sarah michals (stein)

People change. Things go wrong. Just remember, the ride goes on. This is my story. (All content is created by me unless otherwise stated.)

[sjstein]

It’s here!!!!! Over a year after our return, I finished my coffee table book. Thanks @blurbbooks! Hardcopies available via Amazon.com #panamericanhighwayroadtrip #harleydavidson #womenwhoride #bikerchic #motorcycles #adventure #bookstagram #coffeetablebooks #selfpublish (at Waukesha, Wisconsin)

[sjstein]

Work in Progress

After several rounds of edits and revisions, I’m getting a lot closer to my final coffee table book. This has taken me a lot longer than I ever expected it to. Mostly because this has been a pretty difficult year adjusting to life back home. 

Over the winter, I’ve been really working on myself. I’ve been focusing on the small stuff - eating right, exercise, staying social, and continuing to explore my creative side. I’ve read so many books and blogs on self-help, self-awareness, self-esteem. I do know my true self is who I need to serve, and no one else. This is a very hard lesson for me to learn, as a big part of my life has revolved around caring for others and not putting myself first. I’ve had to endure a lot of self-inflected pain in dealing with the emotions from my past. Apparently, this is what a mid-life crisis is all about. I turned 40 in January, which was not easy for me to comprehend either. A friend jokingly said to me “well, you’re half way to death!” and it really made me think. That’s an awful, and very scary thought, to think that I’ve lived half of my life already. 

In some ways, writing this book has been a painful experience. I’ve been debating on the format for a while, and how much of this story I should reveal. It also brings up times of good and bad memories. Times when I wish I could go back to that exact spot in time and enjoy, and other times I wish I could erase. 

I am committed to finishing this project. Maybe, just maybe, finishing this book can prove to morph from pain to healing. 

Forgiveness is a topic I’ve really been focusing on in my own life. Letting go of the pain and disappointment caused by others is a hard lesson to learn. I recently decided that I cannot control the actions of others, and I will no longer expect anything from anyone. I control my actions, my emotions. I cannot rely on anyone to do anything for me, nor do I require it.

I do require hugs. Lots of hugs. 

[sjstein]

First printed copy of my coffee table book arrived!!! #mybook #itshappening #panamericanhighwayroadtrip (at Ashippun, Wisconsin)

[sjstein]

Why biker’s use skulls? Because a skull denotes not gender, age, race, religion, or social status; It reminds us that we’re all united & equal by the same passion. 

[sjstein]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqqMT9QAyNk)

Oh yes, that’s right. Brian, Jason and I are going back to Peru!

As you may remember from my previous post, around December 22 was our first time through Peru when we attempted to make our way from Nasca towards Cusco to Machu Picchu. However, a series of events prevented us from making it there. And on our return trip through Peru, we took a slightly different route, and again did not have the opportunity to witness Mach Picchu in person. 

Our wonderful friends from Peru came to visit us in Milwaukee this summer and invited us back to Peru for another once-in-a-lifetime experience. Club Harley-Davidson Peru is organizing a ride from Lima to Cusco on September 23, 24 and 25th. And the three of us are going! I am so excited, but I’ll be honest I am a little nervous given our last experience.

I stumbled upon this video from Club Harley-Davidson Peru from their 2014 ride. I’m very excited to be part of this ride and to meet so many fellow riders from all over South America. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m so very thankful, grateful and honored to take part in it. 

[cosmicportal]

road to machu picchu.

[sjstein]

Wow!

[sjstein]

It's no secret that Argentines are big meat eaters. Not only do they eat more than their weight in meat -- seriously -- but they also have some of the be...

[sjstein]

Great road sign! #bigthingsontheway #roadsigns #nostalgic (at Max Motors Butler)

[sjstein]

Back to Reality

We have been home for about two weeks. Personally, I have been experiencing a bit of culture shock. For example, when we crossed into Brownsville, Texas immediately we noticed we were in such a different world - beautiful roads, well-manicured landscapes, grand buildings, and everything back in English. Honestly, it was a little strange. 

At first, being back in my home was overwhelming. Walking into my closet to see all of the clothes I left behind was bittersweet. On the positive side, I had options and I could wear clean clothes every day. However, did I really need all of this? I’m still not sure. There were the get-life-back-to-normal tasks that needed to be done: like sorting through the two boxes full of 4-months worth of mail. And, the reality of being unemployed and for the first time in my life I do not have a specific plan for what to do next. I’m trying to remember to call myself a free spirit in this interim, as unemployed just sounds so negative. 

I am surprised at how much I miss Latin America. I miss the love and happiness of all the people we met along the way. I miss the simple style of living we embraced for 4 months. And, I do miss being on my bike every day. Even though I had some riding challenges throughout the trip, I do love experiencing the world from the seat of my motorcycle.

I have learned so much from this experience, and I know I am a different person now. I also have realized I must face some hard truths about myself and my beliefs. It is not easy to look deep inside yourself and change. Brian taught me that there is no right or wrong, there is only what works or what doesn’t work given what you are trying to accomplish. And he’s so right. 

I honestly do not know what is in store for me in the future. I only hope I can find true happiness and joy. Always.

In my blog, I used this saying from an unknown author as the tagline. I chose this because it summarized what I thought I was going to experience. And it sure does. More than I ever expected: 

People change. Things go wrong. Just remember, the ride goes on. 

Thank you for following my story. 

[sjstein]

Almost home!

Today, we crossed our 24th and final border, leaving Mexico and back into the United States. Our total count is as follows: 1. Mexico 2. Guatemala 3. El Salvador 4. Honduras 5. Nicaragua 6. Costa Rica 7. Panama 8. Colombia 9. Ecuador 10. Peru 11. Chile 12. Argentina 13. Paraguay (ok, technically my passport is not stamped from Paraguay, as they kicked us out for not having a Visa. But, we were on Paraguay soil and I used the banos here. We all agreed if you leave your DNA behind, it counts!) 14. Bolivia 15. Peru 16. Ecuador 17. Colombia 18. Panama 19. Costa Rica 20. Nicaragua 21. Honduras 22. Guatemala 23. Mexico 24. United States The one thing that has amazed me in every country we have visited is the great kindness of people. We have had so many angels helping us along the way. Complete strangers who have become new friends, just from a simple act of kindness. This trip has taught me many things. Most importantly, it has taught me kindness. We are all human. We all could use help every now and then. Don't be afraid to stop and help a stranger. You would want someone to help you if you needed it. Trust me, you would! In 1,500 miles we will be back in Wisconsin. We hope to ride as far North as we can, depending on the weather. One day at a time... :)

[sjstein]

One last taco stand before we cross into the US. It is a serious tragedy these are not on every corner in the US. #panamericanhighwayroadtrip #mexico #mastacosporfavor #besttacosever #motorcycletrip (at U.S. Mexico Border)

[sjstein]

Brian said he always wanted to change a tire on the road, like in Easy Rider. The man got his wish. Thanks, Peter Fonda. 😜 #panamericanhighwayroadtrip #mexico #dirtylarry #harleydavidson #tirechange #motorcyclesofinstagram #motorcycletrip (at Yamaha Tampico)

[sjstein]

Super cool sunset - view from our hotel. Looks like the tree is on fire! #panamericanhighwayroadtrip #sunsets #mexico (at Altamira, Tamaulipas)

[sjstein]

Even in Mexico, people do this! #washme (at Altamira, Tamaulipas)

[sjstein]

Three crazy bikers. #panamericanhighwayroadtrip #motorcycletrip

[sjstein]

Seagulls. #panamericanhighwayroadtrip #mexico #gulfcoast (at Puerto de Veracruz, Mexico)

[sjstein]

Getting closer to home

Since being back in Central America, we have been hitting it pretty hard, making our way back towards the United States. Crossing into Mexico felt like we were practically home! Three things we all love about Mexico - in order: 1. Tacos 2. Quesodillas 3. Enchaladas Taco roadside stands are a beautiful thing. I will miss this so much! We stopped in Veracruz, Mexico for three days to change our oil and do laundry. In all of Latin America, they do not have laundromats like back home where you can do your own laundry. They have laundry services that take a day or 2 to get your clothes back. For me, laundry is a personal chore and was a little unsettling to hand over all your dirty, grimy clothes to a complete stranger to wash for you. Especially since we wear the same clothes for several days in a row. Some items are easy to hand wash in the hotel sink, but jeans are not one of those items. My jeans this time are nasty. But, in the wise words of Brian - deal with it. Veracruz is about 650 miles from the US, roughly 2 days of riding. I have very mixed emotions with our adventure almost complete. On one hand, I'm excited to be back in the  comforts of my own home and to see all of my family and friends. On the other hand, I don't know if I can bring myself to get back into a 9-5 office job. I guess that is all part of the adventure of life. Tomorrow (Feb 24) we plan to continue our ride towards Texas.