Journey, not destination.

Happy New Year

2012-01-02T17:36:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

I hope 2012 is all you hope it to be and more! Set your goals for the new year and go for it!

Cancer......

2011-11-17T22:24:00.000-05:00

I am so angry right now.

I found out today that I will be wearing my Livestrong band for another person near and dear to my heart.

Can someone please tell me why there is no cure for cancer?

Memories

2011-10-08T22:52:00.000-04:00

This past week a friends mother passed away. Just 2 1/2 months earlier his father had passed away. It was all surreal standing in the funeral home today, seeing the same people just a few months earlier. I didn't know his parents very well. I had only met them on a few occasions, but I still know the hurt of how it feels to loose both parents even though mine had passed 21 years apart. I can't imagine what he is going through. So many mixed emotions, I am sure.

A few weeks ago the two of us sat and talked about the lose of his father. He was surprised at just when he thought he had his emotions in check...BOOM... something triggers a memory and soon the tears and emotions take over. I reassured him that it was normal. Everyone has those feeling, heck I have them to this day and it has been 5 years since my mom passed, but there is something about loosing your only living parent that makes it feel so different, no matter how close you were to them. It is almost like you are grieving for them both, that you don't have a home and you are just floating out there somewhere, even though you have been on your own for quite some time or is it our own mortality kicking in?

The only thing reassuring is that friends help us through these times. I am here for you bud...........

Things are brewing

2011-08-28T23:00:00.000-04:00

Again, it has been awhile. I guess life just gets in the way sometimes. I have a few things brewing for blog entries. One was even started in July, but for some reason this darn site will not let me publish it. Not sure what that is all about. Anyway, I promise I will get some pictures posted soon and update this old thing.

Really it is July already?

2011-08-28T22:59:00.000-04:00

What? Really it is July 13th? Where did June go? Wow, is it just me or does it seem like the months just fly by anymore. Seems like I have totally lost a month some place.

It is always fun to see all the little kittens at the farm. I would love to take them home, but I am not sure how Abe would get along with them as he thinks they are evil!

Last Saturday Kris had to work, so I decided that I would get out the camera and go to McKennan Park to shoot some flowers. I did shoot some, but I got caught up in all the dragon flies that were hovering around. I grabbed my macro lens, tripod sat on the ground and snapped away. The dragon flies were just posing for me. Pretty cool, all in all.

A few weeks ago I was in my home town of Yankton to look at the flood waters. The few that read this blog know about the devastation that has happened along the Missouri River due to huge snows in Montana and big rain in North Dakota. The Gavin's Point Dam in Yankton is letting out record amounts of water. For the life of me, I still can't believe they let people up this close to the water. Yes, I got drenched from a rogue wave and was NOT HAPPY, but it was my own fault.

This just in..........

2011-05-15T14:22:00.001-04:00

Hello, there!

Easter in Minneapolis

2011-05-01T18:36:00.009-04:00

Easter in Minneapolis in a nutshell......

It was an awesome weekend.

Chanhassen Theatre on Good Friday-Jesus Christ Superstar

Twins Baseball-Target Field

Ran into a couple of friends

Kieren's Irish Pub

The Guthrie Theater Arsenic and Old Lace

St Stephan's Lutheran Church in Bloomington

45 min church service with communion!

Brunch at the hotel with oysters on the half shell

A bucket list trip.......

2011-03-27T17:28:00.018-04:00

I have always wanted to head to see some Spring Training games. Of course, as many of you know I am a HUGE Chicago Cubs fan, so it was only natural that Spring Training in Mesa, AZ to see my Cubs play would be on my bucket list. We, me and Kris were lucky to purchase tickets for two games. The first game was the Cubs vs the A's. Right behind home plate and three rows up--SWEET SEATS! The second game was the North Siders (Chicago Cubs) vs South Siders (Chicago White Sox) along the first base line in right field, awesome seats also! This time it was the four of us, me, Kris, Dawn and Christi! The Cubs won both games! WOOHOO! It was awesome!

When Dawn and Christi were working on their golf bucket list, we headed out to see the sites. We hit the Botanical Gardens in Phoenix. IT WAS AWESOME! We saw about a third of the trails in this area. Amazing facility and would love to go back sometime and take one of their tours or go in the evening time. We also drove the Apache Trail. WOW! This trail has 22 miles of gravel. If you ever do this drive, make sure you do the loop clockwise! There are areas that have one lane and HUGE drop offs with not a lot of guardrails to try and keep you on the road. Amazing views and pictures just do not do this justice at all.

It was an awesome time.............hope you enjoy the photos......

An excursion and a birthday party!

2011-03-12T16:11:00.010-05:00

Headed out on a few excursions today. Abe, the dog, tagged along which after the fact, I should have left him home, but I feel bad leaving him home alone. So, I headed west out to Hwy 19 and to the Parker, SD area. A co-worker had told me that there were snow geese out that direction. Nothing like getting out and seeing the country on a cold windy day! I did find a few fields of snow geese, but the geese were out a bit to far for my lens. Then I see a bald eagle in the ditch eating on something. This is when I wish I had a fancy mail delivery car or we had the same law as are England or, at the very least, had left Abe home! I drove down the road and turned around and drove slow back to where the eagle was having lunch. I made sure there were no cars coming and I slowly drove closer. Of course the bald eagle was very wise and took off. I tried to snap a few pics but they are all over exposed...DAMN! I turn around and looked back into the trees where the bald had escaped and saw a big golden eagle sitting in the trees. Seeing a bald and a golden eagle made my day! I decided after a few country mud roads it was time to head back to town for a birthday party!

Today the Great Plains Zoo had a one year birthday party for their three Amur Tigers. The tigers had frozen meat cakes to eat and play with. The crowd sang happy birthday to them. I truly get a kick out of watching the Amur Tigers! Of course I snapped a few pics as always.

They also have a new addition to the primate exhibit. A little three week old gibbon. What a cutie.

Enjoy the pics.............

Butterlies and fish tanks.........

2011-03-05T19:33:00.006-05:00

Simple way of life...................

2011-01-30T18:09:00.005-05:00

Saturday I went to the Washington Pavilion to a see an exhibit. It was Norman Rockwell prints paintings and sketches, but along side the Rockwell's were black and white photos by Kevin Rivoli. The photos were to capture the simple way of life that Rockwell depict in his paintings. The photos were great! I also met Kevin Rivoli and talked with him a bit about photography and about how he started with photography. We chatted a little more and I told him it is amazing that when a person gets into photography how you start to see things differently. He smiled and shook his head yes..................

Couple more kitty pics..........

2011-01-26T22:29:00.002-05:00

It is a ZOO out there.............

2011-01-15T15:47:00.008-05:00

I had a great day at the zoo with a few brave souls last weekend. It was the Great Plains Zoo Christmas for the animals. Yes, it was only 4º out, but the sun was shining making it feel like a balmy, maybe, 10º?

The local zoo residents received assorted treats from a Christmas tree sprayed with blood for the Amur Tigers to Christmas trees with assorted veggies tied to them. Oh, sure, the tigers are always fun to watch, but the one group I had thought about skipping were the bison. I figured it would be non-eventful for them....boy, was I wrong. They were very fun to watch and enthusiastic about their gifts. The tree was dismantled by the prairie monarch in short order. One tree hung upside down from a cover shelter for them and was head butted numerous times!

A few ok shots were captured. it is always hard shooting through chain link fence. Hope you enjoy and by the way, get out and visit the zoo! There are a few new faces there from a black rhino and a giraffe both born last year.

Frosty Kelly Farm.....

2010-12-31T12:04:00.003-05:00

Last Sunday we were out at Kris's moms house saying good-byes to the family. As I am sure you one or two locals that read this thing know how frosty pretty it was that morning. Of course I had to take the camera along to take a few pics around the farm. I wondered a few yards to the Kelly Homestead, Kris's grandparents place and took pics of the house and a tree along side the house.

Here, goose, goose, goose.......

2010-12-19T22:50:00.001-05:00

One fall day in October..........

2010-11-11T20:11:00.004-05:00

Black Hills Photo Shoot Out -recap

2010-09-27T22:05:00.004-04:00

From the previous blog, you can tell I have been out shooting a few picks. The pictures were from the Black Hills Photo Shoot Out last weekend in the Black Hills of SD. What a vast array of subjects to photograph in the Hills.

This was the first year of the shoot out and from what I understand, it will not be the one and only! It was a lot of fun. Friday evening was sort of a social gathering of sorts and meeting some of the "celebrity" local photographers. I picked up Paul Horsted's books and of course he was kind enough to autograph it for me.

Saturday morning was a long drive for me. We decided to stay in Custer for our vacation and also to be closer to the EARLY morning session on Sunday. So, I hit the road and traveled to Spearfish. It is just under a two hour drive. My first session was "Black Hills Up Close". We did a little mile hike into the Roughlock Falls area in Spearfish Canyon. Even though the sky was overcast it was a nice little trek. We were able to photograph Roughlock Falls and then do some macro shooting along the trail on the way back. Macro shooting is all up close stuff. There is so much you can do with macro it can be overwhelming as to what to focus on and shoot. I was just doing some random shots of leaves, foliage and such.

The Saturday afternoon session was the Jeep Tour. Let me just say, that this was well worth the money for the workshop! Jerry Rawlings lead the tour with a bunch of his friends and their trusty steeds (Jeeps) and one town car (Ford Explorer) as they call it. It was great that Jerry's friends chipped in to help out their buddy and show us an area of Spearfish Canyon that not many get to see. We drove through the Wharf Gold Mine, the only active gold mine in the hills. We made a stop at Preston which is now a ghost town. There are only two buildings standing and one caved in log cabin. There is also an old cemetery there with only one stone carved headstone dating 1905. The others are made out of wood and are no longer legible. The next stop was the rim of Spearfish Canyon. It was AMAZING from up there! I can only imagine what the colors would be like this weekend when the aspens have turned. We were almost above the Roughlock Falls / Spearfish Falls area. After taking a vote, we drove over to another place on the rim for another view. All I can say is WOW! We headed back to Spearfish but not until we made one more stop to take pics. It was just before we got back to the Wharf Mine. All of a sudden the jeeps were pulling over and it was like a Chinese fire drill....people grabbing camera equipment and running across the road to capture the event. There it was, Spearfish Mountain, just the top peaking through the clouds. The clouds made it look like an island! AMAZING! We made it back down a little later than we were expected, but it was our choice to seek out the other view from the rim. Saturday night was our keynote speaker, George Lepp. He is an awesome photographer that lives in Colorado Springs. Check out his web page here. Of course I had to buy his wildlife photography book. His wife also had a hand in writing the book so they both signed it and then George personalized it for me. He is a nice guy. He had never been in the Black Hills to shoot before and was enjoying it. After the session it was the long drive back to Custer. This time I had two fellow photographers following me to the cabin,Cycling Cathy and Sandy Brady. We all stayed at the same resort on Saturday and Sunday evening.

Sunday morning we (me, Cycling Cathy and Sandy) got up EARLY and left the cabin by 5am to make it to our meeting place by 5:45am at the buffalo coral area in the wildlife loop area of Custer State Park. The morning was very foggy so not a great amount to shoot but we did find, spiders, and foliage. Then it was off to find the BIG guys, buffalo. After taking a bit of a break, Cycling Cathy and I headed to the bathroom and when we came out of the house, everyone was gone! We tried to find them but no luck so we did our own adventure through Custer State Park. We saw prairie dogs, buffalo, bull elk just harvested by a hunter, pronghorn antelope and of course the scenery and company was awesome! We headed back to Custer and hooked up with Kris for some sandwiches, soup and of course any cyclist favorite desert, pie!

The Sunday afternoon session was Spokane Ghost Town. What a place! There are quite a few buildings standing there yet, but some are far apart from each other. Lots of old cars around also and one grave at the top of the hill which stated the fella had been murdered because of a mine claim dispute. I have to say that I was getting very tired at that point and my pictures sure showed it. I wasn't really setting up my shots like I should as that session progressed but that is ok....it was still fun to hike around an take it all in. We, me and Cycling Cathy, headed back to town and hooked up with Sandy and Kris and after getting cleaned up, we headed to downtown Custer to the Bugling Bull. Kind of a sports bar on one side and a nice restaurant on the other side. GOOD FOOD and I got to try out some Crow Peak beer! YUMMY!

Monday, Kris and I headed home but not until we drove the Needles Hwy and by Mt Rushmore. I was SO TIRED and starting to come down with a cold but of course couldn't sleep in the car for whatever reason. Abe on the other hand had no problem at all sleeping!

The Shoot Out was AWESOME! If you get a chance to go to this event in the future, you will not be disappointed! Check out the pool pictures from the event here.

what have I been doing?.........

2010-09-25T17:10:00.006-04:00

Mt Rushmore

"George"

Needles Highway-Black Hills, SD

"The Beast"-Spokane Ghost Town-Black Hills, SD

Spokane Ghost Town-Black Hills, SD

Spokane Ghost Town-Black Hills, SD Black Hills Photo Shoot Out - Jeep Tour Crew!

Rim of Spearfish Canyon

Preston, SD- Ghost Town

Roughlock Falls, Spearfish, SD

Preston Ghost Town

"The Loner"-Custer State Park

thoughts........

2010-07-05T16:16:00.002-04:00

Afternoon, kids.

It has been awhile but this seems to be a trend anymore with my blog. Sorry, other things going on that require attention these days and are a bit more important...sorry.

Random thoughts:

Wallpaper boarder shouldn't take 10 hours to take down when using a steamer.

When tying a mattress and box springs to the top of a SUV, make sure you can still get in the SUV and didn't tie the doors shut.

Things ALWAYS take longer than they should.

Beergina still has a LOT of beer in her.

Why don't parents teach their kids respect anymore?

I am blessed to have truly awesome friends in my life.

After three applications of Off the skeeters still bite.

How many skeeter bites can I get in a season?

Loving my Versus HD and DVR to watch the Tour De France!

Thank you to all that have fought for our freedom.

What happened to, "kids are meant to be seen and not heard?"

Nasty TDF stage today, lot of crashes, I don't like that much.

Have I told you how much I HATE CANCER?

Wish I had more four day weekends.

Cancer Survivors day

2010-06-06T13:13:00.005-04:00

Today is National Cancer Survivors Day! A big hug to those that have been to hell and back fighting the fight! You truly inspire us all.

To those that have lost the fight, you inspired us with your courage by meeting this nasty disease head on. We carry your spirit with us always...........

LIVESTRONG.............

Tulip Festival-Orange City, IA

2010-06-05T10:39:00.012-04:00

2010-05-13T23:16:00.009-04:00

It has been a VERY last few months learning all sorts at the new job. Last week as some of you know I spent the week in Mason City, Ia, home of our metal door and frame supplier. It was a week of education learning products, pricing and then estimating software. The folks there treated us very nice and are a great bunch of people. I did however sneak out a few night to take some pictures, of course.

Lamp post at the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Mason City, IA.

Stockman House in Mason City, IA, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

Art at an art park in Mason City, IA

Tulip after a shower at the city park in Mason City, IA

Stage at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Ia.

This is the place where Buddy Holly,

Ritchie Valens and the Big Booper played their last

performance before being killed in a plane crash.

Damn cancer.....prayers

2010-04-09T22:30:00.004-04:00

Where did this week go? UGH!

This week has also had a few low spots. A friends mom had surgery, cancer / tumor was found, she had a stroke during the surgery, trouble coming off the ventilator and is now in hospice. She is still fighting and I can only pray she goes to be with God soon. She has struggle so much the last few years.......I also found out today another friend has been battling breast cancer for a month. Good God, can we have some good news soon?

Thoughts and prayer go out to those who struggle daily to survive.............

Horsing around again

2010-04-06T23:04:00.007-04:00

Yup, messed with the camera again this past weekend........this time it was at the farm and the neighbors farm (horses, cat and red barn)

Rooster, rooster, rooster!

2010-03-29T22:59:00.007-04:00

This guy was on the look out for his hen!

No, the eagle wasn't looking for Pheasants, it was flying over the dam. He was a bit out of range for my lens but still fun to picturize!

This hen, sitting on a branch in a plum thicket, was trying to hide from the roosters. She did fly out of the thicket and about six roosters went after her. She did escape!

Not really all in focus but kind of like the movement going on.

This guy was strutting his stuff looking for a hen.

We had ventured down to Nebraska this past weekend to the cemetery in Obert and found a BUNCH of pheasants out showing their stuff! They were all over! Pretty cool to see!

Hello

2010-03-23T18:29:00.000-04:00

Yes, I am still alive............

Ramblings........

2010-03-09T19:00:00.004-05:00

I already have a week and a few days under my belt at the new job. Things are going well. It is a matter of relearning how this company does things compared to my old place of employment. It is odd to start a new job and know some things, so it is not all completely new. I have been busy nonetheless, so haven't been on facebook, twitter and the blogging radar feeds much. The thing I REALLY miss is my boy. After going to work with me in the afternoons for 6 years, Abe is now staying home. I never asked to take Abe to work in the new place and will not, at this point, I don't think. I think he is adjusting better than I am. I miss sitting at my desk and knowing he was within an arms reach of a quick scratching. I have been trying to do other actives with him to make this easy for both of us. We have gone for ice cream, he loves the end of the cone. We are also playing in the backyard at lunch. Makes me feel a bit better and I am guessing it helps him also, I hope! Abe is in charge of homeland security and taking care of Wrigs, the bird.

Last weekend we hit the Sons of Norway torsk feed(no, not Abe, he stayed home!)! YUMMY! You know they call it poor man's lobster right? It was good. Also served was potatoes, lefsa, coleslaw and meatballs all served family style and all you can eat! Then for desert we had orange sherbet or sherbert as some called it. It sounds odd but was a great complement to the meal. Of course there was endless coffee, albeit not egg coffee! We opted for water and milk. It was a lot of fun and ya, for sure, ve vill be goin to tis ting again next year, then there.

We also hit a movie at the cheap theaters. It was Sherlock Holmes. The movie was ok, but Kris was not happy as it depicted Mr Holmes as kind of a wild man. I have never read the books, but in the movie he wasn't wearing the tell tale hat and wasn't smoking his special pipe either. Taking liberties with some of the characters iconic symbols is not right, in my book ; )

Sunday was grocery shopping and trying out a new mac and cheese recipe. Reuben mac and cheese. It was interesting, don't get me wrong, it was good, but not sure I would have it as my go to mac and cheese meal. It has a mustard cheese sauce with corn beef and sauerkraut in it. You can find the recipe on Food Tv as it is a Rachael Ray meal. Yes, I am toooo lazy to post the link, sorry!

The weather continues to be gloomy. Rain, fog, melting snow makes it look so dirty outside. Abe is not liking it either as the piles of snow in the backyard he used to walk all over are so soft he falls through them, now. Makes it hard for us to play out there.

Well, that is all for now. Get out there and do something GREAT this week! You know you can!

It is a zoo out there!

2010-02-27T21:20:00.011-05:00

We had a great day. We decided since it was nice that we would go to the Great Plains Zoo and walk. Of course you know me, I had to bring along the camera. A lot of the animals that pretty much just lay around in the spring and summer were out wondering around. It was fun to see!

Callie was the star of the day. She is an Amur Tiger and the only one

that survived in the litter. She was just a hoot, running through

the snow and playing! She seemed starved for human contact as she was

rubbing against the fence and kind of purring when someone would pay

attention to her. What a cutie!

Black Bears

Snow Leopard (first time I had seen it off the rock!)
She or he was watching Callie!

Cheetah

More Cheetahs

Little monkey eating lettuce. He was hard to take a picture of as

they are behind glass in the winter so you get a lot of glare.

Starting a new........

2010-02-21T09:08:00.003-05:00

This coming Wednesday will be my last day at my current job, Steeler Door and Hardware (SDH). It is with mixed feelings that I am leaving there after 12 years. Steeler will be totally closing their doors in a couple more weeks.

So, one door closes and others open, is how I look at it. In fact I had three doors and possibly four doors that had been opened or at least someone was knocking! One door would have required a move, which was not an option at all. One door would have allowed working from home, not sure I am totally disciplined enough to do that and I would maybe come to hate the den because it would mean association with work. One door was not offered but they showed REAL interest and I think if I had not already totally committed to the door that is staying open, I would have had another offer.

Now, on to the door that I am going to walk through, March 1st. I will be starting at Builders Supply Company (BSC) here in Sioux Falls. It will be exciting to learn something new and fresh, yet it will be similar work to what I was doing at SDH. I also know the people working there, so it is not like totally starting a new job with new faces, although some will be. It will be a comfort level that I have never had, starting a new job, that is for sure.

I was informed they are working on my new office. Yes, I will have a real office with walls and a door not a cubicle! I did inform them that they better not paint the walls pink. I again was informed that they were looking more at going with the Ozzie-Black Sabbath look.....huh? hahaha.

The bantering has already begun, which is always good!

Snow-Zilla

2010-02-20T10:07:00.005-05:00

Abe having fun in the snow a couple weekends ago!

He loves the snow so much while the rest of us are SO DONE with it!

Things.........

2010-02-16T15:39:00.002-05:00

Few things......

Yes, I am still in a funk, but change is coming and that will be good for all involved, I hope!

Make plans to hit Snakebite's Bike Swap. FAB will have a booth there and you will see me and the famous Hooterville Mayor watching guard over it. If you want to renew your FAB membership we can take care of that or if you want to join FAB for the first time, we can take care of that also! GREAT THINGS are a happening with FAB so don't miss out!

Social networking with FAB! Yup, FAB is on Twitter (Club_FAB) and Facebook (Falls Area Bicyclists 2.0 (FAB))!

Follow this guy and donate to his cause or sign up for one of his ride along-s via bike trainer, info here! It will be fun to follow Mike Dunlap during RAAM. I wish him and his crew much luck!

Have you heard of F.A.S.T. (Falls Area Single Track)? Well, here is some info as to what they are all about. F.A.S.T. along with FAB are helping to grow cycling in Sioux Falls and if you are not a part of it, you should be!

Do we have cyclist working at the state level trying to make the roads safe for all of us? Heck, yes we do! South Dakota Bicycle Coalition is making that happen! Find out what they have been up to and see how you can help!

Hope you have a good Monday....well, as good as Mondays can be, that is...........

Funky

2010-02-12T13:49:00.003-05:00

I am kind of in a funk ...........

Do you care about being safe on a bicycle?

2010-02-05T11:04:00.003-05:00

If you truly care about being safe on a bicycle than email the South Dakota Senate Transportation Committee about HB70 3-foot bill, TODAY, well, you have a few days, but not many (before Feb 10)! I sent mine off today and you should also.

Read more about it on CycleSD's blog here and South Dakota Bicycle Coalition's website here.

Truly blessed.....

2010-02-01T14:52:00.003-05:00

Wow, I am truly blessed. I am batting 100% from last week! Two job interviews last week and now I have offers from each company! The pros and cons list has been started and the decision needs to be made in a couple days.

FREE PANCAKES........

2010-01-29T17:28:00.003-05:00

www.sfbw.org

Bike Swap.......

2010-01-27T11:40:00.003-05:00

Be there........
Snakebite's annual bike swap is coming up soooooon, read more about it here. The link will give you the information if you want to sell any bike related items or if you are heading there to purchase bike related items, it states the bat-time and bat-location. **POW**

If you were there last year, than you know what I mean about, "Being there" if not you lost out, but you can make up for it this year....

Weight loss.........

2010-01-08T09:33:00.003-05:00

Well, of course it was colder than -11º here last night. I am not really sure how cold it really got last night, but this morning it was -18º. Tonight it is suppose to be in the 20-something below zero. Yes, folks, that is air temp, not windchill! We are hardy prairie people here in South Dakota. Oh, yes, and if someone does find my @$$ out there someplace, just leave it. I will take weight loss however I can!

Enough said...............

2010-01-07T11:32:00.004-05:00

2009 recap and on to 2010......

2009-12-29T11:10:00.002-05:00

As 2009 whittles down, is it time to reflect about the past year?
Ok, well, if I have too. It is hard to remember what happened as it is all a blur it seems.

I purchased my new camera (Canon 40D) early this past spring and took a couple camera classes and a workshop. We have had a lot of fun with the camera outings from hitting area parks to traveling around the country side with two other Camera Clicking Cyclist to standing out in the BITTER cold TRYING to take pictures of the meteors at 4 in the morning! My techniques are getting better and of course I have been having fun purchasing camera equipment! I have found that I am LOVING taking nature pictures best.

We hit the bike trail a few times this spring and summer and on one memorable occasion we ran into CycleSD and Irish. We rode with them for a bit and then headed back to our vehicle not really realizing how REALLY dark it gets on the bike path when the sun goes down and how scary lightening is when you are in the elements with no shelter in site! Memorable for sure!

Then of course there was the whole ankle flare up. Not sure how it happened exactly but it made me miss the MS150 this past year. I still raised over $500 for the MS society which is always a bonus. Anyway after a few appointments to the local ankle specialist it was determined that my ankle is bad but not bad enough yet. I am totally missing a ligament on the outer side of my ankle and others are damaged from breaking it once, spraining it at least 8 times and of course there is a bone spur. So I have to live with it for a while before anything is done to it...FUN!

I did a lot of cycle officiating this past year. One of the local bike clubs had a criterium every month. They also sponsored the local state criterium and a road race and time trial in Spearfish. We had great crews for all of the events! I also helped with a 2-day race in Norfolk that ended up being the most crazy race I have seen. It rained and hailed. NASTY! Glad I was under a canopy but we all still were soaked! Our local bike club also has a monthly non sanctioned time trial. I was at the turn around point for the time trial. I did re-knew my officials license for next year so we will see how it all goes. If you get a chance to get out and watch some of the races do so and support local cycling. You meet some awesome people in the cycling community!

In July Kris's mom fell and broke her humorus bone (upper arm) almost up by the shoulder so she was unable to do a lot of the work around the farm like she usually does. Kris and I went out and did chores as needed. I of course mowed. I don't mind mowing. They have 4-5 acres to mow and they have two nice mowers to ride. You think about a lot of thinks as you mow. I really would have loved to been able to meet her dad and grandpa. They had quite the dairy set up for a few years and it would have been fun to see the farm in its hay day, no pun intended! Then again I am sure they would not have liked listening to me belt out whatever song I was listening to at the time on the ipod, while mowing! Her mom is all healed up and starting to do strengthening now. I think next July we will wrap her in bubble wrap. In July of 2008 she broke her wrist.

In December we went to Disney! What a great time as always. We walked 51.01 miles in nine days and the ankle was a little sore but no major issues, go figure! We did a lot of different things we have never done before which was a blast!

I look to 2010 as a year of change. For me, I really want to ride more. I didn't commute as much as I had hoped and ride as much as I had hoped for that matter. Sometimes life gets in the way! I also want to hone more of my camera skills and do a workshop out in the hills in September. Other than that there are will be more changes / goals in my life, I am sure, that will come up as the months fly by in 2010!

We have been blessed in 2009 with many memories! I hope 2010 provides you with awesome goals that you accomplish, wealth and health for you and your family!

Merry Christmas.........

2009-12-21T09:33:00.005-05:00

For the couple of you that read this blog.

Here is wishing you and your family a joyous Christmas.

If you can, make some new memories to hold near and dear to your heart!

With the snow we are to have this week please be smart and travel safe.

Remember the true reason for the season!

Merry Christmas to you all!

Some Disney vacation pics

2009-12-20T11:58:00.017-05:00

SUSHI!

Steven Curtis Chapman reading the Christmas story at the

Candle Light Processional at EPCOT.

Segway Tour at EPCOT! We spent two hours on the Segway, what a blast!

The promotional golf cart at the Palms Golf Course.

The three golfers at hole number 18!

Short vacation recap..........

2009-12-14T14:43:00.002-05:00

Vacation to Disney World in Florida was AWESOME, even though it rained a bit on us it was all good. Pics to be posted at some point in the next week. I am sure some of you followed our travels from watching the posted pictures on Twitter and Facebook.

If you get a chance to ever go to Disney World they have some great food places and well of course some fun rides.

From Dec 2-the evening of Dec 11 I walked 51.01 miles! If you plan to go to Disney make sure you "train" for vacation otherwise you will be sitting in a bottle of advil to help with the aches!

Funniest thing heard on vacation: I was in the bathroom and in the next stall it was a girl talking with her grandma. "Grandma, I like your big underwear!" I was trying not to laugh but I was also amazed that the grandma didn't chuckle or laugh but politely said, "Well, thank you, I like them also!"

Favorite meal: Fulton's Crab House. The king crab legs were simply amazing! If you go there ask for George, he is a super cool waiter!

Favorite ride: Splash Mountain. We rode it two times in a row without getting out of the log!

Favorite drink: Avocado Margarita at the tequila bar in Mexico! YUMMY! It was really refreshing and awesome!

Favorite extra event: Segway tour. Segways are two wheeled people movers that us a gyro-scope to help you keep balance. They are a BLAST! Ours was a two hour tour. One hour instruction inside and then one hour riding them around the World Showcase at EPCOT. Our tour was cut about 15-20 short because of the rain.

Favorite firework show: Wishes at Magic Kingdom-Holiday version! WOW!

We golfed one day and saw a gator sunning himself on the banks along the canal. We golfed the Palms which is a PGA course. WOW.....the front 9 was nice but the back nine was was very beautiful. We saw an otter, gator, deer and an osprey on our golf outing. Oh yes, even though we did ride a cart we could only stay on the cart path so I still walked over 3 miles that day!

We also found that some of the rides had been upgraded and tweaked a bit which was a nice surprise and all for the best!

Remember, Disney it is not just for kids!

Leonid

2009-11-17T09:46:00.003-05:00

Leonid, Sneeonid! Went looking for the meteors and did see some. Maybe about a half dozen all very SMALL but at least we were not skunked, after all it was early in the morning (2:45am alarm went off) then got the camera ready, we hopped into warm clothes and drove out of town to get a better view.

Yup, to view, bright, little, short, streaks crossing the sky, in a nano-second. All was not lost though. There is something to be said about standing along a country road with a camera on a tripod in warm clothes, yup, that included my Elmer Fudd hat and looking up at the sky or watching Kris jump up and down flapping her arms to keep warm. Then the coldness settled around the hands and feet. We were finished.

What? November?

2009-11-02T11:58:00.003-05:00

Can this really be true that it is November 2nd? Wow, where has this year gone? Seems time goes faster as we get older. Why is that? Is it because our days are numbered? It is just amazing to me. Seems like it was just yesterday that we were all worried about Y2K!

So, it is November and now to mess with us even more, lets change the time! Not only do we have to wonder where all the days have gone, but now we gain an hour! UGH!

Plays, picturizing and the Pit!

2009-10-26T14:42:00.002-05:00

Well so what is new in my part of the world....well, lets see....

I actually went to a Shakespeare play a week ago. Yup, Shakespeare, can you believe it? It was called, "As You Like It", it was a COMEDY, ya right, Shakespeare wrote a comedy? Well, yes he did in like the 1599-1600s. The actors were really good but we were up in the nose bleed area so it was hard to hear since the actors didn't have microphones. The famous line from the play is, "All the world's a stage". I was so happy I knew what was going on and I didn't even read the synopsis of the play!

Last weekend we hit Yankton for more theater, semi-winterizing of the Clubhouse and meeting up with friends. Lewis and Clark Theater put on "Play it Again Sam" for their fall play. It was really good and not what I had expected at all. After the play we caught up with my Godparents and had a few beverages. Always good to get caught up but it is busy time of year for them with harvest coming on fast, that is if the fields ever dry out! Saturday while a lot of the biker friends were doing the 50/50 cyclcross in Sioux Falls, I met up with a couple other cycling friends (camera clicking cyclist) for some pho-togging! They picked me up in Yankton and we headed out for a fun afternoon. We hit the Sacred Heart Convent Cemetery, Lewis and Clark Lake, watched people snag for paddlefish, House of Mary Shrine and then on to Utica, SD (little burg north west of Yankton), Marindahl Lake (man made lake just east of Broom Tree Farm) and then country roads back to Wakonda. It is so great to get out and see what nature has in store around every corner but as my mom would say, "We were all over like horse S#$T!" I mean that is a GOOD WAY!

Once in Wakonda we had happy hour at Cycling Cathy's house along with other bikers/friends, Mr & Mrs Ride Vermillion, Kris, Charlie or Mr Cycling Cathy (haha), Ed & Pat and Sieversma. We showed the group our pictures from the day on the TV and then it was off to The Pit for supper, laughter and fellowship! It was an awesome day!

More theater in our future?------Heck yes! Church Basement Ladies tickets were purchased for this week so three theater productions in a week and a half.

I have been thoroughly culturized!

National award for our city!

2009-10-22T16:52:00.006-04:00

Our city is now listed as a bike friendly city by the League of American Bicyclist!

Thank you to all who helped make this possible!

You can see pictures of the event and a recap over at the Hooterville Mayor's blog!

Week recap.........

2009-10-16T16:37:00.002-04:00

Nothing...................

Well, ok some things did happen.
1) Co-work in ICU AGAIN, about the same thing that she had a little over a year ago.
2) State architects show was in Sioux Falls, yesterday and today. Yup, I worked the Friday morning shift at our booth.
3) Insulation installed in the living room area of the basement.
4) It snowed.
5) Started Christmas shopping. (related to the snow?....maybe?)
6) We might as well move to Seattle with all the rain, it is still raining, and the skies are gray.
7) Abe has his new Halloween costume.
8) Travelocity / Delta changed our flight / times for the third time in four weeks.
9) Thought the air compressor, to run the stapler to put up insulation, was on the fritz but then Kris pointed out that I had plugged it into the socket that is controlled by a switch....DUH!
10) Reading a lot about Disney and Photography.

HEY, EVERYONE, HAVE A FUN AND SAFE WEEKEND.

REMEMBER IT IS OPENING PHEASANT HUNTING SEASON THIS WEEKEND SO PUT UP YOUR BREAKABLES!

Friday afternoon funny......

2009-10-09T15:58:00.002-04:00

A man in Topeka , Kansas decided to write a book about churches around the country. He started by flying to San Francisco and started working east from there.

Going to a very large church, he began taking photographs and making notes. He spotted a golden telephone on the vestibule wall and was intrigued with a sign which read "Calls: $10,000 a minute.." Seeking out the pastor he asked about the phone and the sign. The pastor answered that this golden phone is, in fact, a direct line to heaven and if he pays the price he can talk directly to GOD. The man thanked the pastor and continued on his way.

As he continued to visit churches in Seattle , Dallas , Oklahoma City, Chicago , Milwaukee, and many cities and towns all around the United States , he found more phones, with the same sign, and the same answer from each pastor.

Finally, he arrived in South Dakota , upon entering a church in the beautiful farm land region of SD , behold - he saw the usual golden telephone. But THIS time, the sign read "Calls: 35 cents" Fascinated, he asked to talk to the pastor, "Reverend, I have been in cities all across the country and in each church I have found this golden telephone and have been told it is a direct line to Heaven and that I could talk to GOD, but in the other churches the cost was $10,000 a minute. Your sign reads only 35 cents a call. Why?"

The pastor, smiling broadly, replied, "Son, you're in South Dakota now ... You're in God's Country. It's a local call."

FAB, Tripod and a Party............

2009-10-04T22:26:00.011-04:00

Fun filled weekend!

Friday night was VERY low key but Saturday was packed with fun.

Hit the Sertoma Butterfly House early. They open early on the first Saturday and first Monday of the month so that people wanting to use tripods to photograph the butterflies can do so without causing problems for other visitors. WOW! Let me just say that if you have never been there is is worth a stop! The butterflies are amazing. Thanks to Harolds Photo and Tamron for sending me a demo lens to use over the weekend until mine comes in this week!

Then off to USF for the FAB fall meeting. I skipped the ride in order to take pics, sorry! I am the member at large again for this next year. We had a great board before the election but with everything change is important to grow the organization. Thanks to all the previous board members - you are awesome! Welcome to the new board members! I am excited to meet you all and get on with growing cycling in our community!

This of course was followed by a trip to Harold's Photo to buy a new tripod! Oh dear, they must love me at Harold's right now! I started out thinking of what I wanted to spend on a tripod and was off about $100 from what I ended up with. Kris got me talked into buying up and so I did. With one of the coupons from the Tamron photo workshop I was able to get 10% off the tripod and head. I got the Bogen/Manfrotto 055xprob tripod base and the 488RC2 ball head. We then proceeded to the Outdoor Campus for some picture taking and Disney training, WALKING! We walked around the prairie loop and then around the other loop with that goes around a pond. We walked 1.3 miles on crushed gravel /asphalt and yes, the ankle was not happy. Had a great time and made it back just before it started to sprinkled!

Today was a lazy morning followed by lots of visiting. We celebrated Kris's aunt Esther and uncle Bill's 50th wedding anniversary. It was a fun time and great to see some people I had not seen in a while. Lots of stories, laughter and COFFEE! My God that family can drink the coffee!

The weekend was awesome!

Oh yes, since my Cubbies are out of contention, I will be cheering for the Twins....WooHoo!

Fall FAB ride and meeting

2009-10-02T09:36:00.002-04:00

It is time for the fall FAB Apple Orchard Ride and meeting, October 3rd, TOMORROW!

Find out ALL the details here. See you at the meeting!

Kentucky to Alaska on a tandem built for 5!

2009-10-01T10:39:00.002-04:00

WOW, check this out.......
http://www.pedouins.org/index.html

To be able to be that free to do something like this is amazing.

I guess it is all a mater of choices.........

Race across the Sky-Leadville 100

2009-09-30T11:50:00.002-04:00

On October 22nd, experience a One Night Event in movie theatres nationwide, yes, even here is Sioux Falls, featuring the debut of "RaceAcross the Sky" a documentary covering the 2009 LeadvilleTrail 100 bike race!

http://www.raceacrossthesky.com/

The Treadmill................

2009-09-29T17:26:00.001-04:00

This is pretty cool!

Tamron Road Series Workshop!

2009-09-20T18:56:00.006-04:00

What a great photography workshop this past weekend. A lot of info to digest and a lot learned!

Below are a couple of my favorite shots that I took messing around with the Tamron 180mm macro demo lens. Pretty fun. I only wish the flowers would have been not past their prime. So, after demo-ing the lens, I now have one on order and it should be here the end of the week! I also tried out a gimbal tripod and a 200-500mm lens. WOW! The tripod was in the $800-something range and the lens was in the $1999 range. Lots of money I was carrying around for a while. They were really nice but I would have to save a LOT to afford that!

If you like photography take a workshop. You do hands on work and learn a lot from the pros! Of course, I go to the zoo and still find flowers and bugs to photograph, go figure!

Cycling Cathy did an AWESOME job with her pics. I hope she will post them on the blog! She also had fun demo-ing her carbon fiber tripod! Yup, not just on bikes but tri-pods also. They were SUPER light!

Ankle and aperture

2009-09-18T11:45:00.005-04:00

Well, what is new in my world?

Some frustrations and some up coming fun stuff.

First the frustration. As many of you know I have a bum wheel, ankle that is. I think it all started when I was in 6 or 7th grade when I sprained my ankle one of the first of eight times over my life, so far. Then a few years ago, I broke it. I guess, yes, you can call me a klutz, but at least the time I did brake it, I was walking down the stairs at home in December and my shoes were wet. So I slipped and fell. The good thing is that I had just opened my first bottle of beer, yup, Newcastle, and had taken two sips out of it when I did this. I never spilled a drop. Klutz or not, you decide! Anyway, the old wheel has been bothering of late and so I decided to seek out professional help. After a few trips to the Dr, loads of x-rays and an MRI, it was determined that my ankle is bad but not bad enough to do anything to it yet. WHAT? Yup, that is what I said. The last trip to the dr I was to have a cortisone injection but since my ankle was not as tight as it was, he decided against it but they did do more x-rays called stress x-ray where they literally twist your ankle to see how many degrees they can twist it. YUP, LOTS of fun! Anyway the news is that I have no anterior talofiular ligament anymore, the posterior calcaneofibular ligament had some superficial fiber damage, basically a bone spur off the inside of the ankle bone and a possible fusion of some bones. YIPPEE! So after all that, we wait until it gets worse. Then the plan will be surgery and it will be a non-weight bearing (no weight on the surgerized ankle)for 6 weeks! So nothing else, no restrictions only that if it is sore take anti-inflams and wear a brace especially when on uneven ground. So, living with a physical therapist, she has some different ideas. There will be more strengthening of the ankle with exercises! OH YEAH, UGH....life goes on!

(One of the stress x-rays, ignore the neon lines on the x-ray as they were moved out of place so he could show me the bone spur, not suppose to be there, by the cursor arrow)

THE GOOD NEWS! I am excited for another photography class that starts tonight and goes through tomorrow! Cycling Cathy is even coming up to take this class also! Harold's is the host of the event but Tamron is the main sponsor and they call it their Road Series Event. They are bringing in a nature photographer from Florida that will teach a class tonight for three hours and then tomorrow we hit the local zoo for hands on learning! With Tamron being a sponsor, they are going to let us try out their different lenses! I am jazzed about this! There will be a little class work tomorrow plus at the end a photo contest for the "students". Lots to learn!

And, yes, I will be wearing my ankle brace!

Marg ride Vlll

2009-09-14T11:57:00.004-04:00

Had a great weekend in Bridge City (Yankton) and Verm-town (Vermillion)!

It was the 8th annual Lane Hogs Margarita Ride. Let me just say if you never have done this ride you should. It was well organized, well attended (150 riders), a lot of fun and the added bonus is the profits from the event ALL goes to the MS Society!

Kudos to Christi for her longest ride ever, 30 miles! WOO HOO! It was a bummer Kris didn't feel well. Her cold kicked her in the butt so she was only able to ride 15 miles. Next year kiddo! (thank you Mrs Biking Brady for rescuing her at the rest stop!) Had a great time chatting with Pat and Ed along the route also. Pat and I had fun talking to the cows although she was a little distracted as they are expecting the arrival of their first grandchild SOON!

We hit the Eagles club after the ride for Mexican food and of course Margs! It was all good. Glen, one of my fellow USAC officials also made the ride up from Sioux City to Vermillion but since they were fogged in down there they didn't make the Marg ride but enjoyed the food after! Great to see you Glen!

After the Eagles we hit Carey's for a beer and talking cameras with Sieversma's Smattering of Stuff and Cycling Cathy. Well had to go check out Charlie's Torino that was in the car show! Nice car Charlie! Then on to Mr and Mrs Ride Vermillion's house for some "fellowship". Yes, I had the maggots at their house and of course had to find them in Sioux Falls when we got back on Sunday! They are good and now Kris is hooked on them so I have to share...DANG IT! haha

GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!

Thanks to the Lane Hogs for an awesome event! We all know there are unsung heroes that help make this possible and run smooth! Thank you, to all!

Monday morning humor!

2009-09-14T11:53:00.002-04:00

1. A day without sunshine is like night.
2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
4. 90 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.
9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture most people have.
10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.
13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.
14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?
15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?
18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?
20. Why do psychics have to ask you your name?
21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, 'What the heck happened?'
22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.
23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

You have been mooned

2009-09-06T15:40:00.002-04:00

Weekend recap in a few words

2009-08-30T22:48:00.007-04:00

Met cousin at a bar in Tea

Found out the bar was karaoke hell on Friday night!
Farmers Market
Manna Bakery
Dean-o's (breakfast)
Yard work
Beer can chicken
Fresh grilled veggies from the Farmers Market
Slept in
Canned pickles
Trips to the Outdoor Campus and Falls Park for pictures

Please keep Mr and Mrs Hooterville Mayor in your thoughts and prayers as Mrs Mayor recovers from surgery.

Bike trail section being repaved!

2009-08-27T09:24:00.003-04:00

The Bicycle Trail from Maple Street to Diversion Dam Closed Starting Friday for Repaving.

The bicycle trail from Maple Street north to the Diversion Dam will be repaved beginning on Friday, August 28, 2009.

During construction the east side of the levee will be used as a detour route. The trail is expected to reopen by the end of September.

For a map of the on-street alternate route and more updates on bicycle trail construction projects go to http://www.siouxfallsparks.org/bike

YES! WOO HOO!

THANK YOU, CITY OF SIOUX FALLS!

Images at Terrace Park

2009-08-26T22:32:00.006-04:00

Coming in for a landing!

Tri-color bumble bee!

This little lady liked to strike a pose!

RBD Fireworks

2009-08-25T20:58:00.012-04:00

Riverboat Days and bicycle races!

2009-08-24T09:42:00.003-04:00

Another busy weekend! WOW! Friday found us heading to Bridge City for Riverboat Days. Always a fun time. A stop was needed at Charlie's for PIZZA, then off to the river for fireworks.
The fireworks were awesome. It was my first time using a remote switch with my camera for shooting at night. It was hard since they shot fireworks off from two different areas. I think I got some ok ones. I will try and post some later. We did go back to the Clubhouse and look at a few since I finally figured out how to hook the camera up to the TV to view the pictures!--DUH!

Saturday we had quite the lucky day. We hit the Belgian waffle feed for breakfast. As we headed into the venue, there was a lady that asked us if we needed tickets. Of course, we said yes and she gave us two free tickets to the feed. SWEET! Savings of $12 for two tickets! Next we were off to Gundy's farmers market for some veggies. We picked up fresh potatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, onions, loaf of bread and squash for $17. Good fresh organic bargain! After a stop at the Clubhouse to drop off the produce we hit Riverside Park to go through the arts and crafts areas. Purchased a few things but nothing really wild. Headed to the food tent area and ordered lunch. Should have received $9 back from our change but got $11 back! We didn't really realize it until we were far away from the tent. Savings of $2! We made it back to Sioux Falls around 8pm.

Sunday was the Avera Downtown Sioux Falls Criterium. What a great day for bike racing! We had a great crew officiating which made it a lot of fun! Central Plains Cycling puts a lot of work into this race and it paid off. Everything ran supper smooth which makes the officials jobs a LOT easier! If you helped out with any part of the race this past Sunday - THANKS A BUNCH!

A great weekend was had but I am tired! I sure hope you all enjoyed the weather out there this past weekend!

Weekend images

2009-08-20T21:21:00.008-04:00

Me being the "whip" at the start of the time trials in WY.
Dave getting ready to be the moto-ref for the time trials in WY.
Dustin Bakker (L) and Glen Houts (R) getting
Gregg Gleason (on the bike) ready for his time trial.

Following wave #2 of the road race down Spearfish Canyon.

Queens lace along the canyon road.

Yes, I shot these after the race was over!

Bridal Veil falls in Spearfish Canyon.

This is located along the interstate at the 1880 town. Very funny!

State Criterium race!

2009-08-20T17:23:00.003-04:00

If you like to watch bicycle racing, if you have never seen bicycle racing or if you have an itch to race your bicycle, then come on down to downtown Sioux Falls and catch the Avera Downtown Criterium, this Sunday!

Races start at 8:45 am with the last race scheduled to start at 1:30 pm which l run for 60 min.

All the particulars can be found here.

Spearfish Canyon!

2009-08-20T17:02:00.003-04:00

Hello, to the three people that read this blog. Sorry it has been a bit between entries. Blogs seem to suffer a bit during the summer, as it is a busy time for most!

Kris and I had a great time in Spearfish this past weekend. I was there on "official" business with the state road race and time trial events, dubbed the Tour de Fish. It was a great race and great scenery driving through the canyon! Seems this year the canyon is the best I have seen it in a while. Nice and green with lots of wild flowers and even Bridal Veil falls was flowing! We even ventured over to WY for the TT race! That was a first for me, traveling to WY that is, and not sure I would like to live in Beulah, but the site works great for a TT! Lots of windshield time, over 900 miles, but well worth it. Even though I did officiate, it was a relaxing weekend.

I guess, going down the canyon at 15-20mph, following bikers for 72 miles was not enough. We had to drive it again so we could stop and snap some pics. Of course I haven't had time to even download them yet! We also met up with some friends in Deadwood for supper before heading back up, you you guessed it, the canyon again on Saturday night. The top of Aztec was in the clouds and the temp was 48º! It was cool that was for sure but still nice.

I will try and get some pics uploaded this weekend. Have a great weekend everyone!

Keep fighting the fight!

2009-08-10T13:13:00.002-04:00

RIP, Susan.......

Weekend update

2009-08-10T12:46:00.009-04:00

We had a good weekend in Yankton, Grease-the musical, Ben's, Charlie's, The Ice House, 7, Murdo's, Dakota Territorial Museum, drive out to the lake and around many small communities in NE. Our plans had changed a bit when Kris's mom fell and broke her arm but we still had a good time. Here are a few flower pics form Kris's moms flower garden.

Weekend of images

2009-08-02T11:45:00.010-04:00

SMILE!

Airshow

2009-07-26T17:33:00.012-04:00

Had a great time this past weekend. Lots going on in town, that was for sure! Irish fest, Stoggies Steakout, Air show and Rockfest. We hit three of the four events but only took pics at the one event..enjoy!

Airshow with the Blue Angels!

2009-07-24T11:58:00.003-04:00

Not doing anything this weekend and you are going to be in Sioux Falls? Well, it is as easy as looking to the sky!

The Sioux Falls Airshow will be in full swing both Saturday and Sunday! Read about it here.

Win Susan!

2009-07-23T16:44:00.007-04:00

Prayers going out to Fat Cyclist and his family! So much of what is going on with Fatties wife Susan is so similar to what happened to Kris's sister, Susan and my mother. Even though different cancer diagnosis. Hard to read sometimes. Cancer is a nasty thing!

I will wear my yellow Livestrong band for the rest of my life in memory of:
My mom
Susan L.
Barb B.
Pastor Jake K.
Marvin J.
Cindy
Gary S.

I wear my yellow Livestrong band for cancer survivors:
Joan E.
Joan N.
Luther N.
Peggy K.
Aunt Goobie
Many cousins
Celia M.
Amy M.
Gail S.

I know there are many I am missing and the list keeps growing.
Who do you wear your Livestrong band for?

TDF and new team!

2009-07-23T16:18:00.003-04:00

Hey, kids..um, fellow blog reader(s) as there might be more than one of you out there, um, well, maybe! Any who....

Are you loving the TDF so far this year? Lots of stuff going on that is for sure and not all good.

First off, I hope Jens heals up after his NASTY fall skidding down the road on his cheek, the facial one, that is! I hope George can find the strength to make it to the Champs Elysees with his bum collar bone. I hope Levi is healing fast from his wrist fracture. I hope Thor can hang onto the green jersey. Have I forgotten anyone? Oh, yes, silly me, I hope Lance can hang on to a podium place!

Should be great to watch the last few days!

BIG NEWS...Lance is forming a new pro-cycling team called Team Radio Shack. I know, I know, not sure this is a great move as there are a lot of other companies out there I think I would have approached as a main sponsor and maybe they did and companies said, "no", given the economic situation and all. Nonetheless, the positive is that it is another American company getting into professional cycling which is HUGE! It shows that cycling is a growing sport and that with the pro races happening in the US it will grow even more!...we can only hope and hope is a good thing!

TDF-other American's riding very well!

2009-07-16T15:06:00.003-04:00

So the big news on MSN homepage today, about the Tour De France, was that Lance punctured? WTF? Give me a break. He had over 30 miles to go in the stage and had three guys to get him back to the peloton!...non-issue unless you are in the mountains, which they are not at this point.

Apparently no other American is riding in the TDF. Don't get me wrong , I am a HUGE Lance fan and think it is great he is doing so well but, there are other Americans doing some awesome riding. Tyler Farrar, Levi Leipheimer, Christian Vande Velde and yet we hear nothing about them in fact Levi crashed with 3KM to go today and is kind of banged up but we hear nothing about that. Tyler was second in the sprint yesterday and Christian is coming back from a bad crash, broken bones, in the Giro and is sitting in 8th place in the TDF and still nothing about that....come on give the other American riders their spotlight also!

Which bike dilemma and fruit!

2009-07-15T13:52:00.006-04:00

Where has the summer gone? It is almost MS150 time and I do not have NEAR ENOUGH miles in as you can see by the counter on the right side of my blog page. So, now the dilemma begins....WHICH BIKE TO RIDE!

So, many of you know that I ride my mtn bike to work and I have put more miles on it than on my road bike. I rode the old road bike last Saturday 22.3 miles and of course was sore (my bad ankle and back) from riding it since you sit differently than on a mtn bike. The other thing is that I have more gears on my mtn bike than on my road bike as the road bike has a double and my mtn bike has a triple. Which one should I ride for the MS150? Kind of leaning to the mtn bike...what do you think? I am going to give both a good work out this week / weekend and see what works better but your input is welcome!

(L to R: Cousins Carol, Kathy and my sister Roz-At the Ice House in Yankton!)

In other noise.....last week I had two wonderful cousins visit from Michigan and my sister from Des Moines. What a fun time. They also brought me some Michigan cherries...40 pounds of Michigan cherries. Let me just say, I am not a fan of much fruit but if you get a chance to have fresh cherries and blue berries from Michigan, it is a real treat!

(some of the fresh cherries, pitted and ready for the freezer!)

TDF-Stage 3!

2009-07-06T15:04:00.002-04:00

GO LANCE GO!
Lance moved up from 10th place to 3rd place today in the TDF! Who is the Astana team leader now by 19 seconds?

Should be an interesting TTT (Team Time Trial) tomorrow! Will Lance be back in YELLOW?

Weekend recap

2009-07-06T14:49:00.003-04:00

It was a good weekend. We stayed in town on Friday night as both of us were tired and hit the Wild Sage for supper with a couple friends. It was good food. We also ran into some other friends and at a going away party for another friend who is moving to Virginia! Good Luck to you Dellie!Avera is loosing one heck of a nurse, enough though your cure for everything is a enema! Then over to Monks for a night cap. Ran into Mr & Mrs Bite there.

Saturday we headed to Bridge City for the fourth celebrations. We ran a few errands and then headed to MacGilly's (sp?) for supper out at the Marina with Rose. It was ok food. Then back to the clubhouse before hitting the fireworks at Riverside Park in Yankton. I would be scared to guess the amount of people sitting along the banks of the Missouri but it was a LOT! They shot the fireworks off the top of the Meridian Bridge this year. To be honest I thought there have been better shows. Don't get me wrong, it was still good but there have been better ones. I think I like them shooting the fireworks off in the Nebraska side of the river better, as you get a straight on view and there is more reflections in the water. I will have to upload pics later this week!

Sunday we did some picking-up at the clubhouse and grocery shopping for the next few days. I will be in Yankton this week as I have cousins and my sister coming up to stay for a few days.
Should be fun.

Hope everyone had a great 4th and an even better week. See you at FABRAD on Saturday!

Ooops almost forgot. Mac and Gilly added to their family on Friday. Jada and Josie two kitties! We had fun playing with them on Friday! They are sure cute!

TDF - who is your GC pick?

2009-07-02T14:48:00.003-04:00

I can hardly wait for the TDF (Tour De France) to start! YUP, I admit it, I am a TDF junkie! I just love the dynamics of the race. The strategies that go into it. It is a team sport and some people loose site of that. Without a strong team it is hard to elevate your GC (general classification =overall winner) contender to the top of the proverbial cream of the crop!

So, who will reign supreme? Sastre, Menchov, Contador, Armstrong, the Schleck boys, Evans, Leipheimer or some complete dark horse?

If you want to have some fun Versus has a fantasy cycling team you can create for the TDF.
I need to get my team set yet!

Elvis sighting?

2009-07-02T14:18:00.002-04:00

I am pleased to announce this is my 9th day in a row commuting to work! WooHoo! I know there are people out there that have a lot more continuous commuting days but this is pretty good for me. So, I was enjoying my nice leisurely commute this morning. Didn't feel like speeding to work, just taking it all in, you know what ma nature has to offer and all.

I pull up to the corner of Russell and Prairie and another bike commuter pulls up next to me. We acknowledge each other and of course talk about the weather the past two weeks for being so conducive for commuting. This fellow cyclist had been on vacation last week but said the weather this week has been great! The light changed and we were off to work our day away.

Ooop...forgot about the title of this blog. No there wasn't anyone with a white jumpsuit and a cape out there gyrating his hips around with ladies screaming, crying and pining for his scarf. It was the fellow cyclist sunglasses, which were kind of Elvisesque(sp?)....cool dude!

RANT.......

2009-07-01T17:03:00.002-04:00

Why is it when a celebrity dies, there are always people that cry and carry on when they didn't even know the individual?

Then the celebs life, before death, then after death as to who gets what is plastered every where you look! UGH....

Do people REALLY CARE that much or am I the odd person out here?

If people were that interested in their own family and circle of friends as they are with some celebs lives, imagine what this world would be like!

Bike-a-palooza and Police!

2009-06-28T21:57:00.004-04:00

Bike-A-Palooza, was an absolute blast on Saturday!

First off the mid-afternoon events were all for the kids. They did really well. There was a parade with a police escort, then slalom races and giving 20 kids a new bike. Pretty darn cool!

Then it was on to the adult events. Clunker Crit, Foot down, bike throw, skid mark and wheelie competition and then bike jousting. I am pretty sure the contestants and the audience loved all the events. I participated in one event, the bike throw. The old clunker bike had been filled with concrete and weighed in at 47 pounds. I gave it my best disc throw and won the ladies round. Pretty darn funny. My prize...a FREE tap beer! It really was a LOT of fun!

(picture taken by Biking Brady)

Let me just say that, Jerry (monks owner), the kErnEl, and Snakebite did a great job putting on this event. I can't wait until next year!

The not so fun part of the weekend!
So, we get home and hit the sack. About 3:30am Sunday, Abe started barking. There was a noise in the house that was odd. Sounded almost like a door shutting. Got up and Kris went out by the front door. The storm door was open. We figured it might have been from the wind but there wasn't any wind. Then we heard someone walking around on the front steps. They tried the front door again. The noise we heard was when they opened the screen door it made the french door in the foyer kind of move so we heard it rattling. I told Kris to call 911 and as she was on the phone the individual (male, short hair, shortsleeve shirt and long pants) walked down the steps to the front walk and headed west and then turned around and headed east. The dispatcher told us to stay in the house and they would have police there in a few minutes. The police would search the area first and then come and talk with us. That they did. The police arrives a short few minutes later with spotlights on the neighbors houses and our house then they pulled up and we talked with the officer, telling her what had happened. She checked around the house and there was nothing. She was then going to proceed up the street to see if there was anyone wondering around. So we headed back in and tried to sleep...NOT! Wide wake and fell asleep an hour or so later. Kris checked the front porch this morning and he had kind of tramped some of our vines hanging out of our planters and he also dropped a crumpled up dollar bill in one of the planter. I also looked on the door and there were a couple scratches as to where it looked like he was trying to get a key in the lock. We think he was drunk and was at the wrong house, needless to say IT was scary. I was close to getting out the shot gun when I heard the noises which scares me also after what happened in Brookings(drunk kid broke into a house thinking it was his house and the owner of the house shot and killed him) this year. THANK GOD our doors were locked! We are very good about locking our doors when we are in the house anyway but WOW! That was WAY to much excitement and Abe has been praised and praised for being the BIG protector!

Bonus spotting of things you see commuting!

2009-06-25T09:19:00.002-04:00

Things I have seen, so far, on the road during my commute this week!

broken cds
pieces of a car after a crash
beer bottle tops
sticks
leaves
bolt and nut
pennies
cigarette butts (yuck)
screw
smashed plastic bottles for various liquids (pop and oil)
dead snake (gardener snake as I called them when I was little)
dead squirrel
part of the handle of my coffee cup (it was in the intersection of Russell and Prairie and there is no way I am stopping to pick it up with that wild traffic!) (coffee cup still hangs off the handlebar just fine!)

Those are all pretty common things we usually all see on daily bike commutes but.....The bonus spotting of today was:
A HUGE SNAPPING TURTLE! He was big, I mean bigger than a dinner plate big! Right in the middle of the road! Kind of odd as he was moving AWAY from the Covel Lake area to no lake the direction he was going. I hope someone puts him back in the lake otherwise the kids in the neighborhood he was heading to will torment the heck out of him! I should have stopped to take a picture of him!

Break out your money!

2009-06-22T17:10:00.004-04:00

HEY, YOU!

YES, YOU!

CLICK ON THAT MS LOGO

ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF

THE PAGE AND DONATE!

MS is another disease we need to stomp out!

Great weekend!

2009-06-22T09:24:00.002-04:00

I had a great weekend!

Friday I hit the clubhouse in Bridgetown. Saturday I headed off to the Ponca Revenge mountain bike race part of the Psycowpath Series for some officiating! These guys put on a great event! There were 85 riders taking on the five mile loop course. Numerous categories with numerous laps and numerous pages of writing for the officials but that was just fine with us! It was really fun. I had never been to a mountain bike race before and let me say, these riders are pretty tough. One class in particular, the Marathoners, rode the course for THREE HOURS straight! It was pretty cool to watch them have their own routine at the feed station. The winners (man and woman) of the marathon class did seven laps in those three hours. Kudos! You can read about the results here.
Let me also say that this is a great State Park that offers camping, hiking and biking!

Saturday I buzzed to the local G-Store to get a steak and some sides to grill at the clubhouse! YUMMY! One of my mom's friends, Rose, came over and we sat and visited also. Great way to end the day!

Sunday was a lazy day and then headed home to get caught up with Kris who was at a Garden Party Tour in Pierre at her sister and brother-in-laws house. They had a good time.

Today is the first day since May 11 that I have been on my bike! I had bronchitis and and upper respiratory infection all at once so have not been 100 percent in a while. I am not so sure I am yet, but I am in the 90s at least! Anyway, I commuted to work today! I am SO HAPPY! This has made my week and it is only Monday!

Rest of the week....
FAB newsletter stuff, Thursday FAB Time Trial and Saturday Bike-a-palooza!

Thursday afternoon silliness!

2009-06-18T16:03:00.002-04:00

I got this joke from my niece this afternoon and found it VERY funny
but be warned it is semi-naughty!

A PSYCHIATRIST'S EVALUATIONS
A psychiatrist was conducting a group therapy session with four
young mothers and their small children.

"You all have obsessions," he observed.

To the first mother, April, he said, "You are obsessed with eating.
You've even named your daughter Candy."

He turned to the second mom, Jenny: "Your obsession is with money.
Again, it manifests itself in your child's name, Penny."

He turned to the third mom, Erica: "Your obsession is alcohol.
This too shows itself in your child's name, Brandy."

At this point, the fourth mother, Emily, quietly got up, took her little boy
by the hand and whispered,
"Come on, Dick, this guy has no idea what he's talking about.
Let's go pick up Peter and Willy from school.

Bike-A-Palooza

2009-06-15T15:12:00.006-04:00

Monk’s Bike-a-Palooza

June 27, 2009

Location:420 E. 8th St. Sioux Falls, SD 57103

2:00 Beer/Soft Drinks available, Bike Shops set up

2:00 – 2:30 Bike Parade
Parade will start at Monk’s on 8th St., 8th St. to Weber Ave, Weber to Falls Park, Falls Park to Phillips Ave, Phillips Ave to 8th St. and back to Monk’s

3:00 – 9:00 Food Available

3:00 – 5:00 Live Music
oxford comma

4:00 Kid’s Events
Present Bikes Up to 25 bicycles will be presented to children identified by Volunteers of America.
Kid’s Slalom Race Age-grouped, timed slalom race. Groups may be ages 0-5, 6-9 & 10-12

6:00 Adult Events
Clunker Crit
Wheelie Competition
Foot Down Competition
Bike Toss
Bike Joust

7:00 - 9:00 Live Music
Surly Endo & the Chainlinks

The past week in review......

2009-06-15T13:40:00.004-04:00

Time flies when you are having fun...hahaha!

Not much going on but it seems to fill my days. Between, officiating, yard work and work in general it is keeping me busy.

A week ago I went to Norfolk to help with the Norfolk Classic bike races. It was a great time and I learned more about officiating thanks to Jon, Nancy, Cheryl and Glen. Saturday was a road race and Sunday was the crit from hell. It started out with a little rain which turned into a LOT of rain, hail and wind. Not fun. It soon stopped raining but the damage was done. We were SOAKED! The races were great and not any bad injuries which I was glad to see! I headed back to Yankton to find some biking buddies on their first overnight of the Tour De Kota. I found Mr & Mrs Biking Brady and RideVermillion at tent city and chatted a bit. I was glad I was heading home to a warm house and bed and not crawling into a wet tent with damp sleeping bags.

Thursday evening was the third installment of the Spoke n Sport Criterium. We had 18 riders for the Class B division and 7 riders for the Class A division. The evening was the best we have had so far for this race. They are a lot of fun to watch and it has been fun getting to know some of riders. If you have not been to one of the races yet you need to get out there and watch or heck for that mater, race! There are a lot of good people out there trying to grow this sport in our area so get out there and support it!

This past weekend we headed to the Clubhouse for some relaxing and fun. One of Kris's co-workers came along for the fun. Of course we hit Charlie's Pizza on and then Ben's Brewing Company on Friday night. Saturday it was doing the tourist thing. Out to the Gavin's Point Dam with a stop at MacGilly's at the Marina for refreshments. Once back in town we hit the Walnut Bar a.k.a. the Dead Animal Bar then it was off to the Ice House to have a couple beverages and smash the beer bottles under the dock. Both of mine and Rhonda's smashed but Kris was one for one. I think that means she buys the next time down there! We hit the Clubhouse for grilled burgers upon which I burned my arm on the grill lid. Dang that hurt and still hurts when it is not covered up. Then it was off to the musical Chicago at the Lewis and Clark Theater Company. WOW! Lots of YHS thespians in the musical. They wear a lot of lingerie in this musical. I was kind of amazed. I wondered what some of the older theater goers were thinking when they saw the scantly clad ladies. Those girls had a LOT of guts to get up there in those "costumes". The play itself was really pretty good. It amazes me some of the talent that the Yankton area has. You should go, as it is a great show but be warned that it might be a bit out there for some and it is not really for children.

This week will be full of some of the same old, same old. Work, golf, FAB newsletter, moving stuff in the basement to have some electrical work done and then off to the Clubhouse. Saturday I am off to Ponca NE to help with the Psycowpath series-Ponca's Revenge Mt bike race. My first ever, should be fun but a challange also.

Oh, yes, on the health front. I am doing better but still not 100% might be in the 90% range. A little set back from the rain soaked weekend in Norfolk but doing better! I have not been on the bike in a month and was going to ride to work today, but guess what? It is raining...AGAIN!

Biking weekend.........

2009-06-05T15:04:00.002-04:00

This weekend will be biking stuff for me. Not riding, but officiating. Not "official" officiating but helping and trying to gain more experience. Saturday is a road race and Sunday is a criterium. Should be fun if the weather cooperates! You can read about the races here.

There will also be more biking happening this weekend by some friends as it is the start of the Tour de Kota on Sunday.

To all my cycling friends riding the TDK this year, stay safe, have fun and to borrow a tweeted phrase from Riderermillion, "May the winds be light and the beer be cold!" Maybe I will see some of you on Sunday afternoon /evening at Riverside park in Yankton on my way back from Norfolk!

If you live in the south eastern /east central, rural part of the state please watch out for my fellow cyclist!

VERY Random thoughts.......

2009-05-29T15:43:00.006-04:00

* Had fun at the TT turn around point last night.
*Ordered up a new house, new SUV, new bikes and lots of other fun stuff then realized I was not the one from South Dakota that had won the powerball : (
*Happy our state has moved up the ranks of bike friendly states from 41st last year to 28th this year! Good job everyone!
*Wondering why my niece wanted to know my blood type. In case you are wondering my RoadID says A+.
*Had my first wood tick crawling on my sock last night after walking in some tall grass.
*Bummed my paycheck is sort a weeks pay from being sick all last week. We do not have sick leave and my vacation time is spoken for already.
*Heading to the Clubhouse tonight just for an evening of fun with Kris's brother-in-law and then some work tomorrow.
*Glad Abe didn't kill the bunny today. Abe slipped out of his collar and almost got the little furry hopper.
*Two biking events going on this weekend. I hope everyone stays safe and as one friend said "I hope the wind is light and the beer is cold!"
*Why did I eat so much at lunch?
*Called the doctor twice already today about my scratchy throat. It started up again yesterday afternoon. Still no return call. Makes me crabby. I think I need one more round of antibiotics.
*Hitting the Ribfest tomorrow evening for supper....YUMMY!
*Lots of work to do next week and I know already there is not enough time to get it ALL done.
*Seems my co-worker is not all that worried about her father having cancer. She didn't even go up and see him last night after his surgery but was quick to tell us her dog was being spayed today. What?
*Picking up the flowers from the Obert cemetery tomorrow. They told us they will only be allowed on the graves for one week. Used to be two weeks. Wondering why this has changed?
*Wondering why Carlos Zambrano (Cubs pitcher) can't control his temper better. Good job showing kids what NOT TO DO, CARLOS!~~~UGH!
*Looks like Lance is riding into good form during the Giro d'italia. Scary for a bit today when he crashed but he seems to be ok.
*Wondering what Alberto Contador is thinking about the Astana team dynamics these days and why he didn't try and defend his Giro title?
*Who will be the next sponsor of the Astana team?
*Hope to get back on the bike next week and do some commuting and more base riding.
*UPDATE-Doctors office finally called back. I will shortly have a 10 day supply of bactrim to kill this bug I have....HOPE IT WORKS!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!

Graduations and bike rides..........

2009-05-28T15:07:00.002-04:00

Hello, kids...

I am finally feeling better although I still have a cough, my voice is still not "normal" and I am tired but everything is going in the correct direction anyway! I missed the first night of golf last night, since it was cold and wet out there, I just didn't think it was wise for me to be out in the elements.

Last weekend Kris's nephew graduated from Augie with a degree in Business Administration and mathematics. Not sure how that all adds up..haha. It was a fun time. I think it was very cool of him to sit around and talk with us even though his college friends were around. Sunday after the official ceremony he hung with us again, so we decided to take him to Famous Dave's for supper. Plans were then made to hit Ribfest this weekend at some point. The boy is growing up!
Kris's niece also graduated this past weekend from St Olaf (with a degree in museum administration and woman studies?-not sure the exact degree SORRY!)and will be heading off to grad school this fall at NYU. Congrats Zach and Maren-job well done!!

The weekends are filing up VERY fast this summer. LOTS going on and I need to get on the bike!

Bike rides I plan on doing this summer----
FABRAD (July)
MS150 (August)
Margarita Ride (September)
Biking 4 Breast Cancer (September)
I also joined Snakebites-Bike 2 Work Challenge. With being under the weather May has not been kind to me for the B2WC. I hope to change that SOON!

Memorial Day

2009-05-22T15:04:00.003-04:00

This weekend as many of you know is Memorial weekend. It is not just a day off from work or a day to rush off to the stores to get the best sale on whatever product. Memorial Day is a day to remember. A day to remember family that has passed but mostly a day to remember the military men and women that gave their lives for all of us! Head over to CycleSD blog to put this into perspective. Pretty eye opening isn't it.

This weekend, thank a veteran for their service to our country. Thank them for your freedom.

To any service member or veteran out there that might read this blog.....THANK YOU!

FREE PANCAKES!

2009-05-13T14:04:00.004-04:00

FREE PANCAKES! Yes, you heard it FREE PANCAKES!

May 15th is Sioux Falls Bike to Work Day. Hit the Museum of Visual Arts between 6a-9a. Have fun talking with other bikers. Have a great breakfast to power you through your morning and the best part.....well, besides riding your bike to work, getting your head cleared out, exercise, less carbon on the environment and stress relief, is that it is FREE! More details here. You might even get to meet this years poster boy for the event or join in on his bike to work challenge, which you can read about here!

RIDE YOUR BIKE ON FRIDAY!

SEE YOU ALL THERE!

How many lives does a blinky light have?

2009-05-11T14:50:00.005-04:00

I hit the road this morning for my commute. It was a nice and sunny commute, just a little cool but all was good. I was making good time when I heard something fall and hit the road, behind me. I looked back and laying helplessly, in the middle of the road was my little red blinky light! I got turned around and started back to rescue it when a car came in it's direction. Was I going to see my little blinky light murdered right in front of me? I was hoping not and found myself saying, "Don't run over my little blinky light!" and of course repeated it a few times as the car drove over the top of it and MISSED IT! YEAH! I made it back to pick up the little scratched guy only to find that the clip was gone that holds it to my trunk. So I went searching for it and didn't see it anywhere until I looked on my trunk and there it was, clipped on and hang on for dear life! The blinky and clip were reunited. Now, the big test, was he going to work after hitting the deck----YES!

So, my blinky light is a Viewpoint blinky (el-cheapo), how many lives does it have? If I had a Cateye blinky would it have 9 lives? So, do assume that this little blinky might have 8 lives left even though it is not a Cateye? I am guessing it's life will be a bit shorter from this little mishap but the little guy lives on to illuminate my life, keeping me safe, for a few more days, I hope!

Be a responsible pet owner!

2009-05-08T15:12:00.005-04:00

An unfortunate thing happened to a couple of friends last night on a training ride. You can read about it here.

All I want to say is, PEOPLE, BE RESPONSIBLE PETS OWNERS! If you can't afford to take care of them or at least control them, you should not have them-PERIOD! Things could have turned out a lot worse for our friends. Thank GOD it didn't!

Dead wrong?

2009-05-04T15:35:00.002-04:00

After I tweeted on Twitter about a 20.85 mile bike ride, a funeral home is now following my tweets! Should I be worried?

Planting, poker and pacelines

2009-05-04T09:21:00.002-04:00

Great weekend to be OUTSIDE! Yup, finally no rain, a little wind but hey, it is South Dakota after all.

We got our flower bed all planted. Flower pots planted, tomato plants in their containers along with the marigolds to keep the bugs away from the little sweet 100s! Lawn mowed and fertilized. Bike chains and rear cogs all cleaned and lubed. Now there must have been some sort of payoff for doing all this work right? You guessed it, a bike ride. It is was not just an ordinary bike ride it was the annual Harlan's Anniversary ride / Harlan's Poker Ride / Harlan's customer appreciation ride, but this year we rode in memory of Cal's daughter who was killed in a car accident four months ago. I didn't know her but I am sure she was a great person given how nice her dad and uncle are.

Not sure how many attended the ride but there were quite a few. We opted for the bike trail ride instead of the Harrisburg ride. I was nervous about this as we rode counter clockwise around the trail. Now, to some of you it is not a big deal. To the ones that are novice and dislike hills it is kind of a big deal as you have to climb out of the falls area up a hill and up the switch backs by the the State Penitentiary. I am proud to say I did it without stopping! I think the part leading up to the bridge that goes over the spillway is hardest part so it makes the switch backs a little hard but not so bad. Kris had a hard time with them but she made it about halfway up which is excellent!
We regrouped at the bridge / dam area out by north Minnesota and met a couple of Lanehogs! Jefferson and his son Matt were along for Harlan's ride also and had never ridden the trail before so the tagged along with our group well, in the middle of our group. Kris and I rode sweep...hahaha! We got up by the zoo and of course the buffalo were standing under a tree and the BIG kitties were laying in the grass. We also saw a duck with her ducklings all in a perfect paceline swimming in the diversion ditch. I love that stuff! We made it back and with that Kris made another one of her goals-----ALREADY-----that was to make it around the bike trail loop! She did a great job yesterday! Not sure what she is going to do the rest of the summer with her goals already met! Just kidding. I know she wants to work on pace and getting faster which will come with more time in the saddle. At the end of the ride, I didn't have a good poker hand at all, didn't win a door prize, had good burgers, lemon aide and fun with friends...good weekend!

Help save some great buildings!

2009-04-30T14:17:00.003-04:00

Do your part and help save history! They are on the list as one of the 11 most endangered historic places!

Don't let our state destroy these wonderful buildings! These are amazing structures in Yankton and once they are gone they are gone. Help save history and sign the petition on the link to Governor Rounds to save the buildings at the Human Services Center!

Sick of the flu..........

2009-04-29T09:39:00.004-04:00

Ok, is anyone else tired of hearing about the swine flu? I know I am!

I realize that any bug like this is serious when it can spread fast but does the news media need to sensationalize the whole thing, making a lot of people panic about this?

A SIMPLE and EASY solution to reduce your risk for
catching any "bug": PEOPLE, WASH YOUR HANDS!

Does the media sensationalize about the 36,000 people that die from the "regular" flu or complications of the flu each year in the United States? Does the media sensationalize about the 1,500 people that die each day in the United States from cancer? Does the media sensationalize that 3,400 people each day are diagnosed with cancer in the United States? Heck, did you know that 1.2 million people die from bike related accidents world wide each year? Do we see HUGE breaking news crawls or hour long news specials about any one of these tragic things? NOPE.

Mrs Dude's Boob Fund!

2009-04-28T11:09:00.001-04:00

Check this out and donate to Mrs Dude's Boob Fund! (This is not a joke!)

Weekend recap........

2009-04-27T10:30:00.003-04:00

Had a great weekend but lots of windshield time. I found out on Thursday I was going to head to Minneapolis on Friday to receive some continuing education credits, basic electricity for door hardware, from our DHI-North Central Chapter. With heading to the Mpls area, I knew there are always bike races in the area so I contacted a few people to let them know I was going to be in the area and would like to "shadow" another official if it would be ok. They had a big race going on in Cannon Falls, MN called the Ken Wood Memorial Road Race, University of Minnesota-NCCC (North Central Cycling Championship). 340 riders and 70 collegiate riders for the race. The weather was to be crappy, rain, cold, wind, so I was prepared with all sorts of layers. I was paired up with Emily another official. She had never done the road racing commissaire part of the race before and since I had, we were a team. We followed the Cat 3 men (3-laps on a 21 mile course) for the race in the morning. Pretty "cushy" job, not that officiating is a cushy job, but since the wind was a bit cool and the threat of rain loomed all morning, it was good to be in a car. I even got to do my first call out of a race, meaning calling the group and going over some of the rules before leading them out on the course. In the afternoon, I did the Junior (1-lap on the 21 mile course)race and road with one of the parents, Bob, nice guy and good conversation was had. Good to see the parents involved and doing stuff with their kids! The race was also good just meeting other officials and and experiencing how bigger races are run.

This event also featured a "chip" system. This means that the racers have to rent or buy a "chip" about the size of a quarter, that is on a velco ankle strap. At registration the riders are given their chip. The chip has a number that is entered into the computer with the riders name. When a rider goes across the finish line the chip is triggered by a series of wires on the pavement which go to a computer and is plugged into the software system. This places the riders as to their finish. We do still keep track of the riders manually also and then everything is double checked from the officials manually scoring to the chip read-out sheets. Since technology is not 100% fool-proof and then if there are any DQ-d (disqualified) riders, the computer can't tell that, so it can be taken care of at that point. Once the finish is agreed upon then the results are printed and posted. Pretty cool system! Thanks again to all the officials, Matt, Bill, Bruce, Jeff, Steve, Emily, Larry, and two others that I can't remember their names (SORRY!) that helped me learn a bit more about officiating. Also thanks to all the corner marshalls braving the wind out on the corners to keep everyone safe during the race! One older lady who was a corner marshall in teh morning, was from Des Moines, and was there to see her granddaughter race for the U of M. How cool is that to say your grandmother was out there as a corner marshall! She did a heck of a job out there also!

I left Sioux Falls around 8:30am on Friday morning and made it back to Sioux Falls 8:30 pm Saturday night. Long couple of days and lots of miles, but it was worth it.