Since it looks like my surgery will go off on time I had a hard decision to make.

Today I put my bike up for the winter. Earlier than ever before. She needs new tires, and an oil change and the headlight is out, plus one of the running lights is cracked by a stone peck. It just makes sense to do it. New tires now, to sit in the frozen garage all winter, plus new oil to do the same. And I still have all my other winterizing to do. Put air conditioners away, weatherstrip, caulk, rake, deal with Patty's flowers, the lawn mower, the storms.

So I washed the Roadie. I dried her and eased her into the garage. I promised her I would come out and visit during the winter. I lovingly put the StaBil in the tank, and removed the battery to bring into the warm.

So the world will coat my horizon in white fluff, whose kiss is a bitter as a slap. I will crawl into a cage and travel on four wheels hearing the slop of gray city slush instead of the throb of a mighty engine. My boots will be of rubber, not cowhide, my coat fleece lined and turned up against a biting wind.

I'll slip and slog from building to truck, a dark speck of humanity in a world of white, blanketed by an ashen sky.

I will stare out blurry frosted windows, and wonder where the warm breath of spring is, and I will not hear the Voice of the Roadie in the land.

But, one day, after an age made longer by waiting, the sun will shine, and the practiced nose will catch the scent of honeysuckle on the wind. Above will be the music of the Canadas returning to the fields of the south. And the waiter, the watcher, will turn a face upward, and under a shielding hand, he will see the sun rides higher in the sky.

Then a new, lighter, version of me will reverse the process, adorn his ride with tires, lights, and nourish her with new oil. And she will fire, and he will relax, and they will dance together, shift, lean, shift, dream......................................

I've always wanted to do the Grand - I've even had friends who won a permit in the lottery and invited me to go along. I never could - being a single mom it was always too much time away from home. But now my 'baby' is driving and I have a great deal more free time.

I'm guessing you'd go with an outfitter - any idea how much that costs?

I'd love to go - if I can afford it.

Becky and Kim (and anyone else), I was thinking of going with OARS. Pretty expensive, as I recall from last year's catalog, but then I was thinking of making it a short trip (not one of the $3000 ones) in case my inner princess comes along and demands air conditioning and fluffy pillows after the first night in a tent!

in case my inner princess comes along and demands air conditioning and fluffy pillows after the first night in a tent!

Too funny!

I outfit river trips (canoes) and folks are always amazed at how much luxury we bring along. I always tell 'em, If we wanted to rough it - we'd backpack! The guides will laugh at you - but your fluffy pillow will fit inside a dry bag.

Your inner princess can be appeased.

A girl I worked with used to help her 2 brothers with their rafting concession in the canyon every summer. She loved it. I prefer backpacking, but it's all an adventure. Nowadays my adventures tend to have a little more plush to soothe the ol' body.

Nowadays my adventures tend to have a little more plush to soothe the ol' body.

I agree -- my idea of roughing it is spending a month at a luxurious Paris hotel without drinking wine! Still, I've always wanted to raft the Colorado. I spent two days in the Grand Canyon this June (pre-band) and was incredibly winded after a one-mile hike on the flat rim -- one of the reasons I opted for the surgery.

I'll check a couple of outfitters, and will start a new thread on the GC for anyone who's interested. I'm thinking mid-September 2005. (I'm in graduate school, and classes start around the 22nd.)

Ryan, you are a gifted writer; I find myself drawn into the imagery and I can feel the wind, the sun, the snow -- whatever it is you are writing about.

Your cycle will be fine resting for the winter. My husband had a Road King and was in a bad accident this spring. He is still healing and anxious to get another one as his was totalled. It is a glorious feeling that cannot be fully understood unless you too know the thrill. He has a boat too so we are fans of both.

I am so thrilled for you that your surgery is scheduled and it is soon your turn to start the great journey. You have been through alot to get to this point and I feel so excited for you.

Please keep us posted and inspired with your gifted writing. It will be exciting for you to ride next spring. You will most likely be needing a new leather jacket for sure!!!!

Best wishes to you,

Theresa Marie (I am scheduled for November 30 -- so we will banded in the same month-- really makes us family that way!!!)

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Theresa, tell your hubby to get to healin', spring's coming, and there's no longing like the ache to ride when the weather gets mild, and that special scent is on the wind.

Yep, we'll both be November Bandster babies. It's good to have family, and this family really cares. Unlike that other family. OOps! Did I say that?

Put my Harley away too, but I didn't clean her up, figured she'd get dusty anyway, (besides its hubbies job to keep that chrome shinning)..Good Luck

New date with Band...Dec 6, was supposed to be Nov 18

HarleyNana,

Yes it is a bummer to get ready for something then have it pushed back, but the comfort of knowing an experienced MD will be with your doctor should outweigh the inconvenience, tho waiting is the hardest part for me so far. Your Doc should do several bands with the Proctor before striking out on his own, so it is a good thing.

It'll happen, and these wonderful people will be here for you through it all. Aren't they all great?