memorial day weekend: On the last day, they motoed.

Monday was a slow to start day. After a weekend of off and on grey skies we were lucky enough to have one really nice day (I even got sun burned)! The day was so nice my Dad had suggested possibly flying (my Dad has his pilots license). We lally gagged too much so we didn't have enough time to fly. Somehow we started getting out some of the motorcycles my Dad has around (the man typically has 13 or so on hand). Now, let me give you a little back story on me and motorcycling.

A few years ago a friend of mine suggested we take her Suzuki 125 out for a spin. Being the daughter of an avid motocross racer who had been racing since he was 13, I said sure! Only thing is my Dad never taught me to ride, let alone shift. Well I was doing just fine scooting around in first gear when I hear my friend holler " take it to second!". I got ballsy and shifted. Well it caught. I flooded the engine and the thing bucked me off the front! I don't really remember what happened after I gassed it. One second I was giving it gas the next I was dazed on the ground.

I now have a dent in my leg where you see the crescent shaped wound. I haven't been on a bike since. Until memorial day weekend. I saw my Dad taking those bikes out and panicked! I thought " what am I supposed to say to my Dad?!" "I can't tell him I am SCARED to ride!!" "I can't NOT ride!" So after a few tries I was off in first gear. I was doing fine! Then the dreaded "Shift Caitlin!" Oh no! Shane pulled up next to me and showed me how to do it a few times on his own bike. Of course I didn't believe him. Then my Dad pulled up to show me. And I did it! From then on riding was a breeze!



I even shifted using the clutch! After hours of "just one more lap" we finally hit the road. Before I met Shane I usually drove to Oregon on my own. I would always drive by the vista points wishing I could take some rad picture but had no one to take it. This time I made a point to stop. It was freeeezing!!!!

I need to work on my jumping face. I look kinda tarded. 

Shane's is waaay better than mine.

We'll be back for 4th of July weekend I'm happy to say. Ideally I'd go up any three day weekend I had. Well, I am glad to have this series over. Now I can get back to regular posting. Already so much to post about! New friends, Cousin's graduation, Shane's new teeth and new hair cut! Math is going well. I am somewhat seeing a faint light at the end of the tunnel. Slumber party on Thursday with cousin. Delicious dinners planned all week. My oh my!

Memorial day weekend: day one

Shane and I have both never been to the Oregon coast. I was super excited when my dad suggested it. There is this theory that if its raining inland then its nice on the coast. We decided to test this theory out...

I'd say the theory was validated...

There were baby seals. I swear the one in this picture was looking right at me! 

SEA ANEMONES!!!! They were so cool! When you poked them (ok, maybe I shouldn't have been poking them) they would curl up. Plus they were this cool green color.

Big giant tree stump. The signs said no climbing on rocks....

I had a bunch of fun. We walked around the downtown area and picked up some crab and cod for dinner. I came home with a TON of awesome driftwood I plan on using for crafts. Not sure what yet.

Memorial day weekend: The trek to Oregon

I'm going to have to split these up because I took so many pictures. If you follow me on Instagram then you've seen some of these. The last few days have been freaking insane! I have been in a total of three states (including my home state) and in a car more hours than I'd like to count. Prepare yourself!

I was thoroughly impressed at my packing skillz 

The day we left was INSANE! I was dealing with some craziness due to work and cleaning my house (am I the only one that cleans before I go somewhere? Coming home to a clean house is the best!). We rented a car (Shane and I's first as 25 year olds!) as to avoid putting miles on either of our own cars. Let me tell you the car shuffle is insane. First we had to pick up the rental car. Then drop Shane's car off at my moms then my car off. I'm tired of driving just thinking about it! I was so excited to get onto the road!

See, excited.

We made the mandatory Olive Pit stop. Shane had never been and OF COURSE doesn't like olives (add to the list of 483920 foods he wont eat or doesn't like).

While we were stopped we popped into a Shell to grab snacks. This is what $20 worth of complete crap looks like (not pictured are energy drinks, and two bags of sour patch kids). What else are you supposed to eat on a road trip? Well, ok, I did make a few sandwiches and brought carrot sticks (that I did not eat).

The driving continued...

The new sunglasses I mentioned a while back

By the time we hit Oregon the novelty of driving had kind of wore off. Shane was stuffing his mouth with a ton of sunflower seeds so he wasn't really talking to me or participating in car dancing/ sing-a-longs.

Sunflower seeds addiction exhibit A

They got a new sign since the last time I was there. Nice one Oregon.

So the last 3 hours to my Dads house from the border was quite a marathon push...

And of course there was beautiful scenery to be seen....

I think we got to Oregon around 10:30pm. I was completely whipped! We chatted with my dad and step mom for a few and hit the pillows HARD! The next day we planned to go to the Oregon coast for the first time! I was pretty excited.

To be continued....

Lastly, I am sad to announce that Shane sold his beloved Subaru. I am really proud and thankful that he took one for team "us" (I know way more puking happening right?). I almost got a little teary eyed watching the keys change hands and the papers being signed. I know more than I ever thought I would about bug and hawk eyes thanks to that Buru, Shondra. I remember when Shane picked me up in her for our first date. Ahh the memories. She will be greatly missed.

Motocross (Finally!)

AHRMA is real motocross. I just felt that had to be said first. Shane used to race in Supercross. So when I asked if he wanted to road trip with me to see my dad race in "motocross" he thought thats what he was going to see. Some of the differences are:

Supercross
- Guys break something practically every race.
- Not a lot of good sportsmanship (threatening for passes on turns etc.)
- As my pop calls them "the guys that tuck their ears into their hat" (the style is just really different)
- The track is more complicated and more set up for show boating and tricks.

Vintage Motocross
+ Guys get hurt from time to time (my dad broke his neck in 6 places during a race) but rarely.
+ Amazing sportsmanship! The guys who race are older and if they aren't older its because someone got their son into it. As a result I think the vibe is more relaxed.
+ Its vintage. Not everyone tries to hold down the OG style. My dad does (as you will see with his striped shirt).
+ The track is set up for SPEED! Man do these guys go fast! I love it.

Pretty sure thats Mr Mann on 83. Both bikes are BSA, the same kind my dad races

I hadn't seen my dad race since I was about 5 years old so I was really excited to go. I had so much fun. We had real tea time with the family that put on the race! I met the famous Dick Mann and his ADORABLE wife who had the most beautiful german shepherd. Once Shane saw that it was NOT supercross he decided he wanted to try it out! When we got home we even hauled down a 1975 Kawasaki he plans to race! It was quite magical. I hope if anyone of you out there has an interest you'll check out vintage motocross.

1. Shane and I being goof balls in the car ride up

2. Hills off I-5. So neat!

3. My dad. Here he comes

4. There he goes!

1. My dad let Shane ride his bike! It was so neat!!

2. Dad accepting his award for getting 4 in the day. He won 1st in his class!! So proud!

3. An example of the good sportsmanship. My dad giving the next award.

Every bridge you burn leaves another clue

Driving etiquette. Yeah California, it exists. Oh, and California, you fail at that.

It is not only personal preference that I, and I am sure many other drivers, feel stressed and rushed when we glance in our review mirror only to discover a car mere inches from our rear bumper and would much rather them not. If you checked your DMV handbook I am sure one would quickly notice that it is also illegal to ride so closely to the car in front of you, not to mention COMPLETELY DANGEROUS!!

I purpose this, as seen most practiced in states such as Oregon and New York, the left lane (doesn't matter if there are 2 of them) is for passing ONLY. After once passing a slower moving vehicle (without getting dangerously close to their rear bumper, just wait, signal and move) use the left lane to pass and, simply, move on. There is no need to be rude, get upset, or "push" the vehicle moving slower than you. I especially on long trips like to take my time as to not rush and relax as much as possible. Enjoy the journey if you will. However, I also allot out my time in a very organized way and make detailed itineraries before trips.

Made sure to have lots of snacks from home:

Skittles/Air head tongue! I couldn't resist the candy when making a pit stop.

Had a delicious breakfast this morning with real farm fresh eggs

(you didn't know I was an angel and gave off a halo effect at times?)

So lovely to study with this view

Finished Austyn's beanie. First time knitting on the round!

Exciting news for you readers! I have a lovely sponsor, Kitty, and she is donating some of her fantastic hand made lovlies for my very first GIVEAWAY!!! As promised, its finally here. I wanted to make sure I had some great shwag to give away. Click her banner to check out what your in store for!

T minus 30 minutes.

I will miss...

Cuddle Bear and Me. from Caitlin Mee on Vimeo.
...The Mostest.


I will:
knit a ton!
Finish all my homework as to create a smooth, stress less final 6 weeks.
sing at the top of my lungs on the drive there and home
Hang out with my little sister every chance I get
Paint my nails
Relax
Practice meditation
Play in the rain
Resist the urge to rough house with doggie Zeus
Take a ton of pictures!
Not want to come home
Cherish every moment I share with my Dad.
I feel so blessed today.

See you soon:

On Top of Ol' Smokey.

Calm before the storm!

The side of I-5

Olive Pit! I try and stop here every trip up. They have millions of different kinds of olives.

I got the most delicious dark chocolate covered almonds, sugar free!

I always buy the garlic stuffed olive's. Probably the only garlic I can eat without wanting to die.

California Himalayas'

(Shasta Mountain)

Snow! Dirty snow. But snow still!

Starting to loose it.

I'm done driving!

I made it to my dads at 7:13pm (Tom Tom said so). I left Sacramento a little after 12pm. I made really good time.

We had a great quick dinner. Talked about hot button things. I love the conversation in this house hold.

My dad's before dinner blessing was probably one of my favorites this time.

Last but not least, introducing....

Zeus!

The most cutest mastiff puppy in the whole wide world. I will have to take video of how he walks. It's hilarious. His paws are HUGE compared to his body. He is 12 weeks old. Venise (my dad's wife) is amazing with him. He is already pretty well trained.