tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39835848901695345322024-02-18T21:12:54.338-07:00It's A Fine LifeLesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-63806851863882134862014-07-27T20:09:00.000-06:002014-07-27T20:09:04.226-06:00Mt. Pleasant, MI to Birch Run, MI 74 Miles<b>"Ain't it good to know you've got a friend?"---Carole King</b><div>
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At this point in the ride, most of us have settled into small groups of riding buddies. We don't ride with the same people <i>every</i> day, but definite friendships have formed. Here are some of our pals:</div>
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Mike, John (he just joined the tour), Dave, and Doug</div>
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Our first SAG was at the Reeves' Farm. About 12 years ago one of the ABB leaders stopped by the farm to photograph a tractor in the front yard. A friendship developed with the owners and we now have an actual home as a SAG stop. Mrs. Reeves even opened up her place so we could use her bathrooms. It's hard to explain, but it is so much nicer than the usual convenience store or park. Maybe it's like having a SAG at your mom's house. Yeah. I think that's it.<br />
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Me, Mrs. Reeves, Arohanui, and Patty (more pals)</div>
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On Mrs. Reeves' porch.</div>
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Just pulling in to Birch Run, Michigan</div>
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This heart was waiting for us at the bike washing station.</div>
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Wall decor at dinner.</div>
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Do you know what Mr. Buffalo said when his</div>
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kid went away to college?</div>
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Bye, son.</div>
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Get it? Bi-son. Bison.</div>
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Yeah, when they told us at rap we groaned, too.</div>
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The warthog liked the joke.</div>
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So I try to be adventurous and try local cuisine when we travel. I'm usually good for trying anything once. Tonight I tried the Blueberry Walleye. It really was this color. Maybe a little bluer. Put me down for "once" on that one.<br />
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I'm a few days behind on these posts. The next will be 90 miles to Port Huron, Michigan.</div>
Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-45472048805233151042014-07-21T17:14:00.000-06:002014-07-21T17:14:29.274-06:00LaCrosse, WI to The Dells, WI 88 miles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>"I hear the train a-comin'; it's rollin' 'round the bend."---Johnny Cash</b></div>
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Fun start to the day. Jersey Day. Which means we all wear the America By Bicycle jerseys. Most days we're just a collage of colorful cycling tops. Not today. Today we look like a racing team unified in red, white, and blue. I think the purpose of Jersey Day is to make it easier for the ABB staff to spot us on the road, but also it's great advertising for the company. Regardless of the reason, it was fun to ride out of town as a team. I haven't really thought about how wearing the same thing unifies people. Maybe that's why it's called a "uni"-form. About 30 of us rode together. It made the time go quickly and before I knew it, we were at the first SAG.</div>
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All pro looking.</div>
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First SAG.</div>
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Bicycling Capital of America</div>
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We had to purchase yellow Wisconsin State Trail Passes with the valid date written in broad-tipped Sharpie. I love going anywhere that you have to have a special permit. This allowed us use of the Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trail. The exciting feature was three former train tunnels! The tracks are gone, replaced by a muddy, slippery path requiring each of us to walk our bikes. Also, we had to bring flashlights to help us find our way. We could see the light at the other end of the tunnel, so it wasn't too scary. Also, there was a sign at one entrance requesting that we not bother the bats.<br />
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It was a blast! Even with bats. </div>
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One for the new blog.</div>
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This one looked like it could be a jig-saw puzzle</div>
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with the Holstein cows and curvy road.</div>
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Ronnie and Doug actually wore fake cheese for </div>
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almost 40 miles.</div>
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One morning in our motel elevator several days ago, on another Jersey Day, I had a gentleman tell me to be safe on the roads. Then, seeing all our matching cycling tops, he added, "I assume you're professionals?"..... Uh...with the majority of us hovering around 60?..... Why yes.... We ARE professionals. We have physicians, attorneys, businessmen, a veterinarian...Yeah. We're professionals. But, I don't think that's what he meant.</div>
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Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-10915674927720645632014-07-19T16:05:00.001-06:002014-07-19T16:05:39.212-06:00Rochester, MN to LaCrosse, WI 88 miles<b>"Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo.."---The Twilight Zone</b><br />
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We've entered some sort of weird dimension in time and space. We just get on our bikes in the morning, each day the same as the last, and ride and ride and ride until we get to our next motel. Most likely, a Best Western. All the while, racking up miles like a frequent flier. This week: Monday-71, Tuesday-112, Wednesday-104, Thursday-88. It's kind of crazy. In what world is this normal?<br />
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Dave Goltermann rode with us today. He's as big a goofball as we are. The miles went by quickly as we laughed and made up silly scenarios of what was happening on this wacky tour. Our first SAG was at a lovely waterfall setting called Trout Run Creek.<br />
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This struck us as extremely funny.</div>
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After hundreds of miles of painful, bumpy roads--</div>
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a warning sign?</div>
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In case we still weren't sure.</div>
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A friendly Lutheran steeple.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bKybRDZlNY1OuW_1vCvOvJAGKKcEbi37An33kObOArrhwIiHBIeAvWUgyMI1E8PHo8Uz2PC8W8fkKivdW_h2ws84CfV0-uwnSf3Y13G9qjbEB84VTs9ybnHZUCJNnMx9THiEJJ-3EDM/s1600/IMAGE_2711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bKybRDZlNY1OuW_1vCvOvJAGKKcEbi37An33kObOArrhwIiHBIeAvWUgyMI1E8PHo8Uz2PC8W8fkKivdW_h2ws84CfV0-uwnSf3Y13G9qjbEB84VTs9ybnHZUCJNnMx9THiEJJ-3EDM/s1600/IMAGE_2711.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I should start a new blog:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
justbarnsandsilos.blogspot.com</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uhFAGK_v5lvlGBsGJ5P7DrTsyHICPRsRBhdiH2mHEmxoo3e0A8l2CW01adH06dTnvENTRSABSWArnRGVPatuzGOKAfMTfRsCohv_H3U5J8JiaYC7HeRSCI5WC5HKRulrRbYjHA5xR9o/s1600/IMAGE_2712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uhFAGK_v5lvlGBsGJ5P7DrTsyHICPRsRBhdiH2mHEmxoo3e0A8l2CW01adH06dTnvENTRSABSWArnRGVPatuzGOKAfMTfRsCohv_H3U5J8JiaYC7HeRSCI5WC5HKRulrRbYjHA5xR9o/s1600/IMAGE_2712.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This cemetery only allowed flowers in raised planters.</div>
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Very pretty, peaceful, and tidy.</div>
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I bet it makes mowing a breeze.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IxIhyphenhyphenU-uPplHnuWcSZiIj6rjZmvS4cMP9xj2WYCyuYDtGHanULhWetxe_QA_Ky5Mkz3iyBraI4lU4wtYDIyhv85hrrT0jH1XO2nPJR_kHIokLfcc2xKuyWTQIvJTsZ6mLrrt7mDZwB4/s1600/IMAGE_2713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IxIhyphenhyphenU-uPplHnuWcSZiIj6rjZmvS4cMP9xj2WYCyuYDtGHanULhWetxe_QA_Ky5Mkz3iyBraI4lU4wtYDIyhv85hrrT0jH1XO2nPJR_kHIokLfcc2xKuyWTQIvJTsZ6mLrrt7mDZwB4/s1600/IMAGE_2713.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Another blog in the making?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Canyoubelievetheyregrownups.blogspot.com</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnKgIS8Pz3U_7W7_EPmLzWdz2c1K2r1hWS2JUkf4CqY8taZ0_g1PwMv5oi48OqEaGhuSUeB82-lhqNBB6yEbxj1Y6SrlfF4GIHbSTmUHf19D43OLCvpOoKqQSkSTVfintyetwTMuTmUU/s1600/IMAGE_2714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnKgIS8Pz3U_7W7_EPmLzWdz2c1K2r1hWS2JUkf4CqY8taZ0_g1PwMv5oi48OqEaGhuSUeB82-lhqNBB6yEbxj1Y6SrlfF4GIHbSTmUHf19D43OLCvpOoKqQSkSTVfintyetwTMuTmUU/s1600/IMAGE_2714.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Good advice.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--_cwlhQpnag/U8qmcjOEzeI/AAAAAAAALUk/J0Q4VjsgDzM/s1600/IMAGE_2715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--_cwlhQpnag/U8qmcjOEzeI/AAAAAAAALUk/J0Q4VjsgDzM/s1600/IMAGE_2715.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Always happy for a bike path.</div>
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Gettin' crafty with bike parts.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCtpyIeLzXvu-T6_74-JdV7GmjVfzSD-SrXlKINPKJI5OkSUtheqFBbUjs9fMT1VBHDBfmm5nRANhwLvDkT9SMN40_LHeeqi0994PVy9btFORxN27HGuDpWBMji7b7x8h8ncOxsa0VAw/s1600/IMAGE_2717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCtpyIeLzXvu-T6_74-JdV7GmjVfzSD-SrXlKINPKJI5OkSUtheqFBbUjs9fMT1VBHDBfmm5nRANhwLvDkT9SMN40_LHeeqi0994PVy9btFORxN27HGuDpWBMji7b7x8h8ncOxsa0VAw/s1600/IMAGE_2717.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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We stopped at a visitor center at the end of the</div>
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bike path and just before the 2nd SAG.</div>
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There we met Alice, the great-horned owl.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She had fallen from her nest 17 years ago as a baby.</div>
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Outside our lunch-stop-bistro in the little</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
town of Houston. Pronounced Hyoo-ston, or </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Who-ston. Never How-ston I was instructed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of my favorite parts of the day is</div>
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stopping for a leisurely lunch chat.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mesRs2UJtlj1j8YP1ldrMPhzvzNXmipAUgH4djdSaG-nbhdlxU01weVCs4sO4j-SJjQSKGJztP7gFhxKZft6AGhl_v-i6BttdFjIUCSW24lPcvs_7F78hLJgSEMlYb0LEYH3HjQVScU/s1600/IMAGE_2719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mesRs2UJtlj1j8YP1ldrMPhzvzNXmipAUgH4djdSaG-nbhdlxU01weVCs4sO4j-SJjQSKGJztP7gFhxKZft6AGhl_v-i6BttdFjIUCSW24lPcvs_7F78hLJgSEMlYb0LEYH3HjQVScU/s1600/IMAGE_2719.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I'm getting a pretty good collection of these.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
As a little kid, I looked forward to state border signs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today was no different.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREYFFOS2o-Gxbd-a_sAUJwkbmC4LM8sx86Ex-mDPxtEqKPkAjs4BDD3te3JWVC-2m-Cj9Cj8PFvg_wWmHH_N4GuSp3gIhnD1qgFOqsGIUDN3nl8nhGCTX8h9CPMkOS5bmcJTw5H3_8Ng/s1600/IMAGE_2721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREYFFOS2o-Gxbd-a_sAUJwkbmC4LM8sx86Ex-mDPxtEqKPkAjs4BDD3te3JWVC-2m-Cj9Cj8PFvg_wWmHH_N4GuSp3gIhnD1qgFOqsGIUDN3nl8nhGCTX8h9CPMkOS5bmcJTw5H3_8Ng/s1600/IMAGE_2721.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I</div>
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Couldn't help thinking of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.</div>
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Behind the Best Western River Front.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2rDKVecfsl22itNLprRKLywWRZfPWMqj2qA6L6yFk8tnuh9JmRAy59TfwC3IFpcZkPr2G9ndUxaQp8Hw0oi-xJ3eHKoaSyN8rVes-GznDjsGgGgyV0GlfnIZCe9m0v4dbZv_RIVkcDI/s1600/IMAGE_2723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2rDKVecfsl22itNLprRKLywWRZfPWMqj2qA6L6yFk8tnuh9JmRAy59TfwC3IFpcZkPr2G9ndUxaQp8Hw0oi-xJ3eHKoaSyN8rVes-GznDjsGgGgyV0GlfnIZCe9m0v4dbZv_RIVkcDI/s1600/IMAGE_2723.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We stopped on the tall blue bridge spanning the Mississippi River to watch a barge the size of a football field pass under us. The river was high from all the recent flooding, I'm told, so the captain was quite close to us. We signaled for him to honk. I jumped it blared so loudly. I'm thinking my hair blew backwards, too. Yikes. Next, came a small boat you might pull a water skier behind. Dave woo-woo'ed signally him to honk, too. In comparison, it was wimpy and weak. Dave gave him the thumbs down. In defiance, the skipper raised his shirt and showed us his fat, pasty white belly. Ah, life on the Mississippi.</div>
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Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-52508829201598169652014-07-17T20:21:00.001-06:002014-07-17T20:21:34.789-06:00Mankato, MN to Rochester, MN 104 miles<b>"Impossible things are happening every day".---Fairy Godmother to Cinderella (Rodgers and Hammerstein Version)</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I really had no idea how I was going to make it through today. 104 miles on the back of 112 miles. Yesterday was exhausting and I didn't sleep well last night. It seemed impossible.<br />
<br />
I guess I just put my head down and went. I was wasted at the second SAG at 66 miles, but again just got on my bike and started pedaling. Both Mike and I are sore in multiple places.... Let's just leave it at that.<br />
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Today's pics:<br />
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<b><br /></b></div>
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First SAG at Clear Lake</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XgT9gj39okPt_8ZZOk1BcqnYVJfFosXs4I1idBLvEwdq1TeAXpwdcbhNRVBb7blDsf9Oayc38O5vmt_ZF0UE1P0YiayGm8exDATvugy8WWtKHwk_DQ_Vc4iQ5TLTt0d3qox5Y26Yq7Y/s1600/IMAGE_2650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XgT9gj39okPt_8ZZOk1BcqnYVJfFosXs4I1idBLvEwdq1TeAXpwdcbhNRVBb7blDsf9Oayc38O5vmt_ZF0UE1P0YiayGm8exDATvugy8WWtKHwk_DQ_Vc4iQ5TLTt0d3qox5Y26Yq7Y/s1600/IMAGE_2650.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Second SAG </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_cgOjT4dITGU7-q9UenXXl9vMGGO71HRd3KJmE-RqGXATa5MQMItdhyaBGcJb8JOny7tEK47H5KHgkEkEUkHiLQgxrd_c00Y0RPpAuwXVLcBh3GLH7gd9GUsmIolF5C31v4opUP_gYk/s1600/IMAGE_2651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_cgOjT4dITGU7-q9UenXXl9vMGGO71HRd3KJmE-RqGXATa5MQMItdhyaBGcJb8JOny7tEK47H5KHgkEkEUkHiLQgxrd_c00Y0RPpAuwXVLcBh3GLH7gd9GUsmIolF5C31v4opUP_gYk/s1600/IMAGE_2651.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Me contemplating how I was going to </div>
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get another 35 miles out of my body.</div>
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Yeah, the fun-o-meter was pretty low.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDVQwjaq9yaHTExhdVco3YgGvq-L7MXgW4WlAknAsqxoU-U-6b9sqQ6s1pavWnAXb_t-Nzi6P650JWKzSQZ8349WmS_1jOlBPgiblaJBmFpA_YyfCTAGN82vvZGhFb76KMIuctlqiIvo/s1600/IMAGE_2656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDVQwjaq9yaHTExhdVco3YgGvq-L7MXgW4WlAknAsqxoU-U-6b9sqQ6s1pavWnAXb_t-Nzi6P650JWKzSQZ8349WmS_1jOlBPgiblaJBmFpA_YyfCTAGN82vvZGhFb76KMIuctlqiIvo/s1600/IMAGE_2656.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Distracting myself with clouds.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OGOGqTelsbs/U8cnONqxGJI/AAAAAAAALRk/jHvUu67esyA/s1600/IMAGE_2653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OGOGqTelsbs/U8cnONqxGJI/AAAAAAAALRk/jHvUu67esyA/s1600/IMAGE_2653.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
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I got choked up when we rode past the </div>
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Mayo Clinic. I thought of all the people</div>
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that are able to get help there.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JvhpxBH3-cA/U8cnP0FWE3I/AAAAAAAALRs/8xUG05tyV2g/s1600/IMAGE_2654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JvhpxBH3-cA/U8cnP0FWE3I/AAAAAAAALRs/8xUG05tyV2g/s1600/IMAGE_2654.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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The last several miles were on a bike path.</div>
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They're always a welcome break from</div>
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dealing with traffic.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGkcPsfynzCfTjulsdmkBEsTYoXkZHwwKjgoiu-aMLvuDNUdHitCLM7Xe9-wHVhq1pX9PscWzxZ0NRjIsh9S3wKfSCPdn6BSwqwgU9ropdqqEZV10HHgllNIk4LQl32bCMq4XF_OWJh4/s1600/IMAGE_2655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGkcPsfynzCfTjulsdmkBEsTYoXkZHwwKjgoiu-aMLvuDNUdHitCLM7Xe9-wHVhq1pX9PscWzxZ0NRjIsh9S3wKfSCPdn6BSwqwgU9ropdqqEZV10HHgllNIk4LQl32bCMq4XF_OWJh4/s1600/IMAGE_2655.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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An amazing thing had happened. With about 20 miles to go, we caught up to Doug. He was ill yesterday and rode in the van. He told me he was feeling about 50% today. We slowed down to ride in with him so he didn't have to ride in alone. In trying to help him, I in turn was helped. I got my second wind and made it to the motel feeling actually quite good.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-77535502322910108562014-07-17T19:25:00.002-06:002014-07-17T19:25:25.912-06:00Worthington, MN to Mankato, MN 112 miles<b>"We are all enlisted til the conflict is o'er".---LDS Hymn #250</b><br />
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112 miles. Good grief. We went into survival tactics. Mike organized a small group of us (Dan, Jay, Drew, Mike and me) into a paceline. At first we took 3-minute pulls, but during the worst headwind parts we took 1-minute pulls. It worked really well to get us through the day---physically, but also mentally, too. It was a good diversion and made the time go by more quickly. Even so, it was exhausting.<br />
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This may have been the hardest day yet. Maybe not. Comparing the days, the 120-miler was not only grueling, but boiling. At least today was not boiling, but I feel wind blown/wind burnt, and my lips feel fried.<br />
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The day ended on the beautiful and shady Red Jacket Trail in the town of Mankato---a great addition to this town.<br />
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Today's pics:<br />
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We were curious if we are losing weight.</div>
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So we chipped in to buy a scale.</div>
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Here, Gary checks his weight.</div>
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I'm not gettin' on that thing.</div>
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Clouds and silos.</div>
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A SAG asphalt picnic.</div>
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Along the Red Jacket Trail.</div>
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More Red Jacket Trail.</div>
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I love riding my bike through tunnels.</div>
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More Red Jacket Trail.</div>
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This is the famous Cecil again.</div>
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I didn't take very many pics today. Just tried to get through it. Next up: 104 miles to Rochester---back to back centuries. Yikes.Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-64373437625534332042014-07-14T20:19:00.002-06:002014-07-14T20:19:46.948-06:00Sioux Falls, SD to Worthington, MN 71 miles<b>"The corn is as high as an elephant's eye, and it looks like it's climbin' clear up to the sky".----that happy guy in the musical Oklahoma!</b><br />
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Lots more corn and soybean fields today. Like miles and miles. We crossed into Minnesota early this morning. I was expecting 10,000 lakes and pine trees like on their license plates, but it seems the southern part of Minnesota looks a lot like the southern part of South Dakota. I think I'm gonna have to pedal north to see all those lakes.<br />
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Something weird has happened. 70 is the new 40, as in miles: a good ride but not that big of a deal. Having said that---it only applies if the weather is good. And if you don't have seven screaming parts on your body. And if your bike is working good. And if you have someone to talk to. And if no dogs chase you and bite you in the calf. And if the pavement is smooth. And...<br />
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Anyway, here's today's pics:<br />
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Sioux Falls</div>
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A bunch of us in front of Sioux Falls.</div>
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A new state!</div>
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Minnesota has awesome clouds!</div>
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This smoke stack reminded me of every</div>
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choo-choo train I drew as a kid.</div>
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Luverne, Minnesota</div>
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Gotta love a town that likes postcards.</div>
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Our SAG was in a park that was under</div>
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six feet of floodwater a few weeks ago.</div>
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I love this picture.</div>
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This is Sym.</div>
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He has hitchhiked all over the world.</div>
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Here he is demonstrating perfect form.</div>
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A familiar sight at the end of the day.</div>
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Tomorrow we ride 110 miles. Even if we have perfect conditions, it's probably gonna be a big deal.</div>
Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-48623362615854997762014-07-13T19:25:00.000-06:002014-07-13T19:25:13.408-06:00Sioux Falls, SD Day Off!<b>"Welcome, welcome Sabbath morning; Now we rest from every care."---LDS Hymn #280</b><br />
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Everybody has the day off to rest here in Sioux Falls, so we didn't have to find a special ride to the next town. We searched lds.org and found a meetinghouse only 1.4 miles away---29 minutes by foot it said. After a quick breakfast, we started walking.<br />
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With probably a half-mile to go we began seeing men in white shirts driving by. Our peeps! We knew we were getting close, plus it was starting to get hot. I stuck out my thumb. Jeff and Marie of the Sioux Falls 1st Ward picked us up right away. Jeff is finishing nursing school. Marie is a speech pathologist.<br />
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Ha! I'm counting this as our second time hitchhiking to church. (The first time was in Maryland on a different bike trip). They even offered to drive us back to the Comfort Suites Inn after church.<br />
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Thanks Jeff and Marie!</div>
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You're awesome.</div>
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Back on the road tomorrow with a new state looming in the distance. Minnesota, here we come!</div>
<br />Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-44631746912112497912014-07-13T18:42:00.001-06:002014-07-13T18:42:15.700-06:00Mitchell, SD to Sioux, SD 73 miles<b>"Don't worry. Be happy."---Bobby McFerrin</b><br />
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Another very pleasant, pretty easy day considering we rode over 70 miles. The forecast this morning was 40% chance of rain. The clouds looked ominous and I was reminded of our ride around Lake Michigan in 2011. That trip we watched the lightning streak across the sky while standing under the patio of the motel. After a couple hours we gave up and piled into the van to ride to the next town. However, today on the weather channel the doppler showed storms to the north of us and storms to the south, but basically a storm-free path leading to Sioux Falls.<br />
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And it worked out! We were spat on a little but we didn't even need to pull out our rain coats.<br />
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The high point of the day was watching the kiddie tractor pull in the town of Canistota. We watched lots of little boys and one brave, little girl compete. It's a three-day festival with other events and even a parade. Too bad we didn't have time to experience more of it.<br />
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Morning luggage load.</div>
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I love when the road ahead looks like</div>
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a strand of ribbon.</div>
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The object was to pedal as long as you could,</div>
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but the farther you went the more drag you created</div>
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until you couldn't pedal anymore.</div>
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They measured how far you were able to move </div>
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the tractor.</div>
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A mom encouraging her favorite contestant.</div>
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C'mon buddy!</div>
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These spectators were visiting from Indiana.</div>
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Getting ready for the parade.</div>
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Leaving Canistota.</div>
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Another high point of the day.</div>
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An impromptu SAG.</div>
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Tomorrow everybody gets a much needed Sunday off in Sioux Falls.</div>
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Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-18314137906767710022014-07-13T17:53:00.002-06:002014-07-13T17:53:10.877-06:00Chamberlain, SD to Mitchell, SD 71 miles<b>"Like a band of gypsies we head down the highway."---Willie Nelson</b><br />
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Ahhhh.... merciful, merciful day.<br />
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The last two days have been so hard. The magnitude of difficulty goes up very quickly when headwinds and heat are ramped up. If today had been like the preceding two days, I'm not sure I could have powered through. We had a steep climb out of Chamberlain. As we rode, I took an inventory of everywhere that hurt. I'll spare you the gory details, but I had to search for the least uncomfortable spot to sit.<br />
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But then! Our old friend Mr. Tail Wind reappeared. Hello, buddy. I've missed you. Between winds at our back, a mild temperature this morning, and smooth pavement (something, oh so easily taken for granted) it was a welcome reprieve from our suffer-fest. And so pleasant.<br />
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One of our buddies Daniel Goldschmidt commented, "This is the kind of day I paid for." Which is funny because yesterday I complained (unbeknownst to him) "These are the days they don't mention in the brochure."<br />
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I think we were all revitalized today. A lot of friendly banter along the way. Yesterday it was just keep your head down and grind it out.<br />
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Enjoying the oh-so-pleasant morning.</div>
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My point of view 4-8 hours per day.</div>
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Mitchell, South Dakota features "The World's Only Corn Palace."</div>
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Each year the outside is stripped and decorated with</div>
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corn and grains. Roughly 275,000 ears of corn</div>
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are sawed in half lengthwise and nailed to the building.</div>
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It's a giant mosaic made of corn.</div>
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The outside is being renovated so we'll have to come</div>
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back to see it's full glory.</div>
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One of the outer walls of the Corn Palace.</div>
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Inside the Corn Palace.</div>
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Corn-on-the-cob mosaic of Mt. Rushmore.</div>
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Corn Cob Christmas Tree</div>
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Santa as a Corn Cob Ornament</div>
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Frosty the Snowman Corn Cob Ornament</div>
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Do you think this is too corny?</div>
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Ha ha. That one was just too easy.</div>
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Next up: 73 miles to Sioux Falls.</div>
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<br />Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-69363075864044379692014-07-13T06:30:00.001-06:002014-07-13T06:30:38.069-06:00Pierre, SD to Chamberlain, SD 84 miles<b>"Do as I'm doing. Follow, follow me. Do as I'm doing. Follow, follow me."---fidgety Primary kids at church...and Mike most days on this ride</b><br />
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Pierre to Chamberlain. First, it's not pronounced "Pee-air" like I learned in elementary school when we memorized the state capitals. Around here they say "Peer". Today's ride was tough. I started the day not feeling strong and wondering if I had it in me to do 84 miles today after yesterday's grueling 117-miler. I kept battling in my mind whether to get in the van or just stay on my bike. I wasn't particularly out of breath, just tired. Tired of riding my brains out everyday. Day after day after day. It's cumulative exhaustion, both physical and mental.<br />
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More headwinds today. Doug Waltermire and Dave Goltermann (members of the scavenger hunt dream team) joined Mike and I on our pain train. The three guys took turns pulling into the wind while I just hung out in the back like I was Lance Armstrong. It made Mike's life a lot easier, too. We hit the half-way point of crossing America at our first SAG.<br />
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We had three big climbs today. The last came with just a few miles to go. I was so DONE. I was sick of "doing hard things". I was sick of trying to "suck it up, buttercup" like my necklace says. I decided to walk a little while. It was just way too slow and was only extending my misery, so I got back on my bike. Just glad to have the day over.</div>
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We play a game at dinner sometimes at night. It's called High Point/Low Point. Today my High Point was seeing the Best Western Motel in Chamberlain; my low point was leaving the Governors Inn in Pierre.</div>
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Tomorrow hopefully will be better.</div>
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Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-67760561341311783792014-07-11T19:35:00.002-06:002014-07-11T19:35:56.577-06:00Wall, SD to Pierre, SD 117 miles!<b>"Primary children sang as they rode, and rode, and rode."---Fine, I just made that up.</b><br />
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Well, <i>we</i> weren't singing. This was a very hard day. Another century-plus. 8-1/2 hours in the saddle. Head winds the entire day. Plus, as soon as we crossed the Missouri River we changed time zones and lost an hour. An already long day was immediately made even longer. Some people went to work, came home, and started dinner in the time it took us to ride 117 miles. All the while, pedaling, pedaling, pedaling into the wind.<br />
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The day started with these fluffy, luminescent clouds.</div>
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Not much variation in stuff to see.</div>
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Although, quite lovely.</div>
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Can you see the heat waves reaching up from the asphalt?</div>
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This may or may not have been taken while I was riding.</div>
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Don't tell.</div>
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The last SAG was at a lovely pond with skinny cat tails on the shore.</div>
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I fantasized about taking a flying leap into the water,</div>
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but then I'd have soggy pants for the last 34-miles which would</div>
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only mean more chaffing in already sore places.</div>
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It was hard to leave.</div>
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Mike pulled Rebecca and me the last 34-miles into a head wind. Very, very difficult and I was <i>behind</i> Mike who was taking the full force of the wind. Kind of a death march in. Mike wins a gigantic trophy today.</div>
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<b><br /></b>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-4927968057776540162014-07-11T19:12:00.000-06:002014-07-11T19:12:00.786-06:00Rapid City, SD to Wall, SD 58 Miles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>"I scream. You scream. We all scream for ice cream."----Mike and me</b></div>
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Short day. 58 miles. I tried to stay with the fast guys' train. I did for maybe 15 miles, but South Dakota has what they call "rollers". Small hills. You can get going pretty fast downhill, but then the dreaded uphill comes. Even if it's small, it's hard to keep up. So, it was back to my own pace. I'm amazed at the stuff towns come up with to draw tourists. Wall has Wall Drug Store. During the depression, the Wall Drug Store owners had the brilliant idea to offer free ice water to motorists. Makes sense. This was pre-air conditioned automobiles and probably most people had ice boxes in their homes. It would sound very refreshing, and the price was right. They put out sign after sign after sign on Route 16A. It worked. Today it is still a very busy place, and draws as many tourists as Mt. Rushmore, I am told. They still offer free ice water and coffee for a nickel. However, their 50-cent ice cream cones cost two bucks. Gotta make a profit somewhere.</div>
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Love the typography.</div>
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Inside one small portion of the store/complex.</div>
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Only vanilla soft serve ice cream.</div>
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Short day. Short post. Next comes a 117-miler to Pierre, South Dakota.</div>
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<br />Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-9626491371557855072014-07-10T21:57:00.001-06:002014-07-10T21:57:55.044-06:00Hot Springs, SD to Rapid City, SD 74 miles<b>"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."---Charles Dickens</b><br />
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I loved today. I hated today.<br />
It was stunningly beautiful this morning as we rode through the Wind Cave National Park. So green. The morning light was perfect. Buffalo grazing in the distance. Prairie dogs standing tall to get the best view of this colorful bunch passing by. I just really love the area. So peaceful.<br />
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Buffalo having breakfast.</div>
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I've noticed more skies, and clouds this trip than I ever have.</div>
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I think this was in the town of Pringle.</div>
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These round hay bales make me happy.</div>
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So neat and tidy.</div>
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Gotta love these old barns.</div>
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Bike parking at our first SAG in Custer, South Dakota.</div>
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Custer Mansion</div>
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For sale for $329,000</div>
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Currently a Bed and Breakfast</div>
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Crazy Horse Memorial.</div>
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Can you see it?</div>
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We climbed 9 miles to see Mt. Rushmore.</div>
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Check out the mountain goat just a few feet off the roadway.</div>
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I have been looking forward to seeing Mt. Rushmore, </div>
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since we signed up for this ride.</div>
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I didn't want to leave.</div>
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I just wanted to keep looking and</div>
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think about those men. </div>
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They were real.</div>
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One last look.</div>
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Leaving the area.</div>
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Heading to Rapid City.</div>
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Seeing Mt. Rushmore will certainly be a highlight of the trip. I loved standing and looking at each face and thinking about them as real men. Men with families, and smelly socks, and favorite breakfasts, and things they thought were funny. Thinking about the impact each had on our country. I didn't even mind the 9-mile climb up to see them, even though some had said it was the second hardest day of the ride so far. Afterwards, we headed into Keystone and joined a few other riders for hamburgers.</div>
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Then came the "worst of times" part of the day. We were about 10-miles out of Rapid City, our destination for the day. The winds had really picked up. They were horrible, buffeting, crosswinds swirling around and somehow surprising me which direction a gust would hit from next. It was getting harder and harder just to stay upright. I, literally, thought I was going to be blown off my bike. It was the most scared I've ever been while riding. I almost started crying four times. I could have just pulled over and walked, but we were so far from the motel it would have taken forever to get there. I just wanted to be done. At one point, I said a prayer that included "please send some guardian angels to help me. I just want to stay upright. I'm afraid I'm going to get blown off my bike." About 30-seconds later, Mikey (ABB staff) comes riding up next to me. He's a big guy. I didn't really think anything at first, but then he says, "Look, I'm blocking the wind for you." 30 seconds. I wish all my prayers were answered that quickly. With Mikey riding on my left it made a huge difference. It was still a tough ride in, but SO much better. I was still so rattled when we got to our motel. It took about an hour to get calmed down and not feel like bursting into tears over the whole ordeal.</div>
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Whew!</div>
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Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-66468700407350695442014-07-08T21:36:00.000-06:002014-07-08T21:36:11.786-06:00Lusk, WY to Hot Springs, SD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>"The long and winding road..."---Paul McCartney</b></div>
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Sunday. 93 miles, but we didn't ride.<br />
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Lusk actually has a branch (a small congregation) that we could have attended, but we couldn't find anyone to drive us to Hot Springs, South Dakota 93 miles away to join the rest of the group. No taxis (the town only has 1500 people). Not even a greyhound bus. We briefly considered hitchhiking, but my mom's words from the 70's echoed in my head. I was sure we'd be picked up by an axe murderer and thrown into a ditch somewhere along the border of Wyoming and South Dakota.<br />
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We decided our Plan B would be to ride in one of the vans and do our best to help our fellow riders. It turned out to be a great time, and I think the other cyclists liked it, too. Mike and I (along with ABB staff member Pam) lined up together and clapped and cheered as riders would come by. I have to say we did a pretty cool three-person-wave, too. We wrote "Welcome to South Dakota, you're awesome!" in pink chalk at the state line; and gave out orange push-up creamsicles at the 2nd SAG.<br />
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It wasn't our usual kind of Sunday, but I felt good about Plan B.<br />
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Morning as we left Lusk.</div>
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Waiting for riders to come by.</div>
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Here comes Patty,</div>
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and Cecil, and Russell,</div>
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and a whole pace line.</div>
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Sometimes we had a little spare time.</div>
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This is a good sign when they point in the direction you're going.</div>
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(Today they were).</div>
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Still not tons to see.</div>
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Leaving Wyoming.</div>
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Entering South Dakota.</div>
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We got photo-bombed.</div>
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Pretty sure Pam is thinking ABB doesn't pay her enough.</div>
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Next ride includes Mt. Rushmore. I'm excited. We took the kids there one summer when we lived in Fort Collins, Colorado.</div>
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Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-85859192530749011292014-07-08T20:43:00.005-06:002014-07-08T20:43:52.433-06:00Casper, WY to Lusk, WY<b>"I'm back in the saddle again."---Gene Autrey</b><br />
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I'm a few days behind in posting. It's getting harder to keep up with the blog and get rest, etc.<br />
This is what I wrote in my journal: Another century-plus today. We rode 100 miles of it in 5:41:00 with our average speed 17.7mph. I don't really pay much attention to times and speeds but that, for sure, is a personal record. We had a good tail wind much of the way. (Thank you Wind Gods.) I didn't get a photo, but I was surprised that in the town of Douglas (in between Casper and Lusk) they had the imaginary creature, the jackalope, decorating their main bridge---punched out of the metal guard rails. I always thought it was just kind of a camp joke, like a snipe hunt. They, also, had one as tall as a man on the way out of town. I think they must have a great sense of humor.<br />
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Tomorrow we leave Wyoming. The last couple of rides have been tough because there is not much here to see. Lots of prairie and lots of "whole lotta nuthin'."<br />
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1st SAG</div>
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This is what it looked like for 106 miles.</div>
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I wish I could take this bear home for Alice.</div>
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She would love this on her porch. (Hi Alice! :)</div>
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Do you remember the tv show from the 70's called Hee-Haw?</div>
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Whenever Mike and I see signs like this we say, "Sa-lute!"</div>
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Our motel in Lusk. After 106 miles a very welcome sight.</div>
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Thanks for stopping by.</div>
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Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-89259818090599927392014-07-04T19:42:00.001-06:002014-07-04T19:42:24.824-06:00Casper, WY---Rest Day<b>"My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty."---Samuel F. Smith 1808-1895</b><br />
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Happy 4th of July!<br />
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Today is a <i>real</i> rest day. No rolling involved.<br />
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We slept in til 6:00am which felt awesome. We didn't have to throw on our shorts and jerseys and run off to breakfast to gulp down scrambled eggs. It was nice to just sit and linger over breakfast chatting with our cycling buddies. Mike watched the Germany vs. France World Cup soccer game while he napped. In the afternoon, we walked to the downtown area of Casper looking for lunch. The sidewalks are pretty much rolled up because of the holiday.<br />
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We did see these guys putting up</div>
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this huge flag.</div>
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A patriotic yard. Probably belongs to a grandma.</div>
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Window shopping.</div>
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Equine compression socks.</div>
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Lots of crafty stuff.</div>
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Fancy tree-wear.</div>
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More fancy tree outfits.</div>
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The plaque next to this sculpture said:</div>
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20% chance of snow flurries.</div>
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Tommorow we're off to Lusk, Wyoming. 106 miles.Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-61825501877884279632014-07-04T19:15:00.001-06:002014-07-04T19:15:14.991-06:00Riverton, WY to Casper, WY 120 Miles!<b>"Home, home on the range. Where the deer and the antelope play."---Brewster M. Higley, early 1870s</b><br />
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I was interviewed this morning for the local Riverton newspaper about our bike ride. When I told the reporter we were headed 120 miles to Casper, her eyes got big and she said, "There's a whole lotta nuthin' " out there. I think she was right. Although we did see a couple of antelope playing.</div>
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Exhibit A</div>
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Exhibit B</div>
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Antelope playing. You have to look really, really close.</div>
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Although there was this lovely spot</div>
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very early in the day.</div>
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Our SAG for lunch was in Hiland.</div>
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We had to buy a sandwich yesterday to bring with us today.</div>
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With 40 of us there for lunch, we quadrupled the population.</div>
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The tiny store next to our SAG had this scary display</div>
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in a glass case.</div>
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It' Official.</div>
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Judy, one of our ABB leaders said we could see it from here.</div>
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120 miles. A new record for me. I broke the day into milestones: 1st SAG, 2nd SAG, 3rd SAG, the town of Mills, then to the motel. It was good to take one little block at a time. The temperature hit 90 degrees as the day progressed. Hot. Hot. Hot. I started fantasizing about an icy cold Sprite near the end. It sounded so refreshing. We stopped at a convenience store in the town of Mills just five miles from Casper, and then I could go on. We made it. </div>
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Day off tomorrow in Casper, Wyoming.</div>
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Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-79556001231461373122014-07-04T10:26:00.001-06:002014-07-04T10:26:16.018-06:00Dubois, WY to Riverton, WY<b>"I ride my bike, I roller skate, don't drive no car. Don't go too fast, but I go pretty far."---Melanie Safka (1972)</b><br />
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Our 80-mile ride today, with little climbing, was what the ABB staff call a "rolling rest day". Where I come from, riding that many miles is not what you would consider restful. No matter how flat, it's still 80 miles. I am pooped. I think I need to mentally prepare differently. Some days the last ten miles is a death march---today included. I gear myself up for the climbs, but then I still gotta get into town. Headwinds at the end of the day, don't help.<br />
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Today was another beautiful day. Well, mostly just the part out of Dubois. Today's pics:<br />
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Our motel in Dubois had one antler arch---copy cat of Jackson.</div>
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Yesterday the Tetons. Again, I'm amazed how quickly the terrain changes.</div>
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Just out of the town of Dubois. Red rock. Who knew?</div>
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One of the cyclists is a geologist.</div>
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The last couple of nights we've had Curt's Corner.</div>
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He gives a 5-minute presentation on what we're seeing.</div>
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So interesting. My eyes have been opened to the eons of time.</div>
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Ahhhhh.......Dairy Queen</div>
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Some motels make us feel like celebrities.</div>
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Tomorrow will be my longest one day ride ever. 120 miles.</div>
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Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-11621023385662229812014-07-04T07:35:00.000-06:002014-07-04T07:35:34.893-06:00Jackson, WY to Dubois, WY<b>"God bless America, land that I love."----Kate Smith</b><br />
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This was an emotional day for me. I was completely overwhelmed by the beauty of the Tetons. I got all choked up when I first saw the snowy jagged peaks today. Stunning. Yes. Majestic. Yes. I definitely need better words. My photos don't do justice to their awesomeness. You must see them in person.<br />
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Just outside of town a white van with words hand-painted on the side windows caught my eye. I stopped to talk to the college-age man and woman inside. They are running across America to bring attention and support for youths who are affected by cancer. I met Michelle. She is keeping a <a href="http://runner-4-life.com/">blog</a> and mentions our interaction. I was asking about their cause and what they were doing. Mike blurts out, "Les has cancer!", and the gal says "Awesome...oh, not really." She asked my name and explained that she dedicates her run each day to someone with cancer. She writes their names on her calves.Today she is running for Susan and Bumpa. Tomorrow she will dedicate her run to me. So, then I got all choked up about <i>that.</i> We gave each other a big hug, and I left to catch up with the other riders.<br />
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[Addendum: Check out her <a href="http://runner-4-life.com/">blog</a>. She really did run for me with my name on her leg. How cool is that?!]<br />
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Today was a long day riding. Especially following yesterday's long day. We stopped a lot in the morning to take photos of the Tetons. I really hated leaving them behind. We climbed 8(?) miles to the Continental Divide at about 9600', followed by a great descent, then the last 10-miles into a headwind. Hard to end an 88-mile ride that way.<br />
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Today's pics:<br />
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That includes you Cecil :)</div>
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How they stop folks in Wyoming.</div>
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Even the thousand words this picture is worth</div>
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don't do Miss Teton justice.</div>
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Go in person at your earliest convenience.</div>
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One last look.</div>
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While this pic was being taken</div>
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a snowball came flying at us.</div>
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Tomorrow 79 miles to get to Riverton, Wyoming.<br />
<br />Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-8952534206040549272014-07-02T19:45:00.000-06:002014-07-02T19:45:30.237-06:00Idaho Falls, ID to Jackson, WY<b>"Up, up, and away."---The Fifth Dimension, also the song we used to exercise to in Mrs. Nicholson's 9th grade gym class</b><br />
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The ABB staff pretty much had us all freaked out with their advice for today: "Stay within your comfort zone." "Stop a few times on the ascent." (no problem there); "Stop a few times on the descent." (really, on the descent?); and the truly menacing "Hydrate or die."<br />
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Today's ride included a 7-mile climb going over Teton Pass with grades 10-13% which came <i>after</i> 80 miles of riding, so we were already tired. Add to that the anxiety and anticipation of the terrifying ascent and descent they kept warning us about. Whether they would admit it or not, I think everyone was a bit tense.<br />
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I found that in the steepest parts of the climb I could walk 3.1mph or pedal a grinding 4.7mph. I walked probably 1/4 mile. It was a lot safer---no chance of tipping over because I couldn't clip out of my pedals fast enough. (Yes, I've done that).<br />
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Even after having made it to the top of the climb, our work wasn't over. We still had the dreaded descent they had repeatedly cautioned us about. After we caught our breath and gathered our wits (also a recommendation) we started down the technical 10% downhill grade descent. It was like being shot out of a cannon. We gained speed so quickly it became frightening real fast. We stopped a couple of times to let our rims cool down. While we were waiting, we looked back and here comes Cecil, one of the recumbent bicycle riders and he's taking the entire lane. He had a car in front of him and three or four cars behind him. Wearing a big grin, Cecil was ZOOMING!<br />
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We watched in horror as we were sure he was going to be killed when he came to the next curve. There was no flying dust or screeching tires. He made it!<br />
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After we stood marveling and discussing how absolutely dangerous it was, suddenly our horror turned to awe. Cecil was instantly elevated to rock star status. It was awesome! Turns out he was going 54mph!<br />
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By the way, Cecil is 67 years old.<br />
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Today's pics:<br />
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For my quilting pals.</div>
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Crossing the Snake River</div>
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Sign of the Day:</div>
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Hello, Wyoming! It's good to see you.</div>
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No pic of Cecil. I will get one.<br />
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<br />Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-53759160178592670742014-06-29T20:48:00.002-06:002014-06-29T20:48:23.119-06:00Pocatello, ID to Idaho Falls, ID<b>"I love to see the temple. I'm going there someday."----LDS Primary Kids Everywhere</b><br />
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Everybody else headed for "I.F." as Mike keeps calling Idaho Falls at 7:45am this morning. We, once again, checked Nellie and Ute (our beloved bikes) onto the van, so we could go to church. We walked about a half-mile from our Best Western motel to the Highland 7th Ward---early services started at 8:30am. We were about the only ones sitting in the chapel when we first got there (we were way early) when a mom with three cute kids walked in, seated the kids, then wandered over to us to see if we were new or visiting. We told her our story----42 riders, 50 days, 80 miles average per day, 3 vans, etc---and that we had skipped riding to go to church. Just like that she offered to take us to the bus stop so the shuttle could pick us up. Just like that! I'm amazed at her kindness and trust.<br />
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We spotted a friendly steeple.</div>
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Thanks Brett and Skyler for the ride.</div>
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You guys are awesome!</div>
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And good luck with your marathon training, Brett.</div>
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The cyclists who chose to ride today flew with the wind again.</div>
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Idaho Falls Temple in a spectacular setting.</div>
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I love to see the temple, too!</div>
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Tomorrow is a big day. Idaho Falls, Idaho to Jackson, Wyoming. 90 miles. 5500' climbing.</div>
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Lots of miles. Lots of mountain. At rap tonight we were given the following advice: Stay in your comfort zone. Climb a mile at a time. Descend a mile at a time. Stop on the way up AND on the way down. Keep your speed under control. Hydrate.</div>
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Alrighty then.</div>
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Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-12655783025354867772014-06-28T20:51:00.004-06:002014-06-28T20:51:54.663-06:00Burley, ID to Pocatello, ID<b>"Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream; Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream..."</b><br />
<b>---The Everly Brothers</b><br />
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You know how it feels to float on an inner tube down a river? Or to walk on those flat escalators at the airport? That's kind of what today was like. Compared to the effort we were putting out, we were going way fast. I could not have come up with a better cyclist's dream. Another tail wind! Honestly, I know this will all come to an abrupt end sometime, but today we had 20mph(?) winds pushing us along. 86 miles today, 1200' climbing (hardly noticeable).<br />
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It's either the tail winds or I am incredibly fit...it's the tail winds.<br />
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Today's pics:<br />
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Mike checking his tires.</div>
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Fill 'er up! at the first SAG</div>
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held at a closed down gas station.</div>
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Register Rock</div>
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Pioneers and early settlers signed in here.</div>
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These were spinning great today.</div>
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A shout out to my boys---Ollie, Truman, and William.</div>
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Check out the flag. That, there is some wind!</div>
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Everybody else is cycling 65 miles to Idaho Falls tomorrow. We'll catch a ride again after church.</div>
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Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-74282293251155005192014-06-28T20:47:00.001-06:002014-06-28T20:47:46.620-06:00Twin Falls, ID to Burley, ID<b>"We are the champions, we are the champions..." ----Queen</b><br />
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The wind gods love us! At least, today they do. Another absolutely amazing dream-come-true for any cyclist. Winds at our back, and again, pedaling along at crazy fast speeds for how much work we're doing. It feels like cheating, but it is so awesome.<br />
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This morning at load we were given the scavenger hunt list with 15 items.<br />
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There was a lot more lingering in the parking lot. Usually as soon as our luggage is in the van the parking lot clears out quickly. Not today. Teams were studying the lists and developing strategies. Our team consisted of Dave Goltermann from Chicago, Doug Waltermire from Castle Rock, Colorado, Mike, and me. Only a few blocks out and we hit our first yard sale of the day. We were hoping that some of the items could be found that way.<br />
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We had some sight-seeing to do though before we left Twinkie, my daughter's term of endearment for this town.<br />
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Shoshone Falls. Wow!</div>
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Have you noticed almost no one uses clotheslines anymore? Dave's sharp eye spotted a clothesline with clothespins actually hanging on it. Hmmmm....two pick up trucks in the driveway, and big dogs barking. After some deliberation I walked down the gravel driveway and knocked on the door. My plan was to explain that we were on this coast to coast bike ride, that today was a short day, and they were trying to keep us busy. So, I knock on the door, a big golden retriever comes out of the gigantic doggie door to greet me. No answer. I tried again. Still no answer. A few steps away hung the clothespins. I took one clothespin and under another clothespin on the line I clipped a dollar bill. I thought it was a very fair trade. One item checked off the list.<br />
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Mike grabs a flower off of a potato plant/bush.</div>
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We thought it would be worth extra credit.</div>
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It wasn't.</div>
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We were told there was extra credit for creativity. Of course, for us that means it turned into <b>SCAVENGER HUNT ON STEROIDS. </b>We couldn't stop at just one popsicle stick. Oh no. We went to the craft store and bought a couple hundred. We, then, proceeded to build Fort Burley---suitable for any 5th grade Idaho history project.<br />
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Building Fort Burley.</div>
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Yes, we bought a glue gun, too.</div>
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While looking for a craft store that sold popsicle sticks Dave happened to ask a somewhat random woman named Karen if she had any pretty rocks (also, on the list). Karen gave us this incredulous look, walked around to her trunk, started fishing through a bunch of stuff and revealed a box full of hand-painted rocks which she had painted herself: an owl, a beetle, a frog, a cottage, a Swiss Cheese and mouse set. What?? How is it that we happened to ask the one woman in Burley with a trunk load of painted rocks if she had any rocks?? Bizarre. Dave insisted she take some money for them and we chose the cheese/mouse set.<br />
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Mike pointing out all the features of Fort Burley.</div>
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We incorporated each item from the list.</div>
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Our tour leader Jeff Lazer was the chief judge.</div>
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Our Masterpiece</div>
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The winners!</div>
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Our team name: Mitt and the Domestiques</div>
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(Doesn't Dave look like Mitt Romney?)</div>
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Also, we had team jerseys and caps.</div>
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We won a box of random stuff: cream for saddle sores, tootsie rolls, little trophies, some wrist cooling wraps, some kazoos, and whistles. Also, bragging rights and the privilege of being first in line at dinner for one week. Victory is sweet.</div>
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The best part was that we laughed our heads off all day long. Oh, and we rode 51 miles.</div>
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<br />Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-32873922760212989712014-06-26T21:55:00.002-06:002014-06-26T21:55:51.930-06:00Mountain Home, ID to Twin Falls, ID<b>"I just wanna celebrate another day of livin'."----Rare Earth Greatest Hits (1971)</b><br />
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and another day of posting near-century mileage. 97 miles today with 2350' climbing (not much). We weren't expecting the fabulous vistas today. We were on a plateau looking down into the Snake River Valley much of the day. We started riding at 6:30am and finished our ride at 1:45pm, pedaling almost the entire time except for very brief photo stops and maybe 30 minutes spent at the two SAG stops. We didn't stop for a real lunch, only snacks. I don't usually do well when I don't keep shoveling in the groceries. So by the end of the ride I was famished. Our assigned time for dinner was 4:00-7:00pm at the Golden Corral a 1/2 mile walk away. We couldn't get there fast enough (in <i>my </i>mind). Felt a lot better after eating. And a nap.<br />
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Luggage Load</div>
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Up on top of the plateau, starting to drop down into the valley.</div>
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Beauty everywhere.</div>
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At the Fossil Bed Overlook.</div>
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The sign says "fossil bones of zebras, beaver, otter, pelicans</div>
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and other water birds are found in the sediments left from</div>
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a 3.4 million year old pond on the bluff across the river."</div>
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Zebras? Cool.</div>
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Sometimes the sky is the vista.</div>
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We could see a storm coming.</div>
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We were trying to outrun it.</div>
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About 10 seconds after snapping this photo,</div>
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it started sprinkling on us.</div>
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Some of our riders saw base jumpers hopping off this bridge</div>
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as we entered Twin Falls. A 3000' drop.</div>
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Selfie at the Bridge.</div>
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I bought a new rear-view mirror to wear on my glasses.</div>
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Now I can see behind me <i>and</i> read the cue sheet.</div>
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Tomorrow we have a very short day---39 miles, but we'll be experiencing a first on a bike trip. They are having a scavenger hunt. We have organized ourselves into teams of four or five. The list is to be handed out in the morning at luggage load. Can't remember the last time I did a scavenger hunt. Should be fun.</div>
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Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983584890169534532.post-4563666067331429102014-06-25T20:05:00.000-06:002014-06-25T20:05:05.715-06:00Boise, ID to Mountain Home, ID<b>"Way out west they got a name for rain and wind and fire. The rain is Tess. The fire is Joe and they call the wind Mariah. Ma-riiiii-ah, Ma-riiii-ah, they call the wind Ma-ri-i-ah."</b><br />
<b>---the guy in "Paint Your Wagon"</b><br />
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Mariah was in full force today. At our backs! It was so awesome. I was pedaling along having a conversation about what we do when we visit New York City. I look down at my bike computer and we were whizzing along at 21mph. We really weren't even trying hard. Sometimes when this happens I pretend there's no tailwind; I'm just exceptionally fit. Ha! My 53-mile ride from Boise to Mountain Home was over by about 11:30am.<br />
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Pics from today:<br />
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Surely, the dream of squealing students everywhere.</div>
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Sign of the Day:</div>
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Across the street from Sign of the Day.</div>
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Mike and other riders in Mountain Home.</div>
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Passing our luggage down the line from the trailer to the motel.</div>
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Tomorrow 97 miles to Twin Falls, Idaho. Yikes.</div>
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<br />Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17546912373606593603noreply@blogger.com1