Yesterday went about like I thought. Picking blueberries, romping in the woods with Bromont, swimming early and then later under a full moon. Pretty enjoyable.

The blueberry picking went great. My hamstrings are a little toast from leaning over for so long. It is amazing how many are just out there to be had. Miles and miles of burn area, re-populated by blueberry plants. They are smaller than store bought blueberries, but tastier.

I came back and got “stuck” switching between watching the finish results from Leadville and the Tour of Utah. Brian, Bill, plus Kent and Katie, tandem, were racing yesterday. Plus, Matt Gilhousen, czar of our sponsor, TradeWind Energy. They had a pretty amazing day. Brian was 7th overall, Bill finished 20th, and Kent and Katie won the tandem category. Matt finished, when was his goal. My ex-teammate, Todd Wells won, leading a Specialized 1/2 finish. Wish I was there.

And Utah, was good too. That was a pretty close finish. Everyone had to race, so it was good in that respect. I thought it was interesting that Cadel went back to the Trek Factory Team car to discuss whether their rider would ride in a 4 man break. I haven’t seen that much. Anyway, I guess it worked out for everyone. BMC got the stage, plus kept 3rd overall, Danielson kept the lead, and Horner is happy recuperating from illness, just sitting on and finishing his antibiotics, while he finishes 2nd in the race.

I swam 20 minutes straight in the lake. My shoulders got sort of weak, but I just pulled less and they felt okay. I can’t remember the last time I swam 20 minutes without stopping. I went again last night, during the super moon. Just a warm down swim. The super moon really isn’t officially until today, but since I was swimming after midnight, it was officially already today. There have been 3 super moons this year, the phenomenon when the moon is in its “full moon” stage, and at its closest point to earth during its yearly orbit. Go check it out tonight. The moon will appear much larger than normal.

Dennis was re-elected to the Birkie board last night. I’m not sure how long this term is for, but he’s on. He is also a representative to the Worldloppet Ski Federation, so he’s a very important guy in nordic ski circles. Feel free to call him for favors, but he expects compensation.

This is the one week anniversary of Vincent’s and Lisa’s new baby girl, Petra. I like the name a lot. I want to go to Petra and hike. And, I want to go and see Petra, the baby too, not at the same time though.

Okay, better get back to the harsh time schedule here.

Brian said he was sort of flat, but rode good. Bill rode steady and finished strong.

Todd, Brian and Bill after the Leaville 100 yesterday.

Blueberry picking.

Bear den.

Beth couldn’t resist and went in head first.

And she came out head first too. Go figure.

Pretty nice crop.

Lisa and Petra.

Petra just relaxing for a bit.

And Bromont, just relaxing for a bit too. He needs to recharge from his hourly wood runs.

I’m packed up and heading back south. I might stop in Minneapolis for a bit and then try to round Michael Fatka up for a quick trip through the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. I’m not sure my hip will be up to a long walk, but I haven’t been to a fair this year and the Iowa Fair is one of the best.

I swam 30 minutes straight yesterday. I think I might have swum more up here than rode my bike? But, now my shoulder, than I did rotator cuff surgery on last year, is a little sore. But not nearly as sore as it was after I got off crutches last month, so it is hopefully a good sore and not a bad sore. I have to build that muscle up some, so I need to swim more, but I don’t like swimming much in pools. Fresh water lakes would be my first choice, the ocean, my 2nd, and 3rd, but way down the line, pools. I dislike pools so much because of the repetitive nature and the chlorine. The smell of chlorine pouring out of my skin when I’m riding makes me think I’m poisoning myself while swimming. That is most likely not the case, but I don’t like it.

Bromont is a pooped dog. He barely crawled out of bed this morning and now is on the couch. He does 3-a-days here, so he’s pretty much just running, eating and sleeping. It is amazing how much more food he eats when he’s in full exercise mode. This is his favorite place in the world. We brought him up here when he was just a couple months old and he’s been coming at least a few times a year, ever since. He knows the woods like the back of his paw and has a million favorite places that he needs to check out all the time.

I’m coming back up real soon, maybe as soon as a couple weeks, but definitely before Chequamegon. Right now, I couldn’t race Chequamegon, and even if I get to that point, I won’t be competitive. I’m sort of thinking that I’ll start at the back and experience the mayhem back in the thousands. Or maybe ride with a friend that goes about my post-op pace. I’m not pitiful, just slow right now. It all might change in the next month, how would I know?

Okay, Bromont is staring at me, knowing the car is loaded, so I’d better get moving. The weather looks pretty great in Kansas this week, which will be nice.

Trudi and Cadel after Sunday’s stage of the Tour of Utah.

Bromont is on his back most of the time when he’s sleeping here. He is really tired when he does that.