Mile 6438 Last Day of Vacation

We spent the weekend outside of Milwaukee, WI and Sean and I raced in Milwaukee for the last weekend of Super Week. Todd and Sean pressured me into hoping in the women's race and I was able to sustain the attacks until the the last 500 meters. I finished an admirable 18th. The women's fields were large and smooth as butter! I enjoyed the race and was happy I still had my crit skills, although my legs were not up to par. Sean raced the evening pro race and finished 35th. It was a solid finish after not racing for three weeks. He finished mid pack on Saturday evening, so was happier he had some flow and followed moves Sunday. Both of his fields had over 100 racers. You can see from the pictures he was near Justin Williams of Rock Racing before the race, who won $7,000 prime on Saturday night. Can you believe it was that much money! We're in IN until next week when we head to Clemson. It was a great trip and thanks to all that followed our journey. Sean has some serious Tour to watch since we were gone the month of July! :)

Mile 6120 Day 16

Thursday night was our last time in the tent for our summer trip. It was sad to think the trip had a conclusion, although I will be happy to see my folks, woofs, and girls in the South. It was a great night! The air was cool, frogs loud on the lake, and a light breeze. I could have done without the drunk party on 2 wheels blaring really bad bluegrass, but what camping trip is complete without some annoying people and a story to tell. We had breakfast in Iowa City at the Hamburger. We were told it is a famous eatery where presidents visit and campaign, and sure enough the pictures on the wall proved it! Obama was in there last with a large photo. Some guys from RAGBRI showed up to eat to with a cooler, smoker, and sink on their bikes. It was crazy! We drove to Jefferson, WI to stay with an old friend from SIU. It was great to see Todd and cruise around the town on bikes like old times. Sean attributes his climbing skills to chasing Todd around Southern Illinois. The greyhounds minded the house while we were gone...clearly a rough life! Sean races tomorrow evening in Milwaukee and we'll go to watch. Good times!

Mile 5810 Day 15

On Thursday we left the hotel early and drove to Iowa City to make the group ride. We decided not to go to Milwaukee via Minnesota to save gas and ride in a group ride. Although Sean denied it, I feel he wanted to return to Iowa City to redeem himself from the group ride we attempted on the first day of our trip. I decided to stay at the campsite and relax hoping my cold would finish its course. Surprisingly, while we were trying to find the State Park we saw 1000's of cyclists, which means the famous RAGBRAI, the ride across Iowa. What are the chances? That night a group of the traveling cyclists spent the night at the same campsite. They were loud and drunk! We were hoping to return the favor; however, they were up and on their bikes when we got up. Although good friends have tried to get us to join the traveling drunk circus on 2 wheels in the past, I can for certain say now, "it's not really for us." We loved watching it though! Sean had a great ride in town and showed without his wife and hurricane like conditions he can win the local weekly ride! Funny side note the guy in this You Tube video (click to watch) is the same one who showed us the ropes at the bike shop and rode with Sean on the group ride. He said the second hit hurt the worst, but is recovering! Ouch!

Mile 5425 Day 14

On Wednesday we drove, and then drove some more. We left Cheyenne,Wyoming in the morning, wishing we could have stayed for the Frontier Festival (not to be confused with the crazy Mormon Pioneer Day Festival). The police were blocking the roads for the cattle drive into downtown. I walked around some cowgirl shops and thought to myself, "I could live here!" Sean may have to adjust, but the cowboy hats, big belt buckles, and cowgirl bling bling is right up my alley! I could barrel race in a rodeo every weekend, although my Dad pointed out I may be to old to handle the rodeo again. Most of our trip consisted of the the flat plains with a lot of alternative energy plants. We decided to get a hotel room due to the heat and rain. We found a little Greek eatery and a laundry mat. I am typing this while watching a woman, who is finished with her laundry, watch Dog & The Bounty Hunter (a show my brother Brett and wife Christy turned us onto and LOVE IT), a trucker type with his jeans hanging to low neatly folding his clothes, and an old woman wiping down every machine she uses with bleach wipes before her clothes enter. I forget how interesting people are to watch. Tomorrow we decided to drive North to Minnesota in search of relief from the heat and rain. We hope to find a group ride and campsite. Friday we drive into Milwaukee to stay with friends and Sean will be racing with fresh legs.

Mile 4765 Day 14

We left Ogden Tuesday morning for the long drive through Wyoming. We called a bike shop to inquire about mountain biking in East Wyoming and hit the jackpot! We checked out the University of Wyoming in Laramie, which is a great college town and then 20 minutes down the road set-up camp in Happy Jack, WY. There were miles and miles of single track mountain bike trails, 2 reservoirs that allowed water skiing but no swimming (hmmm?), and an abundance of wildlife. Sean mountain biked when we arrived, but I was still not 100% so I waited until Wednesday morning. He bit the dust when his leg met a large rock. There was some bruising and skin loss, but will not stop his future race plans. I think it was the chipmunk capital of the world! We also saw mule deer, prairie dogs, and coyotes. There were mountain lion tracks on the bike trail towards the end of our ride. It must have freaked me out because I ran up a rabbit that hit my leg and I screamed as if I was being attacked. I envisioned a lion hanging out on top of one of rocks waiting to pounce me as a domestic cats . The Gowdy State Park in Happy Jack was incredible! Imagine large rocks, prairies, pointy fur trees, and patched of hills with large aspens. I think it may be a secret mountain bike heaven.

Day 13

We had a great day relaxing in the morning at the coffee shop (Sean rode another mountain). In the afternoon we kayaked down the Weber River outside of Ogden. The water was FAST and fun. Sean and I had made a bet earlier in the week, in which I owed him the National deficit. I was happy to bet him double or nothing on the first person to fall out of the kayak. Lucky for me he was dumped 2x and I was off the hook! With the mortgage crisis recovery package I could really owe him a lot! The Weddell's go big when we bet! Thanks to Jack and Lisa for a great time! We start heading West on Tuesday.

Day 11 and 12

We are staying in Ogden until Tuesday. Unfortunately, I have come down with a nasty head cold. I was unable to play the last two days and have suffered through cold sweats, headaches, and a sore throat. Sean was able to ride on Saturday in the mountains. He was told the group ride left at 6am, if you can believe that. People rolled in around 7am and he was able to do some climbing. Saturday evening we visited Antelope Island on the Great Salt Lake. Jack and Sean refused to walk the half mile to the lake, which may have been a good idea. As you can see there were swarms of gnat like flies all around the lake. Lisa and I walked down in the heat and sand to at least say we did it. On Sunday Lisa an Jack challenged us to a double tennis game, in which Sean and I lost horribly. It's been at least 10 years for both of us. Needless to say the morning drained me and I spent most of the day on Sunday in bed trying to recover. Monday we plan to kayak and get outside!