Beyond the Bike with a side of Catch-Up

First I just want to apologize for being away for so long, and am going to catch-up a bit.
It's mid-winter, and not alot of riding is being done lately, which makes us all a little stir crazy. So I thought I would bring a little sunshine into our lives, by sharing pics of summer activities not done on the bike. I do have some bike run pics to follow up with, as well as recent additions to my life. Lets get started, shall we?

A little boating at Modesto Reservoir in my brother in law's boat

I love this pic & can't believe I got this shot!

We also did some rafting.....

This guy rigged his own by putting a lawn chair on a piece of wood & setting it down in this canoe!

He was taking on water...

We also went and watched some Monster Trucks races with a little Extreme Air motocross mixed in.

A little trip to the zoo....

And of course ya gotta get a ride in....go Marky!

Then we headed to San Francisco for my daughter's 21st birthday......

We love to go to San Francisco and enjoyed our time with the family, Happy Birthday!

With that said, we also love the mountains just as much or more....

.....Now, we did do a year end Toy Run hosted by Renegade Classics, that benefits local children in need. I don't have many picks of the run, but I do have e few pics if some nice bikes.

Okay, last but not least...(as most of you already know), we bought a new Jeep! On 1/2/2010 we went and purchased it.

...Then the first day out, this happened...

I don't know how, but it did! And here is the culprit, circle side in...
We haven't taken it out to play yet, but I'm sure we will soon. That means sooner or later a 'Jeep' post will be in the future! Probably later than sooner, because it's not broke in yet. But when that day comes, you'll know!

I left out the details on this post & just wanted to get back into the swing of things. I miss you all & look forward to new adventures in this new year!

.......Sooner than later.......

A Little Busy

Just a quick note to let you know I have been a little busy lately.

In October, my laptop with all my saved pictures decided not to work anymore, (I did buy a new one), so it has been hard for me to write on the blog.

Most people have put their motorcycles away for winter, so riding has been limited also. I miss riding & writing and will be back at this A.S.A.P!

It IS the Holidays and things have been crazy for everyone, I'm sure.

From My family to yours
~HAPPY HOLIDAYS~

A Ride and the New Camera

View Larger Map

As most of you already know, I bought a new camera and needed an excuse to use it, so on Saturday October 31st we headed out for a ride. As you can tell from the map, it wasn't a long ride, but we cruised the many curves and made it an all day event anyway.

We stopped in Hornitos (which is a very small community) to use the facilities and wet our whistle.
Check out this antique cash register that is still in use!


As we were getting ready to head out, we recieved an invite to preview an art gallery that was getting ready for 'Dia de los Muertos'. Besides it presented me with an opportunity to take more pics!

Dia de los Muertos also known as The Day of the Dead, is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Latin Americans living in the United States and Canada. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration occurs on November 1st, and 2nd in connection with the Catholic holiday of All Saints' Day which occurs on November 1st and All Souls' Day which occurs on November 2nd. Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these gifts.

We actually enjoyed our visit at the art gallery as well as the rest of our ride. I still have alot to learn about my camera and hope to post more often. Thanks for stopping by!

A Letter of Thanks

Remember my post back in April, about The Cherylann of the Hotel Jeffrey Benefit? Well Cherylann posted this comment to me October 14th and I decided to post it.

Sheila & Friends,What a pleasure running across your site!Thank-you sooo much for being a part of the benefit run that my friends put on in April. What an amazing day filled with soooo many familiar faces and...some new ones. Guests who have frequented our saloon & grill and stayed in our hotel since we bought it in 2003, all coming out in force to let us know that they care and that they are here to help us through this difficult time!The day was beautiful and the turn-out was beyond belief! I had just gotten out of the hospital and didn't have much energy, so I wasn't able to make it around to see every person individually, but many of the people there came over and gave me hugs. It turns out that while I was in the park with what I thought was everyone...our saloon and hotel were equally as full of people that were there for me as well!I was very touched by the whole event, which of course, was kept a secret from me until the last minute. I still cry when I think about how everyone came together for us, it means sooo much and of course, as we all know, insurance doesn't cover everything, so the donations were greatly appreciated as well.This has been quite a journey, I was diagnosed in January with a rare Cancer, Tonsil Cancer that was moving into the Base of the Tongue, and 10 months later I am still going through so many ups & downs/good days & bad days, that I am never sure if I am coming or going. Most of the ups & downs are what I call "Radiation Fall-out", they are simply the long term effects of the treatments, on my system! They are the things that I have to get used to living with now, and I'm a survivor so I will!Because the Cancer was fast growing, it was a very aggressive treatment program that I went through, and I was fortunate enough to have been referred to a specialist in this particular Cancer, Dr. Luu at the Stanford Emmanuel Oncology Center in Turlock. An amazing place with wonderful people who really care! They treat each patient as though they are a dear family member, whom they would not want to lose.I hope that you don't mind if I share with you a few things that I have learned through this experience: Cards, pictures, e-mails, prayers and good thoughts, do make a huge difference in the day of a person battling any illness!18 hours of work a day is NOT healthy!Rest is crucial to healing!Listen to your body!Family & friends are most important, spend as much time as you can with them!Work will always be there!It's OK to delegate!And...of course, smiling is healthy and it is very important to keep a good sense of humor through it all! I still can't eat enough to stay alive so I spend many hours connected to a feeding machine whom I lovingly refer to as R2D2. I don't have enough energy yet to be there very often, plus my system is still so compromised that I have to be very careful not to catch anything, so I book all of the rooms and respond to e-mails from home, and of course would love to hear from you. If you come by the hotel or saloon to say hi, and you don't see me...please leave a note for me, it's almost as good as a hug!Again, Sheila & Friends...Thank-You!Sincerely,CherylannCherylann@HotelJefferyGold.comThe Historic Hotel Jeffery

Inspired

Alright boys & girls, we're gonna take a brief break from our 'history lesson' that seems to have been the theme here. I've been known to stray from the original subject, so bear with me on this one, as I am writing from the heart and off the cuff!

This post is also something I thought I would never do, as this blog pertains to motorcycle riding, and the things that surround it. (Don't worry, I'm weaving that in later!) I also want you to know that this is on a personal level, which I had planned to try and keep a little on the private side,but life has many twists and turns as you are about see!

I have 3 children, (if you didn't already know) 2 boys & 1 girl-24, 22, & soon-to-be 21!

In 1987 I was only 21 when I had my 2nd son, Mark. He was born with Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21). Which means he has an extra chromosone in the 21st set. (For those of you who don't know-we have 46 chromosones-23 from each parent-which equals into 23 pairs!)

He was also born with one lung, (the right one), which also came with a few other problems which required a few surgeries. Some of which were rarely done at the time, so we spent the first 6 years of his life in & out of U.C.S.F. Medical Center. His lung has grown enough to encompass the cavity for the loss of the left one, which is incredible!



(I had to take pics of old pics-sorry!)

I can sit here all day and go into detail, but that's not the point of this post!

Why am I telling you this, and what is the point? Because he has truly been a 'gift', 'a blessing in disguise', and has touched many lives. Anyone & everyone who has ever came into his/our life, is going away never forgetting what an impact he has made on them, (trust me!)

Another reason for this post, is I came across a blog called Days with Dylan which made my jaw drop! Her name is Laurie who's 2nd child was born with Down Syndrome! Now this brings me to this point; she is blogging about her life, his life, and how they are dealing with this. I wish I had the technology & the knowledge of today when I had Mark. I felt alone, scared, and into the unkown. (It's only been 22 yrs.) but technology and doctors have come a long way since.

So I feel compelled to want to 'help' her in some way, but some things are left to 'Life' itself, and I can only give her words of encouragement. In some unkown way, I have been inspired to write about Mark because of her, and my heart tells me to share this....why? I don't know, but I'm doing it! (The Man upstairs works in mysterious ways).

Mark is the highlight of our lives, he has a great sense of humor and keeps us on our toes! Sometimes we reflect on what would be if he didn't have Down Syndrome,but that's a subject that is short-lived!

He has graduated all classes needed and we are researching other recources available that provide more schooling and social outtings.

On that note-he has taken an interest in taking rides with Dad! Don't worry, he hangs on encredibly well! (My husband says he leans on him pretty good!)

I told you I would tie in the motorcycle! We've actually thought about a side-car now!

I know I have probably left you with un-answered questions, and why I choose to blog about motorcycles instead of other things. After life hands hands you a full deck, you learn how to deal...

If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at smbikermomma@gmail.com I will be more than happy to answer!

Until the next time.....Happy Trails my friends!