Iowa

So a few months ago Gary and his mom (who are both avid cyclists in case you didn't know) decided to register for a bike ride called RAGBRAI - something something Great Bike Ride Across Iowa...I completely forget what the R and A stand for...oh well, moving on...and I said 'sure I'll tag along, drive the car or something.' Unlike Gary and his mom I had never heard of this thing called RAGBRAI, but let me tell ya it was so much fun and I can't wait to do it again. Some of yall will probably read this and think I'm crazy, but just trust me, it really was fun. ;)

Basically what RAGBRAI is, is a week long bike ride across the entire state of Iowa, river to river. I think they ended up riding a total of 470 something miles (crazy, I know). We drove up to Nebraska last Friday, then over to Sioux City, Iowa the next morning for the kick off party. That night we stayed in the main camp ground with 17,000 other riders and their 'support vehicle' drivers (aka me). Every other night we either camped in someone's yard (that was pre-arranged) or blew up our air mattress inside on their floor. Each morning we would get up at 5am, they would be off riding at 6am and I would take off driving to the next overnight town. They would ride most of the day, I got to the next town, set up shop for the night, and then either relaxed all day or enjoyed wandering around all of the ADORABLE Iowa towns and seeing all of the vendors. We did this every day all week. And each night, every town we stopped in would have bands playing, all kinds of food vendors, tshirts, fun things to do. It was so nice and relaxing, and I absolutely fell in love with all of the old farmhouse style houses throughout the state. OH! and I found the best quilt shop EVER in a little town called Garner, Iowa. The shop is called Country Threads and after spending not near enough time there and having to leave (with a lighter wallet than when I got there) I then tried to convince Gary as to why we needed to retire in Garner, Iowa so I could visit the shop every day (that was until Gary reminded me of the awful cold winters Iowa has and that plan went out the window). But all in all, it was a fabulous trip, so relaxing and such a nice break from our crazy busy life. My official goal now is to be able to ride in it next year with Gary and his mom...of course that means we need a new driver...any volunteers?

We spent the first 2 days home doing lots of laundry, cleaning around the house, scheduling mtgs with wedding people, and trying to get back into our regular routine. And now it's back to work...of course my first night back two of the five 7p shifters had called out, so I was in charge, we were incredibly short, and incredibly busy...awesome...oh well we got through it. Now counting down the days until our girls' trip to Austin! Can't wait :)