Private Property - Keep Out

Dear Blog,

I am so sorry for neglecting you this week. I have so much to tell you!

It was a busy week at work and with Dan's birthday events, but despite the several inches of snow early in the week, I managed to ride my bike. Can you believe it? Oh Blog, I love the wind on my face when I first start riding each spring. It reminds me of when I learned how to ride my bike. (This youthful memory must be why I'm treating you like a tween's diary, Bloggy.) It was so great.

On Thursday and Friday, I rode to and from work. On Saturday, I led a just-under-22-mile group ride, but rode an extra 20 miles with my friend Dave (10 miles each way to the starting and ending point of the group ride). We saw deer, turkeys, tons of migratory birds, and a turtle (from a bridge, basking in the sun). The group ride went from the MN Valley Wildlife Refuge, which is hidden behind the Mall of America, over the Minnesota River, to the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers, along the Mississippi, through downtown St. Paul, along the other side of the Mississippi, and back.

I was pretty tired, since I haven't ridden much yet this spring, but managed to stay awake while at Target Field watching the Twins beat the Rangers, and had a great late dinner at the Bachelor Farmer. Today, my team from the Minnesota Boat Club rowed for the first time this season. I'm pooped. It's a good cross-training activity, I think. Despite the exhaustion, I managed to do some yardwork for the first time this year, too. I'm getting familiar, once again, dear Blog, with these things called muscles. They are sort of disgruntled at the moment. I know, Blog, right? Hardly shocking.

Blog, I'm sorry for not updating you sooner. I might be delayed again because there probably won't be much to talk about this week. This little 70-degree spell will end, and it will be in the 40s and raining most of the week. Hey Blog, do you think I should try out the shoe covers I bought last week?

Next Sunday, Blog, I'll lead our team on a ride further south along the Mississippi. I hope it will be nice out. The plan is to finish the ride at either El Burrito Mercado or Boca Chica for chips, salsa, and margaritas. Oh, Blog, in typing this, I just realized the flaw or the genius of this plan. Is it a bad or a good idea to try to do that ride, ending in the biggest Mexican neighborhood on Cinco de Mayo? Hmm. Let's think about this overnight.

Great news, Blog! I'm at 81% of my fundraising goal. Just about six weeks left to try to get the remaining $725. I think I can do this.
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/MaggieMahoneyMS150

I'm including a picture of Saturday's riders - I am lurking in the back - and a picture of my little new computer. It works! Oh, and Blog, I also have a picture of me all geared up on Saturday before the ride. Lots of layers - including fun knee warmers - for a ride that started at 45 degrees and ended at over 70 degrees. Thanks for listening, Blog. You're the best.

p.s. If my brothers are reading this, I'm going to tell Mom and Dad and then you'd better watch out.