Who are you?
I'm single, since I just have not found Mister Right or if I did I wasn't paying attention at the time. I'm thinking I need to adjust my expectations and find Mister puts down the seat, takes out the trash, and a couple other very important items like adores me completely, accepts it that I am always going to be right, jumps at every whim. Hmmm...I think I need to work a little harder on expectation management.

I grew up in Poway and never did venture that far from the nest, except I have traveled extensively. As a kid my dad was enlisted Navy and my mom worked on and off through the years, so money was always tight. Since my dad was from NY and my mom from RI, the only way we could afford to go visit everyone was to drive. I remember sitting in the back seat of the car watching sun-rise in the Painted Desert and I just knew I wanted to see more. I have been rather fortunate that my profession has sent me far and wide, so I have been able to satisfy the wanderlust without going into the poor house. I'll probably be one of those people who buy and RV and hit the road for the better part of my first couple years of retirement (which I hope is not too far from now). As for political affiliation, I have none and registered as an Independent. I figure I'll just leave it at that, since I hate discussing politics because I am a confrontation avoider and none of us ever change our beliefs anyway.

How long have you been riding and what do you ride?
I learned to ride in an MSF class in October 2006. I was the only one who had never ridden before, but luckily the instructors and my class mates were very helpful and understanding. I just couldn't master that darn figure-8 maneuver and the more everyone tried to help me, the worse I got. When it came time for the test, OMG that was the first thing they made us do! I got through the normal u-turn okay and then swung it outside the line and as I pulled out of the second u-turn the bleeping bike stalled and I was forced to put my foot down...argh! I was sure I had flunked, so the rest of the exam was a breeze. Much to my surprise the instructors decided not to hold the bike stalling against me since it was causing me trouble earlier in the day...So, two weeks later I had a motorcycle endorsement on my license. I sort of equate that experience to giving a 16 year old a drivers license after a couple spins around the block...just not right. I bought a little bike and with the guidance of a Ducate riding friend I worked on becoming street safe. After about 8 months of putting around I knew I was ready for more and started trying to find a group to ride with. I tried out a couple of co-ed groups which just didn't go well, so a friend suggested I try a women's group. I stumbled upon the Sol Sisters via the Women in the Wind website and have never looked back.

I ride a 2007 Honda VTX1300 now. I still have the little bike (aka the backfiring beast) which I lend out to other women who need something to learn on.

Why did you start riding?
It was never, ever my intention of being a motorcycle rider. I had no yearning desire, in fact I was on the other side of the spectrum. I only signed up for the MSF class because I felt absolutely horrible about having to force a colleague who expressed a fear of flying to get on an airplane to support my project. Since I knew I was going to have to do it again, I decided it was only fair that I do something equivalent. I had already done the bungie jumping thing and skydiving, so I was at a loss and then she mentioned motorcycling...yeah, she is a sport bike rider. So, I signed up for the class and as the date approached I started making myself physically ill from fear. Well, by the end of the 1st class I was hooked.

Much to the amusement of some of the ladies, I have never told my folks of this new adventure. I figure it is a mutual benefit thing...I don't make them worry and they don't give me grief. Hopefully, they won't see this.

Why are you doing the Journey to Graceland?
Like I said before, I love to travel and traveling by motorcycle is fun. I did my first multi-day riding vacation with the Ride for the Heart Foundation last August. Riding through Yosemite was amazing and I'm now hooked. Plus, hanging out with these ladies is never dull!

What, if anything, does Graceland represent to you?
I'm probably alone on this one, but Graceland is just the target destination. I'm along for the ride where ever it takes us.

Name one obstacle you overcame as a child, and how that shaped you today.
Oh there is no single blatantly obvious event or illness, I'm just the product of lots of everyday occurrences and experiences. I believe that every parent messes their kids up in some way. Most parents don't set out to mess us up, it just happens because we are all doing the best we can with what we have.

Name one thing that the Girlz of Graceland would be surprised to know about you.
Under the proper circumstances I will actually wear a dress and makeup!

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