The first time I met Rain was six years ago at the First Branson Motorcycle Rally.  Ok, let me rephrase that one.  It was the first time Rain and her crew heard me.  You see, the first evening of the rally, it rained (I would soon learn how the weather is in direct proportion to where the Boss is).  I was following some people over to The Outback restaurant.  Understand I had just chased my helmet down and poured water out of it so I am not a very happy camper.  As I turned right into the parking lot, I suddenly realized I could not see the road and I couldn't stop.  Seems some smart person decided a nice steep slope in the parking lot would be very interesting.  I headed down the hill, which was covered with a thin sheet of oil and water.  Did you know you can scream at the top of your lungs, not hear yourself because the decibel is so high, dogs are howling and continue sliding down at the same time?  Did you also know you become the star attraction?

There was a guy at the bottom of the hill who helped me park the bike and then directed me to the front door of the restaurant/bar.  I walked in, sat down and tried to breathe normally.  I then wandered upstairs and sat at a table to listen to the music.  A man approached me and asked if I wanted to join his group.  Oh, sure, this is what I need right now. I'm still damp from the rain and I have no idea if my underwear should be changed before meeting another human being.   I figured, what the heck.  I looked and there's Rain. The man was Bob, Rain's husband.  Rain wanted to know if I knew what all the yelling was earlier.  I explained it was me.  We sat there and talked for a few hours and that's when I found out I had also met Rain in Athens, Ohio at the Women Motorcycle Conference the year before.

We hung out on and off for the balance of the rally.  The following year I went back to the Branson Rally and again ran into Rain and crew.  This time, I volunteered to help out at the booth where they were selling subscriptions.  That was the beginning of our annual get together.  I have looked forward to going to the rally each year because I know I am going to see Rain, volunteer to help with the booth and get to ride there in Branson and then on back to Illinois. You see, I live in Colorado and I always ride out to Branson and back.  I originally came from the Midwest, so traveling back from Branson with Rain gives me the opportunity to not only learn from her, but to see family.  Each year, I get to meet more of the Biker Ally Crew and we all seem to have the same insane mentality or would that be we are all mental?  All I know is we have FUN!

Rain and I also get together when she comes this way to attend either conferences, rallies and even biker chop-offs.  Rain has taken me under her wing by allowing me to write articles about things I care about and by educating me on motorcycles and the stuff that goes with biking.  She has taught me to believe in myself and shows me the possibilities.

I got the name Fluffy at one of the last Branson rallies.  You see, I have naturally wavey thick hair.  When I come back to the Midwest, it takes on a life of its own and triples in volume. Somewhere in someone's camera is a picture of me with my hair pulled back with a bandana.  It's scary, but it's me.  I feel like the motto of CC Riders Motorcycle Club (I'm Vice President) because I'm Riding the Rocky Mountain High!