Motorcycle Memories

Motorcycles played a large part of our family life. We dated on a motorcyle as Mike didn't own a car. We took a bike trip for our 10th anniversary. In the beginning, our entire family would ride - Shanna on the tank, then Mike, and finally me. Then we had another baby and our entire family would still ride - Shanna on the tank, then Mike, then Aimee squashed in between us, and finally me. There were no helmet laws and we were young and stupid. We would fly down the highways around Natchitoches. Shanna was so small that her little legs would stick out. Later, Ryan thought it was wonderful for his dad to pick him up from kindergarten on a bike.

As the years went by and our family grew in numbers and size, we no longer could ride as a family. But, each of the kids insisted on their time riding with their daddy. We lived in Mansfield during the 80's and many times Mike and I would meet there on Friday nights.
I would be in the car and him on his bike. So, going home, the kids would take turns. It
was exactly 30 miles between Shreveport and Mansfield. Each child got 10 miles. We had specific stops where we would change out. Mike and a child would lead and I would
follow with the other two in the car. One night it was raining really hard and it was time to go home. The rain doesn't stop in a timely fashion in Louisiana, so we headed out. I was going to make all of the kids ride with me but they all began begging to ride with Mike. He said,
"why not? I have a slicker for me and one for a child...they can take turns"...so, we did.
One child road on the back of the bike in the pouring rain for 10 miles, and then switched out with the next child, and then again in 10 more miles. Each child would hop in the car, drenched and shaking rain from the slicker, just to give it to the next rider. They were wearing helmets by this time. They were laughing and having a good time. Mike and I were too. This became one of our fun memories. I would love to go riding with Mike again.

Love, Donni