Words Written: ALNM 1118
Writing Stats: Sale! “Busted” to Caught Looking: Erotic Tales of Voyeurs and Exhibitionists. Reviewed edits and conferred with Teresa.
Exercise: 30 min elliptical, stretching

[Written Friday] It’s nice to wake up to a sale, even if it’s after not nearly enough sleep. Damned insomnia. Anyway, astute readers will notice that this is the same story we’re close to selling to Best Lesbian Erotica 2007.

[Written Sunday] Back from Sequoia! Had a fantastic time, despite the back-up on I-5 from the 126 to the top of the Grapevine on the way out, the fact that the hotel lost our reservation and we had to be in a different room each night, and that it was 100°+ in the foothills.

I got there later than I planned on Friday, having been leisurely about my departure and then hitting that nasty 1st-gear-only traffic. I took a quick, cool shower, relaxed for half an hour, and then met up with bike folks to go out for pizza. Garlicky white pizza, mmm… Why don’t more places make this? Anyway. It’s fun when someone finally asks what I do (often after my commenting that I can work anywhere), and I get to hand out business cards and talk about sex. It became the running joke that Pauline and I were having the fun conversation, while her husband Ernie and the guys were having the boring one. Hee.

We walked back to the hotel and I hung out in Pauline and Ernie’s room, nursing a cold Corona with lime. The door was open so we could hear Ken’s arrival. Although the K12 doesn’t have as distinctive sound as, say, a Harley farting noise, I’m attuned to it, Pavlov’s Bimbo that I am. And soon my ears perked up to that familiar sound. (It drove me nuts at CCR last year, because we were in cabins near the parking lot, and I’d hear a K12 and immediately think “Oh! Ken!” when there were 300 K12s present.) Hurrah! We hung out a little with P&E while Ken decompressed—he’d ridden 15 hours that day—and then retired to our room.

We did not get up early, thankyouverymuch. We finally rose and wandered over to the nearby cluster of shops and restaurants, and got an early lunch of freshly BBQ’d tri-tip sandwiches and German potato salad. Then we decided to actually go for a ride. We toyed with the plan of getting tickets to a tour of Crystal Cave, but decided we didn’t want to worry about getting back at a particular time. After all, Sequoia National Park is only 4 hours from home—we’ll definitely come back. We just headed up info the mountains, reveling as the temperature dropped (at the top it was in the high 70s) and we entered the majestic Sequoia groves. The roads were smooth and twisty; the scenery was stunning. Can’t ask for a whole lot more than that.

We were discussing stopping in the Hume Lake area for ice cream when who should we spot at a gas pump but Pauline and Ernie. So we hooked up with them, got goodies, and rested for a bit. The store had It’s It ice cream sandwiches, which are sold only in central/northern CA. I look for them any time I’m in the area, and I even got Ernie hooked on them.

We caravanned on the way down, which had the expected but no less unhappy disadvantage of descending into 100°+ desert heat. Back at the hotel, we peeled off our riding gear (mesh, which helps immensely!) and dove into the pool. After that, a shower, and we met everyone for the group dinner at local Mexican restaurant, which included door prizes and whatnot. I won one, and chose a gift certificate from the Ventura County BMW shop—which I’d purchased along with other items at Ken’s request to donate to the prizes. Actually, when I was at the shop, I saw a potential birthday present for him…

This morning we had a bittersweet farewell before we headed off in different directions. It’s late now and he’s called to say he’s safely back in Hillsboro. We’re planning another conjugal visit up there in mid-July. :-)

I didn’t take many pictures, but the few I did are here. All were taken from the back of the bike whilst in motion, so a few are action shots!

So now I’m back in the groove of things. Had a good session at the gym and got some writing done and even had a little TV time today. Onwards!

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Sadly, Ken’s not going to be able to make it down this week/weekend for three planned Styx concerts. So Fran and I are embarking on a girls’ Stygian road trip, and adding a fourth concert in the process! I’ll be leaving Wednesday evening, picking her up, and driving as far as we can in the direction of Tucson. Thursday evening Helen will join us for the Tucson show. After that, we’ll drive as far as we can in the direction of San Diego. Friday evening, we’ll be joined by Helen’s beau Dave, Tani, and Sheri. Fran and I will jet out after that show and spend the night in NV in preparation for Saturday night’s Vegas show, and then make it to Cabazon, CA, for Sunday night’s show (where many others will meet up with us). My new Palm (with GPS) is currently scheduled to arrive on Wednesday, and I do hope it does!

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Happy Father’s Day to all you fathers, fathers-to-be, grandfathers, and father figures!

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Currently Reading: Shadow Fires, Dean Koontz
Lately Listened To: RWA sessions; workout playlist; Empire, Queensryche
Recently Watched: Hex