One Foot in the Grave

Just yesterday I turned the big 4-0. I celebrated it with a long ride on my traditional route from Faribault to Mankato and back, on the Sakatah trail, approx. 90 miles  . Joining me was Best in Schow and The Mayor, others were welcome but I did a poor job of planning this ride and letting others know......sorry.  I would not have minded going alone but it worked out well for the three of us. The ride was just how I wanted it, little wind, lots of sun, not too hot, low humidity, no flats or mechanicals, a lunch stop and no drama. Later that evening I enjoyed a meal of crab legs at home with my family and went to bed tired and content with the day.

about 90 miles of this

Lunch at a mediocre restaurant in Mankato 

yep....more of the same

 Those that did not do the ride on my actual birthday got to do one the weekend before when a large group of us did a mini enduro ride on the local MTB trails leaving from my house. We hit Murphy, Leb and Terrace Oaks and ended up with just under 50 miles and about 3.5 hours. Once back at my house everyone was treated to tacos, the greatest food in the world, made by my loving wife. Lots of other friends and family showed up later in the day for the low key party portion of the day. The best "gift" I received was a surprise visit from my BFF Tom from Salt Lake. He and my wife were in cahoots the whole time, she asking if we had a specific sized bike for someone to borrow numerous times throughout the past week. I also got a call from Tom explaining that he had accidentally replied with  "going" on the facebook invite, he wished me a happy birthday and about a minute later I nearly fell on the floor when I walked out of my bedroom and he was sitting at the dinning room table.  Tom made the first part of the ride at Murphy and was able to stick around until the late afternoon. I would like to thank all those who joined me last Saturday and Wednesday...it's great to have all you awesome people in my life. Extra big thanks to Lynn and the boys for all the work getting stuff ready for the day.

LCR ride ?

midway at Leb 

Didn't get many pics at home but here's proof people actually stayed 

Super Fun Weekend

This weekend was action packed and relatively close to home. On Saturday, the boys and I headed down to Jordan for the Scott-Carver Threshers show. Never been to a threshing show ?....it's all about old tractors,steam and gas engines and anything related to old farming and it's equipment. I'm not a farmer and can barley keep my small garden alive, but I've been going to these events since I was a kid. I've decided to carry on the tradition with my own kids and get them out to see how things were done in the old days. It can be a lot of fun seeing all of the old equipment still working.

The  "cool factor" was very high as we rolled to the threshing show in the JEEP,  sans roof

blacksmith shop 

School house.....we're out a here

When finished, this will be the largest steam engine in the state 

This steam engine works now and was spinning, I used to think it was big.....looks puny next to the one in the above pic

runs on wood and steam......very impressive and quiet  

another steam engine

this one was running the machine just in front of it with a giant belt about 8 inches wide ...separating wheat 

with all the exposed spinning wheels, belts, chains, and cogs it's no wonder so many people got mangled in them 

The camera was to fast to show the motion ,but the wheels and belts were moving...FAST

Strange 

Tractor Pull 

These two engines were running at the time, along with many behind them

Just down the road was Minnesota's largest candy store....we had to go 

 On Sunday it would be just G Man and myself for a father/son adventure on the Zumbro River. We kayaked a seven mile section from Zumbro Falls to Hammond. It was great time and very popular especially with the inner tubing, drinking crowd. If you want a better family experience I would recommend doing so when the water is not warm enough for swimming. We had a fantastic time despite all the drunks and used it as a good conversation for not drinking. After our kayak ride and swimming we rode our bikes back to the van and headed home.....tired.      Later DR  

Put-in

Swimming about 25% of the time

Bluff country

7 miles of gravel back to the van