UNFORGETTABLE BLOGFEST ....

Hi, everyone,

I hope all of you are having an unusual Monday, different from the norm. If not, why not check out my cyber sis's Unforgettable Blogfest?! Siv Marie @ Been There, Done That, is hosting this fun blogfest. Post about a unique place or person that you will never forget or that has changed your life.

This opens up a world of possibilities, doesn't it? It certainly does for me. So hop on over to Siv's blog for all the extraordinary posts. After you read mine of course.

I have decided to write about a very recent discovery I had made about a certain group of people: bikers.

No, not the people I see pedaling the lakefront in Chicago on a daily basis, but the rough, tough, leather clad men and woman that streak across the country in packs.

My story begins when my cousin on the west coast of Florida had invited me to her place for a long weekend over the Easter holidays. I really hadn't spent much time with her since we were kids, so I thought it would be fun to reconnect.

After my long grueling ride across the state, I finally had made it to her condo. The blazing sun scorched everything in its presence. Summer had come early to St. Petersburg, Fl. Dripping, I carried my travel bags and some food to the door. My cousin greeted me with a warm smile and big hug.

During lunch we caught up on all the family gossip and then she took me around town and to the beach. She had mentioned meeting her friends later in the evening at one of her favorite haunts.

The sun sank and so did the temps. It had amazed me how cool it got by early evening. She never did tell me exactly where we would end up, so I dressed in a nice pair of jeans and a turquoise fitted v-neck sweater. Casual, but classy, right?

We had our first few drinks at a beach type bar where the clientele was mostly older, at least ten years older than us. Not really my scene, and it surprised me because my cousin is HOT, so I thought we'd be going to trendier places.

"What's next?" I had asked as boredom set in.

A wicket grin crossed her face. "I'm not sure if you're ready for what I have to tell you. Just go with it and ask no more questions." She laughed, took my hand and dragged me back to her brand spanking new Jeep.

I raised a brow as we passed from the strip of high-rise beach hotels to the inner works of the city. Twenty minutes later she pulled up into the driveway of this run-down hovel. Split wooden steps lead to a semi opened door expelling clouds of smoke.

"You seriously are not taking me in there." My eyes darted from the smoke lingering on the front decking to my cousin's face, alight with mischief.

"Trust me," she said taking my hand again. You'll love my friends."

What kind of people hang out at a place like this?

The dozens of motorcycles should have clued me in. but I hadn't notice them at first.

We entered the hovel through a smoke screen. As it cleared I had a better view of my surroundings. I gulped.

Now, I'm not really a snob, but this place was REALLY not my scene. Decades of smoke infused the cedar walls. Everything but the kitchen sink hung from the wooden beams. Each step I took stuck to the floor.

In the blink of an eye, my cousin was surrounded by the most motliest group I had ever seen. Not one designer ANYTHING dressed any one of them. Torn jeans, ripped tees, leather vests, pierced everything, tattoos, bandannas, and exposed skin, that shouldn't have been exposed. I stood out in the worst kind of way, I was the token gold coin in a piggybank full of silver ones.

What is she thinking?! I know JoJo's crazy. She always was, but she's got to be kidding me!

She turned toward me, smirked, and began introducing me. Hands extended, eyes lit, and broad smiles beamed at me with each introduction. To my absolute shock, this was one of THE most sincerest and friendliest group of strangers I had ever met. Nothing false. No pretense. These people were genuine. They were who they were with nothing to prove to anyone, and accepted anyone for who they were.

I found myself fascinated and began chatting away as if I had known them for years.  JoJo disappeared for a while, but I didn't panic. On the contrary, I had a most intriguing conversation with a part American Indian woman. Her cosmic ways only added to the intrigue. She was very spiritual and into Wicca and the earth. She read auras like we read words.

She had approached me the moment I had stepped out onto the patio and commented on how white my aura was.

"Is that a good think," I had asked.

"Yes, and very powerful." She then put her hand on mine. "Yes, very powerful. I hope you are ready?" She said as her eyes sparkled in the dim outdoor light.

"Ready?" I smiled. "For what?"

"The ride of your life. Big things will be happening for you soon."

I looked at her quizzically. Not truly believing what I had just heard. Was she drunk? I gazed into her clear, black eyes. No that's not it.

She nodded. "Yes, big things. I really hope you're ready."

I cleared my throat. "I was born ready," I said, locking my eyes on hers.

Her thin lips curled. "Yes, I believe you are."

"So, when is all this to happen?"

She grinned. "Time is very fickle. It will present itself to you when it does."

"That's a bit vague. Can't you be more specific?"

She patted me on the shoulder. "Just be ready for it when it happens." She turned and walked into the bar.

I have never forgotten her. How strange. How powerful was her presence. And what about her premonition? Is my life going to change so drastically?

Well, it's been about four months. Not yet..... LOL.  You guys will be the first to know when it happens.

So do you have a person or have you been to a place that you will never forget? I'd loved to know.

This is such a fun blogfest, I hope you have a chance to read some of the other bloggers posts.

Have a great Monday everyone.