Goal Made

He made it to Ames yesterday. Can't imagine how his legs must feel from riding nearly 250 miles in 2 days! He was able to spend the night at the Sig Ep house, so no worries about tent set-up and freezing his butt off again. 

This morning, Monte called around 10:30 and was already in Indianola. He rode in the rain most of the way. I'm sure he is excited to finally meet up with the rest of the RAGBRAI crew (including Justin). When we talked again around 4pm this afternoon, he was relaxing in his tent reading his Boneshaker book and listening to music in the background. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that he and Justin are having a few beers right now?

On a side note, this is kind of a cool story I found while poking around the RAGBRAI website.

Another 100-Mile Day

Monte made it yesterday to Lake Mills, IA - just short of his Clear Lake goal. This map gives you an idea of how far he rode. Obviously, he didn't take a straight shot down 35 like the map shows, but you get a feel for the distance.

He was extremely cold in his tent last night and apparently did not sleep well. He put on every piece of clothing he had to stay warm! Today is another 100+ mile day - his goal is to make it to Ames. I believe he will be staying in his old fraternity there, but I'm not sure. 

Justin and his boxed-up bike are on a bus right now down to Des Moines - he and Monte will meet up tomorrow.

On The Road Again

Monte left this morning for Iowa. He's meeting up with the RAGBRAI crew in Indianola on Tuesday. Yes, he is biking all the way from Minneapolis to Indianola, then onto Burlington, IA. He initially took off from the house yesterday after the Tour de Fat, but called me about an hour and a half later to say his bike "broke". He'll have to explain what exactly happened, but something with the rear tire and it was serious enough that I had to go pick him up and bring him back home. 

So after switching out the rear tire on his Bob Brown, he was good to go, but waited to take off again until this morning. Otherwise he would not have made it to his initial 1st overnight destination near Waseca because it would have been dark. 

Monte called me about an hour ago saying he had made it to Northfield and everything was going well. He plans to bike all the way to Clear Lake, IA today. Since he has all day, it should definitely be possible. 

He is riding with all of his gear on the back of his bike, just like he did for RAGBRAI last summer. Justin is meeting up with him near Indianola as well, so they will ride together Tues-Sat. Here's a pic right before he left us yesterday. Best picture of them yet. 

Ani Won

A fight broke out at day care today - Ani vs. another toddler who was stealing "her" toy. She won, but in the midst of successfully pulling the toy away from the other child, she wacked herself in the eye. Nice little red mark on her lower lid. She's a fighter!

MNSCS #5 - Memorial Classic

Memorial Classic in Red Wing, MN - July 12.

This Red Wing course offered fast sections for strong riders, tight and twisty single track for the technically adept, and a few good climbs for those who like to go up. Monte's favorite course thus far.

Monte's race results:

Sport Men 35-39

1st place in age group! (out of 11 riders in that class/age group)

31st place overall

Time: 1:15:40

Start of the race. Monte's the 2nd one from the left in a black jersey, white helmet.

The exciting finish - Monte pulling ahead of his competitor just in the nick of time. That guy ended up being 2nd place in his age group so it was a tight race.

Note: We missed MNSCS #4 - we were in Iowa.

Tomato Tomahto

In many ways, I take after my mom. Monte would say I talk with my hands, just as she does, and I sometimes say the same little phrases that she does. We are both very sentimental and family-oriented. We both LOVE to read, especially mystery/thriller books and have a passion for travel. We are definitely alike in many ways.... except for where she has an amazing Green Thumb, I have an amazing Black Thumb.

But I'm trying to overcome that. Case in point - my 1st successful tomato grown on a plant that I nurtured! Well, Monte helped too - he had to remind me to water it. I haven't eaten it yet, so we'll see if it's really "successful". 

Turtle Lake

Turtle Lake over the 4th of July weekend... sun, fireworks ($350 worth), great food, fun games - including one we just learned called Farkle, and some relaxation. I say "some relaxation" because we still had An-Bon to chase around! She enjoyed playing with not 1 but 2 dogs, Bailey and Rue. She did not, however, enjoy her 1st boat ride or being in the lake that much. In due time!

Intense game of Farkle

Ani's own intense game of washers

Nate helping her out

Warming up next to the fire.... S'mores shortly followed this

Monte & Ani on an early morning stroll

Getting ready to tube on the lake

Bailey & Ani