Flo
Welcome home and I'm sure I am only echoing everyone else when I tell you how proud we all are of you...not just the fact you are a women who took on this challenge, but you make both men and women smile and feel bigger then life.
We spend far to much time thinking and dreaming of all the things we would love to do but life has a way of putting them off and then you look back fondly on what could have been.
You my dear put it right out there what it is like to just do it, anything is achievable if you want it. Thanks!!!!! I now have something to put in my repertoire of stories I will tell over and over and over when I am old and senile (isn't that what all old folks do) lol Can hardly wait to be a pain in the ass to my children...I think I feel it coming on really soon haha
Hope to meet you in person and ride this year...Give your self a big pat on the back from all of us in this neck of the woods..we were all there with LD in spirit and felt the excitement thru her..that and the fact she has about 10 hours of video (well maybe not quite that much)
Cheers for now
Proud to call ya"Sister"
Linda
Friday, June 13, 2008
Friday 13th June 4 days being home from Conga!
Yike.. I decided this morning when I got up, if the sun was shining. I was going to wash the Queen and take her for a ride. I just looked at the calender and not sure if today is such a good day to do that.
I am a little nervous of going to jump back in the saddle. I have not ridden since Monday the day we arrived back in Canada in the rain storm. I do have all the luggage taken off and the saddlebacks empty. I am looking forward to that part, riding for the first time without all the luggage.
Dragon/Jenn is suppose to be coming up from Duncan which is about 2 hours away. I am going to meet her in the middle if all goes well.
I haven't done much at all since I have been home other than catch up on my forums a little and my blog.
I have decided to continue keeping the blog of my adverntures with the Queen this summer. Also of stuff that has happened because of this trip.
Today I recieved a couple of vest pins from Kaye in Tennesse. She is the gal that gave me the pink balls, and rides the same ride as me. It was her place where I had my own little cabin, and she grounded me for the day off the bike. Thanks Kaye!! My vest is looking good now!
I am still waiting for my inspection paper so I can get the bike insured. They said the faxed it to me so it should be hear today. She will all be legal soon. You know when I think back it wasn't so hard as everyone said it was going to be to export a bike into Canada. Hell if Flo can do it anyone can!!
Might have to go for a RIDE LIKE A PRO CLASS every year or two.!!! Buy a new bike and rider home..
Maybe I can do that as a business, by bikes and ride them home, visit my friends, take the course...lol okay Im getting carried away again.
I had the inspection done...That was a piece of cake, read the VIN, see if it matches, sign it and poof!!! done!!
Off to the insurance, and that is when it costs. $1300.00 for 6 months. I had to pay PST of just over $300.00 Ya know they get ya where ever ya go..
Paid taxes in Florida and come home and pay taxes again. Some times it doesnt pay to screw around with the prices either, say ya paid this intead of that.. What ever you say you paid for that... You can only insure it for....
So if something were to happen, it is not insured for it's true value..
Had a few drools happening around the bike when I was gettin it inspected. Then we were out side the Tatoo parlor next to the insurance and everyone was ooo'n and awwwin... I thought crikey.. I better pull outa here smooth.
My girlfriends says.. Ya kill me Flo, ya jist rode yur ass off for 6000 miles and now your are afraid... Silly Newfie!!!
Going for a ride now to meet some Dragon on the freeway!!
I am a little nervous of going to jump back in the saddle. I have not ridden since Monday the day we arrived back in Canada in the rain storm. I do have all the luggage taken off and the saddlebacks empty. I am looking forward to that part, riding for the first time without all the luggage.
Dragon/Jenn is suppose to be coming up from Duncan which is about 2 hours away. I am going to meet her in the middle if all goes well.
I haven't done much at all since I have been home other than catch up on my forums a little and my blog.
I have decided to continue keeping the blog of my adverntures with the Queen this summer. Also of stuff that has happened because of this trip.
Today I recieved a couple of vest pins from Kaye in Tennesse. She is the gal that gave me the pink balls, and rides the same ride as me. It was her place where I had my own little cabin, and she grounded me for the day off the bike. Thanks Kaye!! My vest is looking good now!
I am still waiting for my inspection paper so I can get the bike insured. They said the faxed it to me so it should be hear today. She will all be legal soon. You know when I think back it wasn't so hard as everyone said it was going to be to export a bike into Canada. Hell if Flo can do it anyone can!!
Might have to go for a RIDE LIKE A PRO CLASS every year or two.!!! Buy a new bike and rider home..
Maybe I can do that as a business, by bikes and ride them home, visit my friends, take the course...lol okay Im getting carried away again.
I had the inspection done...That was a piece of cake, read the VIN, see if it matches, sign it and poof!!! done!!
Off to the insurance, and that is when it costs. $1300.00 for 6 months. I had to pay PST of just over $300.00 Ya know they get ya where ever ya go..
Paid taxes in Florida and come home and pay taxes again. Some times it doesnt pay to screw around with the prices either, say ya paid this intead of that.. What ever you say you paid for that... You can only insure it for....
So if something were to happen, it is not insured for it's true value..
Had a few drools happening around the bike when I was gettin it inspected. Then we were out side the Tatoo parlor next to the insurance and everyone was ooo'n and awwwin... I thought crikey.. I better pull outa here smooth.
My girlfriends says.. Ya kill me Flo, ya jist rode yur ass off for 6000 miles and now your are afraid... Silly Newfie!!!
Going for a ride now to meet some Dragon on the freeway!!
Letter from Vegas113/Debra
Hi Flo,
Well - I didn't get to ride with you on any leg of your fantabulous journey, but I was there every step of the way cheering you on. I started really following the adventure when you first bought La Reina....then Willi flew down to Mexico.....then the Conga was ON. I read with great anticipation all the posts when your final decision of go/don't go was made and cheered! Poor dh.....he was sure I'd lost my mind! ha!
From Florida all the way to Oh Canada..... I wanted to know every morning where you were headed, what the weather was like, who you were with.....and every night I would not go to bed until someone checked in to make sure you were ok. Each day I felt like all of us in cyber space were right along with you.....I really thank you and the Conga riders for that......you'll never know how much it meant to be able to ride with you every day. I've traveled quite a bit (not all on a bike) and the detailed ride reports and posts from the Conga Line made me feel I got to meet everyone too!
Of course, when you hit Texas and I walked outside and realized it was 90+ flippin degrees out there....and you were headed for the hottest and most boring part of your trip.....well.... I really felt for ya! I wanted so badly to come and meet up with you and Monte and tag along - but I couldn't get away. So that is the day I really waited up for a check in..... when the headline read "I Hate Texas" I knew you'd be fine! ha!
So off to New Mexico and up through Death Valley, 4 Corners, Vegas Baby.......I really enjoyed the posts and pictures......DH was checking in too - he even signed up on the forum! ha! All our riding friends and our co-workers asked daily about Flo! No one cared that you dropped your bike a few times along the way....we've all dropped em.....the only question ever asked was "is she ok"????
So when you were supposed to cross the border on Monday.....I'm searching for web cams..... anything I can find on the net to be able to watch the finish line..... that was a crazy day - lucky for me I was not working that day, stuck at home for the day, so I spent lots of time on the sites watching posts about missed boats, weather, and your Bro's! How great was that! I tell ya....the forum was buzzin with posts waiting and watching for you. Since it seemed to take all day to get to the Island, I also had time to read up on the island itself.....pretty darn neat place eh!
Then finally late Monday the news that you are HOME! YOU DID IT!!!!! Geez we are all so PROUD of YOU!!!!! And.....this WWR Forum is the absolute best......through you we've all 'met' each other.
OK this is really really long......and it sure seems like I was obsessed with this trip.....I just love adventure and this 3 weeks has let me meet/travel along and I really loved every minute of it. As DH said, you have done what only a few have been able to do!
I look forward to the BOOK! Thanks again for the adventure......and the money raised in Rod's memory......we're all proud of you for jumping out there - and even happier that you have made many many life long friends along the way.....think what you'd have missed if you had just shipped her home?!?! A great inspiration to always grab an opportunity whenever it is given......
Vegas113
Dayton Texas!
Thank girlfriend for following me all the way. I remember you being one of my biggest supports on the forum. Always there! Would be cool to have a picture of you. When you gt time!
Well - I didn't get to ride with you on any leg of your fantabulous journey, but I was there every step of the way cheering you on. I started really following the adventure when you first bought La Reina....then Willi flew down to Mexico.....then the Conga was ON. I read with great anticipation all the posts when your final decision of go/don't go was made and cheered! Poor dh.....he was sure I'd lost my mind! ha!
From Florida all the way to Oh Canada..... I wanted to know every morning where you were headed, what the weather was like, who you were with.....and every night I would not go to bed until someone checked in to make sure you were ok. Each day I felt like all of us in cyber space were right along with you.....I really thank you and the Conga riders for that......you'll never know how much it meant to be able to ride with you every day. I've traveled quite a bit (not all on a bike) and the detailed ride reports and posts from the Conga Line made me feel I got to meet everyone too!
Of course, when you hit Texas and I walked outside and realized it was 90+ flippin degrees out there....and you were headed for the hottest and most boring part of your trip.....well.... I really felt for ya! I wanted so badly to come and meet up with you and Monte and tag along - but I couldn't get away. So that is the day I really waited up for a check in..... when the headline read "I Hate Texas" I knew you'd be fine! ha!
So off to New Mexico and up through Death Valley, 4 Corners, Vegas Baby.......I really enjoyed the posts and pictures......DH was checking in too - he even signed up on the forum! ha! All our riding friends and our co-workers asked daily about Flo! No one cared that you dropped your bike a few times along the way....we've all dropped em.....the only question ever asked was "is she ok"????
So when you were supposed to cross the border on Monday.....I'm searching for web cams..... anything I can find on the net to be able to watch the finish line..... that was a crazy day - lucky for me I was not working that day, stuck at home for the day, so I spent lots of time on the sites watching posts about missed boats, weather, and your Bro's! How great was that! I tell ya....the forum was buzzin with posts waiting and watching for you. Since it seemed to take all day to get to the Island, I also had time to read up on the island itself.....pretty darn neat place eh!
Then finally late Monday the news that you are HOME! YOU DID IT!!!!! Geez we are all so PROUD of YOU!!!!! And.....this WWR Forum is the absolute best......through you we've all 'met' each other.
OK this is really really long......and it sure seems like I was obsessed with this trip.....I just love adventure and this 3 weeks has let me meet/travel along and I really loved every minute of it. As DH said, you have done what only a few have been able to do!
I look forward to the BOOK! Thanks again for the adventure......and the money raised in Rod's memory......we're all proud of you for jumping out there - and even happier that you have made many many life long friends along the way.....think what you'd have missed if you had just shipped her home?!?! A great inspiration to always grab an opportunity whenever it is given......
Vegas113
Dayton Texas!
Thank girlfriend for following me all the way. I remember you being one of my biggest supports on the forum. Always there! Would be cool to have a picture of you. When you gt time!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
From DonnatheDoc!!!!! My Buddie!!
We have ISSUES!! We be having too much fun!!! ya piss me off Doc, I wish I could wear that Bling Belt the way you do!!!
This is my Sista from another Mista!! Love you Doc!!
These were the HOT BIKES we were riding!!!
At this lovely spot on the ocean, we took our bikes for a ride that day for lunch.. After meeting IRENE... the lady at the Motor Vehichle Dept... Poor Irene, she did have issues, didin't she Doc... It weren't us ,even thos we had the t-shirts.. what a...wench???
Now Doc, is a good lady, she felt so bad for Irene, she wanted to give the shirt off her back.....I HAVE ISSUES... This woman, was too old and crankey to be working. All we wanted to do is give her some money and she was a tadd... biatchy!!!! Good laughs!!!
This is the first night I got in.. We did get a little tipsy getting to know each other, but no one ended up in the pool..
What can I say... I love this pic... Looks like Doc is about ready to go into one of her Rants!!!! I am about ready to settle her down or RANT with her.. xoxo
This was a moment.. a sad moment for me any way...We were on our first send off. I was leaving my buddy. I left my glasses on as so did she, as we both knew we were going to turn into GOOBERS!! We had moments before we were going to be departing!! Crikey I hate those good byes.
Now this pic!!!! Hell's Bells as Doc would say... I mean this girl is always on my side... Normaly she wont let that Rotter, Motorman pick on me...Take a look... a close look.. she gots her fingers upside my head.. Like I be some kinda looooser!!!
I was.... she did... he said.... Flo ...Ya gonna look at it... or ya gonn pick it up???
This was the first STOP AND DROP... at McDonalds of all places where we suppose to pick up Vi, and Cyndi.. why he hell did I drop infront of MM???
The next escorts..
I was feeling happy if you can imagine... even though I just dropped the Queen.. Mortorman be yellin at me...okay raising his voice..
Ya ...gonna look at it girl, or ya going to pick it up?????????
I was looking pretty happy cause,. I honestly didn't think I could do it., loaded and all. Someone was going to step in and pick it up... I thought!!!!
To be honest... I think I surprised the SHIT.. out of all of them!! I know I did myself. Now motorman isn't the one to say good job... you know why??? If ya think you are too cocky and know it all, you won't be able to do it again, when I am not there.
I will never forget that day, and as I describe these pics it comes back clearer than it did when it happened. This bike was freekin LOADED... BUT... I did it!!
Thanks MOTORMAN!!
Thanks Hippie for at least putting the kickstand down for me. Thanks for giving me credit Motorman and not making me remove your RIDE LIKE A PRO SHIRT!
Thanks Doc for the fingers..... I feel a rant coming on!!
This day. I remember her saying.... Sorry Flo, hope you don't mind we have a show to do today and if it is alright with you... You can work for us.. I will pay you... OMFG... DOC!! !! The sad part about this day., was I lost a few movies while I was trying to figure things out. Motorman, likes to listen to JOHNNY CASH, and Doc.. she likes to sing to him... I had it... I freekin lost it!! Damn Photobucket. I could scream!! We look pretty good even if I do say so myself!!!
Yup... little did I know this gal was going to be my life long buddy!
Not sure where to start here. Do I talk about her or her Hot red Mustang convertable. Okay, we have done that one already so I will go to the next pic..But Can ya tell from the moment we met, it was going to be rough, trying to have fun together.
To my best buddy, Flo…
First and foremost, I want to congratulate you on your fantastic journey across America into your homeland of Canada . YOU are my inspiration. When I met you on my Women Who Ride forum, I knew there was something special about you. Crikey, can you believe how this all started?
When you were kicking around the idea of maybe flying to Florida to pick up your Queen is when my wheels went into motion. I told you we would do a Conga for you and I’m sure at the time you thought I was crazy, right?
Flo, you have inspired me more than you’ll ever know. From the moment I met you at Tampa International airport, I KNEW you’d always be a special person in my life. All the gals and guys on WWR and VILR all came together like one big family to make this trip of a lifetime happen.
Having the chance to meet you, ride with you, laugh with you while I was doing my rants has left me with wonderful memories and touched my heart forever. I drove past the beach today that you and me went to, I was sad, but yet so happy that I got to be there with you and show you our little town of Hudson , Florida .
You kicked butt at our Ride Like a Pro class and the Motorman himself was so PROUD of you riding that Road King with such ease and skill. I told you about how afraid I was of that bike when I bought it and how I was determined to ride it well and be in full control. Gawd girl, you did an amazing job!
You have no idea what an impact you’ve made to so many of us. Your sheer determination and courage kept us all cheering you on through the good days and the bad days.
Jerry and I never doubted you’d make it, we are so proud of you Flo. You have done something that many of us only dream about doing. We all lived vicariously through you. Every morning with our coffee we’d be on your blog, afternoons and evenings we’d be waiting to hear from you or see a post that you made it to your next destination. We’d give each other the high five and await your next update.
Meeting you was the highlight of our lives Flo. Following your adventure and being just a small piece of the big puzzle was an honor to both me and Jerry. Through you, I’ve met so many wonderful people and one day we’ll ride together again. Remember, keep riding like the Pro that you are and thank you for the best gift of all, your friendship.
Love you!
Donnathedoc
a/k/a Donna Palladino J
-Ride Safe... Ride Like a Pro Team
Love you Doc and Motorman!!
From Shadowlady
Hey Flo..
While I wasn't with you in body I was sure there in spirit. The last thing I did before going to bed each nite was to check the blog and the forums ..WWR and VILR .. to see what news of you was to be had.. then I usually dreamed about riding at nite.. then first thing in the morning .. back to the puter to 'check on ya' .. I even had my husband following along.. He'd come home from work each nite and say something like 'where's Flo at now?' or 'any news? bout Flo?' ..LOL
You were our main source of entertainment for almost 3 weeks.. Life seems so 'quiet' now that you're home. LOL
You did a great job keeping everyone up to date.. you write with such feeling (spelling not withstanding..LOL) I laughed with you and I cried with you .. real tears ! In reading your blog one could actually feel your excitement, happiness, frustration, fear, awe.. or whatever the emotion was at the moment.
It takes a special kind of person to open herself up to the world like that and lady, my hat is off to you.. you told it all.. the good .. the bad...and the ugly !! Big hugs girl... we're all proud of you and pleased as punch to have shared in this adventure with you.
If there's ever a conga headed east... I just might have to make plans to meet it and escort it into my neck of the woods.. :o)
Cheers from Nova Scotia...
~ Rhonda
Help me Rhonda.. help, help, me Rhonda... I would so like a pic of you to put here.. I thankyou for following me along the journey. It all helped me get through it. You have no idea. It was important to me to post everynight. Ask anyone I stayed with. The love and support I got from everyone, that escorted me and that I stayed with. The most important thing, was to let y'all know I was okay.
While I wasn't with you in body I was sure there in spirit. The last thing I did before going to bed each nite was to check the blog and the forums ..WWR and VILR .. to see what news of you was to be had.. then I usually dreamed about riding at nite.. then first thing in the morning .. back to the puter to 'check on ya' .. I even had my husband following along.. He'd come home from work each nite and say something like 'where's Flo at now?' or 'any news? bout Flo?' ..LOL
You were our main source of entertainment for almost 3 weeks.. Life seems so 'quiet' now that you're home. LOL
You did a great job keeping everyone up to date.. you write with such feeling (spelling not withstanding..LOL) I laughed with you and I cried with you .. real tears ! In reading your blog one could actually feel your excitement, happiness, frustration, fear, awe.. or whatever the emotion was at the moment.
It takes a special kind of person to open herself up to the world like that and lady, my hat is off to you.. you told it all.. the good .. the bad...and the ugly !! Big hugs girl... we're all proud of you and pleased as punch to have shared in this adventure with you.
If there's ever a conga headed east... I just might have to make plans to meet it and escort it into my neck of the woods.. :o)
Cheers from Nova Scotia...
~ Rhonda
Help me Rhonda.. help, help, me Rhonda... I would so like a pic of you to put here.. I thankyou for following me along the journey. It all helped me get through it. You have no idea. It was important to me to post everynight. Ask anyone I stayed with. The love and support I got from everyone, that escorted me and that I stayed with. The most important thing, was to let y'all know I was okay.
Letter from Eileen
Flo,
When you posted on the WWR forum that you had decided to buy Donna's Road King, I was thinking how neat that was. Then all of the pondering about getting it shipped, and the glimmer of an idea ~ How about flying to Florida & riding it home?
Then as you thought more & more seriously about doing it, but wondering if you could do that long trek through a whole different country by yourself. Donna & others saying that if you were serious about it, help would happen, you wouldn't be alone through much if any of your trek, that the forum members would help you. And then one day you posted that you were going to do it!
I had never ridden more than a few hundred miles in a day, but when you decided to go for it, I thought "If she can ride across the USA to get home to Canada, surely I can help her get out of Florida & escort her up to Georgia! And maybe after Flo heads further north we (husband & I) can head west & catch Alabama too" So you inspired me to sign up for that leg of the journey.
Then my oops, and my cast, and no riding while I heal ... One of the first thoughts to cross my mind as I was standing beside my bike, ice on wrist was... "Oh no! It can't be fractured, I need to ride with Flo in 4 weeks!" But it was. And so I didn't get to go. I was so disappointed.I did get to meet you before you left for your journey though, and see you riding your new Queen at the RLAP course.
When I first got to the RLAP lot, I was standing near Hippie John when Motorman came up to him. MM asked "who is that, is it Flo?" and when John said yes, Motorman said "She's doing Great!, look at her doing that figure eight!" Then we watched as you headed over to "the intersection" and did those 4 u-turns over & over again, with total concentration, looking like a pro. Later that day, I heard MM say how proud he was of your riding, and he sure had reason to be. You were on a bike you'd only seen for the first time a few days before, and were putting her through her paces with finesse.
You earned that Ride Like a Pro shirt for sure! And you were gracious enough to give me a Conga bracelet even though I didn't ride with you, and now it will be on my bike to remind me of you & the Conga.
Well Flo, what an adventure you had, and we all got to share in it to some degree. I had a hard time going to bed until I knew you were safely stopped each night, and each morning I checked the computer first thing to see if you'd posted any messages or any new entries on your blog.
When you were in Death Valley & hot, worn out, disheartened, I wished I could fly out & help in some way. When you were having fun times, I was wishing I was there too, meeting the other WWR members, and enjoying the great rides & company.
The home stretch, that last few days when you were with your fellow Canadians, then your brothers surprising you, were a great joy to all of us. And we got to see you being interviewed, what a grand finale to the adventure! (Even if the weather was miserable, you all came through like the champs you are)You've been an inspiration to me, to challenge myself, to not limit myself by my fears of doing something new, to be positive in looking at new horizons.
I'm sure I'm not the only one.If you come back down next year to catch Alabama & fill in that blank spot, I'd love to do it with you!
Eileen
This is a pic of Eileen and I. I will never forget, after riding around in the parking lot while the Palladinos were packing stuff up and giving out certificates. I asked Motorman, if he would mind I I just went and practised by myself. He had a big grin on his face...said..well you bet Flo, go over there and practis those spots where the tennis balls were.
I didn't look back!! I was afraid too.
Motorman says... look where you want to go.. head, eyes , friction. I guess everyone was watching me and I didn't know it. I was consintrating pretty hard, and didn't look up untill, I felt I was doing good and almost done practising.
By that time, Doc was yelling and snapping pictures. Go Flo, Go Flo!! Whoo hooo!! Snapping pics like a fool..lmao
I saw this woman walk up to me and say... Hi Flo..I am Eileen., I had talked to Eileen enough times on the forum of WWR, and felt I knew her. She was a huge supporter and was going to ride the Conga. Had a little oops, and it could happen.
Big hugs,, and laughs.. and hugs..and told me I was doing great!!
She told me I was riding great and said......Just so you know Flo....I personally heard Motorman say.... He was really proud of you!! I told Eileen, wow.. that is great...and I will take it second hand...No problem..
That was my intention to make that man proud of me!! Of course Doc too.
When I looked up at MM,...and he said....Flo you're makin me Misty eyed.. It was all worth it!!!
I never got to ride with Eileen but she came out and that was important to meet some of my WWR SISTAS... I remember how bad she wanted to ride too.
Later she came by to the Palladinos for a barbeque and meet and greet. Thanks Eileen. I do hope to ride with you one day... Especially Alabama for the Conga reunion.
When you posted on the WWR forum that you had decided to buy Donna's Road King, I was thinking how neat that was. Then all of the pondering about getting it shipped, and the glimmer of an idea ~ How about flying to Florida & riding it home?
Then as you thought more & more seriously about doing it, but wondering if you could do that long trek through a whole different country by yourself. Donna & others saying that if you were serious about it, help would happen, you wouldn't be alone through much if any of your trek, that the forum members would help you. And then one day you posted that you were going to do it!
I had never ridden more than a few hundred miles in a day, but when you decided to go for it, I thought "If she can ride across the USA to get home to Canada, surely I can help her get out of Florida & escort her up to Georgia! And maybe after Flo heads further north we (husband & I) can head west & catch Alabama too" So you inspired me to sign up for that leg of the journey.
Then my oops, and my cast, and no riding while I heal ... One of the first thoughts to cross my mind as I was standing beside my bike, ice on wrist was... "Oh no! It can't be fractured, I need to ride with Flo in 4 weeks!" But it was. And so I didn't get to go. I was so disappointed.I did get to meet you before you left for your journey though, and see you riding your new Queen at the RLAP course.
When I first got to the RLAP lot, I was standing near Hippie John when Motorman came up to him. MM asked "who is that, is it Flo?" and when John said yes, Motorman said "She's doing Great!, look at her doing that figure eight!" Then we watched as you headed over to "the intersection" and did those 4 u-turns over & over again, with total concentration, looking like a pro. Later that day, I heard MM say how proud he was of your riding, and he sure had reason to be. You were on a bike you'd only seen for the first time a few days before, and were putting her through her paces with finesse.
You earned that Ride Like a Pro shirt for sure! And you were gracious enough to give me a Conga bracelet even though I didn't ride with you, and now it will be on my bike to remind me of you & the Conga.
Well Flo, what an adventure you had, and we all got to share in it to some degree. I had a hard time going to bed until I knew you were safely stopped each night, and each morning I checked the computer first thing to see if you'd posted any messages or any new entries on your blog.
When you were in Death Valley & hot, worn out, disheartened, I wished I could fly out & help in some way. When you were having fun times, I was wishing I was there too, meeting the other WWR members, and enjoying the great rides & company.
The home stretch, that last few days when you were with your fellow Canadians, then your brothers surprising you, were a great joy to all of us. And we got to see you being interviewed, what a grand finale to the adventure! (Even if the weather was miserable, you all came through like the champs you are)You've been an inspiration to me, to challenge myself, to not limit myself by my fears of doing something new, to be positive in looking at new horizons.
I'm sure I'm not the only one.If you come back down next year to catch Alabama & fill in that blank spot, I'd love to do it with you!
Eileen
This is a pic of Eileen and I. I will never forget, after riding around in the parking lot while the Palladinos were packing stuff up and giving out certificates. I asked Motorman, if he would mind I I just went and practised by myself. He had a big grin on his face...said..well you bet Flo, go over there and practis those spots where the tennis balls were.
I didn't look back!! I was afraid too.
Motorman says... look where you want to go.. head, eyes , friction. I guess everyone was watching me and I didn't know it. I was consintrating pretty hard, and didn't look up untill, I felt I was doing good and almost done practising.
By that time, Doc was yelling and snapping pictures. Go Flo, Go Flo!! Whoo hooo!! Snapping pics like a fool..lmao
I saw this woman walk up to me and say... Hi Flo..I am Eileen., I had talked to Eileen enough times on the forum of WWR, and felt I knew her. She was a huge supporter and was going to ride the Conga. Had a little oops, and it could happen.
Big hugs,, and laughs.. and hugs..and told me I was doing great!!
She told me I was riding great and said......Just so you know Flo....I personally heard Motorman say.... He was really proud of you!! I told Eileen, wow.. that is great...and I will take it second hand...No problem..
That was my intention to make that man proud of me!! Of course Doc too.
When I looked up at MM,...and he said....Flo you're makin me Misty eyed.. It was all worth it!!!
I never got to ride with Eileen but she came out and that was important to meet some of my WWR SISTAS... I remember how bad she wanted to ride too.
Later she came by to the Palladinos for a barbeque and meet and greet. Thanks Eileen. I do hope to ride with you one day... Especially Alabama for the Conga reunion.
My Newfie Buddy Sheila Goodyear
This is Tequila/Sheila - what a cutie, and what a nice person. She is mostly a lurker on the forums. But she is very caring, I must say. This gal has given me so much support. When I arrived on Wolfies Mountain and Holl gave me an envelope with a card and some pins, and bracelets. She had also paid Holl for a very nice leather vest so I could collect my pins and patches to put on through my trip.. just so you know Sheila... I am doing that ,and I think of you every time I wear ti..
This is one hot bike you ride girlfriend. i hope you are proud of that!!
Sheila and her man!!! Thanks for watching out for me, and riding along with the
Conga #1
Well Flo
I decided to send this email anyway. Although I never rode with you, or met you, I was able to meet on line a bunch of wonderful people, if only in spirit.
I am usually a lurker when it comes to these forums, and not always up on etiquette about chiming in, so it is easy to stay in the back ground.
When I was on the WWR and you started posting about the bike you bought and how to get it home, I posted a couple of tentative replies of my experience in bringing vehicles across the border. As it was, there were much more knowledgeable people to help you, but that was okay, I was able to post and add my 2 cents worth :)
I kept coming back to the forum to see what was happening, to see how you would get your Queen home. It didn't take long to see that you wanted an adventure, especially since help was coming from everywhere.
All the ladies (gentlemen) lined right up, to help and organize in a way I hadn't seen done before.
It was special, sweet and totally amazing to watch them in action!!!
Being from Newfoundland, the most I could do is watch, but knowing if the opportunity had been there, I definitely would have done the CONGA.
I sent the vest so that in a small way I could help, and that you would have something to put all your patches and pins on. A keepsake (but ever useful) to remind you in years to come, of an adventure, a dream you followed.
I envy you (in a good way) of the friends you made and the experiences you had.
You had to have guts, courage, and be a little nuts :) to attempt this trip, with people you only knew through written conversations. Your family and friends must have thought you finally lost it.
This was something I could share with my girl friends, especially those who are new to riding and think that this was impossible. They too were able to follow the journey, which in turn gave them more confidence. Seeing one lone woman could make this trip with the helping hand of others, was just amazing and heart warming.
I loved reading your blog, and your messages to everyone. The pictures and videos were great. Memories that will be dear to you and those that participated are priceless.
You have affected a lot of people, more than you will ever know. Each person that has followed this journey has taken away with them, something special that they will always remember. This conga will always be a topic of conversation, even in the years to come.
Your a special lady FLO, I am glad I was able to follow this journey. It was and is special to me. When I travel with Hubby through the states this year, we will be going to North Carolina, and Tennessee, and I am sure as I am writing this, I will be thinking of the time you went through. When I drop my bike (and I will!!!) I will think of you and laugh and pick it up, saying if FLO can do this so can I. I hope to do RLAP in NC, and when I get frustrated, (which I will!!!) I'll think, this is what FLO was describing, and laugh. All because of your descriptions, pictures and videos.
Don't want to sound to melodramatic, or like a nut case, just wanted you to know that there are people out there that enjoyed your adventure, much like reading a book and identifying with it's characters (hint hint)
I think it would be a great idea to do a Canuk Conga, although it just wouldn't be the same, nothing would come close to the original.
So in my little corner of the world, Going With the Flo meant something!!!!
You Newfie Buddy
Sheila Goodyear
Sheila my friend, I want to send you a special thankyou for that nice leather vest you had sent to me at Holl's. I think of you every time I pin another pin on it.. I have told so many people of that. It will be my favorite vest for the rest of my riding years.
I love that funny card too. Sunflower, Vi, and Holl, we all got a kick out of that. I recieved the night before I slayed the Dragon. You brought tears to my eyes.
Please don't be a stranger on the forums. Please post often, dont be shy girlfriend. If you have a pic. I would sure like to post it!!
Love Flo!
Here is a pic in me and my vest heading up to slay the Dragon. I have way more pins and patches now of course. I have my I HAVE ISSUES T-SHIRT ON TOO. All of us girls had ISSUE T-SHIRTS..Given to us by Doc, as she had issues and couldn't go.
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