You Only Live Once (or maybe I'm just nuts?)

Last summer while we were cruising the Chesapeake I got word that my daughter and her family were participating in a 3 mile run which included some obstacles and a little mud. Silly me, I thought it sounded like fun and informed her that if they did it again to let me know. Fast forward to this spring and damn if she didn't remember! Since we were planning on spending the summer at home my hands were tied. I couldn't back out. After all. I had all spring and summer to get in shape!
Well somehow time got away from me and all of a sudden it was showtime. Yikes!

The sign pretty well sums it up.

We traveled to a rural setting somewhere west of Des Moines, Iowa and followed the cloud of dust down country roads to a farm pasture parking lot. The place was packed and it was only 9 a.m.! I'm not the only crazy! We filled out the hold harmless forms and got registered. Our wave was set to take off at 10:30.

Immediately Pam wasn't liking the setting. It was hot (mid 80's), dusty, and she didn't have the right shoes on! But she sucked it up and made it through. What a trooper. No she wasn't participating, just observing.

We walked around the grounds and people watched before our time came. Fun in itself since people were encouraged to wear costumes or dress in a manner that you don't normally see on the street.

Men in Kilts!

Human Smurfs?

Luke pounding the punching bag.

Taking one last potty break.

Then it was time to head to the start.

 Our before picture.

Waiting in the chute. A wave went out every 30 minutes from 9a.m. to 3p.m.

The flames shot up and we were off.

We ran for the first part until we were out of sight and then followed the lead of others and began to walk. The terrain was full of ruts so every step had to be planned. We climbed up hills and down. Across fields and through woods. Some people passed us and we passed a few. I thought the first water stop would never come! Finally we reached it. My thighs were on fire and I was gasping for breath making it hard to drink the water. What have I gotten myself into?
Just beyond I could see the first of the obstacles. It didn't look too bad. Climb up a 7' wall and down the other side. What I couldn't see was the barbed wire beyond the wall that we had to crawl under then back over another shorter wall, then crawl, then over, and finally out! The course continued with people still running past us only to be caught again as we went up a hill. Kinda like the tortoise and the hare.

Obstacles of various types were interspersed around the course. None of which were of boot camp intensity but for a softy like me it was more than enough. I must confess I opted out of one which required climbing up  and over a 20' A frame structure with the aid of a rope.

We climbed walls, cargo nets, through tires and ditches, over mounds of dirt, across a 20' long beam which was 10' in the air over water, through fire, and finally crawl through a muddy pit under barbed wire for about 200' before the finish.

 Contemplating the beam.

 Through the fire.

 Through the mud.

I'm the orange speck followed by Doug and Angela.

 I survived!

 Our "after" picture.

Off to the shower.

The shower was a crop sprayer.

After the shower. Still not clean but happy to be done!

The event is called Warrior Dash. Check it our at (www.warriordash.com) for better pictures of some of the obstacles. Part of the proceeds go to the St. Jude's Children's organization and our shoes are cleaned up and sent to needy people around the world.

I'm happy to report that Pam survived with only dusty feet and none of the aches and pains that the rest of us are still feeling!

Would I do it again??? Why not? You only go around once!

Two Trips, Different Directions

More and more increasingly over the past couple of years I have become my parents designated driver. Both are in their 80's so it's not a bad thing but does require some patience since my Dad still tells me where to make every turn!
A couple of weeks ago Pam & I had the opportunity to accompany them to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Mn. by way of Black River Falls, Wisconsin. Not exactly the shortest route but a route with purpose. My Mom comes from Black River Falls and it had been a while since any of us had been there for a visit.
We took off on a Saturday and made our way north. We arrived in time to help celebrate my Aunt Patty's birthday. Of course we got to reacquaint with several relatives.

Following the party we checked in to the motel and freshened up before heading over to my uncle Algie's house for the evening.

Sunday morning we all jumped into Algie's van for a tour of the countryside where they lived while growing up. My Grandpa moved from Norway to Wisconsin where he met my Grandma and started their family. He spent most of his life renting various farms around the area and scratching a living from the hilly terrain.
It was interesting listening to the brother and sister reminisce about the days gone by and being reminded that life was much simpler then and much harder.
We also checked out the 80 acres where Algie has a small hunting camp in the hills. Remote doesn't begin to describe the setting. Before returning to Black River Falls we stopped at the cemetery where my Grandparents are buried to pay our respects.
The rest of our time was spent visiting with Algie and his family.

Northfield, Wis. One of the areas where Mom grew up.

School that Mom attended.

Hunting cabin in the woods.

(L to R) Kyle(cousin), Dad, Derek(cousin), Algie, Me, & Mom

Mom and her cousin Mert. (in the mirror Me & Mert's husband Norman)

Friends and relatives.

(I have more photo's in my smart phone. Unfortunately the phone is smarter than me and the photo's remain in the phone!)

Monday we loaded up the truckster and headed to Rochester via Winona, Mn. The landscape in this part of Wisconsin is fantastic which made the drive very enjoyable.

Tuesday (Happy Birthday Pamster!) we celebrated Pam's birthday by following my Dad around Mayo Clinic while he went from appointment to appointment. Something he has done on an annual basis since his bypass surgery several years ago. His heart checked out OK but they discovered some fluid in his lungs which will require a return trip.

Mayo Clinic.

Once we left the clinic we pointed the hood south. Dad was hungry and wanted to have dinner in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with my son and daughter and their families to celebrate Pam's birthday and His (the next day). Belly's full, we made our way home. A full day for sure! Happy Birthday Dad!

Of course once we returned home the grass was waiting. This time I got some help from Franklin who gets excited every time I fire up the mower. I hope that enthusiasm stays with him when he's old enough to do the mowing!

Franklin helping.

Our second road trip took us southeast to Cincinnati to meet up with a few boating friends from Legacy Harbour in Ft. Myers, and to see the comedy act of Pete and Wayne (www.peteandwayne.com)who normally can be found at Sloppy Joe's Bar in Key West.
If you follow the blog you may remember that when Pam & I drove home this past spring we stopped in Cincinnati for a surprise visit with Rick & Sarah (M/V Private Affair) at their business Pirates Cove Tropical Bar & Grill (www.piratescovecincy.com). This time our arrival was planned well in advance along with Bill & Mary (M/V Blue Goose) and Gary & Barb (M/V Boss Lady). Pirates Cove was the venue where Pete and Wayne would be performing for the 14th year.
Needless to say our hosts went out of their way to make sure everyone had a good time while there. Food and drink was never an issue as you can imagine and the laughter a bonus.
On the middle day, Rick arranged for a limo to take us around town. Kind of a sightseeing/bar hopping tour. One of the stops was at the casino where a couple of our crew got lucky!

Our Ride.

We drove to one of the parks which overlooked the city and the Ohio River and had lunch at the restored Rookwood Pottery faclity which has been converted into a restaurant. (www.therookwood.com)

The Ohio River Valley near Cincinnati.

A view of downtown.

The Tourist's before inebriation set in.

Leaving our lunch stop The Rookwood Bar & Grill.

Our journey continued throughout downtown and around the area stopping for dinner at a nice Italian Restaurant where we played stump the band after dinner, keeping them playing for an hour longer than they were supposed to!

Home of the "Reds" baseball team.

Trying to come up with a song for the band to play.

Our last day in town we met across from the hotel for lunch at a Mexican joint on the river and then I gave the guys a break by taking the women shopping before we headed to Pirate's Cove for Pete and Wayne. Once again we were fed and liquored very well by Rick & Sarah!
Let me just say that the Pete and Wayne show is not for the feint of heart. If sick humor or vulgarity offends you stay away! Lucky for me that doesn't apply. The show was great and since they've been coming to Pirate's Cove for 14 years they took plenty of jabs at Rick.

Pete & Wayne. Not the prettiest of men but funnier than hell.

After the show we hung around the bar talking to the performers which somehow morphed into a discussion about artists and music culminating in Rick, Pam, and Mary singing American Pie which Sarah had playing on the jukebox. During all of this we also found out that Mary's favorite song is MacArthur Park by Richard Harris. Really!?! Of course that got played and butchered by the amateurs at the bar.
Since it was our last night we felt it only proper to close the bar. Doctor McGuillicudy anyone?

MacArthur Park. Alcohol may have been involved!

Fortunately the next morning we decided to wait for rush hour to pass before leaving and heading out for our seven and one half hour drive home.

Downtown Cincinnati from our hotel.

A northbound tow on the Ohio.

A special thanks to Rick & Sarah for their generosity and hospitality. We all had a great time and look forward to reconvening in Florida.