I've had my Z1000 for about 1 1/2 years and about the farthest I've ridden is Aiken county...until today. Laura, Peaches and Laura's mom went to a baby shower at L's work today, and I didn't have anything to do around the house. My brother in Summerville had told me a couple of weeks ago that they were having a birthday party for his 3 y/o this weekend, and I thought to myself, "Self, this would be a good time to get out and ride, as long as the weather is good." Turns out, I can talk myself into pretty much anything!
I left about 10:30. The weather was awesome, nice and comfortable even with an 80 mph wind in my face. Most of the time it's still a bit chilly when the temp's below 75 and I'm riding at speed. I plugged in my iPod with noise cancelling earbuds and cruised....I know some will bemoan the fact that I wear plugs while riding, but any distance over 10 miles or so, and I almost have to have some ear protection...I've been wearing plain earplugs for years when I ride, so the transition to music-bearing plugs was easy. They come out a bit when I put on the helmet, so I can still hear somethings (like the engine), but I don't have the constant wind blowing in my ears. Anyway, I rode pretty easy...staying around 77-80 mph. Traffic was flowing well, and I was even getting passed...but I let it go. I stopped at the rest area right before the I-20/I-95 interchange and let my butt wake up...it had somehow managed to fall asleep even with the hard rock music I was listening to. This trip also gave me a chance to test out my new saddlebags...which need some adjusting.
I made it to my bro's house around noon...still on the same tank of gas. He had a bounce castle/obstacle course, face painting, pizza, soda, juice boxes, cake, ice cream and a ton of people and kids! It was a pretty awesome birthday party. Him and his wife have set the bar pretty high for any future birthdays. We had a good time bouncing around and creating general havoc inside the bounce castle. By we, I mean me and my brother.
I hung around until about 4:30. The ride home was as uneventful as the ride down. I did have to stop and get gas, though. I made it 144 miles on one tank, and I still had a bit left. I guess I can go about 150 before I HAVE to fill up. That's useful info to have when you're doing some distance traveling. I did go a bit faster on the way back...80-85...and I still got passed. Either my speedo is off, or lots of people were in a much bigger hurry than I was. I didn't see but one trooper, and he was headed the other way. I was home by 6:15. Now all I have to do is drag my bones out of bed tomorrow for church...that'll be interesting. I even get to ride to church tomorrow.
Conclusions: I need to adjust the saddlebags. They don't stay even thru the ride, and they're not as secure as I'd like them. I also need to do some more distance stuff to toughen up my butt. My legs started to hurt about an hour into the ride, but I think that's just being in the same position for a long time. My hands and wrists did good, but I don't lean on them much anyway. My iPod and buds are great! Music makes the ride time go much faster. An excellent day!
I forgot to take before and after pictures so let me explain. My entire house has dark wood trim. Trim around every door frame, window, dark closet doors and dark hardwood floors. The closet doors were once dark brown. They are now white. The trim on the window is now white. 
The few decorations I have managed to put up. They are funny and cute.
Ethan Del Priore finishing up the other set of closet doors. Thanks to John and Ethan for getting this project done.
On Saturday my co-workers threw me a baby shower. The food was delicious and the decorations were Yummy! This is a marshmallow tree. The marshmallows were hand dipped in flavored chocolate with sprinkles on top. They had the tastiest lime punch, different kinds of fingers sandwiches, brownies, cookies, dips & crackers, nuts, olives, deviled eggs, flan, sliced fruit with caramel dip and cream puffs. I think there was about 20+ people there (I didn't count and was too busy opening gifts to take pictures). I think I got about 30-40 outfits including onesies. I am very blessed to have so many people that love me and support me.
My friend Terri made this awesome tier, diaper cake with hooded towels, washclothes, sippy cups hidden inside, spoons, toys and hairbows. Each one of the diapers was rolled up and held together by hair bands. There were over 100 diapers in this cake. It was beautiful but didn't last long because Peaches came home and took the whole entire thing apart so we could put everything away.
