The other day I woke up to a note beside my cot. "Mail Poop!" it said.
Oh ya, I had done one of those tests to check for colon cancer and I was supposed to mail in the "sample" within 24 hours. But I had not found a mailbox and then I had forgotten. In the middle of the night I remembered I needed to take care of this first thing in the morning.
Note to self, "Mail Poop!"
***
One of the reasons I travel is to escape the Florida summer heat.
Today, it will be in the 90's and humid in SE Minnesota.
Fortunately for me, I have many other reasons to pull my house behind my truck all over tarnation.
In Frankfort, Illinois I was in a part of the country I was raised in. I don't much care for the flat farmland. I always preferred the trees and hills of Wisconsin. Of course, when I am riding a recumbent, the flat land isn't so flat.
I rode my two-wheel crank-forward on the Folks On Spokes Club fundraising ride. We started out with some of Joan's friends, but they quickly discovered I was too slow.
To say I was frustrated is putting it mildly. I don't peg myself as a fast rider, I don't have a fast road bike for a reason. I enjoy comfort and the scenery. I enjoy being able to stop and soak in a scene.
And toward the end of our 37-mile route, Joan was giving me encouragement and pointers. She was being nice as she would with any slow and tired rider.
But hey, I have been riding since 1990, I ride long rides, I have bike toured carrying all my gear just as recently as last year. I haven't ridden a lot of hills in Florida, but it isn't like I never rode hills before or gone 37-plus miles on my bicycle. Pedal pedal pedal, coast coast coast coast coast, goes Joan. Pedal pedal pedal pedal pedal, sweat and pant goes Sue.
When we got back to the park where we had started the ride, Joan went to put her bike in her car. I headed straight for the refreshments and Frankie who was volunteering at this stop. I said loudly to Joan that I was going straight to the pavilion because I didn't want to miss the entertainment. But I should have made sure she heard me. My voice is in a tone that even with her hearing aides she has trouble hearing.
Usually when I go on these organized fundraising rides the entertainment is done by the time I get back. When I had checked in I mentioned that to the volunteers who checked me in and they assured me that the music would still be going when I got back.
I parked my bike and walked up the hill to the pavilion. I saw the musicians packing up their Ukes. Yep, missed it again. Being slower than the road riders is my choice and the story of my life. I shouldn't get frustrated with it, but I was tired and disappointed anyway. I mentioned it a few times as I grabbed a slice of the last of the pizza and a cookie or two or three.
While I was chatting with Frankie and chowing down, Joan was in the parking lot wondering where I had gone. She even tried calling my cell. But I had left it on my bike at the bottom of the hill. She finally found me. Sorry, Joan!
She was a wonderful hostess, my room was so comfy, and I really enjoyed her back deck overlooking the pond where we watched a great blue heron fish and a busy muskrat swim.
Joan arranged to meet up and ride again in August when I am in Northern Minnesota on the Paul Bunyon Trail. Cool!
The next morning I packed up and headed toward Wisconsin.
I was going to be able to see George's daughter! I had not seen her for four years and I was so anxious to visit and learn about her life since we last were together. I also wanted to clear some space in my truck. I had a few boxes of her dad's things packed in the back seat I meant to give to her.
I texted her when I was about two hours from her home. When I was about an hour from her home, she texted back. She was in the hospital! She had a heart-attack. She was going to be released later that day, but I knew she wouldn't have the energy for company.
I was in shock. She is too young for a heart-attack!
I stopped and bought some big garbage bags at a Dollar General. I wrapped the items in the bags to keep them dry and left them near her front door.
Back on the road I headed toward "home".
Wisconsin Feels Like Home
I was able to stop for a brief visit with my son and his wife in Janesville, WI. It was good to see them.
I didn't stay long because I wanted to get set at Lunney Lake Farm Campground near Madison, WI before the rains came and before dark.
It felt great to be back in Wisconsin and near Madison. I was close to family and friends here, and the scenery was beautiful and familiar.
George semi-retired on July 31, 2008. On August 1st he and I got on our trikes each of us pulling burleys with our tent-cots, computers and clothes. We biked from Waukesha to Lunney Lake Farm Campground. 72 miles, mostly on crushed limestone. The last leg of our ride that day was on the Capital City Trail. This was the first day of our 40-day ride around Wisconsin. No regrets there. We did it!
Now a solo rider, and unloaded, I rode over to an Anytime Fitness first. The riding to Anytime and the workout took all morning practically. Then I rode into downtown to check for mail. I had just a couple items of mail sent to the General Delivery in Madison. Plus I had ordered a couple things from Amazon.
Madison is fun to ride around because there is art everywhere and lots of the residents have planted flowers or wild flowers throughout their yards.
I looked up at the blue sky with fluff floating there, and I remembered those big fluffy snowflakes and how my granddaughter and I would tilt our heads back and stick out our tongues.
***
I had to stop writing here. Along with the 93-degree afternoon, there is a mighty wind. I closed the doors and windows and turned on the air conditioner.
The Clam screen tent served me well. I used as a garage to protect my bikes from the rain. It was also my outside kitchen. I chopped and cooked away from the bugs and rain. And it works as a bit of privacy when I want to wash my armpits, wash my hair, or brush my teeth.
But today the gusts have been big. I looked up the weather and it said 16 mph, but I think it is gusting much more than that. Several times today I have stepped outside to add tie-downs and pins and, open vents on the tent. Still it wanted to fly away.
You would think with screens the wind would move right through, but the screens keep out the tiny bugs and much of the wind.
After watching it struggle I had to stop writing and take the thing down. As I did it flew away and I had to catch it. A bit damaged, I put it in the trash. Now my bikes will stay out in the weather until the topper for the truck bed comes in, sometime in July or August. When the wind dies down, I will cover the bikes with a tarp or two.
I will think about buying a new Clam. But I want to contemplate this because I don't want to jump into doing something I will regret later. FOR EXAMPLE, and it seems I always have examples of poor purchasing decisions, I have seen for quite some time that other Weeroll owners buy 1/2 umbrellas to place over their doorway and attach to the side of their Weeroll. It looks real cute.
The other day I bought myself one... and then I bought another one. Might as well put one on both sides of the trailer so I can keep the windows open during a rain. And have shade over the windows.
But, now I started to think of mounting them. I thought, why not just buy a shelter without screens and have that over the front door. I don't want an awning because if it gets damaged it is a major deal to get it fixed or replaced. When I talk with other trailer owners, awning damage is a common experience.
Now I have TWO umbrellas that I don't want! One isn't even out of the box, but the box is soggy because it rained and rained on it. The one that is out of the box may be already growing mold on its surfaces. Arg!
As I sit writing this, Lilac is wiggling in the wind. Yesterday there were a few derechos that went through parts of Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. One of them was recorded at 98 mph.
While I was taking the break dealing with the Clam, I remembered that this is the week when I don't have contacts to meet up with and therefore the week I was going to get the fourth COVID shot. Without firm plans, I can take a day to lay around if I don't feel well. I walked over to Sterling Pharmacy in Rushford and got a booster for COVID 19.
***
Back to my experiences while in Madison, WI.
After getting the boxes from the post office I made a veggie dish with black soy noodles. Then went for a walk down to some wetlands next to the campground. They were actually sewer waste management ponds now turned over to wildlife and recreation.
Tuesday, June 7th was a rainy day. I drove to my son's in Janesville to hang out with them. It was lovely, while it rained we watched a breakdancing contest on the TV and then when it stopped raining we went out and pulled weeds. I still have an open spot on my index finger where I earned a blister.
Then we played Skipbo which reminded me a lot of Spite and Malace, a card game I enjoy with my sister Mary.
As I courtesy I moved on.
Wednesday I got to hang out too. I went to the Anytime Fitness on the University Mall in Madison. It was very well equipped and not busy at all at 8:30 in the morning.
On Friday I drove to Waukesha to ride with Mark and Jane on the Glacial Drumlin Trail. When we got to Wales, Mark discovered that he had put on two different bike shoes. Jane had told him, "Turn off the light, you don't need the light to put your shoes on." Ha ha.
We had a great visit outside. Mark pointed out Sven. Awwwe.
I
The people in front of me must have been six foot tall or taller.
Winter 2021, my friend Jean Hawks knitted Sven a hat, remember? Here he is in the snow with his hat off.
Jeri Jackson and I had a great visit over supper. She bought my dinner! Thank you, Jeri. I was looking forward to dancing in the streets, but the Friday night live music didn't happen because it started to rain. I had 90 miles to drive to get back to Madison. So at 6:30 I said G'bye to Jeri and headed "home".
I want to tell you that once I got to Wisconsin,, I felt happier. I felt I was home. I was close to family and friends, the roads and pathways and vegetation was familiar.
I had a wedding to attend on Saturday. The youngest daughter of a friend of mine from Waukesha was getting married. I was honored to be included in the invitations. I was also excited to re-connect with some of the folks from our "Newcomer's Club". We started out as Newcomers but after many many years we changed our name to Grub Club because once a month we would have a pot-luck dinner.
Before driving to Waukesha for the afternoon wedding I rode my bike to downtown Madison to the farmer's market. It is awesome! It goes all the way around the State Capital building.
IThe wedding was in the afternoon. I didn't see anyone I knew except for the mother and father of the bride, Diane and Rick. I found a seat at the back. Which was fine until we stood up.
Then as I was walking to the car someone yelled my name. It was Lisa. She said the gang was going to her place to have a beverage before going to the reception. "Would you like to come?" she asked.
"You bet!" I said.
It was a lovely time sitting around and catching up on lives. There were only six of us there, which allowed for more sharing. I liked it! Thanks Lisa and Bruce!
The reception was at a very big, fancy, golf club. Each place setting had a free sample of coffee in front of it. The bride's father, Rick, has taken on helping with this Fair Trade project in his retirement.
My friends and I were all assigned to Table 15. Lisa pointed out that she was Mrs. Bruce Hopper and Bruce was Mr. Lisa Hopper on their cards. The other husbands didn't have that designation of the wife's given name. We got a chuckle out of that, but really it is the way it should be.
If I had my way every woman would be Ms. just like every man is Mr. What business is it of the world whether I am married or not?
My place card had a carrot on it for vegetarian. I got mushroom ravioli. It was yummy.
Thanks for including me in your celebration, Diane and Rick!
I had to leave before the music and dancing started because I didn't want to drive the 90 miles back to Madison while tired. I drove much of the way in the dark.
I keep missing the music!!! That is the one thing great about my area of Florida. Everyone is old so they start the music early so we can get home early. I wanna dance and listen to good music!
The next day I took my time packing up. I now had two big umbrellas to fit in the bed of the truck. But the good news was I had given Jodie and Jeremy their boxes of stuff, so the back seat had more room for my stuff.
I was happy to be in Wisconsin, so my next stop on my travel itinerary doesn't make much sense. But the Root River Trail in SE Minnesota is a place we would travel to with our friends for a weekend of riding every summer. It is a favorite destination trail.
This time I booked a spot in a campground in Rushford, WI. This is a different location than what I have done in the past.
This place is packed with memories! One year we started our ride in Rushford. It rained on us so we pushed hard to get back ahead of the worst of the rain. When we got close there are several places were the trail dips up and back down going over a driveway or small road. We laughed as we struggled to get over those humps at the end of our ride.
Now Rushford has free bikes to use on the trail. They are kept at the library in Rushford.
The railbed runs along a river, and in the distance on both sides are tall bluffs.
When I got to Whalen I shared a shelter with Barb and Bob from the St. Paul area. They travel in class C motor home. They have been a lot of places. I asked about their favorite trails. The Hiawatha Trail in Northern Idaho was their first pick.
I remembered riding up that trail with George and our friends Kathi and Karl. We could hear wolves in the distance. When we got to the top we got wet in the stream there to cool off.
Then as Barb and Bob and I watched the rain I couldn't help but smile. I remembered being caught in the rain in Whalen when we were staying at a lodge in town with our friends. The rain had just finished and George and I were walking back to the lodge and grinning and stomping in the puddles, getting ourselves even wetter and dirtier.
The rain seemed to lighten, I said goodbye to Barb and Bob and proceeded toward Lansborro.
At the bridge I stopped. I could see in my memory Kathi floating is circles in the eddies created by the merging of the two rivers there. I remembered another year while kayaking with Mari and Jerry we hit some rapids there and Jerry fell in and lost his glasses. Was this after George passed? Was he with us then?
By this time, my rain coat wasn't keeping me dry. I was getting cold. Time to head back to Rushford. The coolness gave me energy and I felt like I was really zipping along. So good, so good.
Back home I put the trike in the "garage" and got a rag and wiped it down. I removed my raincoat and left that dirty wet thing in the "garage" too.
After I was dried off and dressed in dry clothes I warmed up quickly, but I made hot chocolate just because. And it was good.
After a chat on the phone with Terry and then with Debra, I decided to walk up the road behind the campground that looked like it went up the bluff.
It did. I found a small graveyard that looked like it was in someone's front yard, overlooking the valley. There was a 21 year old veteran of the Civil War buried there.
I was cooing as I filmed them but then they came toward me and wouldn't leave! Click here to see the video.
I took the wet clothes and my other wash to the laundromat. I saw an advertisement for a job and I thought, "I could do that!"
But maybe not here. Maybe someplace else. Maybe opportunities will pop up once I get closer to my sister in Rhinelander. Or not.
I got a notice from a couple of neighbors back home. A couple villas like I want may be coming available. How do you propose I approach someone who is ill or hurt and ask if they want to sell me their home. Arg! I can't do that! And how do I find their family members that may be handling things for them? Let's think on this awhile.
And then the question is, do I want to buy in already? Or do I want to wait a year, until the market settles. I heard a rumor that Florida may already be showing signs of the Real-estate market changing.
I didn't know what to do with the cash from the sale of my home. I finally bought a six month and a one year CD.
Part of me is planning all kinds of travel. There is Idaho and into Canada in 2023. The following year there is New York and the North East. And part of me says, "Nah, just get a place and stay there." But that is a small part. The other part of me, as Terry says, has "itchy feet".
Thanks for keeping us updated on your travels. A few years ago we stayed at the same Lunney Farm Campground near Madison where you were while visiting in the Madison area. We certainly enjoyed the trails from the park.
ReplyDeleteI am not certain what to suggest you have for outside rain protection around Lilac. All of the options require some storage and all are susceptible to wind damage. Look at all the options and try to consider ease of putting up/taking down, wind resilience, storage and cost.
Do keep your options open for a villa in Windermere. Interest rates are going up which might “cool” the rising prices of housing - but not much because of ongoing inflation and the increased cost of building more housing. The friendships you have in Windermere and Inverness will become even more important to you as time goes by. You thrive on social interaction and need that “grounding” even though you get itchy feet.
Thanks for your suggestions and advice. I have bought another Clam and had it shipped to a post office where I will be in a few weeks. The Clam I had was easy to put up and provided a place out of the rain and bugs to wash dishes, cook, and dine. It also was a good garage. It gave me over two years of service, six months of it almost constant.
DeleteI also bought a canopy without screens to provide shade with a breeze. I can weigh it down with water jugs if it is windy, which I can't do with the CLAM. Though I may try now that I think of it.
Regarding Inverness. You are so right. It is a good place to be and with inflation maybe I should try to get in sooner rather than later. Tomorrow I will start calling and contacting Villa owners.
But I do have summer travel plans for the next two years!