About three weeks ago, I took her for a test ride to see if she could sit still. First, I had to make sure she could reach the foot pegs. Well, that was a no-brainer...she is blessed with long legs. And, to help her case...she didn't wiggle. Now it was up to me to live up to my promise. No problem.
There was an old pair of chaps, still in almost-new condition, taking up space on a shelf in the garage with alot of other motorcycle stuff, and they would do...just fine. I had her put them on while I marked where I was going to cut to shorten them and then picked up a big old pair of scissors and..cut them! We took them to T-Bell's Leather Works located inside Wendy Love's Leathers, and she measured them for a perfect fit. Three days later, Lizzi and I picked them up.
When we got the chaps home, I mentioned to her that she could paint anything she wanted on them. She chose a skull with hearts for the pocket, a dog paw for her other legs knee. And, that left the entire back portion of the belt. Oh, what to do?? It was time for her very own roadname. I looked at her, with her pink and black dew-rag on her head, a big grin from ear to ear and the name FIREFLY popped into my head. She is THE FIREFLY!
Firefly paints her back belt with a cute Firefly bug, sparkles and her name.
Well done, Firefly!
Let's ride, Grandma....oops, I mean, Bubblegum!
The next day, the weather wasn't as sparkling as Lizzi's eyes, but a promise is a promise and she was ready to go long before I was. Clothes check. Equipment check. Motorcycle packed..check. We are on our way to Mt. St. Helens.
First stop at Burgerville in Toutle for lunch. 46 miles under her chaps. Two thumbs up...ready to climb the hill 52 miles to go!
The road was clear and climbing the mountain was a piece of cake for us Biker chicks and we made it to the Johnston Observatory where the views were breathtaking!
Lizzi was fascinated that I lived through it...cuz..it happened in the OLDEN DAYS!!
The way down the mountain was as beautiful as the way up. Lizzi sat "icy" in the seat and loved the long sweeping corners and when I passed cars!!
Patti's Restaurant and Gift Store lured us in with the Fresh Cobbler sign. We were treated to a deck dining overlooking the beautiful Toutle River....20 miles out of Toutle. Great place...good food.
Riding makes you very, very hungry!!
We gave the dining two thumbs up and right before we hit the road for the last 60 miles, we met the bears!
Memorable parts of the ride are many, but for me, it was having Lizzi behind me and enjoying something that I love to do.
Knowing that she is a safe riding passenger made her first ride with me even more meaningful as she is precious cargo.
But, the comments we got from many people were the frosting on the ride. We had comments about how "cool" we looked, "how wonderful for the two of you" and "this is so special for both of you" and my favorite..."she must think you are the coolest grandma, ever." Lizzi just gave me a hug and said, "YUP!" It just doesn't get any better than that.
Bubblegum and Firefly!
