New Orleans

Hi All,

I'm still here in New Orleans. I just talked to Song - the very talented web designer - and he is going to add a page to my site for images. I have lots from driving around town and seeing what is happening. We don't see much on the news, but here it's on all the time. People are still trying to figure out what to do - rebuild - tear down - come back - sell... Read the note I put on my home page - I hope that makes sense and helps the effort.

Really - it only takes one dollar from lots and lots of people to make that dollar a powerful tool. One person sending New Orleans a dollar can't do much, but if a million people send a dollar to me to give to them, houses can be built and lives can be saved here and through Grounds for Health. Everyone can spare a dollar - well maybe not everyone - but lots!

The ABATE chapter here in New Orleans has totally taken care of me! I haven't had to do anything - they are 3 steps ahead of me at all times. (Thanks Kim – for contacting them for me) They got my room comped at the Sheraton Hotel in New Orleans, they've fed me (some pretty great New Orleans food!), they've taken me around to see the devastation, (even their own homes), took me to Harley Davidson of New Orleans to get my bike worked on (and HD of N.O. didn't make me pay for anything!!!). It's just incredible! Thank you Grant, Emilie, Poet... All who came out and rode in with me - all who had dinner with me - and everyone! I will get a proper list and thank all of you (of course with Emilie's help – you have gone above and beyond in helping me!).

I walked through Emilie’s house and it is gutted. The water line is about 6’ up and it was higher than that for a while. Upstairs there are still piles of things she hasn’t been able to get out. People have been living there while it’s empty and hopefully will not do any more damage. All she can do is drive by and check it every now and then. The things left behind are heirlooms - but she is just so happy to have her family that she is willing to forfeit the “things”. Too many stories! Too much to be done!

I'll work on the picture thing again this afternoon. Catching up again :0)

Way to Go Kim and Thanks Smokey! No pictures yet :-(

Of course you did it Kim - you got back on that horse and rode like the wind! Ok - so maybe not like the wind - but you did it! (Kim had a bad accident and just got back on her bike) I knew you could do it :-)

Hi Kiddo - that is what I call my soon to be 35 year old son. Hey - they are always your babies. Glad you checked into the Blog - pretty cool about my friends and your dad huh. Hugs! And give Little Guy, Little Girl and Lucky big hugs from me too (my cats).

And Smokey - you are a very generous and kind person! I would have been looking for a room for hours and would definitely have ridden too long.

I met Smokey at a Popeye’s Chicken place - nothing but the best on the road :-) He saw my motorcycle and also my gear (kind of stand out) and asked me where I was riding. Well - that was the million-dollar question. The poor guy had to hear all about Robin's Ride. He took out his laptop and started looking for a good route with hotels for me. It was getting late in the evening and I wasn't sure how far to go, or where to find a room. He happened to be going to a town about 50 miles down the road, and called to see if they had another room. They did - he showed me the way - and I am cozy in my room. He was also so generous he paid for the room, which is more money that doesn't have to come out of the ride fund for the charities! YeeHaw. Still weird to take things from people, but I'll do it - yes I will - because it's has to be done.

Oh -I was interviewed by the CBS affiliate in Little Rock, Arkansas. It was on their 10pm news and is supposed to be on their site, but I can't find it yet. www.todaysthv.com Let them know if you can't find it either.

Something seems to be wrong with the bike - not enough to stop it - but I hope it makes it to New Orleans where I have people waiting for me.

It's been a while since I have been in the south. I graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville when my Ex and I lived near Oak Ridge, TN from 1982-1988. It's like all of those gothic romance novel covers - very sultry and sweet smelling - but kind of like a sauna outside. I remember I was so excited to see fireflies! But all of that's another story...:-)

Everyone's Ex Should be so Great!

Thanks Ex of Robin, Father of Race, Husband of Judy, Step Father of Jill, Friend of Ray and most of all Friend of Robin :-) Chivalry is not dead!

Some People are Just Small

I know of only one, maybe 2 people who could be this mean - actually one and SHE isn't worth the bother. I know who I am - and from the sounds of it Ktdid, Road Captain and Harley Girl - you do to. Thanks.

Today was long - left at about 8:30 am and just checked in at about 11:30pm. Went back in to Kansas City today on the suggestion of Ron - the gentleman from the hail storm - who arranged for me to be at Reno's Yamaha while they had a special promo going on and got me some air time. Thank you Ron - you worked very hard to spread the word and I appreciate it very much. These are the real and selfless people who are out there.

Actually - I wondered how long before something like this would happen. There's always someone who can't see others do well.

A Very Small World!

Can't get my images to upload - I'll keep trying!! SORRY

So I'm in Carthage Missouri, and I'm unloading my bike in front of the Precious Moments Best Western Hotel - no kidding - there really is one and it's big and pink! So anyway - back to unloading and 2 couples ride in on their bikes - two up - and one guy comes walking over and said he knew me and that I was doing some charity ride thing. I said I don't think you know who I am, and it turns out they saw me on the KOMO TV news cast donewhen I left Seattle and he recognized me and my red hair. What a small world!!! They live in the Seattle area and had just shipped their bikes to Chicago and were riding back to Seattle via Route 66 - how cool. John and Jan Marie - Jeff and Debbie - thank you so much for the best pick me up! I needed your smiling faces - and thank you so very much for your generous contribution!!! Rubber Down and Have the most fun possible on your adventure! Keep in touch.

Hi Ktdid - Glad you are still checking in. Don't be jealous - Share my new friends, and you don't have to share my sore tired butt :-)

I was caught in a sever thunder and hail storm yesterday, and it turned out to be a great thing. I met a gentleman named Ron who was caught in the same storm and bougth me soup at a truck stop. He left me a message this evening that he had talked to Reno's Yamaha near Kansas City and that they said I could come over to their dealership tomorrow and be on the radio talking about Robin's Ride! That is great and so unexpected! Thanks Ron and I look forward to meeting or talking to the other people you mentioned. Didn't get to meet Gail of Gail's Harley Davidson, but maybe tomorrow at their outdoor BBQ lunch. Ron tried to talk to her too. I am over 100 miles south of Kansas City - but I am going to go right back up there. Can't miss out on that publicity to spread the word and get some pledges of sponsors! Will be a killer day tomorrow because I need to get within striking distance of New Orleans to be there on Sunday night.

I tried to get to the Harley plant where they make Dynas and got there just when they closed. A nice lady let me in to the gift shop and I got a pin. Then I talked to security to see if there was anyone I could talk to and there wasn't, but they were very nice. Then outside I asked one of the employees where Gail's Harley was and this is his picture. I hope his name was Mike - and if not - you have to let me know and I'll change it. Thanks!

Rubber Down to all my new traveling friends!

What a Day - Hail - Ouch!

Boy today was some rough riding. I left the Denver area and the weather was great, not to hot, not too cold and I thought I had it made. Last night I saw the most incredible lightning show, which was great because I was safe in my room. Today when I saw the lightening I thought about the guy they said got hit by lightening yesterday, killing him and putting a 4' hole in the road! Hummmmmm, helmet, metal bike, lightening, rain, hail...did slow me down a little.

My gloves were soaked and weighed about 5lbs each so I stopped at a gas station and bought a pair of those classy black rubber working gloves and then a pair of the soft brown fabric working gloves to wear inside to keep warm. The only problem with the rubber gloves is that they tend to stick to the handgrips. Could be a problem don't you think?

So now I'm warm and safe in a room for the night. The adventure continues tomorrow :-)

Fluffy - how do I write you?

Hi there Fluffy - I'm in Loveland Colorado at this moment - where are you? Maybe we can meet up before Georgia - that would be fun. E-mail me at robin@robinsrideforwomen.com

Thanks for keeping me at your house Lisa (Kim's friend in Laramie, WY)!! Steve was great fun (that's a cat people), wish I would have taken a picture of him. Thanks for pointing out the CO, WY mistake. I was making changes while you were reading it. Wow - Nice to know you were on the blog :-) And for those of you who didn't see, I had Loveland in WY instead of CO originally


Here's another picture for all.

This is between Cheyenne and Laramie, WY. Good day of travel, lots of wind and my motorcycle engine light came on a couple of times - which worried me.

This is one of the guys at Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson in Loveland, CO (Bo I think - I'll fix it tomorrow if it's not). I stopped to see if they could figure out why the light came on. Seems there isn't a problem, and I had a chance to meet Dana, their marketing person who is trying to help me get some air time on 107.9 The Bear radio station. I have to call the morning guy at 6am - arghhhh - to see if they can fit me in. Hope so.

You know I need to make noise out there to get more pledges! Haven't gotten any for a week on my web site! What's up with that? Am I not asking right? Send me input and suggestions on the pledge page please.

Chick's Ride, Good Job Kim and Amy!

I arrived in Casper, WY late Friday night so that I could get up and go on the Chick's Run Saturday morning. We all got together and rode from Casper to Sheridan. What a ride. The speed limit is 75, and I'm used to 60! That's my bike in the left corner.

The lady with the horn is Amy trying to round us all up for the ride. The lady to the far right is Kim. This is their 5th run, and they have worked very hard to make it a success. I was the winner of the longest ride to reach the ride, which is going to look pretty short at the end of Robin's Ride. They were also very generous and let me announce my ride to their riders. And just when you think it can't get any better, I was saying goodbye to all at breakfast and when I turned to leave, Kim called me back and gave me a contribution from her, Amy and the band from the night before. I have been in a band and have learned from watching RJ in a band, that the talented musicians we see are only paid to move their equipment around, not for their talent. Thanks to "Jester's Court" for the music and your heart felt contribution! And Thanks to Kim and Amy for contacting me and letting me know about your ride!

The blue bike is owned by Nash Montana - that's her nickname - and the detail on this bike was like none I've seen. It was too cool. Thanks for letting me take the picture Nash.

I am behind the green bike with its owner Joy - and she really is - a joy. She is selling this bike so her husband can build her another. You remember you are worth it all Joy!!!

Good Eats in Polson MT

Quick note. If you are ever going to Flathead Lake, Mt- which you should - you must stop by Papa Don's for some of the best BBQ I have ever had. Just look at these ribs! The beans were like none I have ever had and quite good. Had to share :-)



And shouldn't a girl have some good BBQ after helmet hair like this!!! My friend Sally thought it quite amusing. We have been friends since High School in Missoula, MT. She still lives there and we hook up from time to time. Once we lost touch for 15 years. Shouldn't let that happen with friends.

Yellowstone Adventure!

After leaving Emigrant, Mt and my stay with Genevieve, I headed through Yellowstone Park on the way to Wyoming. This is somewhere everyone should visit. It's amazing to see the scenery and animals without any development. I was able to get up close and personal with bear, bison, mountain goats, a wolf, waterfalls, steam vents...and the list goes on.

I miss judged my time hopping on and off my bike taking pictures, and I got held up on the mountain at the east exit due to construction on the road so I got into Casper, WY at about 12:30 at night. Not the best time to ride a bike. I was frozen and slightly tense after driving in the dark, watching for animals crossing the road. Only a couple of rabbits and a fox ran across, but lots of deer and antelope were beside the road all along the way. Just glad they didn't hop out!

I stayed at the Hampton Inn in Casper and they were kind enough to give me a discount due to my ride's purpose. Thank you Hampton Inn!

Meeting Genevieve from www.WomenRidersNow.com

Hi All - I'm back!


I've been riding through Montana and I just arrived in Emigrant, Mt and am sitting across from Genevieve Schmitt, the publisher of the online magazine for women riders (and anyone really). She was the very first person that I contacted to ask for support and to get some exposure. She wasted no time at all in publishing my story and updated it just yesterday to reflect that I have started this great adventure.

You know - I really think we should stop believing all of that negative stuff we read and see in the news because I'm meeting the best people!! Oh, and she offered me a bed tonight and I gratefully accepted. Now that's what I'm talking about - Montana hospitality at it's best.

If you have never gone to her site, you must go!

Cruiser's Bar at Stateline, WA Where Motorcycles Drive Through!

I met this group of riders on Day 2, just after Waterville. They were kind enough to change their schedule to take RJ and myself to the Cruiser's Bar at the Stateline, WA. It's a great place where you literally drive your motorcycle through the bar and then go park. Great Place! The owner Sheri Herberholz had a fundraiser a little while back that raised over 38,000 for an 8-year-0ld victim of kidnapping, that will be place in trust for her when she is older. This is also in support of a stricter penalty for 1st time offences so this kind of thing will have a better chance of not happening again. Good Job Sheri! She really is a great person and very active in support of charity. If you are near Spokane or Post Falls, WA, you must go there and say hi to Shari or Bear the bartender for me :-)
Thanks to the group of riders: Mike (Papa Lardo) and Vickie, Robbie, Phillip, Dana (Calamity Red) and Bill (Sweet William), Butcher Mike, Janice with me on the bike. Hope to ride with you again soon.

Hi All,
Sorry so long posting.

Check out this town I went through in eastern Washington called Waterville - quintessential small-town-America! I went camera crazy! Just put a few pictures of cool things I saw together to give you a taste for the place. I would love to stay in the old hotel some day.

And MemphisGirl, I will be going through Knoxville at least because I'll ride the Blue Ridge Pkwy. Not sure about Memphis but keep checking :-)

Storm Ahead

Hi Guys,

Here's a picture of Stevens Pass. That's the first pass I went through Saturday - enjoy.

This is just a quick note because I need to leave Spokane soon. They are expecting a storm with 50 miles an hour winds and 3/4" hail!!! Don't want to be in that. So I'll check back in when I get settled in Montana.

Day 1 - KOMO TV ABC ch4 filmed and keeps showing!

WooHoo - Day 1 and it was great! The morning started frenzied with final packing and getting to send off at Harley-Davidson or Seattle in Lynnwood, WA (guys - you did a great job!).



First stop was at a little log restaurant and motel called The Squirrel at Coals Corner, just west of Leavenworth, WA. I ran in and saw that they had a TV and RJ and I were trying to find a place by 5pm to see my broadcast on KOMO TV ch 4 ABC (wonder if it goes across the country?). They turned the channel and there I was!!! What a kick. Everyone there, including the guys from the kitchen came out and watched. And everyone bought my Robin's Ride pin!! My first pin! My first stop! My first TV news broadcast! My first new friends on the road: Kerry, Kent, Roger, Debbie, Walt, Mars, Tim, Dave, Travis, Crystal and Dale who will be married next weekend - congratulations!, Lacey who bought pins for herself and three to take home to her daughters Sydney, Morgan and Kady!!!! Thanks guys - you were the best.

Next on to Wenatchee to spend the night, and as I got off my bike I met a lady named Diedra - I hope I spelled that right - and she is actively involved in rescuing golden retriever. Her dog could be related to the one my friend Lynn rescued from a horrible puppy factory a few years ago. She is going to help raise some sponsorship dollars! Thank you Diedra!!!

First bike trauma, I almost lost my saddlebag. It was hanging on by a thread when we stopped. Lucky it didn't fall off. My boyfriend RJ was following me and it could have caused trouble for him. He will be with me through today and then go on back home. Then on I go!

People are really very kind and helpful. All you really have to do is talk to them and smile :-)

New Friends

Hi Kim, KT and Petra! I love coming here and finding notes!!!

Kim - you are incredible! I want everyone to know that she didn't know me from Adam, and she took it upon herself to contact every ABATE group in the universe - well at least the entire US - and that's some task. Watch for her in the future - she knows how to make things happen and she will be doing good things for all of us women riders...Kim - you know that you will :-)

KT and Petra, I am going to make sure we hook up on the ride. I will be by both of you this summer so we just have to keep in touch.

Hugs to all of you!

Getting Pretty Excited and Getting Lots of Help!

I just have to tell you that I'm impressed with people offering help! Check out a great blog: http://www.ktdidshort.blogspot.com/ Kathy put a link and explanation of my ride on her blog page and I got a comment from it right away. Also, there is a great lady in Longview WA who is a member of ABATE, and who is contacting chapters all across the country to get me support. Her name if Kim and she is very funny as well as kind.

Hopefully Kim and some friends will come up to see me off at the HD of Seattle. And anyone within riding range of Lynnwood, WA - please come on down. There is a link on the HD Seattle site for directions: www.harley-davidsonofseattle.com and then go into my page there and the link is "here at the store".

There will be a women's clinic at 11am on safety checks and packing your bike for a long trip, and another one at 1pm that I am not sure of yet. And I apologize in advance if I get too emotional when I leave. My heart will be on my shoulder.

Keep those cards and letters coming :-) Oh, and I just have to tell all - you can't even imagine the excitement and gratitude when I receive a pledge. It amazes me that people who don't even know me are supporting this event. There's a lot of wonderful people out there and women sharing incredible stories. I thank you all - New Orleans thanks you and women who may have picked the beans in your coffee this morning thank you!!!!!

Web designer will kill me

This is just one of those days. I went in and updated some things on the web and I seem to have lost the Pledge page. Not a good thing! Let me know if you try before it's back up and can't get in.
But hey - Breaking News! The Harley-Davidson of Seattle is going all out and planning an incredible send off for me on Saturday the 10th. Just goes to show you how much your local Harley dealer cares. I am so grateful for their support and their way over the top help.

I'll be stopping at the Harley in Kalispell on the 13th, and Missoula (Montana both) on the 14th. I hope to hit as many dealerships on the way so people can find me and come say hi. Your comments and support are very uplifting. I have heard from some pretty wonderful and courageous women!

When you start something - don't be afraid to ask for help - you'll find that most people are great and will do what they can for you. Good lesson!

Lets help those with less than us always.

Virgin Blogger

Help - I just got the best comments from Kt Did and bar bar a and I don't know how to answer. What a putz! I even sent one off to one of you and don't know where it went. This is so embarrasing. I need Blogger 101, can you help?