Friday 9/29/06

Today was my most emotional day whilst riding. I spent 1/3 of the day crying inside my helmet.  For the girls back home I am getting better at crying and riding cause this time I didn’t put anyone else’s life in danger.

I have loved every minute of this ride but I can’t wait to get home to continue working on improving myself and building my self esteem.  Jude I will take your comments on board and start taking care of Squirt as much as I take care of others.

To my Amazon Heart family I will never forget any of you.  Gig you are an exceptionally inspirational person.

Peace, love and happiness.   Squirt.

Can’t believe this is our final night together (sniff, sniff).  Everyone on the ride has touched my soul and I will be forever changed by my amazing week with my Amazon sisters.  Miss you Jeff and Kayla.  Miss you Mike.  See you soon.

Joan.

Saturday 9/30/06

Today Gigi gave me the ride of my life over the Golden Gate Bridge on the back of her bike.  While the ride is over, the journey continues and the Amazons will be with me the whole way. 

There were so many firsts on this trip – first time in a youth hostel, first time on a motorcycle in 20 years – first time I ate dinner in a tattoo parlor!

When we started out all we had in common was that we were women who had breast cancer.  Now we are bonded for life.  Nothing will ever diminish the joy, the tears, and the raw emotion we shared over the last 10 days.  I never would have thought so much healing could take place in such a short time.

Thank you – everyone at home who got me here – and all those who shared in the ride along the way.

Mercedes

Well here we are at Crissy Field.  Not the end but a new beginning for this new branch of our Amazon family.

M & M.  Thanks again for all you do and providing us with these experiences over and over.  Sturgis will never be the same after AH Thunders in.

Mercedes, Can’t wait to hear the reaction Oscar has to his “surprise”.  So gld you were here to be a part of us, I’ll have to get to the Big Apple!!

Nancy – you biker babe you.  Can’t wait to ride again with you.  You’re right, cancer is not a gift but you my new sister are, to all of us.

Lori , Chickie, next year your cute little butt better be on a bike.  Love you.

Squirt, my new aussie friend.  Say hello to the pokies for me and have a Toohey’s Old.  I’ll see you on the Sunshine Coast!

Joan­ – you’ve come a long way baby.  Pleasure rooming with you in San Rafael.  We’ll meet again.

Natalie, remember Be the Bike.  Now go find some curvy roads in Minnesota and ride it like you stole it!  Sista!

Tia, my Minnie Me.  You know I love you Budda Boody Babe Bebe.  See you soon.

Gigi, my soul sister, now that I know you have someone watching you as should be I won’t worry so much.  I love you!!

And Jude our new honorary sister.  So glad you came along but Ghandi?? Now that’s my new nickname.  Not very biker like so Tia says I can be F___ing Ghandi.  So glad you’re there for my girl.

Another adventure comes to a close.  STURGIS Here we come!

I love you all,

Stacy.

Oh my, my – the last day and the beginning of another journey.  Again I’m walking, well actually riding, away from this trip with many more Soul Sistas!  Amazing, amazing women.

M & M, again – words can’t express my gratitude for creating this.  Thanks for also allowing me to become more involved and trusting me to help a bit with your dream.

Karen – you are extremely special!  I will love you for life and I will one day see you in Aussie!  Thanks for making me laugh on the ride and keeping me smiling!

Joan – seriously – I want to hear you say you love twisties!  Stay well!

Mercedes – it was a joy to see you embrace this ride and get so much out of it!  I’m fortunate to have been a part of it with you.

Nat – you sarcastic biker babe!  You learned well!  Good luck with all the s__t and I hope to se you in the Midwest some time.  (Don’t forget you can go 5 miles over the limit!)

Gigi – I didn’t think I could love you more – yet this trip made me do it!!  I’ll see you always and know you are in my heart!

Chick – missed having you as a roomie cuz Stacy didn’t do my laundry!  (He He).  So glad you came along and I can’t wait to see you on your own bike one day!  God knows you’ve had a lot of practice being a biker babe!

Nancy – I love you, I love your laugh.  Super happy you took my advice and bought the bike!!  We’ve made many memories and I hope to make more with you in the future!  I’ve had sooo much fun with you!  I don’t know how cuz you’re sober!  (Ha ha)

Stacy – let’s go have a beer…….

PS Anytime anyone gets lonely and wants to hear me burp, or see my tits, or hear me swear….just CALL – ANYTIME!!

Love ya Sisters…..

Tia

The last stop….Oh My God!!

What an adventure, there is so much more I would love to say but at the moment I don’t have the words.  I am so emotionally recharged that I know I have grown and improved over the course of this week.

To all the girls, as I said last night I will take a part of you in my heart back with me to Australia.  I really do love you all on different levels.

Gigi I will be riding in your honour ma’am on the Australian ride.

Tia – you rock!  Shake that lil booty sistat.

Stacy oh Stacy what can I say, after last year I needed to come over here and get to know you.

Sorry girls – no time left but I will be thinking of you all and sending my love from Oz.

Love Squirt aka Karen

Goodbye, adios…

I will miss all of you but will not forget any of you.  We need to stay in touch and do a road trip.  Chicago is not tooooo far away though a bit far for Squirt and M & M.

I had a terrific week.  Love you all!

PS – Ride safe, and live, laugh and love!

Chick

It’s no coincidence that we all met at this place in this space and time.  All the Amazon Heart women and those we met on the way had so much to share and helped feed my spirit.  The ride and the beauty of California will be forever etched in my soul.  Love you all!  Now I’m off to do crop circles!!

Joan