One More Time in Wisconsin

I know I blog too much about my biking adventures (even though that's what I do most in the summer) I decided to relate one more biking story so those who are new to my blog, esp. those who took this trip with me might enjoy it as well along with the few that read this on a regular basis. I might also gain more readership, which would be great even though like Jennifer (another blogger I read) doesn't know how many read her blog. ANYWAY, this trip was organized by an avid biker who also is an alumni of University of Wisconsin-Platteville from my husband's class. He organized a biking excursion starting at the University and running about 22 miles up and around the giant "M". The "M," by the way, stands for mining, in honor of UW's erstwhile mining school, which was very prestigious in the early 20th century. The students moved and cemented 400 tons of light-colored limestone to create the letter. The "M" is 241 feet high, 214 feet wide, and the legs are 25 feet across. The engineers who designed it used surveying techniques to ensure that the "M" appears symmetrical and visually appealing from all angles. ANYWAY, because there are not many bike trails in wooded areas around Platteville the travel was mostly on highways devoid of trees and surrounded by cornfields, etc. since I have been biking along trails here in the Twin Cities I figured I would be in shape. WRONG! The group left me in the dust except for a very kind lady close to my age who could have left me in the dust but decided to wait at the top of each ENORMOUS hill for me, took a shortcut that I wouldn't have known about and rested with me part way under the giant "M". Michael joined us for the shortcut. Not sure if it was a sympathy move or not but I appreciated the tired fellow Minnesotan not to mention husband. Much to my relief the halfway point welcomed us with a giant cooler of iced water bottles, apples, and donut holes. The sun and the hills really "killed" me not to mention when my chain fell off (by the way, sunscreen takes grease off your hands) but I hung in, made some wonderful new friends, and I may (I said "may") give it another try next year. All in all the most fun of course was winding my way back home with Michael through the small towns in Wisconsin and Minnesota and the exercise made me feel absolutely fantastic underneath all that sweat. All l can say is, GO WISCONSIN BIKERS!

"B" does not always stand for "blog"

We took our weekly bike trip with Dan and Mary to St. Paul covering 17 miles this time. Wouldn't recommend this trail if you don't like hills and bumps. Very woodsy, though. At one point we were surrounded by (I'm sure) 100 yr-old trees. They were so H U G E! The trail followed along the river and ended up in downtown St. Paul across from the Science Museum (the state capital is behind us) for our destination and snack and rest time. After returning to our cars we hooked the bikes back up and walked down to the river front and watched the river boats travel by (notice Fort Snelling up on the bluff) while we skipped stones and talked about our next bike adventure!

There's More to Shakopee than Valleyfair

Michael and I have put a number of miles so far this year biking around the metro area. Two weeks ago it was a trail in Hopkins that leads to Excelsior. It is one of my favorite trails because of the scenery with all the boats and Lake Minnetonka shoreline. We went approximately 22 miles, a bit of a stretch for me this early in the summer but still fun. This past week we tried out a trail just west of Valleyfair in Shakopee. Very lovely and rustic. It led us to a small area in the old part of Chaska. Only 12 miles but very enjoyable with low riding hills. Ran across a number of people out that day including some very friendly teens. We don't run into many young people riding the trails possibly due to the ability to get one's license at 16 in Minnesota. I was glad to see them out exercising their bodies free of charge rather than emptying their wallets at Valleyfair. Outside of some interesting flowers, I took a picture of some wetlands on the southside.

A Tribute

Took my mom to Fort Snelling National Cemetery for Memorial Day. My dad is buried there having served in the Navy. Beautiful weather, tons of people milling about and remembering loved ones. I gained a personal interest in veterans, not from my dad who actually hated the service but from working at the Mn. Veterans Home for a couple years. They have a story to tell. We should be listening.

Bike Parade

Michael and I were invited this past Sunday to join with hundreds of other bikers to try to beat the Guinness world record for the longest length of a "bike parade". Still waiting for the numbers to come in (I was #565 to cross the finish line). It started at 68th and France and went around Lake Cornelia covering approx. 2.2 miles and taking approx. 26 minutes riding single file throughout the ride. The weather was great and the event was very well organized. The Edina Morningside Rotary Club sponsored it and also turned it into a fund raiser with money going to VEAP which runs a foodshelf, camp scholarships for kids, and money for vaccination programs in Third World countries. Three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond lead the parade, however I never spotted him. We rode our bikes there and then took a ride through the Centennial Lakes area afterward so we covered approx. 12 miles for the day. All in all it was a great time even though Michael got alot of ribbing as he rode with his Packer sweatshirt on :)

29th and counting!

I thought I better put this in since tomorrow is May 1st. Michael and I celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary on the 19th of this month. We were going to bike over to Edinborough Park in Edina and "people-watch" over a picnic lunch by the lake but it rained so we took the light rail downtown and ate dinner at a restaurant in the Comfort Inn Suites Hotel on 7th Street. For the life of me I can't remember the name of the restaurant but it doesn't matter since the brocolli was rubbery which is definitely a bad sign. Lots of atmosphere, though. We had fun just being together even though we've been together now for 29 years. Lots of milestones. Watching the neighborhood change over time (we are one of two families with the longest residency on the block). Having babies, birthday parties and many, many family Christmas and Easter celebrations. Having pets to love and cherish and bury in the backyard (rest in peace Marty, Keet, Ratty, and Belle). Gutting the house, getting rid of the bats and finding out too late that the fence on the north side of the house really has belonged to us all these years. But we all know that the bottom line is who's standing next to us through all those years of sadness and joy, frustrations and forgiveness and love and loss. It's been a great ride so far. Thanks, dear for standing with me through it all!

Spices, Seasonings and Herbs Oh My!

If you've never been to Penzeys Spices you've missed out on a real aromatic experience. Michael and I go there alot and enjoy it immensely. I'm not sure if it's the wonderful smells of 250 varieties of spices and herbs (they have samples of everything for your "smelling" pleasure) or just taking in all the shops in the Uptown area but it's a real treat to spend a Saturday afternoon browsing among the locals picking out the next recipe idea for Sunday dinner. We stopped in this past Saturday as he had received a gift card from some friends at work and he wanted to spend it. Because we're considered regulars at Penzeys we have just about all the "stuff" we need for a great meal but there is so much to pick from that he went in search of a new seasoning or gadget they might enhance his cooking skills which those of you that know him know what a great cook he is! We had a great time on a beautiful sunny day enjoying the sights and smells of Penzeys!