Sept. Solo Session- Day 1: Draft

Wednesday, September 24:

2:55am – Eyes open.

3:10am – Coffee brewing.

4:00am – Packing complete. Love notes from Sharon discovered.

5:00am – Alternately pacing the floor and Facebooking. Or Nedbooking as Sharon calls it.

6:00am – Begin loading Honey

6:10am – Kiss Sharon good-bye. No tears. Only love, support, understanding, and love… lots and lots of love.

6:32am – Off & Away, EXACTLY on schedule… dawn thirty.

7:00am – Sunrise #1; just before crossing the Carquinez Straight.

7:30am – Fairfield: Jamba Juice. 60/60.

These wonderful girls appeared in front of me at my first (get off the bike) stop of The Ride. They started The Adventure off just right. So friendly, so cute and perky, so helpful. I *heart* the Jamba Juice Jurls.

From left to right: Shariel, Momo and Darian.

New drinking while riding configuration conceived and executed. I'm sure glad I didn't come up with this idea while I was still drinking beer... during the day while riding.

Brilliant! Definitely the Best of Times

8:30am – North Sacramento; Honey hydration stop (HHS). 60/120.

10:15am – Paradise: Karin, Gail, Maddy, Horsies, Chickens (w/ eggs). Smelling the flowers. Yogurt, nuts, and a banana. And smiles… lots and lots of smiles.

There is love.

What a magnificent specimen. And the horse is okay too.

Cluck x 4.

WARNING:

SCROLL SLOWLY and...

PREPARE YOURSELF...

FOR SOMETHING...

VERY...

SHOCKING...

GO SLOWER...

"A horse is a horse of course of course... and no one can talk to a horse of course...
unless of course, the name of that horse... is The Famous Mr. Ned."

12:45pm – Karin & Gail didn't have any jumper cables, but fortunately they had very kind neighbor with a truck and a rope... to bump (pull) start Honey. Yes, I'd left her key on. Again. Is that (4) times now? Jeesh.

1:00pm – On the road again.

2:00pm – Los Molinos (just south of Red Bluff): gas, chimichanga, soda & bearclaw. 50/240.

3:15pm – Redding; Chelle, Randy, Soda. 45/285. Day 1: Ride complete.

These humans are so so nice. So so welcoming and gracious. So so beautiful.

Randy (yes very graciously) made room for Honey in between his Cadillacs.

I was able to witness and supply the pen for the escrow signing ceremony of the sale of their home.
Chelle doing the honors while Randy is making sure she does it correctly.

They're gonna be gypsies for a year. Lucky bast... I mean, what fortunate souls they are.

My first visit to a pawn shop.
Power tools next to audio equipment next to sporting goods next to guns next to jewelry next to...
whatever else you can think of.

A nice duck and a mean pig.

You don't see these very often. Very rare breed of animal.

7:00pm – My hosts gave me a tour of their Estate: Redwoods, machinery, hay bale counting. Food sharing with neighbor. Halibut & Salmon from Alaska – and – Elk from Colorado. I was still full from dinner, but already looking forward to the feast tomorrow. Thank you Sharon for introducing me to my new best friends.

7:30pm – Best Scientific Esoteric Conversation (SEC) EVER. Randy has a beautiful mind. And body. And he very graciously (that’s a reoccurring theme with these people) allowed Ned to think he had a grasp on what was being discussed. Randy, would you be willing to share with us some of the big words and concepts you so easlity tossed around like I would toss a salad?

8:30pm – Chelle first to bed.

9:00pm – Ned and Randy followed suit, but not without hesitation. The conversation continued as we were saying good-night and walking away from each other, heading to our respective bedrooms. I wanted to cuddle in their bed with them, but I’ve got to spend one more night, so I postponed my request.

9:05pm- Good-night conversation with Sharon. Discovered more love notes await me.

Thursday, September 25:

1:45am – Eyes Open.

2:00am – Coffee brewing. Rain starting.

5:00am – Story outline completed.

6:00am – Pacing the floor. Pant pant, Wag wag, Bounce bounce. NED... Stop drinking the coffee!!! Just because it’s there, does not mean you have to drink it.

To Be Continued...