A Sister to Emulate and 60+ miles on the bikes!

It is Tuesday morning and we are nearing Madison, Wisconsin.  Before I get into the drive through Chicago and first night sleeping in the van (this year), I want to just say...I have some awesome sisters!  The one I just spent 3 days with, who is a tinny, winny bit older than I (no need to say how much) is a hard act to follow.  Each morning she throws on her cute little biking shorts and we all fall into line behind her as she clears the path ahead, chirping a cheery "Good Morning" to each fellow-biker we pass.  Noah (witty and adorable son of my niece) calculated that we rode 61 miles on our bikes this Labor Day weekend. On day two, I blew the front tire of my bike, so now my "free" bike will actually be worth the cost of two new tires and tubes.  We figured my bike was old...maybe 50 years old, but evidently the tires were that old as well.  Now I am riding on new Kevlar!!

The plan to navigate Chicago in the late evening was a good one. As always, there was plenty of traffic, but it moved along.  There is construction from O'Hare airport all the way to the Wisconsin border and only two lanes and sometimes one, so it was good to be driving that section late at night. We arrived at the first rest area in Wisconsin shortly before midnight and crawled into the comfy nest set up in the back of the van.  It consists of air mattress, two down comforters and 10 pillows.  Thanks to Mike and Brandon, who raised the shelf 2" that sits over our feet and lower legs, we are actually able to turn over, although it was a struggle getting my favorite pillow wedged between my knees.  I will get it figured out!  We slept soundly for 6 hours and then arrived ravenous at a Denny's in Janesville for lots of coffee and a Grand Slam.

So, now we are looking forward to some Honey Crisp apples (grown near Lake City, Mn) and a nice visit with sister #2.  It's good to be on the road again.