I am back in the midwest for the first time since December and it is nice.  I left Sacramento on Tuesday morning……….actually it was more like Monday evening since I had to leave at such a miserable early time.

The first leg of my flight from Sacramento to Denver went smooth except for the fact that my nalgene started to leak in the overhead compartment of the plane.  I must have forgot to close it tightly when I threw my bag up there.

I was half asleep and half awake when I noticed that the “large” lady next to me was holding a magazine above her head.  At first, I simply thought she was nutz but then I realized she was deflecting water that was leaking from the overhead compartment to prevent her head from getting wet. Immediately I knew it was my Nalgene…….Shit!  I opened up the overhead copartment and water was everywhere.  I had to quickly tighten the lid on my water bottle and stash it in my bag and try to pretend like it was not my bottle that was leaking without actually lying about it!  I did not want to deal with the fact that I had gotten everyone’s stuff wet.  In the end it worked out and no one got angry and the leak stopped.

The next leg of my fligth from Denver to Milwaukee went much smoother.  I pretty much slept the entire time which was great.  Frank “the tank” Pipp picked me up at the airport and we headed to Madison for some fourth of July festivities which were fun.  I don’t know if it is just me but for some reason I think fireworks are sort of overrated.  I know they are appropriate for Independence Day but I think I would rather go and watch a “festive” movie at the theater and eat Junior Mints instead of dealing with hoards of loud kids and biting mosquitos.

Here in Madison I am staying at the Steph/Casey/Kim/April/and once upon a time Allison(thanks for letting me stay guys) residence until tomorrow when Frank and I will be heading to the Milwaukee area. The best part about staying here with Steph/Case/Kim/April is that that I am sleeping in my friend’s girlfriends bed!  The only downside is that…….well……..she is not in it!  Seriosly though, Kim has been nice enough to let me stay in her room while she is gone and even turn on the a/c…..thanks Kim and good luck at your triathalon!

Other than that I have been riding a bit and was even fortunate enough to ride with my old training partner El-Joppa yesterday.  It reminded me of the gold old days when I used to beat him to the top of every hill in the area and the only difference now is that I have to wait longer at the top of the hill for him to catch up.  El-Joppa and his lovely wife Jamie (wink, wink) left this morning for North Carolina and I wish them luck in their move.  

The riding around here is awesome but the best part is that all of the gas stations in Wisconsin have cheese. Seriously there is nothing better than cheese curds halfway through a ride.

I wonder what Hollywood is doing in Michigan?

later,g.