Fearsome Foursome Travel to Bisbee

Two weeks ago, I took off from Carefree, AZ. with my Aspen motorcycle buddies to explore southeast Arizona. Me on my trusty Diva Glide, Brother Will on his bad ass Harley Wide Glide, Roy and Dave on their brand new BMW enduro/touring R1200 GS bikes. .

We travelled east of Phoenix, Az. on Hwy 60 to Apache Junction, south on Hwy 79 through Florence. We went around the city limits of Tucson, Az. hooking up with I10 east to Hwy 80 south to Bisbee, Az.

My friend, Jay Allen, owner of the Broken Spoke Saloons---who lives in Bisbee, had drinks waiting for us at Santiago's ---the local Mexican joint. We met our fabulous hosts, Tamara and Mike Page, who own our hotel, San Ramon, Santiago's, Bisbee Grill, and Bisbee Coffee Company. It was election night---a crazy atmosphere with lots of festivity....and shots---results of the election much to Will's disappointment---but he still rallied. Hotel San Ramon is right above Santiago--darling rooms with thoughtful amenities--right down to the home baked cookies on the bedside tables! It is within walking distance of everything.

We hit the road after breakfast at the Copper Queen Hotel, right next door---the place and the people were quite colorful!! We toured Jay Allen's home and garage--it was a boarding house for all the miners in it's day--some of the ghosts still live there! We then explored the town of Tombstone--had Buffalo burgers for lunch and toured the Bird Cage Theater and hang outs of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday--loose women, cards, guns, and whiskey---perfect for us. Heading east--we rode to the top of Chiricahua National Monument--check out the great self photo--shot right before Will's camera blew off the rock perch and down into the ravine! Breathtaking 360 degree views and chilly winds--race to the bottom! On the way home in the dark--I was in the lead--missed a turn and we rode dirt for a while to the main Hwy 80--Roy and Dave put their BMW's to the test to see how fast they could go --Will and I ate their dust! Low key, but great dinner at Bisbee Grill---miles and wind wore us out--but it's all good and wonderful...no shots tonight!

Breakfast was at the world famous Bisbee Breakfast Club---in one of the remodeled historical buildings right up the street from Jay's place--fab menu from chorizo and eggs to granola pancakes--the boys finally filled up their bellies for the morning! Off to Agua Prieta, Mexico just south of Douglas---we followed some deported illegals across the border, and felt lucky to be us---guess this is one of the biggest crossings in the area. We were off to shop ...not much here....but the farmacia was a must stop for the Diva to buy Retin A! We had lunch at Jay's suggested place called La Reforma (muy picante!)--made some friends there who drove us back close to the border. The great thing about my three dudes is that they love to take it all in with lots of photos---we shot a great one at the abandoned train station there on the Mexican side of the border. Check all the photos out in my gallery on the web site! Back to Bisbee and while the guys took the copper mine tour--I walked the streets to shop. I was well rewarded with shops full of antiques, resale treasures, turquoise jewelry, vintage cowboy boots, and lots of galleries. My favorite was 55MAIN--met the owner, Cristina Plascencia, and loved the assortment of art there--I think she needs some Team Diva hats! Cafe Roka was our place for dinner--(be sure to make reservations!) Entering the place the smells are incredible--housed on Main street in one of the old building with the tall metal stamped ceiling--food was incredible--and met a darling couple trying to have a romantic dinner (he was shipping off to Iraq soon)--romantic???.....not if we can have anything to do with it!!! WE then dragged them to the Stock Exchange (the historical bar in town) with lots of live entertainment--and a band too!!

After 3 jam packed nights and days in the area--we said good bye to all our new friends--and hit the road for the Kartchner Caverns. This place was discovered in the '70's and it is not to be believed. We watched the movie and took the tour--(make reservations for the tour!) and it was incredible--a MUST SEE. A force of nature at it's best! Mounted up and toured the Saguaro National Park--lots of cactus--then off to ride to the top of Mt.Lemon slightly north of Tucson. It is hard to believe we started with cactus and ended up at the top with evergreen trees and a ski area! The guys had a coasting race to the bottom--hilarious to watch as I followed them.

After a chilly ride back through Florence--we made it home in the dark--the days are just not long enough for us to get it all in! We figured we rode close to 800 miles--saw everything we could--the BMW boys even saw more travelling on the dirt. I am a lucky Diva to have such a great posse to ride with and explore. Those who were curious---- we let them know that I was their parole officer--trying to keep them in line--one woman said I wasn't doing a very good job...o well.... Diva has a lot on her plate!! In reality--they took great care of me--I really did feel like the Diva!

Check out my other photos on Team Diva web site, http://teamdiva.com/

Also--check out my calendar---I will be in Las Vegas for Rodeo Finals--set up at Sand's Expo Dec. 4-13, and will have a personal appearance at Hacienda Harley of Scottsdale on Dec. 13---if you are in the area--come see me!

I hope you all have a nice Turkey Day--get out and enjoy!

Viva la Diva (aka P.O.)

Links:

http://www.hotelsanramon.com/

http://www.bisbeebreakfastclub.com/

http://www.caferoka.com/

http://www.55maingallery.com/

http://www.bisbeearizona.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/

http://www.stockexchangesaloon.com/

http://www.azstateparks.com/

http://www.katchnercaverns.com/

http://www.tombstone.org/

http://www.brokenspokesaloon.com/

Photos:

Riding upper Main in Bisbee

Hotel San Ramon

Saguaro National Park

Chiricaua National Monument

Diva and Jay Allen

Diva Rides to Southern California for LOVE RIDE

Last Friday, Wolfgang and I hopped on our bikes and rode from Carefree, Arizona to Newport Beach, Ca. His wife, Kiki drove a car with us through all the back roads we could find. Riding with the Wolf aka. The Chopper King is a good experience as he knows all the back roads to anywhere! We started out on the Carefree Hwy to Hwy 60 all the way to Interstate 10 west. Perfect weather and lunch at Nancy's Cafe in Quartzite....when is the last time you had a canned, cinnamon marinated apple slice served with your food??? Hitting southern California on a Friday afternoon could have it's problems--but on a motorcycle--the carpool lane was the way to roll... I was in Newport Beach at sunset. Wolf and Kiki travelled on to Santa Monica and I stayed with Aunt Susie in NB. Riding down Jamboree I could smell and feel the ocean air---felt great after a long, hot ride though the desert!

Saturday morning I met Yaya Diva Susie and her daughter Megan at Starbucks to catch up and off to see Stefan, Stascha and family at their store, Stefan Kaelin's on Pacific Coast Hwy in Newport Beach. We were busy designing scarves and beanies I will make for them this winter--they also have a store in Aspen!! Lunch was with Aunt Susie at Rusty Pelican on Coast Hwy---we dined with a full view of the harbor and yachts and such fabulous food--I recommend the tuna Pokey!!!That afternoon I rode the bike south on PCH through Corona Del Mar and Laguna Beach to the Ritz Carleton in Dana Point--my old stomping grounds. The ride was fabulous--and on my way back north to Newport--dear old friend Fitzy passed me --I yelled to him wanting to know how he recognized me---how could you not on the Diva Glide???

Bright and early in the fog, thick as pea soup, I took off Sunday morning for Glendale to ride in the LOVE RIDE--it didn't clear up till I got to the exit for Glendale---another weather condition I will add to my riding experiences! I was a vendor at the Pomona Fairgrounds last year for this event--so I didn't get to participate in the parade ride. I heard there were at least 30,000 bikes riding in the event this year.Wolfgang got me into the VIP area and as you can see--I saw lots of friends and had photo ops with Nancy and Willie G. Davidson (we had met at Daytona Bike Week this past spring) and Peter Fonda--one of the original Easy Riders! Jay Leno was the grand marshall and MC, and Lorenzo Lamas sang the national anthem. I also met Mike Metzger ...aka, The Godfather of freestyle motocross!!! He is also a tattoo artist--and son Sam was totally impressed with this encounter!! My only regret is that my bike wasn't near so I could show it off---need to work on those credentials for next year!!! Once the engines started at the front of the procession--it took at least an hour for me to actually start my bike and move inch by inch down the parade route---lots of waving, peace signs, and thumbs up as we passed the crowds--and once we hit the Interstate 210--every overpass had cheering crowds as well. It only took an hour to ride to Pomona Fairgrounds and I cruised the show and saw all my vendor buddies--they said it finally was busy that day only--bummer since they had been there since Thursday. I hung out with Tory and Russell Mitchell at Exile Cycles---love those guys! It was too hot to check out the concerts--but I could hear them--Foo Fighters and ZZ Top performed. My ride back to Newport Beach was easy--carpool lane again--and got even more thumbs up and waves from fellow travellers.

Monday---Wolf, Kiki and I headed south to San Diego and we girls stopped off in Encinitas to see my dear divas at Hansen's--funny enough--they were having a Bogner clinic!!! They made time to come see the Diva Glide and take some pics--and lots of hugs--I miss that gang!We stayed in La Jolla at Claudia and Bill's "barn" on their estate in Pottery Canyon--peaceful and cozy!

Tuesday we were off for Arizona the scenic way. We stopped in Julian for lunch and killer apple pie--wonderful twisty windy roads--then to Salton Sea and through the Joshua Tree National Park north of I 10 ---I had never seen this park in all the years driving back an forth--it is a fabulous road in great condition and perfect for nice turns on the bike. We went through Twenty Nine Palms and back on to HWY 60 again through Wickenberg to Carefree Hwy--all in all a total of 12 hours to get home--with lots of stops! I loved every minute of the travels with the Wolf and his Queen. I am ready to go again!!

This week I am off with the boys from Aspen to explore the south eastern part of Arizona--staying in Bisbee for a few nights!!

Viva la Diva!!!

Photos:

Hansen's Divas

Fiereks and Kaelins

Russell Mitchell

Peter Fonda

Nancy and Willi G Davidson

Links:

http://www.exilecycles.com/

http://www.metzgerbrand.com/

http://www.loveride.org/

http://www.stefankaelin.com/

http://www.hansensurf.com/

Daytona Biketoberfest

I travelled to Daytona Beach for Biketoberfest last week--I fly--- and ship all my Diva Goods--wish I had my bike there--but it's just too damn far to ride...perhaps someday I will do it!!!

I set up in my usual spot at Arlen Ness store at Destination Daytona right off I95. The great news is that I have been doing these events for enough years that at least 75% of my customers were returning Divas!! It is always great to see everyone --some I get to see twice a year with Bike Week in March! My little Diva Store looked great--Shelly always gives me a great spot in her store. I also get to stay at her and Deano's Daytona Shores condo--right on the beach (as if there is time to enjoy it!) We hit a fundraiser Carrie Rapp organized at the Dog House on Main St. in Daytona for the troops--you will see some of the lovely Divas who entertained the crowd! Dave Perewitz, Christian (Sucker Punch Sally's), Billy Lane, and more were there to contribute for the cause!

Second night there I went to keep Tiffany company as she finished up her shoulder tattoo with Jeff over at Shamrock. I just love hanging out there--and of course he and I designed a new piece of art for me. It turned out fabulous--neon pink leopard rose with a "Dia de la Diva" skull --complete with lime green , orange, turquoise colors--it is on the top of my foot--and he used a tiny little needle. I told dear Jeff that it hurt worse than labor pains--but it was all worth it!!!

Vinnie and Cody from V-Force along with dad, Mr. D were right across from the store--and it was so fun to see them again. Michele Smith had her new hauler parked on the J&P lot--selling her Tribal Cowboy apparel and Team Diva hats! Ami from Miami Ink came up for the day as he is designing bikes with Christian at Sucker Punch Sally's--we had a fun little photo shoot--trying to get him to smile--(a grin is the best I got out of him!)

I always love spending time with my Daytona family--and especially being with Shelly---it was fate the day we met in ASPEN at her dad's Harley Store years ago--I went from a person who loved wearing HD gear to owning 2 of them and riding all I can----and getting in motorcycle biz----mucho thanks to my dear Shelly!!

Tomorrow I hit the road to Southern California with Wolfgang so we can ride in the LOVE RIDE--maybe I will run into Jay Leno---stay tuned!!!

"We're never gonna survive...unless we get a little crazy" SEAL

Viva la Diva

Diva links:

http://www.brucerossmeyer.com/ Destination Daytona

Shamrock Tatto shop 386-677-7670 Jeff (behind Corbin on Hwy 1A)

Diva photos:

1. Diva and more Divas

2. Michele Smith from American Thunder

3. Tattoo Jeff working on Diva

4. Ami from Miami Ink

5. Shelly on her balcony overlooking the Atlantic Ocean

check my photo gallery http://www.teamdiva.com/ for more photos from the event