Hoka Hey motorcycle challenge 2011

Every year, Laura and I take a 2- to 3-week vacation that strains the definition of "fun." This summer, the mission is called the Hoka Hey motorcycle challenge http://www.hokaheychallenge.com

It involves riding motorcycles from Phoenix, AZ to Nova Scotia, Canada, and driving through each of the 48 contiguous states in between. Whoever gets there first wins $250,000 and a new Harley. We will not be first. In fact, we may be last, but the intent is to arrive at the end by the date of the finishing party, August 21st, alive, intact, and still talking to each other.

We have considered that trying to cover approximately 14,000 miles in 16 days on motorcycles in a nationwide heat wave when we are not allowed to sleep in hotels or air conditioning will test the limits of 12 years of marriage. Most couples I know can barely get through doing a home improvement project together without thoughts of divorce creeping in, so let's just amp up the potential for hard feelings, recriminations, and bull headed stupidity times a estimated factor of four thousand.

It doesn't help that our "plan" to get through this involves a great deal of hope and little else. Planning involved almost no training of middle aged, softened bodies. In my head, I am still that person who could work at max capacity all day in the august heat delivering packages at a dead run for UPS At a time when drivers weren't allowed to wear shorts. Then I realize that girl lived 20 years ago, with many pounds and life comforts added on since then. Typical issues of mental image me not matching reality me.

This trip has involved a series of milestone steps. We shipped our Harleys to Phoenix over two weeks ago. They arrived Monday night. We arrived Tuesday night. Wednesday, we picked them up at the shipping terminal and went to sign in for the challenge and get GPS tracking devices installed on the bikes. Today, Thursday, we will spend the day packing up the bikes, I will takes care of some last minute projects for work, and tHen we will attend a mandatory rider meeting at 4:00, followed by a meal with all the participants. The Friday morning at 5:00 a.m., and away we will go.

If you are still trying to wrap your head around this adventure and why anyone would do it, let me tell you the most unbelievable part of the whole trip. We flew into Phoenix on Tuesday night and drove straight to the home of Debbie and Lynda, two friends of friends who live in this gorgeous condo overlooking he AZ Diamondbacks stadium. Debbie and Lynda aren't even here since they are on vacation, and they left a key for us. We have met them TWICE! Who does that? Who, in this age, is that trusting and generous??

Maybe they figured we are on bikes that limit our ability to steal appliances, but we showed them. Laura has lined the bottom of her saddlebags with the good silver, and I am going through the jewelry boxes.

Actually, we have been overwhelmed with the offers of friends living along our expected route to provide whatever support we need, including showers, laundry, a meal, love and prayers. Many friends have opened their address books and given us their parents, siblings, other friends addresses that would be wiling coconspirators with us on this journey. We are truly blessed.