A Leaning Tower of Chocolate

Although Danna and Caroline have tried to nurture my baking skills, a lot is to be desired. The good news is chocolate taste good regardless of appearances. The birthday girls didn't complain!

Maybe Sean is a Pro After All...

Sean brought home $700 from his race weekend in Chicago. He had a few top twenty places and a $200 prime. He raced with former teammates from Cleveland, OH and they all split their winnings. Whehew!

Golf Anyone?

I've had a good time playing a few rounds of golf with my folks. A lot has changed since I played seriously, including club technology. I have found a new love...the Taylor Made Burner. I will tout my 7 over par on the front nine this afternoon for an admirable 43. Don't ask about the back!

Our Return

It's been almost a week since the end of our road trip. We are well rested and enjoying the finer things in life like running water, showers, and flush toilets. We have had a few thoughts, or reflections from the trip. They are as follows:

• Gas is cheaper in the Midwest due to cleaner ethanol infused petrol; however, makes the price of food increase so a wash really, but you feel better fueling up.
  
• Coffee is a necessity in the morning!
• You can only eat so much lunch meat and PBJ's.
• If you hear critters (like mountain lions or bears) outside your tent, engaging the car alarm is not the appropriate response and certainly not a good defense.
• When the cross winds are over 60 mph driving through the great plains with 4 bikes on the car, you should pull over and drive another day.
• Wash your bike clothes regularly after rides. It's not the uncomfortableness of wearing them multiple times, but the odor that creeps in your car and never leaves.
• Don't think you can sleep on anything other than a thermarest! The name brand means something!
• Check and make sure you have rain gear before the storm unloads on your tent.
• Always carry wet wipes when traveling.
• Never underestimate the value of a shower.
• Three weeks is too long to spend with one person in tiny spaces, i.e. car and tent. Especially when this person is your spouse.

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!