MyIronHorseJourney

Phew, I thought I was going to be blown over the gusts were so strong.  I knew it was a little windy when I left the hotel, but once I got out on the roads with open fields it was really blowing.  I had to hold on tight because the gusts would come and go, pushing me all over my side of the road.  A couple of times it whipped my head back with the gusts.  I even kept my hand on my bike when I was gasing up, it felt like it was going to blow over, it was crazy.  These are the leftover winds from what Ohio and Kentucky were hit with.  If anyone saw me they probably thought I was crazy, everytime the gust came I would just start laughing.  I couldn’t get over the power of those gusts.

I kept seeing white stuff on the side of the road, and I knew it wasn’t snow.  I couldn’t figure out what it was, it looked like foam of some sort.

I realized what it was when I came up to cotton fields.  They even bundle them like they do the hay bails back in Maine.  Pretty cool to see.

 

Here are a few other pictures of all the wide open farm lands that I saw as I was riding.  Most of the roads haven’t had any shoulder to get off the roads safely to take pictures, when I am able to there isn’t anything to take a picture off.  I didn’t have anyone around when I took these, so I could stop for a minute to take the shots.

 

Glad to be in for the night, all that wind gave me a migraine.  Time for some lavender and relaxation!

Thoroughbred Harley Davidson is in Florence Kentucky, which is on the border to Ohio.  I met two really nice sales people here, Parker and Pebbles we chatted for a bit, and Pebbles took this picture for me.  After I left the dealership I found a room for the night.

Checking the weather for the morning they were talking about a big storm coming in.  Now I’m realizing I have gone to far north.  The temps dropped overnight, it’s in the 40’s here.  I need to head south and fast, I don’t want to even see what this storm is (snow, wind, rain).

I guess I will do highway again so I know I will be out of range for the storm.

I wasn’t sure where to go today so I went to my GPS and looked at the list of dealerships, I picked one that was 178 miles away in Kentucky.  I then put the preference to be scenic. It was 60 degrees and cloudy, so I figured I would be fine with just my leathers.  As I got going, I hit rain and it seemed to get colder.  I stopped for gas, while I was gasing up a family stopped at the store.  As two teens walked by me one said to the other it’s a cold day to be doing that, I smile and said yes it is.  They looked surprised when I said that.  I put a fleece on and when they came out I asked if they wanted to follow me through my blog and handed them my business card.  I told them they could do anything they set their minds to, the world is the limit.  Their mom asked for my name and said they would keep me in their prayers.

About five miles down the road a van was driving beside me and a young boy was staring at me and my bike as we drove By each other.  We came to a stop light and the father rolled down the window and said nice bike.  The boy hide back in his seat.  I laughed to myself, because that would have been my youngest son.  He would have said mom you are embarrassing me.

Those two encounters made my day, I smiled thinking about them for the rest of the ride.

As I was trying to decide which direction I was going to go, I came across a Harley Dealership named Black Sheep Harley Davidson in Huntington, West Virginia.  Figuring I am kind of the black sheep in my family, that would be a good starting destination.  I consider myself the black sheep because I’m the only one in my family that would go on such an adventure, let alone doing it by myself.

I decided I need to take the highway until West Virginia so I could get out of New England before colder weather and SNOW.

Day one I drove 377.4 miles before I stopped for the night.  It was a nice day, mid 50’s with my heated jacket, under armor and leathers on I was just right.  Nothing out of the ordinary happened while traveling.

Day two I drove another 306.5 miles.  It was cloudy all day, and I hit rain on and off all day.  My feet were a little cold, but my hands were freezing.  I even tried the hand warmers, but they didn’t help.  I took a hot, hot shower when I got in for the night and then climbed into bed just to warm up.  I left the heat on high all night (that’s not like me, I like a cold room to sleep).

At one point when I was cursing along all of a sudden there were two cars racing up the highway weaving in and out around all the cars.  I thank god that they saw me and raced around me.  It was scary watching them in front of me weaving around all the cars.  Another time that day I realized I was humming Amazing Grace, not sure where that came from, but when I looked around I realized I had truckers all around me.  I smiled and kept humming!  It’s nice to know my angels are around me, even when I don’t realize it at first.

Day three I drove another 323.9 miles and got to Black Sheep Harley Davidson about 3:45pm.  It was 60 degrees when I left the hotel in the morning and the sun was coming out – woo hoo!  I kept all my cold weather gear on figuring going 60-70 it would still be chilly.  Glad I did, I hit rain again, and it poured a couple of times.  About an hour out from the dealership the sun came out and got really warm – too warm with all the gear on….

My kids and I collect the poker chips from the different dealerships, so I plan on stopping at least one per state that I drive through.  West Virginia is the first one to start the collection.

So, I was so busy making sure I got West Virginia in the picture I forgot to make sure I was in it – lol. Maybe by the end of this trip I will have all this electronic stuff figured out!

In three days I did 1,007.8 miles, I don’t know how anyone can do the Iron Butt challenge.  For those who don’t know what that is, it’s riding a motorcycle for 1,000 miles in 24 hours.  They would have to have an iron butt to make it – wow, or should I say ouch….

Now to figure out what the next stop will be….

 

 

Halloween morning I started my journey.  It didn’t start easy as Maine had a large wind storm that knocked out 60% of the states power.  The power was still out the morning I left, which made it very interesting trying to pack up everything with a flash light.  I went into work this morning to hand in my keys, badge and laptop.

 

About 10:15 I drove up to the front of the building to say my goodbyes and leave.  Here is a picture of everyone who came out to see me off.

 

The first day I got to New Jersey before I stopped for the night, the weather was in the 50’s and sunny all the way.  Perfect day to take off.

 

As I prepare all the last minute things for my trip, I thought I would share some pictures from around my beautiful home state of Maine.  I hope you enjoy some of what Maine has to offer!

My next post will be from the road!

 

Well, I now have piles around the house. This past weekend I did a dry run on packing everything… with some determination, I was able to fit everything – PHEW!  After getting everything packed and loaded onto the bike I took a ride.  I went into town and rode around, then went north to see all the fall color as the trees are changing and at peak up there.

I stopped and filled up with gas and checked all the straps to make sure everything was riding good – it was, nothing was moving.  I stopped again and took a couple selfies…  while riding things are fine, I’m just going to need to be careful while going slow or stopping.  There is a lot of weight on the bike now, and I can feel the difference.  No sudden stops and I should be fine.

My goal is to try and get out again fully loaded before I head out for good.

 

 

I haven’t worn a helmet since my first year, it’s going to take some time getting used to it again.  Now the wait, it’s getting closer!

I have been looking back at how my spiritual journey started and changed over the years. I started learning more about the spiritual realm back around 1995, when I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. They had me on medicine that I needed to have blood work done every two weeks to make sure that I wasn’t having liver or kidney failure. Being in my early 30’s I knew I needed to do something different, I didn’t want to have to be doing that for the rest of my life. I started researching and taking herbal supplements, and that helped a great deal. I also took Reiki classes, I was able to do reiki on myself when I was in any pain.

Reiki opened up the doors for me, I then learned Intergrated Energy Therapy (IET), Sound Therapy and realizing then that we all have the ability to receive information from the spirit world.  I was always told that you were either born with the gift or not.  We all have the gift, we just have to learn to open up again because society closes us up.

About four years ago I was aching to be more involved with the spiritual world and do things for me. I decided to follow a dream and go to Sedona, Arizona to do a spiritual retreat for me. That retreat got me back to doing what was best for me.  Since then I have tried to do a Retreat of some sort each year.

Last year was a meditation retreat.  No big deal right?  Sitting for hours then days isn’t easy.  After the second day they told us no moving for an hour.  Slowly as we were able to do it the room became silent.  There was No talking, no eye contact or jestures or anything for ten complete days.  The men and women were separated in their own areas.  The only time there was even a little noise was during meals, and that was chairs being moved. They even recommended that you don’t go outside to get the full effect.  We started each day at 4:30 am and ended at 9:30 pm.  The week was amazing, and very intense.  I was totally surprised the affects I had when I got to go outside for the time.  Very powerful!

This year I went to Santa Fe, New Mexico to an Infinite Possibilities seminar with Mike Dooley.  “Thoughts become things, your thoughts create your life”.  This was an amazing seminar, I was blown away being in a room with 160 like minded people – that doesn’t happen every day!

Along with going to the different retreats I had a friend tell me about an Intuitive in the area, I decided to make an appointment and go see her.  During my first visit she channeled the Collective.  I was in awe, I have read about channeling, but never witnessed it first hand.  After a couple of visits I had the opportunity to be mentored by her and learn the Shaman ways.  How fortunate I was to have this opportunity.  Since May of this year we have been working together on a weekly basis getting ready for my next journey.  I have learned so much and am so grateful for everything she has taught me, and all who have come through to give me guidance.  I highly recommend getting a reading from her, she is amazing!  Here is her contact information.

 

 

 

Meet my traveling companion Mr. Coyote!  He needs a name, what do you think it should be?

 

Enjoying what Maine has to offer before I leave.

Well, the lists have started!  Here’s what I have so far:

• what clothes to bring
• what cold weather gear I need
• what accessories for the bike
• what needs to be done with banking before I go
• what needs to be finalized with the Will and Living Will
• what spiritual stuff I will bring
• what needs to be done to my house for the renter
• what needs to be done at work

I have pads everywhere, as I think of something I write it down.  Trying not to forget anything.  When I start packing I’m sure things could and will change. I will have to really think I will need something for it to go.  I don’t have all that much room, so it has to be a necessity!

Back in May I started a box, putting things in it that I knew I would need.  Somethings I had already, and things I’ve picked up along the way.  Trying to keeping everything together.

Time will tell if I forget anything, or if I bring to much!

 

 

Wow, all of a sudden I don’t have much time left.  I just figured out that it’s about 26 working days until I retire.  I remember back in May I was thinking it was going to take forever to get to October 31st.  Now look, 38 days including weekends and 26 working days.

I’ve started to say good-bye to folks that I know I won’t see again before I leave.  It is a strange feeling, I’ve been here for over 34 years.  I’ve worked and met a lot of nice people.  The nice thing, with today’s technology we are able to stay in touch a lot easier, but I will miss the face-to-face with a lot of these folks.

I can feel the different emotions surfacing as I say good-bye and start thinking about the last days here and my journey.  They run all over the place from happy, sad, scared, excited, to jumping with joy.  It makes me stop and reflect on the past and how far I have come from a 19 year old stepping into the working world to now stepping into the retirement world.  I have been able to raise a family, have a wonderful home, go on fantastic vacations and now retire early.  It’s had its ups and downs through the years, but it’s been a wonderful place to have a career.  I am very thankful to be ending my career working with a great team and a fantastic boss.

Now to just enjoy each moment from now until the end of October.

 

I’ve been reading The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.  Here are some excerpts from the book that resonate with me.

“To be alive is the biggest fear humans have.  Death is not the biggest fear we have our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive–the risk to be alive and express what we really are.”

“If you want to live a life of joy and fulfillment, you have to find the courage to break those agreements that are fear-based and claim your personal power.”

I believe these resonate with me more as I am getting ready for this journey.  Society tends to hold us back, keeping us from fulfilling our dreams.  We have to go deep within and follow what’s true to our heart.  I’ve had a lot of people tell me I’m crazy for following my dreams.  Especially being a female going out on my own.  There have been a few times when I did question and wonder if I should be doing this.  It’s just something I know, I need to do.  I will be fine! The big thing is to pay attention to my surroundings and what my intuition is telling me!

As the time tics by I’m getting very excited for this next adventure in my life.  Yes I’m nervous, but it’s for the unknown and where this will take me.

 

 

Check it out, I had to go out of state for work, and I was lucky enough to be able to fly on the corporate jet.  There were two of us besides the pilot and copilot.  This is the way to go!  We arrive at the airport, no waiting and we are off. An hour and a half later we are at our destination.

Now I can keep this feeling going and keep visualizing having my own private plane to get me here, there, and everywhere.  The pictures will also help with that too.

I think I will visualize that this is me going to all my book signings from the book I write after this journey. Works for me!

 

To qualify for the package, we have to stay working through October 31st “Halloween”.  It seems so far away.  I have spent June and July getting everything in order, like a will, living will and documenting some family history for my boys.  It’s all stuff I should have already had done, but this trip is pushing me to finally get them done.

I am also taking this time to clean out, living in the same house for 20 years you accumulate a lot of stuff.  The knee wall closets were full, and it feels good to have them cleaned out.  I’ve made a lot of trips to goodwill, the humane society, trash and the recycling bin.

Getting all this done will free my mind while on the road.  Plus it’s keeping me busy while I wait for October 31st.  Seems so far away…

On May 17th, they pulled all of Human Resources into a meeting to announce that they would be moving most of HR to the new corporate headquarters in Connecticut.  After the meeting we were told to go back to our desk and wait, someone would talk to us about how it was going to affect you.  So we went back and waited, not knowing what was going to happen.  My boss called me to tell me that some people would be offered to relocate or they would loose their job.  Then she said that others will be offered a voluntary reduction package.  She then went over that package as that’s what I was eligible for.

The emotions in the office were all over the place because some were loosing their jobs, some were offered the voluntary package, but no one knew who got what.  Everyone was in shock.

Wow!  I got the package!  I still went through a time that I questioned whether it was the right thing to do or not.  Again I am only 54, could I make it without working?  It’s scary to think about all the what if’s.  I’d be leaving a good reliable job and a regular paycheck.  I’ve been working here for 34 years, to think about not doing that is pretty scary.

In early June I was going to a conference in NY and going to see my boss, so I took my papers and signed them in front of her and handed them in.  That made it final, I was getting done – retiring!