Where to begin? A year ago, our second date Tom invited me to take a ride on his Harley down to South Beach. Having never ridden on a motorcycle, I was a bit intimidated and of course very concerned for my safety. In my mind, only wild crazy people with tattoos ride motorcycles….I really liked Tom, and he seemed to be very normal and cautious. I thought this could be something new and different and definitely out of my comfort zone. Could COVID had anything to do with this new attitude?

I called my friend Donna that rides with her husband and really enjoys their adventures. I told her Tom invited me to go to South Beach on his Harley. Her response was priceless…”OH, HELL NO!” She told me because I had never been on a bike, it was much too dangerous for me to have my first experience on I-95. She recommended I call Tom and tell him I was newbie and my first time should be a nice & easy scenic ride. I made the call and he was in total agreement. I drove up to Delray, a bit nervous and determined not to let it show. He explained the rules, seemed that I could do this. I put my complete trust in Tom.

Understand, I had to learn how to get on, get off, lean into the curves and much more. We went on a beautiful ride. We left Delray Beach and headed up to Palm Beach on A1A..WOW! What a great experience. It is like being in a really cool sporty convertible, only on steroids! To feel the total openness around me was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Tom told me I did great..On the way up, I held on a little tight and on the way back to Delray I was relaxed.

I was cautious and watched every move he made…It was a perfect introduction to being a passenger on the back of Tom’s Harley.

I LOVE bring on the bike and experiencing the openness and space around me! The physical experience is very unique. I like the sound of the engine, especially as Tom accelerants and changes gears. Our vacation on Auto-train with the bike up to DC, I have ridden1200+ miles on this trip. I did get a new comfortable seat for the trip. Yes, it goes in storage and the smaller (sexy) seat goes back on for our local rides. Most of our dates we use the bike because it is a special experience. Not bad for a newbie a year ago. Thank you Tom!

Yes, Tom now has a tattoo! I gave it to him for his birthday in September. Now he is the wild and crazy guy!

Me posing in front of Tom’s Harley in the Shenandoah Mountains

Tom’s birthday present to me…. my first leather Harley jacket. Love it!

Confrontation with the next-door neighbor

We were warned by our Airbnb host that his next-door neighbor is not very friendly and doesn't like anyone to touch his 900+ acres of land. In order for me to ride up the gravel steep hill leaving the property we unload everything off the bike. With a hope and a prayer at the bottom of the hill I accelerate up the hill up into the street where traffic could be. After successfully making it up the hill I realized I was wearing my tennis shoes and not my Harley Davidson boots. Not a good idea for many reasons one of which is traction when I put my feet down on the ground. I asked Alice to go back to the room and get my boots while I hold the Harley up so I wouldn't fall over.

I parked the bike at the foot of the driveway of his neighbor. Within a matter of minutes I was confronted by his neighbor asking me what I was doing. I told him I was simply trying to be safe and stay off the road while waiting for my partner. He seemed very annoyed and irritated and not friendly at all. Parking my Harley on anything but an up slope or flat surface is very dangerous and if I can go down way too easily. There's no place around for me to park my bike I'm a flat surface.

Lunch with Alice on top of the world

We picked up a nice sandwich, chips and drinks at the gas station before heading to the park. I parked our bike on a beautiful overlook in the mountains and we had a great lunch. When we reached the end of the trail I told Alice we could go back a short way and she twisted my arm to turn around and hit the trail again one more time. It did not take much twisting!

Finished the Netflix series The Assassination of Gianni Versace an American Crime Story

In the evening we watched the final episode of the Netflix series on Versace's murder. We both loved the series very much. So well written, such great acting, such a moving and distressing story. It was very interesting for me to observe again the Versace mansion which I have photographed inside and out many times. I remember when they were filming the series at the mansion.

Now it's time to prepare to start our journey home. Today we drive back to Washington DC and spend the night there before getting on the auto train to head back to Orlando on Wednesday

My experience on a Motorcycle written by Alice

Blog day 8 - Shenandoah Park Day 2

Confrontation with the next-door neighbor

Another ride in the park

Lunch with Alice on top of the world

Lots of hikers in the park

Finished the Netflix series The Assassination of Gianni Versace an American Crime Story