Trippin' with Steph: September 2014

Welcome to my Blog!

This blog is my way of recording events in my life for my own amusement & as a journal of sorts. I really don't expect anyone else to follow this. I am all for DOING, not watching or reading about adventures! However if anything I have done or am talking about doing on here inspires you to "GO FOR IT", then I've done my good deed of the day.

Beginning a new chapter of my life, flying solo after many years of married life, in a new area of my native state, Missouri (MO) & reestablishing a very simple, basic lifestyle on a spot of raw land.

If you've made it this far.....thanks for being interested in what I'm doing & coming along for the ride. I hope you enjoy my stories about my whaz going on in my life. Let our journey begin! Shift colors.

17 September 2014

It all started with Susan H......

My 1st major motorcycle road trip was with Susan H., the woman that got me reengaged into the biking scene. She noodled about our town, confident as hell, yet still very much a woman, on her Honda Shadow Aero 750. I liked her attitude & bike so well that I bought the same Honda 750 motorcycle. No regrets! Love this bike!

Unfortunately for me, shortly afterwards, my bud Susan decided to begin a new chapter in her life & move to FL. Sooooo was a good time to work on one of the items on my "Bucket List"- drive the FL keys either in a convertible or a motorcycle!

Together we completed a road trip from Bradenton to Key West, via back roads 70 E to 27 S to 997 S to 1 S. We spent 2 days on Key West, which wasn't nearly enough!! I hope we go down again for more days the next visit!!

Here I am at the buoy on Key West.

Small accomplishment

Yesterday I was able to install BY MYSELF my sissy bar & luggage rack! One step closer to getting my bike ready for road trips!

I know this is ridiculously simplistic, but for one that was used to having an incredibly intelligent, resourceful husband who used to do all these kind of things for me, its a major thing for me!

AND the new Kuryakyn bag (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_JkQFmigac), recommended by one of my bike buds arrived too. GREAT road luggage! I can tell already that this is going to work perfectly for packing my gear. Plan is to attach tent/sleeping bag gear on opposite side of sissy bar from this bag.

The bike shop I go for mechanic service charges $75 per hour for labor so this very simple installation probably saved me some $ better spent elsewhere. Still have to get new tires & my radio installed, which WILL cost a pretty penny. But once she is outfitted, she will be better ready for the road!