"thank you for calling vagina onlina" and other things you'll hear when you call the number written on the bathroom wall...

Where to begin?

The party began Thursday when the work whistle blew. I was free and off on another adventure. A trip to Idaho via the bike shop made our world collide with Officer Stumm. He was nice. Gave us the really really good deal. We liked him for it. I think it was the trucker hats that Jonna and I were wearing. Either way, nobody has to pay a ticket. He didn't put a damper on our party...I don't think anybody could have. Jaymee's mom met us in Malad, ID. Little Molly Mo is spending some QT with Grandma Peggy this week.

Friday morning bright and early Jaymee and I set out for Lewiston. Who knew we'd find so much fun in such a small community? I drove the big rig up Sardine Canyon stopping only at the Flying J on the way. Ya know, I had to shower. We arrived in Lewiston punctually at 9:57am. I'm officially a pro at driving a big rig now. Jaymee and I helped unload the truck, practically became tassle hanging professionals, wrapped tables faster than anyone else can, and made quite the name for ourselves. We became too valuable to spare. I like that.

By the time the party began Friday evening we were pooped. I think we spent more time sipping fruit punch on the tailgate of the Element than anything else. We were entertained, happy, and off of our feet so who cares? The party was great though. Even in the rain. The food was good. The entertainment sang about boobs and va jay jays. And the company was splendid.

When I began volunteering with LRRH earlier this year I went monthly to the planning meetings. I didn't know anybody. They didn't know me. I arrived on time. Listened to the business. Added my two cents at the appropriate times. And promptly left for home when finished. I didn't get to know many people. Odd, I know. BUT. There was a lady whom, every meeting, I wanted to talk to. I wanted to tell her how much she reminded me of Kara. In the meetings I realized she was also very funny. Like Kara. I wanted her to know. Each meeting when I saw her my belly would do a little flip. I'd get that knot in my throat. And I'd have to remind myself that it wasn't really her. And every time it happened I sent a text message to probably the only person on the planet who cared. "OMG, the Kara lady just got here. It trips me out to see her every time!" Every time the text message was the same. This week throughout the LRRH festivities and fun, I finally had the opporutnity to get to know the Kara lady a bit better and to share with her her Kara-ness. I hope she was honored. If she had known Kara she most certainly would be.

My first night as a trucker, Diane (aka The Kara Lady) decided I looked like a "Hank". It stuck. People were yelling "Hank" to get my attention for the next five days. I think some began to be confused as to whether Hank was a peen or a gine...I was never confused. NEVER. It was funny. Only a preface to what a fun, fabulous, and full of laughs weekend that was ahead. On Friday I started drinking Mountain Dew at noon. Didn't take us long to get zoinked...added too much catnip. Fun was had by all. Friday night I probably stayed up too late, probably drank too much Mountain Dew and fruit juice, and most likely shouldn't have partied. But I did. You only live once.

Saturday was the big day. 4am came REAL early. Jaymee and I got up on time. Got out the door on time. And only left one thing in the hotel. My new rain jacket. Thanks to Jaymee it was successfully recovered. Upon arrival in Lewiston we finished the set up of the finish line bar in the dark. Thank god for headlamps. Thank god we thought to bring them. We really are pretty smart girls. By the time we finished the bar it was nearly go time. I put on my riding gear, took another dose of Tylenol, had some pancakes, and hit the road.

What a ride. I rode with Lynn until mile 25 where the 58 mile route split off from the 80 and 100 mile routes. I continued on. I did not break a rule and listen to my iPod with headphones in my ears. I rode 30 more miles to the lunch stop where I met up with my BFF who had fallen asleep in her car. Poor girl was tired from working so hard. As I was scanning the crowd in the park to find Jaymee I did find Diane and Kym. After lunch I chose to cut off a few miles and ride the remainder of the course with Kym and Diane. Best decision of the day. It was a gas. We sang old country songs and made up a few of our own. "I am woman hear me roar. Though my parts are really sore." We finished. We smiled. We ate. We took pictures. We hugged. We were all glad to be there.

In summary: I was honored to be a part of such an amazing event. I was pumped to make so many new, fun, and truly fantastic friends. I was comforted to feel that Kara would have been proud of my efforts. Proud that I contributed so much to something so good. The only thing missing was a few of my closest loved ones. Aside from that it was a most perfect experience.

But really, next year you should be here. What? You don't ride a bike? That's fine. There's a distance for everyone. What? You live in Iowa? That's fine. We've got places for you to stay. Seriously though, get out here for LRRH 2011. Kara will be proud of you too, I promise.