Welcome to Marshall, MN

Welcome to Marshall, MN

"Population, 12,735." I ride my bike from all the different roads that lead into town, and every time I pass the sign I keep wondering when they are going to change it to read, "12,737+ one cute small hound!" Actually, during the work day the population almost doubles as all the even smaller towns populations drive into work at either US Bank, Schwan's, the Corn Plant or the College. But after the 10 minute "rush-hour"...or "rush 10-minutes" at 8 am and 5 pm, the town settles back into the "12, 737 + the cute small hound" number. And it's really very nice.

The weather channel has new meaning here. Not really for how hot or cold it's gonna be, but rather how WINDY it is and which way is the wind coming in from. Jeeez! I work way harder into a headwind than I ever did on a climb. If you get in a cross wind here, it WILL blow you over. Or come close at least. Riding with Mike and the boys is nice because I never have to take a pull and they are all good blockers of the wind. But then I have to keep up such a good tempo that I get worked no matter which way you look at it. Sigh.

The racing calendar out here isn't like the NorCal/NV either. But we've found a few good ones that we hope to check out in the next week or so. Mike starts work next Monday. I've already started at the bike shop here in town and have already managed to get a nice following of girl's from as far as Aberdeen, South Dakota! I'm also working a local triathalon that's happening at the end of the month, right here in town.

Sydney can't believe her luck. She's got a huge backyard to play in! Her nails have grown since she's not on the pavement all the time and her little paws are pink instead of brown...The sun rises early from the east and sets late in the west and you get to watch them both which is something spectacular indeed! Mike's Dad has been catching us fresh Walleye for dinner. He comes straight from the fishing trip to our house to clean 'em!

And, not only was I welcomed by the neighborhood ladies, (Beth, Janet and Kim) when they gathered together the day we moved in to introduce themselves and welcome me to the neighborhood, or the next door neighbors (John & Phyllis) who dropped off a beautiful candle and vase and card to say they were glad we were here, or Mike's long ago neighbors/family doctor (The Martin's) who have since moved to a different neighborhood in Marshall, but stopped by with a plate of homemade cookies---or even the three gals (Rachael, Mary & (another) Phyllis) who I sold bikes to the first week I arrived who came over to drop off a HUGE basket of fruit, a california cactus plant and a homemade card welcoming me to Minnesota and thanking me for getting them set-up on their bikes...But I just received a phone call from a lady named (yet another) Phyllis who is the unofficial, official welcoming committee (socialite) in Marshall who is coming by on Monday with coupons and samples(?) and welcoming gifts.

If this is sounding like you're watching something from "Back to the Future"...or "Pleasantville"...well, you're close.

The wind is a blowin' from the South today and so it will at least be a warm wind. Sigh. I'm using way different muscles here---I'm used to getting out of the saddle and climbing...Mike says I'm working my "core" cycling muscles. Great...I guess...I liked working whatever muscles I was working when I was climbing out of the saddle though. And so, I'm in search of some mountains. It'll be a long search as the visibility is 10-20 miles and I don't see any. I still feel like we came out winner's though. We have such a lovely home and life is so darn easy here.

And you guys at the bike shop will probably laugh when I say that I am thinking about putting aero-bars on my bike. Not my Seven, but my Klein. I am though. Even if I do look like a, uh hmm, tool!

Miss you all...but we've been "Welcomed" to Marshall and we're stayin'! The Mid-west is pretty special!