Day 15: There's No Place Like Home! (07/05/08)

It's about 7:30am here in Buckeye, AZ. The winds have died down but the heat is picking up. It's about 90ºF right now.

Colleen and I did get up early and pack our bikes. Went to the breakfast room where they had crappy pastries and coffee. We were waiting on Becky & Lilia to wake up. It was about 9:15am when I decided to doze back off for a nap. I fell deep to sleep and finally woke up about 10am. Becky & Lilia were sitting on their bikes and I apologized for holding them up. I rushed to get my chaps on because having duct tape on them means, that I can't zip and unzip. I have to slide into them then put my boots on.

I douse myself with lots of water because it's just going to be another scorcher of a day. My temp gauge is reading 100ºF at 10am. We left Day 1 in excrutiating heat and now we're on Day 15 heading into excrutiating heat.

We're on the I-10 and pull into a Carl's Jr for lunch. At this point, I was pretty much keeping to myself. Wasn't really talking to anyone, just wanted to be alone. I kept quiet while the girlz were laughing. Before we left Becky said something about jumping in the river. I told her that I would just watch.

Yesterday, I had received a text from my ex out of the blue! Why was she texting me? Hell, she didn't even wish me a happy birthday like she did last year. All of a sudden she says that she misses our talks, etc. WHY NOW???!!! It took me until earlier this year to finally let her go and stop renting space in my head. The last time we "talked" was back in early 2006. So, now she's renting space in my head again for most of the ride home.

We cross the bridge where the Colorado river runs beneath it. I was saying to myself, "pull over, I just want to jump in!" Well, Becky takes the next exit for Queshan Park located on the border of Arizona and California. We ride on dirt/gravel, park our bikes under the trees and Colleen and Becky run for the river. Lilia and I soon follow. We see both of them fully-clothed swimming in the river. Lilia snaps a couple of shots.

We get down there, I find a bench. Take off my chaps, boots/socks and vest. Lilia's already heading into the water but she has her wallet. She looks back at me and asks to hold it for her. I'm walking barefoot on this slimy ground and as she threw her wallet, I slipped to one knee and stretched out for the catch! Damn I miss softball! LMAO!!!

We're all in the lake fully-clothed now and then Becky decides to moon us with her no-ass crack! hee hee

Lilia soon follows but does a swan-like dive. It was hilarious. Oh hell, I wasn't even going to moon anyone. Finally got out of the water and headed for the hills. Took some pics then off we rode...all wet and shit!

Photo: Left to Right: Colleen, me (Renee), Lilia and Becky

About 50 miles down the road, the heat is getting unbearable. It was already forecasted that Blyth, CA would hit around 130ºF. My temp gauge was reading about 121ºF. We pull off to the Desert Center gas station but it's not running. Seemed it closed a while back. Lilia rides down the road to the Desert Center Cafe and she motions for us to follow. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We park our bikes under some shade (about 125ºF plus) and head inside, where Hazel is waiting with cold towels and pitchers of iced water! What a Godsend!  

We're there for a good 45 minutes making sure we're hydrated enough to head back out on the road.

We get to Indio, where we say our goodbyes to Becky. She should have been back home on Thursday but wanted to make sure we were going to be okay and she stuck it out with us until she had to depart. I really enjoyed Becky on this trip. She kept us laughing, with her eyes crossed, finger pointed in the air and that animated character voice, she would yelp, "WE RIDE!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lilia was now taking the lead. Instead of taking the fast route home, she diverted through Palm Springs and Hwy 74. I really wanted to go home as soon as I could. Once we got out of the city and into the mountains, the range opened up. I was once again riding sweep and taking my time. The girlz were zipping through the twisties and I just wasn't in the mood for it. At one point, I lost them...they were gone...I was fine with that. Next thing you know, they are pulled over to the side waiting for me. I told them that I didn't want to ride like a banshee out of hell and to go ahead. Once again they zipped through all the turns and once again...were waiting for me on the side of the road. We set off again and this time I decided to keep up pace with them.

We get onto the 371 to Anza and stop off at the local Dairy Queen. Colleen treats us to some ice cream! Just what we needed. We all hugged each other because once we got onto the 79 to the 15, we would be splitting off. First Colleen, then Lilia and then I would have a long 45 minutes home.

As I was riding through the back country, I realized that even though we had traveled through some beautiful states, we really had everything here in our backyard. I don't think half the people living in our county realize what beauty lies out there for the taking.

Colleen's exit is coming up and we wave goodbye to her. It's now around 7pm when I wave goodbye to Lilia, who exits off Deer Springs Road. I'm alone now...heading home! I'm finally going to be home...with my dog Angel...sleeping in my own bed.

I ride into my garage, jump off my bike, take off my helmet/gloves and jump right into my truck...chaps, vest and all! I'm going to get my girl!

At this point, it felt funny...as if I forgot how to drive my truck. I was actually going the speed limit. Go figure. Trust me, that didn't last long. :)

Head over to my brother's, where the kids are playing outside, Jeff & San are cooking dinner and mom is sitting in the kitchen. I give my mom a big hug and run out back to my dog. She knocked me down twice and I didn't fight it. Go ahead Angel, kiss your momma!

Packed up her bedding, grabbed her food and off we went! I was finally home and could relax knowing that I wasn't going to get on my bike for Day 16. :)

Now, it's time to reflect back on it all.