Steve's New Chapter (hopefully not the end of the book)

Really, the real retirement begins. Its a lot different when you are on vacation. We've been home now for about a week and havevbrought back some nomality, mowing the lawn, taking out the trash, cooking (although we havn't done a lot of that lately as our cooktop broke and we are on the cusp of having our kitchen redone so we haven't run out to buy another one). Charlene and I did gon a bike ride to visit (and help) our son and daughter-in-law with their new house in Ada, MI. It was about a 65 mile ride. We made it up there fine, but the return trip back was not as good (at least for me). About 3 miles before Plainwell I hot a wall (not literally). I couldnt carch my breathe, my head was tingling And I was nauseated. I laid on the grass long enoughthat Charlene called someone to pick us up. I was very grateful for the help and to not have to ride the last 19 miles. While laying their on the grass we had to women come from a house across the street offering us water and any ...

 It's been a few days since I blogged, so I'm squishing days together. The day after we arrived home from our bike trip we left for Louisville for the wedding of my son's friend (and Best Man). We were staying at a 2 bedroom Airbnb as two of our sons were going us. At the reception (about 9pm) I got a text from the innkeeper of a B&B that I had booked (and I thought for sure, cancelled) months before asking for an ETA at the Inn. We were double booked and so Charlene and I went to the B&B and the others went to the Airbnb. The B&B was nice but the epitome of gaudy. There was not one square inch not covered with Victorian stuff (and Kentucky Derby hats). The bed was about as old as the civil war and if Charlene and I rolled towards each other we would sink into a hole that we'd not be able to extract ourselves from. I slept on the very edge (sort of hanging over) to prevent slipping into the abyss. I must admit though, the breakfast was good but you had to li...

 On day five we left the Missouri River and headed across rolling farms. The biggest thing was I did NOT get a flat!!!also the day was only 37 miles but it had a lot of ups and downs (physically, not emotionally). We ended the ride in Sedalia. The Chamber of  Commerce came out and set up a tent to promote the town. It was like a scene in Patton when he liberated Sicily and the crowds were cheering and bands were playing except a bit smaller and there were no Nazis. They provided free transportation from Laura. In a 5-10 minute ride with Laura we learned anything and everything about Sedalia (and her personal hygiene schedule). The next morning the Chamber of Commerce was there again with dozens of hard boiled eggs (the place that they contracted breakfast cancelled last minute so the Chamber of Commerce stepped in, bless their hearts). Yesterday, the last day, was also a shorter ride, 36 miles. It had poured during the night so the ground was saturated. That made the ride so m...

 Yesterday, Sunday, we left Hermann MO, heading to Jefferson City (the capitol of MO, which I did not know). The Big talk before we left was the weather. Around noon severe thunderstorms we predicted. Also, I had looked to see if Jefferson City had any bike shops because the day before I had my inner tube changed on my back tire and the it really wasn't the right size. If there was a shop (there was) I would by a proper sized one and have that one put in. The shop closed at noon on Sundays. So we had 45 miles to ride and looming in the back of my mind was the thunderstorms and getting to the bike shop on time. The ride started with beautiful weather and was going splendidly. At our half way point refreshment/water stop I called the bike shop. He had the correct inner tubes and would reopen his shop fore if I was going to be a little late as I wasn't sure I could get there by noon. I told Charlene I was going to ride ahead to try to get there before he closed. I normally don...

 Today we rode from Defiance MO to Hermann, MO, distance, 44 miles. Being as Charlene and I had only ridden 6 miles since last summer as the weather had been so crappy before we left, today was a bit hard, especially the last 10 miles. Then about 3 miles from the end, I got a flat tire. That was good reason to 😭. The inner tube that I had was too all and my CO2 cartridge to refill the tire didn't work, so I cried more. Eventually we sort of got it fixed, we will see how well tomorrow. I did have to walk my bike the last two miles and I would have cried more but it was so hot that I had sweated away all my tears. Hermann MO is the bachelorette capitol of the world. There were some a of them walking around town going into the various breweries, distilleries and bars. They have free shuttles to drive you around so you can get hammered (which they were). Highlight of today, we met a wan who had toe world's best donuts of which I had 2.  One of many bridges we crossed The Missouri...

 Today we drove from I don't know where Missouri to Clinton Missouri. Once there we unloaded our bikes and gear and had them loaded on a truck and we boarded a bus. At 1:00 we pulled out headed for Defiance, MO. 4 or so hours later we arrived, checked in, then wondered around town a bit (not much of a town, but it's cute). We ate at a bar (deep fried bar food) as our choices were very limited (2 places and the bar was the closest). We are staying in what are called PHAT Trailers, which are semi truck trailers converted into 5 little 4 bunk rooms. Other people are in tents. Tomorrow we ride 44 miles on the Katy Trail (much like the Kal Haven trail, but it is longer and runs along the Missouri River) to a town called Hermann. We just met a guy who told us there are a bunch of wineries there!! Inside Our PHAT Trailer "Room" Bus Ride to Defiance MO Good Ole Southern Pulled Pork BBQ (I had baked beans and potato chips)

 Well, yes, we are out of Utah and for a while in Kalamazoo, but now we are in a hotel in Fulton, Missouri. It was about an 8 hour drive and tomorrow we have a little over 2 more hours to reach Clinton, MO. What's in Clinton? I have no idea, except I know there will be some place to park our car.  Why park our car (man, you ask a lot of questions)? We need to park our car there so that we can be shuttled 200.miles. Well, why on the world would we do that? So that we can ride our bikes back to our car. Silly isn't it? If there are some cool things to see in Clinton. I'll post pictures tomorrow. Nothing really to post today unless you want to see gas stations and Taco Bell's (they look pretty similar to the ones back home). No bike riding until day after tomorrow. The ride will more or less be along the Missouri River. Until tomorrow, addios!

 We are in a Holiday Inn near the Salt Lake City Airport right now and in the morning we depart for Michigan. We started the day in Springdale Utah just out side of Zion. We stayed, by the way, at the Harvest House Bed and Breakfast and if you ever find yourself in Zion, look them up, I highly recommend it. Needing to head to Salt Lake we visited Kolob Canyon which is in the northwest corner of Zion (just off Interstate 15/. We did our last little hike actually 2, one to a lookout point at the top of the Kolob Canyon Road, and the other was up Taylor Creek, which followed the creek up a canyon and ended with a double arch. It actually looked like a huge amphitheater (although you can't tell that from the pictures).  Kolob Canyon is higher (and colder) than Zion proper and looks more foresty. I must say that Utah has some of the most unique landscapes and can drastically change within just a few short miles.  Once in Salt Lake we met up with my cousin and his wife for a lo...

Today was our hike up The Narrows. What is that? Let me tell you. The popular part of Zion is Zion Canyon, so popular that the canyon is closed to cars in the summer.  Down the middle of Zion Canyon runs the Virgin River. At the top of the canyon the walls come closer together and it becomes The Narrows. For the most part only the river can fit through narrow walls of the canyon. The exception to that is thousands or tourist wanting to see the sheer cliffs of the narrow canyon. In order to do that you must travel up the river. We trekked up the river some 4 or 5 miles and then back out again. The water varies in depth from about a foot to 4 or 5 feet. Most people (at least this time of year) rent waders, water boots and a wooden walking stick and trek up the river to see some awesome towering cliffs. Pictures can never do this place justice. I am trying something new. I created a video from our GoPro clips that I recorded today. Not that the video will do it justice either but I am...

 Wow, wow, wow. The Angels Landing hike is insane (or I'm insane for hiking it). This was really a bucket list item for Charlene, me not so much, not because I didn't want to do it, but more I was terrified to do it. So if you are not familiar with it, let me describe it. It is 5.4 miles with a 1500 foot elevation gain. It requires a permit to hike it as there are so many who want to do it.  We got our permit the day before for a time slot before 9 am (which I was thankful for because starting at 11 the predicted 55 mph wind gusts). I had my doubts that we would eve be able to do it, but fortunately the gusts didn't start until we were well on our way down. We started from our B&B on electric bikes that we rode into the park (cars are not allowed into the canyon after April, so you either take a shuttle or ride a bike).  The first part of the hike goes to Scott's Landing and doesn't require a permit. It is probably about a 1000 foot gain. It has a lot of very st...

 Today we hiked down into Bryce Canyon. We did a 6.5 mile hike with 1500 feet of elevation change, lots of up and down. We started down and quickly got a little lost and ended up walking on the horse trail. The second part of the hike was called the Peekaboo Loop Trail. If you ever go here, I would highly recommend that loop. There are a lot of walking amongst the HooDoos (a very unique geologic formation). You'll get sick of looking at them if you look at the pictures (below). After our hike, we made our way to Springdale (just outside of Zion). Before we left we had realized that we missed to date to get a permit to hike Angels Landing, so all we could do was enter the day before lottery, which we did this morning. At 4:00 we were notified that we got it, so early tomorrow that's what we'll be doing. If I survive it, I will post pictures. Here is a probably way too many pictures of Bryce Canyon: