Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Man Card? What Man Card?


The second day of our vacation is what I like to call "Bad Ass Biker Babes Day". We rolled out of bed, put on our mean Harley gear, and left for an all day long Harley ride.

We road into what the Californians like to call "mountains" but in reality they were just hills, or little bumps if you will. (Come on, I live in UTAH!)

First stop was Hell's Kitchen where the service is awful, the food is mediocre and the testosterone level is off the charts.










I always knew I'd go to Hell, I just didn't know it would be so soon.






After breakfast we wanted to go riding by the beach so we had to take the freeway to get there. Unfortunately the freeway looked like this:




Before we got on the freeway, Lyman (Dennelle's fiance) asked Alex if he was okay with "white lining". Not being able to hear over the roar of the engines, Alex thought Lyman asked if he was okay with "sharing lanes" to which he replied "YES".

When we entered the freeway all was well until Lyman started driving on the white line in between cars.




Apparently this is common in California but I had never seen it before. As I sat on the back of the bike I watched the mirrors on our motorcycle pass inches away from the mirrors on the cars. This is about the point when I started to freak out. We were going pretty fast and the cars were at a slow steady roll and drivers would change lanes out of no where in front of us.

My jaw was locked, my body went stiff and I knew that if I was going to make it through this I would have to shut my eyes. So that's what I did, the whole freeway trip I was wincing, keeping my eyes closed, my jaw shut and my body stiff.


Yep, I was that constipated chick on the back of the bike.


The freeway ride from hell seemed to last for an eternity but we finally arrived at the beach in one piece. Lyman said Alex did a great job white lining, I wouldn't have known, I was just trying not to pee my pants. Once at the beach I was finally able to breathe and relax.


But my jaw is still sore.


We rode ALL DAY LONG.


Wait, I don't think you get it, I mean we rode ALL. DAY. LONG. on a rental with a standard seat. Not the comfy cushy seat that our bike at home has, this one was like sitting on a burning slate of steal and I swear to you that to this day my butt still hasn't forgiven me, possibly never will.


In the morning we were able to ride through the wine country on our way to return the rental. Don't be fooled by my smile and helmet hair, my butt was killing me and threatening to disown me.




Now don't be afraid of this next picture, just don't pay attention to the bulging veins on my forehead. They show up often and are shaped in a Y, which I think is one of the reasons my mom decided to end my name with a Y instead of an I. I'm sure of it.




After dropping off the bike we were able to get in two more wineries before we had to fly home. The first one was really fun, not the best wine, but fun none the less.

Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards




It was really fun inside and beautiful outside.








The last winery was Leonesse Cellars which had fantastic wines!




One of Dennelle's friends was able to make it out with us. I'm not even going to comment about the tall monster in the middle, I don't like to focus on such things, besides I was crouching down anyway.






I love this picture of Lyman.



"Mmmmmm, crackers!"





So that's about it, after that we headed to the airport to catch our flight back to Utah. Lyman and Alex had become such good friends during the trip that they both cried a little after saying goodbye with a man hug. They'll both deny it but Dennelle and I know the truth.


They both got a punch out of their man card for that one.




34 comments:

foxy said...

OMG - i would have been FREAKING OUT 'white lining' it!! I'm already a super anxious driver as it is... and that's in a closed vehicle!! Seriously, I would have lost my lunch.

Janelle said...

I always thought I'd be the hot chick on the back of a bike, that is until my husband actually put me on his!! Totally with you on the eyes closed, freakin out!!
Looks like so much fun, glad you enjoyed our California mountains!

Suzi said...

Yep, welcome to California!!!!! You look a little more relaxed in the pic. after the bike was dropped off. Can't see the Y vein anymore.

Rebecca Jo said...

The guys will say it was a manly chest bump - I'm sure! But I can see them holding each other in their "goodbyes".. hehe!!!

That biker eatery scares me!!!

I would have been screaming like a teen at a Hannah Montana concert getting that close to people while white lining! (Never heard of that term - gotta use it somehow someway today!)

said...

You all sure get around!

piecemeal people said...

A friend of ours has a y-shaped vein on his forehead, but it's really only visible when he gets stressed out or angry about something. We call it the flux capacitor.

brokenteepee said...

Heh heh. My very first bike ride was a little trip from the coast of NJ to Gettysburg, Pa. and back. My hubby said it was just a "short" run. Wha...? 4 hours each way?! And it rained all the way back. He's lucky I ever got back on that *&^(&%$^& thing again.

Short run my a$$

Looks like you had a grand time, though. I usually kept my eyes shut and we weren't white lining.

Kristina P. said...

I HATE when motorcycles do that! It freaks the hell out of me!

mommakin said...

I have never white lined and I'm sure it would terrify me. I have spent entire weekends on the back of a bike, though - so I DEFINITELY understood what you meant by ALL.DAY.LONG.

You look cute all geared up!

Jen said...

what a fabulous trip but now my butt hurts in sympathy for your.

LadyStyx said...

The trip looks fun...'cept for one thing. Hell to the friggin NO WAY would you catch me on a bike.

Anonymous said...

That all sounds so fun, although I would have freaked out at riding through traffic like that. Like pissed-my-pants sort of freak out.

MJW said...

What a fun time for you! I loved the pix. You know when you and your hubby (assuming here) have kiddos, they'll be gorgeous! :) Happy Hump Day!

Lee said...

Sounds like a blast!
Except your butt killing you on that bike.
I could NEVER "white line". I would be terrified the entire freaking time.
How did you manage to survive it in one piece!?

Liz Mays said...

I've heard about the aftereffects of a motorcycle seat and I'm so terribly sorry that you'll never be the same.

But, that vacation had to have been worth it!

Lori said...

as a cali resident, i HATE white lining! I have almost been hit/hit a motorcycle twice this way...and one guy has clipped my mirror this way, pulling up in front of the line at a red light. I canot believe it is legal!

looks like you had a great time!

Robin said...

LOL!!!.....

Hey I'm not laughing at you.....I'm laughing with you.

:-)

Have a beautiful day.

Janalyn and Rob said...

People do that all the time up here. I didn't know it had an actual name, but being the total wuss that I am, I know I definitely wouldn't have wanted to do it. You daredevils!!

Michelle said...

WOW what a fun trip! We just got back from that area of CA and it is definitely beautiful (minus the traffic jams). Not too sure about the "white lining it", I think I would have had a stroke. Will definitely have to check out the Hell's Kitchen restaurant though!

Justine said...

Okay, you'll have to do me a favor the next time you see White Line Lyman. KICK HIS STUPID ASS!!!!!!!! And don't you EVER do that white line crap again! In fact, kick Al's ass too while you're at it, since he's the stupid head that followed Stupid Head #1!!!!!!
ARghhhhhhhhhhhhh

Justine :o )

Debbi said...

I love love love the blue and brown shirt! HOT!

And white-lining would freak me out to the verge of serious shattage!

Anyways.

AiringMyLaundry said...

Dear gracious, I'd have shut my eyes too. How scary!

Nana said...

Oh Man I hate when bike riders do that crap! I would have wanted to kill someone if I were you.

Justine said...

:::::::::::gasp:::::::::::::
Oh, you are in SO much trouble. I just realized I'm not on your blog roll! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Justine :o )

Anonymous said...

Definitely revoke the man card!! Looks like an awesome time, I am still jealous!

passions and soapboxes said...

You were out my way and I love that vineyard the wines are good. Sorry about your butt and I promise not to crack any jokes....okay one.

scrappysue said...

heeeeeeeeeeeeeeey - you're wearing jeans on the bike and cute denim mini inside the winery - excellent!!!

Yarni Gras! said...

I tried riding on the back of a motorcycle once....made it almost around the block. Not for me......now, the wineries? Yeah, THAT'S for me:-)

Julia said...

You vacationing fool!!!! Well I can be jealous after all. I am allowed. Now my favorite picture is....

can you guess???

I bet not....


The dragon's head on the wall. Heh heh. I am a total science fiction geek or was until I had kids and don't read some much anymore. Wait maybe it's the blogging interfering with my reading. Crap who knows. It's Friday night and Im on the computer...Blah blah blah... ;P

Queenie Jeannie said...

You are SO adorable Lil Sis!! Thanks for taking us along on your trip!!

How's your ass feeling now?

Unknown said...

You crack me up! Love all of the great pictures. Teeth clenching...ROFL! And you are one hot mama in that chocolate/turquoise top! Love it!! Looks like you had a fab time!

Jason, as himself said...

What a fun time. I love going wine tasting so much. Only when we've gone we ride on a "wine bus" that drives us all over.

I hear you on the part of being terrified about motorcycles riding between lanes/cars on the freeway. It still freaks me out and I've lived here for 16 years. Although I've never experienced on a motorcyle, just a car.

Helen McGinn said...

LOVE the pictures! You look well rested (important, I know!) and happy. xx

Megan said...

Looks like a fun trip aside from the motorcycle riding in between cars. I'd be crapping my pants!!

The wineries are gorgeous!

Awesome pics! =)