My New Ride!

Today was a very windy day. Yet, I was itching to get out on the road and give my new motorcycle a real test. Today was the first opportunity I had to ride more than 5 miles (from Harley dealer to my garage) since trading in my Softale Heritage on an 09 Ultra Classic. It is truly "old school". I so love my first bike that I couldn't ever image selling it or trading it. But early in February it happened. I walked into the deal to buy someone a birthday present and there it sat. I had seen the teal and cream ultra in the catalogs, but it didn't catch my eye there as it did in the dealership. If left the dealer, gift in bag, and found myself thinking about the 09 Ultra the entire evening. After talking it over, thinking about it, dreaming about, and calculating; I made a decision. I returned the next day to the dealership hoping the bike was still there - I had heard they didn't make many and they couldn't keep them on the floor. There it was! I met my salesman at the dealer. I had worked with him when I purchased my first bike. An hour later, I had traded by Heritage for the Ultra. I was excited to ride. Well, here it, two months later, and weather and schedule have finally permitted me to get on the bike and take it for a ride. Destination: Indiana, the Das Essenhaus. The bike was all I was promised and then more. The balance is amazing. The comfort tremendously improved from my Heritage. The worry I had about the bike's size quickly went away. It handle as well as my Heritage. I couldn't contain my smile. I road the back roads and the turnpike. Didn't matter the ride was amazing. And, I finally had tunes for the ride. The radio was just an added bonus that enhanced the experience. I didn't ever think I would want music on a ride, but I was wrong. With my first long ride behind, the summer awaits. I sure hope the summer weather is better than the very cool, windy spring has been to date.

Remembering a Friend: Karen I. Adams

After a business lunch I returned to the office. My secretary handed me a message. A dear friend had just passed away. I went numb. Moving into my solitary office the phone rang, and it was another dear friend, equally numb. We cried together as we spoke of the news that our mutual friend and colleague, Karen Adams suddenly passed away. 

Karen had been my friend, boss and mentor. But those words do not capture the amazing person and inspiration she was to me. Her love of travel was evident. As a result I was motivated by her to spend ten days biking through the Netherlands and Belgium with her and her partner one summer. Her leadership style was refreshing. As a result of her encouragement I moved into an administrator role and have now moved up in the administrative ranks. Her enjoyment of people and care for others was felt during difficult times in my life. No matter what I write, the feels captured in w

ord are so shallow as compared to the depth of how Karen touched my life and inspired me to be a better person.  

Karen, I look forward to being reunited with you one day in the future. May your soul rest in peace and may your memory provide comfort for your partner and friends for the remainder of their life.