What? You went over my helmet?

YEAAAAAAAAH! I bought a helmet yesterday at the Harley store. "What! You went over my helmet?"

Well, sort of. I don't own a Harley... most likely never will... but I had every intention of renting a bike of some kind. Well, the helmet is great... the type I wanted (half helmet, I have a 3.4 and will one day buy a full... and best of all...it matches my bike at home.

Well, we went to rent a Ducati, but actually they only rented BMW's. Ok...so cry me a river. Anyway, no matter what, this was more of a sport bike... upright, my feet barely met the ground. But I was on tippie toes and it was all fine. Actually, the bike is lighter than mine at home, so it was ok. My bike at home is about 600 pounds, this one about 400. So... yeah for me.

Bottom line, I drove a different bike for the first time today. It was so fun! AHHHHHHHHHH

Well, I was first of all scared sh--less. I was so nervous to take the bike out of the lot... and so unprepared and inept. Well, we went and did a few practice runs in a nearby neighborhood and well...then I just jumped in the deep water. Rush hour traffic... city driving, different bike... the whole bit.
Seriously, my palms were dripping. First intersection, I killed it, but even though I wanted to cry and run and hide. Well there was traffic backed up behind me... so I got my head on straight...clutched, started it back up, put it in gear and made the light.! YIKES... That was easy.

I loved it. Mostly because I did it! And the views in Arizona left me speechless...or was that the wind hitting my face at 50 miles per hour without a face shield on my half helmet?

We just kept driving, as we both needed a crash course... no crash however thank God. We had a blast.... We plan to keep the bikes for the weekend and take a couple of day rides. More later.

THE NEW HELMET SUCKS>

Well, ok. It's a great helmet, but it isn't for long distant rides like the one we took to Prescott this weekend. I actually have permanent creases in my face and my teeth. I had an incident with a bug that bit my ear...another hazard of the half helmet. OK. So, I complained ferociously about his driving too fast and I wanted him to go slower. He doesn't like slow. So, after the marital dispute the size of WWII, Dennis and I exchanged helmets. After a much deserved apology, he agreed the helmet sucks, and we set out to find a store to buy a new one.

Anyway, I of course have three helmets. On eis the most high tech full face helmet that has a visor and turns into a three quarter helmet. Who knew there was so much to this riding stuff.

THE TRIP ITSELF: PRICELESS:

My only instructions to the navigator on this trip North from Scottsdale to Prescott was "No Switchbacks." Ok, so I thought that was clear enough. As we got out 50 miles to Wickenburg, the rest of the way to Prescott it turns there is nothing but switchbacks climbing to 6100 feet. My palms were sweating, my heart thumping... Truth be told... I loved each 20 M P H turn, the scenery was beautiful, the act of driving those curves even at those slow speeds was exhilirating.

FINDING A PLACE TO LAY OUR WEARY HEADS:

The hotel we found in Prescott? NOT A FOUR STAR...MORE LIKE A -4 STAR. SO NOT COOL> but all part of this little adventure. Just across from the square, where all the bums live... and the main street has all the hot spots... the biker bars and the like. So, our bikes were all the rage as we parked our bikes on main street to check in to the hotel. Seems a woman on such a bike is quite an item in Prescott. But, I won't go into that here.

The accommodations were anything but comfortable. The mattress was 4 inches thick, the pillows smelled like old spice. We heard the locals outside all along main street cavorting till the wee hours... Not much sleep, but hey, a good hearty complimentary breakfast in the morning.... I took it as sort of an apology. Oh, did I mention on the way out the door that there were four cop cars surrounding a white explorer and they were actually cuffing a young guy just outside as I left...

Hmmm... nice joint.

Great fun was had by all... no serious injuries to report.