I think it is all a lie. There is absolutely no way my legs have pedaled so far. I went for a short ride this morning, flat with a few baby ups and downs. These two powerful, muscle toned legs attached to my body whined and moaned everytime they were asked to do anything except go straight and cruise with a slight tail wind. But, there are witnesses and photos so I guess I have proof to myself that I really did complete this undertaking. It is amazing. To so many people the ride I just finished is a wonder they can hardly contemplate. And just as many people would respond with, "Ya, I did that." or "Ya, I did that carrying 60 pounds and a kitchen sink. or "Ya I did that towing my two kids in a Burly." So for a little while longer I would like to compare myself and my wonderous athletic feats to crowd #1.
RAGBRAI 2003 (Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa)
I arrived in Glenwood on July 18th. One day early. What a great experience. I would recommend it to everyone but then everyone would be there and they wouldn't be a day early. I rolled into town around 10:00am. Picked up my packages at the post office tied everything onto my bike, which I must say now I looked pretty buff to be able to carry all this around. Proceeded through town to see if there was someway I could make myself useful. There was not. They had everything put together and were waiting for the crowds to appear. I was one of the first. A TV crew from Des Moines was in town. They interviewed the townies and then spied me. How cool a RAGBRAI virgin and I get on the state news - Later learned I was a Princess Virgin since I rode in. The Radio Shack taped the news for me so I could watch it later. Two guys rolled into town soon after me pulling BOB's loaded with 50 to 60lbs. The first words to pop out of my mouth were, "What the heck do you have in there." Their reaction, "Too much." Later in the afternoon I was scoping out the camping area to find the perfect spot for my tent. Now this may sound silly but when you are looking at a double football/soccer field and there are only 10 tents there, where do you decide to put yours? All alone off to the side, right smack in the middle, or in the one spot where there will be afternoon shade. I went for the shade, but alas there were already three tents set up close by. Do I ignore them and put my tent a polite distance away, or do I jump in and make cozy right away. I went for option #2 it usually works best. I rode my bike over, plopped my stuff down and said, "Are you guys fun people 'cuz I think I want to camp here." Who should it be but Dave and Andy who I had met in town towing their BOB's. They did certainly turn out to be nice people. After brief introductions they were taking off for drinks and food at the local Eagles and invited me along. The tent was set up and I was ready to go, just a quick change. Hmmmmmm. "Okay, can we get rid of all the formalities right now. I want to change and I am not going in my tent to squirm around and slither into my clothes." They laughed saying, "Go ahead. Everyone will think you are weird tomorrow but my Monday they will all be doing the same thing." That night I met a few RAGBRAI legends and heard many sories. I certainly landed with some fun and entertaining people.
The next day was spent roaming town, drinking beer, and watching all the 1000's come into town. The campground now was filled with tents (soccer/football and extra fiels and that was only a small part of the crowd). I picked a section and started calling out, "DAVE" by the second yell I heard, "Sharon" it was that easy to hook up with my bud from Nepal. Met his friends, Dave H and brother Jim and took off to explore town with them. It was wonderful to see Dave again and incredible to think a person I happened to cross paths with in Nepal would be biking with me in Iowa. We cruised around town, ate and talked, and drank a bit and talked. That night Dave and I were left to cruise town and party. The beer garden was filled to the rim with people and it was soooo hot. We decided instead to grab a six pack and sit beside the beer garden where we could drink and talk. It was a wonderful night, warm, good music, the stars shinning, and a glorious, generous, welcoming town to roam in.
The next morning, Day 1 of RAGBRAI you could hear the clack of tent poles as early as 3:30am. I started clacking my poles around 6:30 and hit the road around 7:30 after searching in vain for Dave and buds. We missed each other and rode most of the day separate, an event that would repeat itself most everyday. The day started with a fairly dense fog. You could see around you but not all that far ahead. I was amazed at the immediate breakdowns. Within the first mile there were approximately 30 people off on the side of the road with problems. Later I was to understand that some bike shops totally broke down the bikes for shipping. A confusing item to me since all you really have to do is take off the pedals, unclip the wheels and turn the handlebars. But many people went to much more work. Gears were off, brakes didn't work, and of course the occasioal flat tire. The first town we came to was Henderson. We crested a hill and got ready for the down hill zoom only to be cautioned by a gentleman at the top of the hill to go slow. Soon realized the reason we needed to slow down. The town, engulfed in fog suddently loomed in front of you, along with a thousand bikers walking their bikes through twon, or stopping for food and drink. I continued on up and down the rolling hills to the lunch town of Emerson. Wow, what a great show they put on. One of the best of the week. The entertainment in the town square was great. An Elvis act. The man stood in the sun (we were all comfortable tucked in the shade) and never stopped shakin' his bootie. We were all amazed. And he was great. Nodbody wanted him to stop. But once he did we all felt inclined to start riding again. While waiting in line for food I noticed the guy in front of me with a jersey explaiming something about Tahoe. So given the notion that so many people have told me I need to move to the area, I had to start talking to him. He was not from Tahoe, a native mid-westerner. Later I ran into him (NED) in the beer tent and was introduced to his team mates - Team Elmo: John, John, John, Randy, and Vince. We were to run into each other continuously for the rest of the week. We all rode off into the sun, not the sunset, just the sun together. Until we hit the first hill. Then I bode them a fond farewell saying I would catch up with them later. John, the tall, tried to berate me to stay with them saying, "Oh, come on, you're an athlete, you can do these hills." I responded with, "No, I am half an athlete, and very proud of the half but I can't keep up and even more important, I don't need to." After a good chuckle they all left me coughing on their dust so to speak. The day continued to get hotter and hotter. At one point someone checked their bike computer and stated the temperature to be 112. But he added the bike was directly in the sun, and getting he heat reflected off the road, ya, so are we. My goal was to make it to the next town, the party town, before I quit and waited out the heat. Oh my, that goal became less and less important. I ended up diving for shade everytime I came across some. I stopped three times in 17 miles. Finally made it to town and who should I come across but Team Elmo. A few beers and water weenie squirting episodes and 2 hours later we were on our way to Bedford, the overnight stop. Rode into Bedford and they convinced me this was the best time to stop for dinner, no lines because everyone would be showering. They were right. We walked right into the air-conditioned Methodist Chuch, to a fine spaghetti dinner. Ahhhhhhh my tummy felt wonderful. The boys took off to their appointed house for the night an I rode off to find the campground and my buds. Set up the tent, had a lovely $2.oo shower in a mobile shower tent, and sat down with a JD and Coke to watch the sky light up with an incredible lightening display. Also one eye ready to spy a tornado as a storm warning had been issued for the night. Went to bed when it started raining. Slept wonderfully! What a great day of riding and meeting new people, my heart and brain are at rest.
Day2. Left Bedford around 7:30am, a routine has been established. Rolling hills, some of which bound together to make fun of the ups and downs, some just go up. I feel so lucky to have my legs and butt in good enough shape to enjoy this. They are tired every morning but not sore. Met up with Dave in Dayton and had a great time eating and resting, and listening to the music. The weather was much cooler today. On the way out of town we met up with Jim and Dave H and made plans to meet them at the beer garden. We only had 14 miles left for the day and it was only noon. We missed the beer garden on the way out of town - so did a lot of others we found out. We wanted to stop in New Market for a break but the music was horrible so we continued on. Later learned from Team Elmo they too had stopped there and demanded a change in music. The average age of RAGBRAI participants is 41. The rap thing just wasn't working. With a change in tunes the place quickly filled up and started hoppin'. Five miles later going down a wonderfully relaxing hill I realized I could not feel my helmet. I tentively reached up, patted my head to realize I did not have my helmet on. Big sigh. Turned around and rode back to the lemonade stand where I had left it. What's an extra 10 miles when you have already done 60? The camp ground was right in the middle of the town, next to the high school. Set up the tents, pulled out a couple beers and jumped over the the HS for a shower. Oh, decided I probably shouldn't take my beers inside. Note: This is probably the most action the HS showers have seen in the last 20 years. After the showers Dave, Dave, Jim and I walded to town, perused the vendors, and gulped down giant baked potatoes with all the trimmings you could imagine. Off to bed, the beer garden was much too small to enjoy but the band was great. The weather had cooled off quite a bit from yesterday, ahhhhhh.
Day 3 Tuesday 7/22/2003 The Century Loop
Having talked about the Century loop a bit for the last few days and having many people ask me if I was going to do it, of course I had to. Dave said he was riding, Dave H was a bit ambivalent about it, Jim had not been feeling well and was definitely not. Took off in the morning a quickly lost each other in the fray. The first town on the map was Benton, 20 miles ahead, a good distance to go and then stop for a bit of breaky. Well, Benton didn't really exist. One of those towns you miss even if you don't blink. So, ten miles more and I arrived in the nice town of Mt. Ayr. They had done it up well. The kids were showing off their dance lessons, the band was setting up, and the food was on. I picked up a Gyro and sat down in the lovely town square/park to enjoy the shade,the food, and some drink. Just as I finished who should plop down next to me but Dave. Didn't even see me until I said something. Imagine the odds of meeting up with somone like that. Not only are there 10,000 riders but probably 500 support people and 20 places you could stop for food. I am not sure I would even know how to figure out those odds. Dave finished his food, we got ready to go and who should magically appear but Dave H. and brother Jim. We had all planned at that moment to take off together, however once again the fray wins and we all lost each other. I took off to ride the century loop figuring I would meet up with Dave as he had planned to do it to (lazy butt didn't). A lovely head wind was blowing, oh it makes us strong. Turned off the main road to do the loop and who should appear beside me but Ned of Team Elmo. Talk about odds. Here is a person I happened to meet in a food line and I just keep bumping into. We rode the first 6 miles together on these great rolling hills that grew into each other. We also had a great tail wind. Wow, the feeling of strength, power and grace. Then, reality hits. Turn the corner and it all goes away. Ned stopped to wait for a friend who was behind us. I continued on. Turned another corner and now the wind was a direct hit in the face. Six miles of this, the road was easier that I had set myself up for though I love it when that happens. Then, back to the highway and the ourskirts of Mt.Ayr, a break at the grocery store for food and drink, and off to finish the day with a lovely head wind. Made it to Leon around 5:15pm. Definitely towards the end of the pack today. I saw teams I had never heard of before. Saw the towns busy cleaning up after us, and the state troopers trying their best to move everyone along. Stayed in Leon for a lovely hard lemonade, and an awesome BBQ pork sandwich. Talked with a couple that was on the same schedule I was. We kept leapfrogging each other. Talked with a team I had never met before regarding getting in late to camp, "heck," they said, "we didn't get into camp until 11:30pm yesterday." My response, "Oh, you are the people with lights on your bikes aren't you? I was warned about you all." They got a good chuckle out of that. Dave and Andy had warned me to pick up the pace if I suddenly realized all the people around me had light on their bike - cuz I don't. Left Leon for Osceloa, 20 miles to go. What a lovely ride. Late enough in the day the wind had died down, the temperatures had cooled and the scenery was beautiful. Even the clouds, full of color, multiple shades of gray and purple, were entertaining to watch, if not ponder. Finally arrived into Osceloa the weather had held, let it rip on the last downhill only to hae the sky break apart and the drenching start. Oh well I have ridden my bike in the rain a few times before. The goal, find a church a great big spaghetti dinner and a warm dry buiding. Ahhhh, success, not even a line for food. Came out the front door and who should pop infront of my face but Dave, Dave, and Jm. Go figure. They were looking for food, I was looking for a shower - by the way, none of the pansies did the century loop. I am such a studette. Made my way to the campground a huge rolling field of grass with muddy slimy dirt paths, amazing how a little rain can dampen the spirits. Walked my bake on the road to avoid the mud splatters when who's tent should I spy but Dave of Dave and Andy (pre first day) Karen, the girlfriend, and Dawn, the sister and Dave were nestled inside sucking down JD and Cokes. I joined them for a round, then decided I should finally set up my tent, and more imortantly fetch the bottle of JD I had bought to share. So 20 minutes later, tent set up, still dressed in my sweaty clothes - figured they would dry on me faster than anywhere else - I made my way back to the party tent. Karen and Dawn decided they were not long distance bikers after all and were going to call it quits Dave being an incredibly guy would be going home with them. It must be love. Remember this is the guy who rode 500 miles to the beginning of RAGBRAI towing 50 pounds. I made it back to my tent around midnight and slept wonderfully, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Side note: Ned met up with his friend who had just finished her last kemo treatment for breast cancer. She was slow riding and he eventually lost her somewhere before Leon. He was on the road when the rain storm hit, ducked in soneone's barn to sit out the storm. Got to town and couldn't find Team Elmo (they had to change camping locations a few times). So sacked out in the fire hall for the night.
Day 4 July 23,2003 In the morning woke up to a beautiful day, and nice temperate weather. As I was concentrating on stuffing my tent in the preverbial stuff sack a man came up behind me and inquired oh so politely if he could, "ask me a really strange question." "Of course," I said. "Well a couple of years ago were you by any chance in New York at the Macy's Thanksgiv..." I turned around to find Joe. One of the eight NY buddies I had met on my trip to NY after the terrorist attacks. I was astounded. Met Joe by standing behind him and his family and friends for the parade. Well, of course I have to talk to everyone, so we made friends and went to Thanksgiving dinner with them at Dallas BBQ. Imagine meeting two years later in Iowa on a bike ride. Continued to cross paths and see son Luke throughout the week. The day was fabulous, a bit tired after the century ride but still ready to kick some butt. On the elevation chart the day looked great, ups and downs but always a bit more down than up. Left Osceola with flags lining the sides of the street getting a great send off. The morning was a bit chilly so I peeled off the pack when we came across the ever present Mama Rafael's Breakfast Burrito Stand. What to my surprise should be the occasion of the day but a wedding between Team Tutu and Team Voodoo. The couple had met the previous year while standing in line for a breakfast burrito. A lovely scene with the male wedding party members displaying colorful tutus on their heads. The female wedding party members proudly wearing them around their waist, bicycle shorts all around. The bride's gown was beautiful and altered to allow for biking off into the sunset or sunrise as it was. From the wedding, and a yummy burrio, had a great ride to Melcher-Dallas where I plopped down with a smoothie to watch the old fogies blue grass band. I figured if Dave and the boys came to town they would be somewhere close. Close your eyes and count to two and they walked right up to me. Didn't see me until I said something. Left Melcher-Dallas with Dave H and brother Jim, to be joined by Tall John of Team Elmo. Had a blast racing through the rolling hills. Well, I was racing, Tall John was coasting at the top of each hill waiting for me. What an adrenaline rush, up down up down up down as fast and as powerful as you can make it. Just outside of Bussey 8 miles later, they were handing out free lemonade and tea. We stopped to enjoy the day, the parade of bikers, and the tea. Jim and Dave caught up and joined us. I very much enjoyed John's company. He is fun and easy to talk to, as are all the members of Team Elmo, well, I guess just about everyone I have met is pretty darn fun to hang out with. John finally ditched me just outside of Bussey. Arrived at Oskaloosa, a quick shower, sit, and sip, met some new friends Paul and Mark. They were also camping with the Out-Of-Staters. Nice men, also on their first RAGBRAI. Dave, Dave, and Jim and I hopped on the shuttle bus to check out town, and fetch sume grub. We quickly filled our tummies on healthy food like corn-on-the-cob and hot dogs. Walked around a bit and the boys decided to call it a night. I headed over to the beer garden. Long lines so bought two beers. Two things can happen when you walk around double fisted: 1) you make a new friend or get a share a beer with an old friend, 2) you drink two beers. Either option is a winner. Walked right into Paul and Mark from the campground as Mark was discussing the need for another beer. Topped off mine and passed the glass on. Twenty minutes later word got around that they had stopped selling beer. "Even to girls?" I said. Went over to the line to see if it was true. Displayed in front of me were probably close to 100 cups of beer already poured. "We are no longer selling beer... How many do you want." I laughed, tossed down the cash I had in my hand, and grabbed the four beer I could carry. Was I a hero when I got back to the group or what? Finished the beers, caught the last shuttle back to the campground, did the midnight search for porta-poties with no head torch, and dove inside the tent for a lovely sleep.
Thursday July 24th Oskaloosa to Bloomfield 67 miles.Woke up to another beautiful sunrise, perfect weather. The first town of Cedar was approximately 10 miles out of Oskaloosa. A nice warm-up before breakfast. Hmmm Cedar ended up being a ride through, now I am getting a bit hungry, okay the next town was again only 5 miles away, Kirkville. This town was definitely not a ride through. I think they had called in everyone from the county to wait on us. The mayor was the emcee for the day,the drummer his brother, great food, lovely entertainment provided by the local dance troupe, and wonderful people to share it with. Met up with Ned just out of Kirkville and he kept my legs going to Chillicothe. Lost him on the hills to Blakesburg. Oh my achin' legs. They are not so much sore as spent. I hit an up and just don't have any power to pull. I hit granny gear more than I ever have. I am a bit worried actually. I have pulled a quad muscle before and it is no fun to wait around for it to heal. Five miles out of Blakesburg I made the decision to take the sag wagon. There was a head wind building, more hills ahead and my legs are beat. If I take off twenty miles today then I will be okay for Friday and Saturday. I am afraid that if I push thropugh today I may actually hurt something and not have the ability to ride the following days. Giving up is defineitely a challenge for me so this call is not made lightly. I don't want to walk away from this ride calling Woos for the next year. Got to Blakesburg met up with Mark, a friend of Dave and Andy's from the very first day, had a beer a BBQ pork sandwich and a nice long rest under the trees. Then later had a second lunch - what a pig. Walking tacos ymmmm. Caught the sag wagon as it came through town and immediately regretted it. Oh I felt like a quiter. I was so ashamed. Even as I looked at the terrain and knew how difficult it would have been for me, almost impossilbe, I felt awful. I definatly made the right decision to ride in the wagon, but wasn't happy about it. By the time we traveled the 10 miles to the next town the driver had five calls for sick, injured, or break down cases. I offered abut 20 times to get out to make room for those "who really need assistance." The policy is once you are on you are on, they are not your party transport. The driver finally turned around when we got to town and said, "Get off my bus." with a big smile on his face as he came to help me get my bike off. The rest of the ride was fairly gently rolling hills and my legs did fine. Free beer in Drakesville, never did make it to the beer garden, Team Elmo and the wet T-Shirt contest. Oh darn. I had free beer why would I want to go anywhere else. There was a brief contest though to see who could drink the most beer while being held upside down sucking out of the keg nozzle. Finally had to tear myself away and start the ride on to Bloomfield. Oh my the six miles to Bloomfield I was exhausted. Had to push on every up and every down as hard as I could or I wouldn't be able to move at all. The last three miles were on a dirt road. Not a problem but you do have to pay closer attention. I was totally obnoxious for the three miles. Whoppin' and hollerin' the whole way. As I hit the last hill into town and started dying I was huffing and puffing and grunting. A guy beside me said, "Ya know Ya don't have to ride so fast." If he only knew the second my legs slow down they just may stop. As I came into town I said to myself, "If camp is very far away I am not going." Ya sure, camp was two miles on the other side of town, I did make it and up the big hill to camp. Shower in the shower tent with Dave H's left over sunshower water, and off to town. Side note: We arrived in camp to learn there had been a medical emergency earlier in the day. Actually two. One there had been a heart attack just outside of Blakesburg and the man died. I guess they usually expect one during the week. 2) The crew setting up camp hoisted upthe OOS flag poles only to be "shocked" when they came in contact with the electrical wires overhead. The two boys were knocked unconscience. I guess it made quite a racket. One of the other outfits called the ambulance. The kids were in the hospital for a few days afterwards as far as I know they came out okay. Not as reported in the paper, with toes blown off.
Friday, July 27th Bloomfield to Mt. Pleasant the last full day 66 miles. As frustrating as it was I am so glad I rode in the sag wagon for the 11 miles yesterday. My legs are still tired but they can move. We go through lots of little towns today. They all put on a show and food, but I can't imagine a town of 200 being able to put on a welcome party for 10,000 riders and the additional support people. Zipped through Troy blinked, then Lebanon, didn't blink still almost missed it, then Pittsburg, the yellow house. A beautiful morning of ups and downs but the downs win more often than not. We are working our way down to the Mississippi River. The beauty in the west jumps out and slaps you saying, "HEY LOOK AT ME." The beauty in the mid-west is so much more subtly. You have to be there a while to see it. The corn waving in the wind, all the small towns, the hills that keep on rolling in every direction, and the soul. I couldn't begin to try to recall everytime I felt the tears well up. If you stop and listen you can hear the soul of the country here. The souls of all the people who died while trying to homestead, the souls of the Indians who died trying to protect their land, the souls of the civil war, the souls of the young men and women who died in WWI and WWII and the living hearts and souls of all the children, parents, and grandparents to be who may sacrifice their families or life for the next great call. This is truly the heartland of our country. Okay enough about that. On to Keosaugua pronounced, key oh sock wa. A lovely park for shade, some OJ, a banana. Met up with Dave and the boys and most of team Elmo then off to Bonapart for a brawt and a beer. Headed north out of Bonapart with the most wonderful gift, a tail wind! Oh the raw muscle power ugh I am soooooo strong. Met up with two young 21/22 year old men. They asked how much I had trained, told them about the ride down. Then they got to brag how the last time they were on their bikes was last year for RAGBRAI. Oh the joys of being a young man. Hit the first hill and figured they would be off. However I stuck right with 'em. We rode the most lovely six miles with a tail wind and rolling hills, me the studdette with the two young bucks. Ha! Then, we turned right and I said goodbye. Although not a direct head wind it was painfully slow just the same for the next five miles, then a left turn and a tail wind as we all rode into the hamlet of Hillsboro. A lovely oasis from the sun (a bit warmer today) and the nicest people. My cell phone worked so got busy calling school districts to check on future interviews. Caught up on emails at the library and was on my way to Salem. Arrived in Salem by noon. What to do for the rest of the day? Met up with Dave H for some foodand drink had a great two hour nap in the park with a few hundred close friends. We only had eight miles left to go for the day, Iwasn't ready to call it quits at 1:00pm. Eventually met up with Mark (of Dave and Andy) and headed over to the beer garden. Met up with Ned, Paul and Mark (from OOS) and Marty. The ratio was probaly 10:1 boys to girls and there were probably 60 people. The wet T-shirt contest had a little trouble getting started so a few girls decided to just do away with the whole T-shirt thing and have a titty show. I don't know, maybe it was an ad for boob jobs, at least that's what I kept hearing from all the guys. The state troopers quickly shut the show down, not to mention the beer sales. Rode the last eight miles to Mount Pleasant with Ned. He stopped to give me directions to Team Elmo HQ for the night and convinced me easily to just follow him there. Walked through the alley gate to applause, and a beer. Ah, what great guys. A few more beers and an offer to take a shower (alone), I finally left Elmo HQ around 10:30 clean and slickered up. Went to town to scope out some food. Walked out of the Subway store to run into Dave H. The boys were just behind him on their way to a watering hole around the corner. I am still amazed at how you can ever see the same person twice with so many people. The bar was too loud (rumor has it, it was shut down just after we left),with a careful lookout for signs I found the campground. Found my bags, the JD&coke, and with the addition of three bottles of wine, beer, and Jamison we had drinks all around. Couldn't see any reason to set up the tent so grabbed my sleeping bag and eventually went to sleep. Well, tried to go to sleep as Dave, needing to play dad had to check on me 20 times to make sure I was sleeping okay. Was woken in the morning with a footprint on the back of head. Ow. Where was my protector then.
Saturday July 26th. Last day, and an easy 44 miles. Ya right! A head wind of varying 20mph was a constant companion. Just the kind of friend you need. The terrain was up and down but had a constant down to the Mississippi River. Well, that was a blessing. The winds evened out the downs, can only imagine the grunts and groans if we had not had the downs. It was fun to jump in the pace lines though. Twice I was blessed with the joyful experience of a tandem pace line. The leaders never stepped down. They were angles is our minds, to them it was a good workout I am sure. Everyone was in a bit of a hurry today, busses to catch, time to go home, the whole drill; gotta go to work on Monday. The town of New London put on a great show. Felt bad to grab sume grub and go but we all did. Arrived in Fort Madison to ride in circles trying to locate the baggage truck and my buds. Not the only one to find out later that added a few extra miles to the days travel. Collapsed under the shade of a tree, Dave, Dave, and Jim showed up, had a beer, found my bags, took a cold shower, and felt absolutely fabulous!!! Packed out stuff in Dave H's van and we were off to Chicago O'Hare --- I mean Midway Airport. The boys shuffling and squirming a bit in their seats due to the all uncomfortable biker rash. What a great group of guys to meet and spend time with. I am still amazed that I met Dave in Nepal and her we are riding our bikes across Iowa. Then to figure I met Joe and Luke two years ago and they recognized me on this ride. And Team Elmo. To run into such nice men on the first day of this ride and to continue to run into them throughout the ride is amazing.
Yesterday August 15th the job offers started coming in. Whew, I decided on a position at Sumner High School. The people seem so nice and the program sounds good, Special Ed. So meetings, meetings, meetings at the beginnng of the school year. This winter, skiing, ski instructor with Crystal Mountain Ski School, and Volunteer Ski Patrol. Ya, baby bring on the snow!