TEAL on WHEELS...The Ride

The adventure has begun! I arrived in North Bend, Oregon on Tuesday, August 27 after one night in Portland, Maine so I could be at the airport by 5:30am for Tuesday’s flight. I had three flights, Portland to Washington, DC, DC to San Francisco, and San Fran to North Bend, Oregon. All flights departed on time and arrived early at their destinations making it possible for me to make two tight connections in DC and San Fran. The 1:15 pm PST arrival in North Bend provided ample time to get to my hotel in Coos Bay and to Highway 101 Harley-Davidson to pick up my bike that day.

Karen Pettit was my contact at Highway 101 and it was so nice to meet her in person. She was so nice on the phone when we talked about me shipping my bike to her dealership and she was even nicer in person. Not only did she not charge me anything for receiving the bike shipment and having one of the mechanics look it over, she also let me choose a Highway 101 HD shirt for free. I choose a teal, long-sleeve one with a lighthouse and motorcycle on the back!

My first day on the bike was great! I rode down to California on Highway 101, which hugs the Pacific Coast. The view was spectacular! The morning was chilly, with dense fog, just like home in Maine. Throughout the day, the weather changed many times—from fog to sun to cloudy to rain, but none of that mattered—my ride had begun.

I rode 295 miles on the first day, visiting the redwoods in California and returning back north to Oregon to Grant’s Pass for the night. I saw some spectacular scenery and road miles and miles of twisting, winding roads. Along the way, I met many people and handed out my ovarian cancer symptom cards. I gave a card to Karen Pettit. Then the girls working the sales counter at Highway 101 HD. Next came the two ladies at Motel 6 in Coos Bay. Every person working room service gets a card with their tip. I am giving cards to men, too. This morning I gave a card to a man at the gas station after he commented on my beautiful bike. I shared my story and he shared with me that his niece died in her 20s of ovarian cancer. People are very receptive when I approach them and genuinely seemed engaged in our conversation and I might even say a little amazed at what I am doing. Today a man asked if he could take my picture with his wife after I gave them my card. Of course!

I have so many miles to ride, so many things to see, and so many people to meet and share my message with. It’s going to be a grand adventure!