July 5th, 2005

I started feeling almost normal by Friday (as normal as I ever feel). Mike and I spent the weekend sleeping, riding, eating and playing with the small hound. And of course, OD'ing on the Tour de France coverage on OLN! The weather was great. Mike probably put in over 200 miles on his bike and I did about 150. We also started opening our wedding gifts and are both amazed at all the lovely things bestowed upon us. Personal thank you's are certainly forthcoming.

Today, our friend (and Mike's racing team mate) is flying in to pick up the team van to head out for Superweek. I will be picking Colin up in Sioux Falls and we'll have burgers (and brats) and sweet corn for dinner after an evening ride.

We are also planning our honeymoon. The location keeps changing, but it looks like the Taylor's are heading up to Grand Marais for some R&R in the middle of August. Near the boundary waters. Look on the map---it's almost to the Candian border---and the area is more blue than green...meaning more water than land. There is a 116 mile bicycle loop that is beckoning us...Neither of us has ever been there and it is one of the first places I thought I'd like to visit when I first got the bicycle touring bug over a decade ago.

Anyway---not too wordy today...like I said, I am "almost" normal! I hope the 4th of July was safe and fun...Happy happy Tuesday!

(Photo captions...photo's not posted here)

"The beginning of the 3 day weekend began with margaritas at home in our new margarita glasses from Mae"

"Sydney and Mike on a canoe ride at Brawner Lake / Camden. I was at the "bow" and the gal sitting on the dock said that that was the place for the "power" person. Mike was the steering guy."

"Sydney was kicking it in some shade--!"

"We took Sydney swimming at a local water hole for the 4th of July"

"Go Scrapper!"

"Syd never got tired. I think she swam for her ball for over a mile!"