Back in the Saddle 8/24-8/31

I followed Sarurday's Hiawatha ride with a cruise Tuesday morning with Ed. The moment of truth comes tomorrow. If Ed passes his cardiology exam, off we go on GASBBT. Stay tuned. My neck injury has been fortuitous because now both Ed and I will be forced to take it easy. Even if plan A is scrapped, I'll just head off with my Bunny on another Fric and Frac adventure. So, life is good. Breaking news! Ed gets the green light. GASBBT trip a go. Eleven days and counting. Today we shipped our bikes via UPS. It qualifies as a commitment. Nothing says commiment like forking over cash. $1474 to Ed. GASBBT approaches. Meanwhile, life continues. My cousin Douglas purchased his lake home from the state if Idaho. He is pleased. Sunday, the 30th, marks our third straight Sunday family dinner. Home made split pea on a cool late summer night. The girls gave Grandpa George a lesson in Wii Bowling. Pretty fun. And nothing beats ending the week with a training walk to the Rockwood Bakery with my best pal, Stumpy. GASBBT less than seven and counting.

Test ride with Ed

Loading the bikes for travel.

Knuckle salute.

Celebratory send off cake.

The first bite is the sweetest.

Map boys.

UPS, his lips are moving, which always means he's spouting the second to the last lie of the day.

Show me the money.

I'll show you some money.

The bowlers.

You can't really tell about the smells from this photo, but I assure you, they are often quite pungent.

Grandparent Camp 8/16-8/23

Yea! On the bike with Sawyer for 5.4 miles including a chicolate chip scone. Now that's a training regimen most can embrace. Not totally cured; more bone crushing next week. Monday started off nicely with a good spine cracking. I may be adjusted in another session or two. Today, Sawyer is off to Silverwood Theme park with his cousins. Thrills a plenty, I'm sure. Dad was over for Sunday dinner. It's great. We've had five years of visits in the last ten days. Sawyer's stay seemed short, but good. My neck continues to improve and as a test, I did an overnighter on the Hiawatha with Douglas. My neck feels the best it has in weeks. Yea! Tonight, Douglas and I will spend the night on the boat. Great days!

Ready to take off.

Not really protein rich.

Sawyer and Mimi before the free concert at Liberty Lake.

Sponge art.

A couple of peaches.

Puzzling.

Me and the goofs.

Douglissimo.

It's good to be riding.

Recovery Training 8/8-8/15

Still battling a sore neck, I find myself in the clutches of a bone crusher. He's been making adjustments on my spine, and of course he wants to make more. Chiropractor's are always my last resort because they always seem to stretch their treatment series as far as the insurance will let them. I haven't ridden now for two weeks, which is driving me stir crazy. In addition, I had a stupidity event (I tried to grab the mainsheet as it whipped across the boat in an accidental jibe). The moron move smashed my finger causing blood, bruise, and lingering pain. I also wrenched my lower back. Now, like whack a mole, it is pick a pain. I did have a nice day with my grand daughters. We painted, ate cottage cheese pancakes, and altogether  enjoyed ourselves. We also spent a little time with Dad, walking his "new" route with him. Once my health flare up subsides, I'll be back on the training routine; however, I think it was around the age of thirty-seven when I came to realize that my most realistic approach to life was to accept come what may. Speaking of good fortune. Judy and I celebrated 26 years Wednesday with dinner at the Wild Sage Bistro and a night at the brand new Grand Hotel. Love training, we call it. Still no riding, but love training is a nice substitute. Now it's grandparent training. Sawyer is here for a week, so he and the princesses are having a good time, and naturally, Mimi is simply radiant. Meanwhile, although still quite good, life at the moment is a pain in the neck.

 Dad and Judy walking the trail.

Funny face, Sarah.

Emily's artful cakes.

Actual wetness for Judy.

This is what I really think about stupidity: it's @&$!"/!

Our room at the Grand Hotel.

Crab Won Tons to start.

Fresh greens.

Wild Salmon for a shared main course.

Twenty-six and counting. Not a red head in sight.

Quite the crew!

I've enjoyed just about as much of this as I can stand.

The Dog Days of August 8/1-8/7

Even the strictist training regimen has a rest day. The marriage of Kelly Rose O'Brien was one such day. Our whole family was represented. The bride was stunning, the groom dutifully smitten, and all who attended remembered the importance of family, promise, and love. Despite the fact that no miles were ridden, few steps were walked, and a slip from the regimen was noted, it was all good. Still no training this week due to a severe pain in the neck (not Judy). I slept wrong and the ensuing headache has been quite debilitating, so much so that I went to the ER for a catscan. The results were negative, but my headache has yet to subside. Rest and quiet, so it looks like a little patience training this week. Rest didn't work, and more telling, heavy drugs (Hydrocodone and muscle relaxers) didn't either. By Friday I was ready for drastic action, so I went to a chiropractor. He popped a few vertebra and I feel better. He will do three more treatments next week. The net result is I've had my lowest mileage (0) week of the summer. On another potentially disturbing note, my riding partner just discovered a fluttering heartbeat. He has to pass two checks later this month. It' possible that GASBBT could be cancelled. I hope not. We'll see. That's why they call it the future.

Father of the bride, Larry, on the way down the aisle to give his daughter, Kelly, away.

The setting of the reception.

The bride in repose.

The presentation of the new couple.

True love is sterling.

Even on rest days, life is good.

Look Mom, it's an IV!