Illinoise

Anyone would think riding dragonfly 1,700 miles would have satisfied my travel needs. But I hopped on my bike to travel to Illinois to see my sister, round trip 900 miles. First Day the weather was perfect.

In Indiana they have yellow(cautionary)signs letting you know when you'll be driving by a church. And those signs brought a church to my attention that was "drive in theater" with worship services while you sit in your car. I thought going to one of thier potlucks would be carry out.

I loved the simpleness of the Amish country
and seeing so many buggies. The back roads in Amish country means horses and and simple beauty.

Rode through a town that was pretty small and posted 63 residents.
riding through rural towns left me thinking about how where we live effects who we are.

Next day's drive brought me a part of America where the library has more farm magazine glamore or travel magazine. Where the flags flying are the proud red, white and blue at every 3rd home or farm. sober thoughts afterriding pass a home that had a gold star in the window. Numerous farmers on tractors plowing the fields that will be the food you and I eat.

Methodist churches either are more numerous or they
are better about putting their signs at the towns borders.

You know which states require helmets as soon as you've seen a few riders. I have
found I like the freedom of choosing whether I'll wear a helmet or not. At first I rode with my
hair flying but after riding awhile I settled into wearing my helmet by choice.

As I traveled through Illinois I recognized that signs
proclaiming Hog market meant pigs and not Harley Davidson.

Illinoise has areas where the land is so flat you can look in different
directions and see for miles. And crossing a bridge over the hwy is the highest elevation for miles.
Suddenly you arrive where the land changes into rivers, woods and variety of scenery. After riding hours through flatness I felt gladness in riding up hills and around curves.

My daughter was worried that once I got on my bike and
headed out that I might continue and take weeks, months to return. The
truth of the matter once I started riding the road becomes so enticing
and the folks are so kind, the scenery changes, and I begin to feel the
desire to learn even more about who and what makes up our country.

The very same roads I traveled by car become a new environment where
folks interact,the land is different and more interesting.
I enjoyed my sister's
familywith the normal activities and children's events. Norman Rockwell's middle America where an outing means knowing your neighbors.

My return trip was so cold the morning I left and knew I was crazy. I need to buy a car and ride in comfort.. But then the weather warmed up and I was gald to be riding free and independent.

Back roads, friendly folks, different views,the travel was marvelous.
Began to get the motorcycle addiction, I didn't want to get off the
bike. Called my daughter and told her I was going the entire trip back and
she told me not to be a fool. Luckily I listened and stopped for the
night a hundred miles from where I am temporarily living in Ann Arbor.
The reward came the next morning when I got up and rode to my heart's
content(more than the 100 ,miles needed) through beautiful towns and
enjoyable sites.

Accident report......
Upon opening my eyes I was looking up at the grill of a large truck. Dragon(fly) and me were under the front of the truck.
The driver of the truck didn't see me and my motorcycle. Unfortunately a normal report for motorcycle accidents.
After my body began to feel itself with the sensations returning I was helped to my feet by many good semaritans.
Earlier in the day I told my beautician that not only do helmets protect our heads from some harm but helmets kept the hair from drying out in the sun and
wind.
The man in the truck was stopped at a stop sign but then he didn't see me and pulled out into the traffic.

Accidents happen so quickly and while one person is blamed in reality accidents happen. I know there have been times when riding my bike that the drivers in cars watched over me and avoided me when I'd done something unsafe.

I had left Chelsea Michigan and was traveling towards my temporary home in Ann Arbor's Sunward Community.
Here I was going only 10 miles and an accident happens. After the accident if you looked at me you would have thought the accident was nothing more than an inconvience but internally my brain had activated all those thoughts of danger and the damage that could have occurred to me. After remaining calm for almost an hour while reports were done with police office, I needed to cry.

I decided If I was going to let my emotions cry out in tears,and fear I needed to be with folks that loved me and could take care of my emotional needs.Sunward the community I had been staying with off and on the last couple of years was where I headed for comfort. At Sunward they took me in and checked me for emergency needs and doctored me with the available medications. I was kept within the bonds of friendship, love, and care.Within the circle of Sunwards Community I was able to deal with my pains', emotional and physical.

I had an accident, I know that happens but not an enjoyable experience. My non-biker friends and family could easily of tried to influence me to give up riding. But the fortunate woman I am I have loved ones, while not bikers, they supported me in my continuing to ride. I don't ride with others and so motorcycle support isn't easily found in my world. My daughter after I told her I was afraid asked how she could help me regain the comfort of riding. She suggested she drive her car either behind or in front of me while I rode. Her offer was enough to give me the support I needed to ride. I was afraid they would tell me to quit riding but instead I was given their love and energy to ride until I die or choose to stop.

The decision was mine.
Even I wondered if this would leave me not wanting or trusting riding. And there will come a day when I'll say enough but now to ride in the wind and feel the freedom I feel on Dragon is still a part
of who I am.

Roads we take, the travels we experience brings us to where we are this point in my life. My brothers both told me bikers go down it's whether you can walk away that matters. I am fortunate I was able to ride away.

"If you want to sing out, sing out, and if you want to be free, be free cause there are a million things to be."

song by Cat Stevens

I had people telling me horror stories. I reminded myself at any point I could stop, get off my bike, and fly back to Michigan. But, I wanted the open road my bike offered me with the wind to keep me company. So I left Naples, Florida to Michigan. On my first day I traveled all of 40 miles to Ft Myers. Saying good bye to friends and loved ones.

My trip was on a 450 Honda(Dragonfly). Once again I was traveling on the side roads of life. The call of the road, the wind, the sound of my bike, the experience of doing what I had wanted to do all called me to travel off into the sunrise. With March's weather, I hoped I wouldn't run into snow.