"And it's a great day to be alive"

"And it's a great day to be alive, I know the sun's still shinin when I close my eyes..." A couple hours of great riding on this sunny day....and this Travis Tritt tune was constantly invading my mind. Yes, I sing to myself when I ride.....in fact I kept track of a lot of the songs that popped into my mind while traveling the country. But I digress....

It's been several weeks since I got out riding and I was way overdue. At 9 am it was already 80 degrees and I knew the storms would be moving back in by afternoon. Time for a ride - time to stretch my senses and exercise the bikes pipes. Green as far as I can see....spring is moving into summer here. But the smells, they never fail to send my mind wandering....flowers, fresh mown grass, cows and yes, even dead animal smells. All part of the experience.

It was hot but passing through the tree lined back roads, running alongside local rivers the temperature moderated. Today was the first time I wore my new Vega Nitro mesh jacket and I felt much more visible. Of course my pink shorty helmet and gloces with pink accents definitely let everyone know that I was a lady rider.

The clouds started moving in so I knew I had to head home but I got in close to 60 miles in just under two hours. Well, worth it and hopefully I'll get out again tomorrow.

Still no bites on the house....beginning to wonder if it is meant to sell. I ran into the guy who painted the house when we moved in. He told me he thought a friend of his was going to buy it, they bought further in the country - a bit smaller, a bit more expensive with no trees. Hmmmm....not sure what's up with that.

Last thought of the day...tomorrow we celebrate Memorial Day. Many think of it as a day of play, the end to a long weekend. Boating, swimming, camping and the start of summer come to mind. But Memorial Day is much more than that. It's the day when we should all honor those who have given their all to protect our country and our freedom. It's the day when we should all honor those who continue to serve to this day. Please visit http://www.remember.gov/ to learn more about uniting in remembrance on Memorial Day.

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

A year ago......

For some reason it occurred to me that this time last year, the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, was my first trip through Yellowstone National Park on my way to Red Lodge, MT for the weekend. Normally I didn't make reservations but due to being out West and a major holiday, one marking the start of summer vacations for many, I planned ahead and had a room reserved at the Days Inn in Red Lodge.

Looking back over my ride journal, I realized that I hadn't really planned to hit Yellowstone at this point."Headed out to pick up WY and end up in MT*. Original plan was to stay in Anaconda, MT but due to late arrival last night, now modified it to Butte. Scenery flattened out but picked up again north of Rexburg, ID. Ended up going in the western entrance to Yellowstone (missed my turn - AGAIN). So glad I did, unbelievable! Saw deer, elk (several times), bison, trumpeter swans, eagles, ducks, hot springs and views to die for. Kept stopping to take photos, figured I'd just stay in Livingston (which is what I did). *Note: Remember, I was trying to ride all 48 states in 2005.

The weather was perfect, the crowds non-existent, can't wait to go back (if only the weather will hold). Stayed in a beautiful Best Western, got the second to last available room. I even got to park the bike in their secure parking garage! Headed to Red Lodge tomorrow."

I do have one memory that I didn't put into my ride journal but I will never forget the experience. All during my ride through Yellowstone, I kept thinking how much my husband would have enjoyed it and how much I wished he were seeing it with me. It had only been six months since his death. When I stopped to get gas on the northern side of Yellowstone, there were no self-pay pumps so I had to go inside. While waiting to pay the lady behind me asked if I had dropped some change. I looked down and saw two bright pennies....I picked them up and knew that Michael had been with me all day. Why? It all goes back to a poem someone sent me after his death.

Pennies From HeavenI found a penny today
Just laying on the ground
But it's not just a penny
This little coin I've found

Found pennies come from heaven
That's what my Grandpa told me
He said Angels toss them down
Oh, how I loved that story

He said when an Angel misses you
They toss a penny down
Sometimes just to cheer you up
And take away your frown

So don't pass by that penny
When you're feeling blue
It may be a penny from heaven
That an angel has tossed to you.

~Author Unknown~

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna

RV Life on Wheels, Bowling Green KY - Final Day

The time has flown and only two classes are left. The first one will be on RVs and weight safety, something I know is important but realize I need to know more. The class is sponsored by the RV Safety Education Foundation (RVSEF). Great information, knowledgeable presenters but the material was a bit on the dry side. But I did learn more and got some questions answered.

The final class I took was another given by Nick & Terri Russell, "The Frugal RVer". This one contained a lot of great information and several in the class offered additional suggestions. There are many ways to keep your expenses down when RVing.

Then it was on to the closing ceremony where we all gave thanks and then hoped we won something in the door prize drawings. Needless to say, my normal luck was running and I didn't win anything. But all in all, I WAS a winner, just from having attended. One last look around the bookstore, grabbed a sandwich and filled out my evaluation forms. Reluctantly I climbed into my car and headed back towards home.

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat....in fact, I am considering the July class in Moscow, ID where there are 5 days of classes for only $50 more than the shorter conference. Greater selection of topics in addition to those I couldn't squeeze in this time around. I left Bowling Green feeling much more confident about my ability to tackle the RVing world - finding & buying the best rig, feeling safe & secure on the road, bringing in some income and even doing periodical maintenance to my RV. Toss in the fact that I got to meet wonderful people from all walks of life, ones that have the same love of RVing that I do and you have a real win-win scenario.

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Froggi/Donna