Wabasha to Red Wing, 32 miles

There were lots of good things about today. It was only a 32 mile ride. The cue sheet really couldn't be wrong, as we were on one road all the way to Stillwater. The terrain was beautiful. And, since I was in a big hurry, I was glad that I have biked this ride in the past on the Klobuchar ride and didn't feel a need to stop. I left at 6:15, the first one one the road, probably for the first time, and I stopped only twice, to use the roadside "facilities", aka bushes. I whisked through Wabasha and waved at Lake City, recalling a long ago sailing trip with Earl and Carol Hall, then past Frontenac, where John and I attended a wedding several years ago, and into Red Wing. I missed the hotel on the first pass, and arrived almost at the same time as Vicky and Marilyn. Vicky, Marilyn, and Lois are the "hard core" riders on the trip. They are fit, fast, and never stop to lollygag along the way. Even though they probably left an hour after I did and still caught up with me without breaking a sweat, it was still fun to be in town a moment or two ahead of them! I'm sure its the last time I'll be first in town, so I have to relish the moment!

We had coffee at Caribou while the hotel was getting rooms ready. Lois skipped coffee and hit the beautiful Red Wing/Cannon Falls trail. She did the whole thing, making hers a 72 mile day. I was eager to shower as soon as possible, for the best reason this was a good day. I was anticipating several visitors: Stepson Tony, his wife Cara, and two of their four children, Collin and Jack. We hit the bike shop (Two year old Collin was very excited by the bikes--he loves anything with wheels, though he loves them more if they have motors--tractors, trucks, bobcats, motorcycles, boats--Tony and Cara are going to have to keep a tight leash on this little guy!) Jack is only three months old and right now he is mostly interested in his bottle! We headed up to town for lunch, and soon my sister Mary and her daughter Annie joined us--this is Annie of "Annie's Blog". Then a few minutes later my brother John walked in! All in all, a very fine day for me.





I was really happy to see Mary, as she has had a very tough time while I have been gone. I hesitated to bring it up earlier, but while I was in Memphis, Mary went in for a stress test due to pain in her arm, and had a heart attack during the test. Three stints later she was sent home with clear arteries, but it has been a very scary time for her (and us), and it was great to see her and know she is okay.

When I first heard that Mary was in the hospital, and before I knew I wasn't going to be flying home, I was fortunate to be sitting in the laundry room with Ann, who is a physician from Fargo. Ann is retired, but I'll bet she was a great doctor, because she sure knew how to explain things to me and calm me down at the same time. She spent a lot of time with Mary in Red Wing, too, and I know Mary appreciated her input.

I didn't take any pictures on the run to Red Wing, but you won't be surprised to know I got a shot or two of the family! Here are just two--I'm running out of time for blogging, as usual. The first is of Tony and Collin at the bike shop--you can't start 'em too young. The second is me with my brother and sister, John and Mary.

All for the moment!