haven't been back on a scooter. I thought about taking the Buddy to work but just wasn't up to it. Rosie is at Vespa Thousand Oaks, getting a much needed once over. Thank you Dr. Spencer!
My friends tease me because I love to keep spreadsheets. I have one for all of the DVDs we own. Now it really isn't that strange is it? I keep the list on my Palm so if we're at the store and I see a movie I like I can check to see whether or not we own it. Makes sense doesn't it?? I'm a spreadsheet nut at work too. You name it and I've got it on a spreadsheet. I like to keep track of what my students do. Can't help it. So it comes as no surprise that I kept a spreadsheet of our Scootin' For A Cure ride. Of course I got teased by my Bastard family and SOBs (Supporters of Bastards) for that one.
Regardless of how OCD they felt I was, I'm really glad that I tracked my mileage. Total miles for each day came out to 6832. Total trip miles, door to door was 6903. Seventy-one miles at the rallies in Tahoe and Chattanooga. Twenty-one days of riding for an average of just over 325 miles per day. Lowest day was 213 miles; Monterey to Yosemite. Highest day was 438 miles; Van Buren, AR to Amarillo, TX. Below is a look at each day.
Day 1 - 427 - Wrightwood to Monterey
Day 2 - 213 - Monterey to Yosemite
Day 3 - 254 - Yosemite to Tahoe
Day 4 - 364 - Tahoe to Eureka, NV
Day 5 - 281 - Eureka, NV to Fillmore, UT
Day 6 - 221 - Fillmore, UT to Moab, UT
Day 7 - 357 - Moab, UT to Gunnison, CO
Day 8 - 300 - Gunnison, CO to Lamar, CO
Day 9 - 296 - Lamar, CO to Halstead, KS
Day 10 - 336 - Halstead, KS to Jefferson City, MO
Day 11 - 302 - Jefferson City, MO to Vincennes, IN
Day 12 - 389 - Vincennes, In to Parkersburg, WV
Day 13 - 231 - Parkersburg, WV to Middletown, VA
Day 14 - 420 - Middletown, VA to Boone, NC
Day 15 - 351 - Boone, NC to Chattanooga, TN
Day 16 - 320 - Chattanooga, TN to Memphis, TN
Day 17 - 308 - Memphis, TN to Van Buren, AR
Day 18 - 438 - Van Buren, AR to Amarillo, TX
Day 19 - 416 - Amarillo, TX to Gallup, NM
Day 20 - 393 - Gallup, NM to Needles, CA
Day 21 - 215 - Needles, CA to Wrightwood, CA
Friends at work are asking how the trip went and would I do it again. Would I? I certainly would do another long distance ride but I don't think I'd go as far. I feel like we missed out on some sites that we couldn't fit in because we had to get 300 or so miles in. What did we miss on this trip? I would have liked to have hit the Atlantic Ocean, done part of or all of Natchez Trace Parkway, visit New Orleans, and visit the Oklahoma City memorial at the Murrah federal building, to name just a few.
We've got memories to last a lifetime from this trip. People will talk to folks on a scooter much easier than they would if you're in a car. We met many local people that were fascinated with our journey. Some that stand out were the two young girls at Cluff's Carhop in Fillmore, UT. They were such sweet things that couldn't have been older than my 21 year old daughter. One had two babies at home. The other had one young child and was pregnant. They loved to talk about our journey and how their families had been affected by cancer. I could see a wistfullness as if they wished they could join us on the road. Another young man in Olney, IL just wanted to talk to us. He had also been affected by cancer in his family and he was very sweet as he talked about his friend's mom. The lady at the restaurant in Oklahoma City was such a tragic story. Roxie is battling 3 types of cancer and just wants a little help. It's difficult to say goodbye and not be able to do more for these truely genuine people.
So would we camp on the road again? I wouldn't but Karen sure would! I actually liked the idea of camping but for practical reasons it just didn't work for me. The main thing is it's just way too much gear to haul around. And after a long, hot day on the road do I really want to set up a tent? Not really. Oh, and a bed is a welcome sight when it's nasty, hot out! And a shower without spiders is a plus.
We were smart and had the right tools with us. Karen was great about checking oil and tire pressure every morning. She had the foot pump to keep the tires correctly inflated. We used the spare tire that Star so wisely sent us. We will forever be in her debt for that! Karen needed the spare belt when hers broke in Blythe on our last day. We carried extra oil and filters. The filters were used in Chattanooga. I had some coolant and water for the battery, if needed.
We definitely used our raingear! We also carried an extra pair of gloves and some rubber dishwashing gloves to keep our riding gloves as dry as possible. They helped! I was saved with my tinted helmet visor. It really helped cut down on the heat to the head. I wished we had used rain-ex. Is that what it's called? Helps the rain sheet off instead of bead up. Would have been nice. Sunscreen is also something that everyone needs to carry and use religiously.
What else? Um. AAA Maps. Yeah, I used my TomTom 720 but I still like seeing the big picture. The nice thing about AAA maps is they are free so you can leave them behind once you've done the state/area.
For now, we're back to weekend rides and work. Rally season is still going so every weekend is pretty busy until late fall.
The Scootin' For A Cure ride is over but my walking continues. I feel like I'm way behind in training. I went back to work on Monday but I'm doing the treadmill every night, working my way up again. I feel pretty good considering I've been sitting on a scooter for nearly a month. Thanks again for all of the wonderful words that have come our way. Your support means the world to us.
My fund raising will continue up until the walk in November. My personal goal is $5,000 and I have $3,210. I sure can't complain about that! I'm doing a Pampered Chef party later this year and I'll sell cookies at work. Teachers will eat anything and everything if it isn't nailed down. There are a few other ideas that we're working on to reach my goal. Please keep checking back on the blog. Between my family, scooter events, my new class, catching up on missed movies, and working out I will keep writing!!
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