We are Back

Hello everyone Bill, myself and 37 of our closest friends just got back from a wonderful week in the Western Carribean. There is nothing like a cruise to make you forget about life for while. We left last Friday October 20th at 2 am for a ride to KC to catch a plane to Ft Lauderdale. Then loaded onto the Carribean Princess on Saturday morning for trips to the Bahamas, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumal Mexico. Had very nice weather and a great time on all of our excursions.

We went tubing on the white river in Jamaica. If you ever get the chance go tubing it was a blast. The river was as clear as can be and very refreshing.





We went snorkeling on Grand Cayman and went to stingray city. Stingrays are incredible animals.



We even went to hell and made it back.



Vacations are needed however it is always good to get back home again. My 4 legged fuzzy babies really missed there mom.

Peace

1840

Well I am gaining on my quest for 2000 miles. I drove to Ira and hit the trail yesterday. The first time that I have done the whole thing. Not to bad as long as the wind was at your back but man that wind was ferocious. I have been doing some reading on getting a good aerobic base so I started to wear my heartrate monitor. Now I know why I have been having such issues. I am surprised that my heart didnt blow up. I have been riding way above where I should be. This winter I am going to follow the guidline of just riding in my aerobic heartrate and see If I can get my base built up. Kind of like a science experiment. I have noticed that I feel much better keeping a lower heartrate.

I took a couple of pics to try out a new camera I got. It came with an underwater case so I hope to get pics of fishes and cute butts...:)

"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on" - Eleanor Roosevelt

The contrast of the field caught my eye:



How can you not like cows:

Bikers Row

I was looking through some of the pictures I had taken of the turkey Fry and came across this one. Those of you who now Bill know that he has alot of bikes. Well this Pic proves it. As far as I know all of the bikes you see hanging are fulling operational. That is not even all of them. We have two bikes on trainers in the house plus several frames hanging around. I keep trying to give some away but Bill always finds out and says no....imagine that.

Figures

It just figures. I went on a bike ride sunday. Very nice day to ride. Well anyway it is my goal to get 2000 miles on my bike and I was at around 1772. So I calculated and thought hey I will have reached 1800 by the time I get home. I rode into the driveway look at my computer and..................1799.7, it figures. I had to get back on my bike ride up the hill turn back around it then read 1800. So you never know I just might get my 2000 if I ride in rain, or snow or dead of night...sounds like a postman...Remember a true friend will..When you are sad -- help you get drunk and plot revenge against the sorry bastard who made you sad.

Peace

One of my favorite fall memories

Fall reminds me of many things..Football games, Marching Band, getting ready for basketball season. It also reminds me of one of my favorite memories. Those of you who know me know I grew up around horses those of you who dont now know. I can ride western, English but my favorite way is the cowboy way. Hop on and Hold on. That is how I learned. I have taken my share of tumbles and falls.

On nice falls days I would get Gunner, Star, Hooter, which ever horse I had at the time,get the bridle on ,hop on and just take off with the dogs. I grew up with the most fantastic playground. A river, Two ponds and acres of land. The dogs, horse and I would just take off. I would get totally lost in thought. Sometime I would get to singing. Hooter use to twitch his ears to my singing. The dogs would be off chasing whatever they could find. The trees would be beautiful and all we well with the world.

I miss my fall rides I have not had a horse or ridden for many years, but my memory of them is a happy place that I will sometimes go.

Peace

What I have learned biking this year

I do some of my best thinking when I am exercising here are some of things I contemplated or thought about while riding this year.

1. I am not 30 years old anymore and It took a long time to remember this.
2. Thank goodness for hubbys that will come to there wifes rescue.
3. Sometimes fortune cookies do have a bit of truth
4. Lance does not dope, Floyd does not dope and Jan Ullrich what can you say the best natural talent in years and no one knew how to handle him or his talent. What a waste
5. Dont go to Walmart after 8:00 it is really scary.
6. Why did I take so long to start riding again, I really missed this.
7. Work is not my life dont let it take over.
8. Only 11 more days until our cruise.
9. I like hills I must be crazy.
10. What is my purpose in life.
11. I like watching animals they are so cool.
12. Claw and shoe covers are a must for Brrr
13. Butt butter is my friend.
14. I miss not riding RAGBRAI
15. Farmers are so cool..

These are just a few things that have gone through my mind. It is amazing how exercise just clears the mind and the soul...Peace

Fall Turkey Fry

Well our annual turkey fry was once again a success. We fried up 6 turkeys and about 20 lbs of fish. Everyone brought great side dishes so if anyone went away hungry it was their fault. To accommidate the Iowa Hawkeye fans we set up a tv on the little deck. You could tell how the game was going by the cheers and the groans. Bill got his remote control cars out so he was like the pied piper with the kids. I think they ran all of the batteries down on all of his cars. It was a beautiful evening and as far as I could tell everyone had a great time. It is still up in the air at this moment as to whether we will continue this tradition or not.

Hawkeye Fans....



Kids


Kobi and Spencer...or is it Martin..



It is a beautiful day today I am debating a bike ride, run or to just be a slug...sorry to say the slug is winning the race so far.