Left Milwuakee to Rochester Minnisota

I left Milwuakee with Rick and Maria, and Rob this morning around 9 am , heading to meet up with Jazzygirlo/Jules. Rob was flying back to Canada to go fishing.
Rick and Maria rode with me to Madison.. They wanted to make sure I was heading in the right direction.. they knew I was kinda nervous about riding alone. Kinda!! ha, that was an understatement , but I tried ot fake it as best I could.
I sure do appreciate them going as far as they did, because it was frickin cold as soon as we got out on the interstate. I already had my electric vest, vest, long sleeves, chaps winter gloves on, and was bloody freezing. Wasn't long and I put my neck warmer on made of fleece by Mochrome. I was totally surpised they hung out as long as they did, as Iknow they were both freezing too.
We stopped for one of the best bowls of clamchowder in Madison, and I put on my rain gear as the sprinkles were starting. Here is where we were said our good bys for the 20th time, and about 20 more pictures. That Maria is a little snap happy, after she hung out with me for two day. I know she was talking pictures even as I pulled off on 18West heading for Prairie de Chain..
Omg, it was instant.. the tears started to roll down my face... Stupid.. real stupid, but I felt so alone in this big ol Country, after doing the Conga in all those state for over a week now, with all the wonderful people. I was off to meet my new family if I could find my way..
All of the sudden the number 18 was my favorite number... 18West.. just follow the signs, they say it is straight, well, all of a sudden, it was right, then left, then straight.. Crikey I thought to myself, you can do this and maybe you will learn a thing or two like how to pay more attention.
The wind was picking up big time,and it was really cold but at least it was dry,
The tears subsided, and I cranked up the tunes... on the road again!!! It was pretty hard to keep the bike on the road at times as the winds were so strong. Especially if a semi went by.
I was never so happy when I saw the first sign Prairie de Chain... I knew Iwas running late, as there was that construction on the road, the wind, and oh ya, the bowl of soup, that we needed to warm our inards.. not to mention, that silly Maria taking 20 more pics.
I pulled over to a gas station, in some little town, that was after Dodgville, so with a name like that you know the next one is pretty small. I wanted to call Jazzy and us the biffy. I go running in there and got the first look from whom I believed to be the store owner.. I felt like this big pink elefant, but didn't really care, I needed to go..
I looked in the mirror, and could not believe what I looked like.. Worse that what I thought.. My hair and all blown out from the helmet, went into some sort of dred locks... hidioius I say... hidioius.. This old bike babe, in cardboard pink leather, pony tail, with sparkles, feeling like a mishlen tire... I fixed myself up, best I could... and there was an old woman there.. Lets say middle 70's.. She steps back and looks and me and says.... Good Lord, and shakes her head to her friend.. I heard it loud and clear.. it was meant for me.. I turned around, and she was still shaking her head. She probably had been living in that little town all her life.. Still had not seen such a site, and was still shaking her head.. I really wanted to say something.. Do you know why I look so rediculous, cuz I just rode 2,500 for Breast Cancer and I have at least 2500 more miles to go.
I decided against it, I took the high road, went out to my bike, took off one of the magnetic ribbons, and as she was coming out of the bathroom, i went up to her shaking my head and handed it to her.. Chuckle chuckle!
Now I had to find Jazzie's number, use the phone that I bought in Florida for the second time. I open up the folder and the wind blows the frickin papers all over the place.. Try chasing down important documents in 50 pounds of hard pink leather and 4 layers of clothes. I could barely bend over. Anyway some young good looking boy came to my rescue, laughing, and says in his southern accent.. no worries ma'm, that happens to me all the time.
I was only a 1/2 hour a way from Eddies Iris Pub, now would that be easy to find.. yup it was.. Flo did it.. I know it sounds like and easy peasy thing to do.. but for me, it was stressful. Now I want to thank all them southern sisters of mine, and of course my vilfriends that said I could do it.. That is a good thing, cuz I have to do it again.
Jazzie will ride with me to Souix City and then I am on my own to find MZV/girl. My first home girll!! See, it is a learning experience for me.
Jassie and Steve are real nice, they had some real nice friends who came for the ride, and for an great barbeque. It was an exhausting day because of the weather,.. wind and cold and a teensie weensie stress about getting lost..
We will be on the road at 9 am for Sioux City.. just wanted to say... I Did it!!

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