Well we all got through the night OK, with no urgent runs to an urgent care, but two folks did ride in the truck today.

The rest of us started off about 8:30am, along with Pittsburg Tom, for a leisurely ride through the cities of: Peoria, Glendale, Scottsdale, Phoenix and finally Tempe for a grand total of only 35 miles and 571 feet of climbing! It was what a Sunday ride should be all about. But there was a lot to see and do.

But first . . . you may remember the ‘mysterious pyramid’ structure we rode by out of Brawley several days ago that is now a ‘secret military’ base. Well we finally found an aerial view of what was found inside the pyramid structure and here is.Glad we are LONGGGGGGGGGG past there!!

Today we would ride 23 miles on the Arizona Canal Trail a wonderful biking, running, jogging and just walking trail the city of Phoenix and it’s suburb’s have put together forth their citizens. A really great system of trails, on both sides of the canal, stretching for miles. Of course, we had to first get on it which proved a little trying even with a map and two GPS’s . . . but soon we found out way.

Along the way to the saw many boulevard and lawn shade trees of the orange and grapefruit variety. The kids stopped and picked up a few from peoples yards!!! Hey . . . we are obviously not in WI anymore !!!

We all talked about stopping here and taking a ride on the ‘loop de loop’ but the place was not open yet.

Lots of bird along the way. Here is a ‘special habitat’ structure provide by CVS ( a stolen shopping cart) being put too good use in the morning sun.

It wasn’t far down the canal before we had the first unexpected event of the day . . . Dan had another flat!

After taking the obligatory photo of the event, I had a nice chat with Claudia, a resident of Glendale, who wished she could join us  on the ride but her bike had a flat too!!!

Soon we were rolling again. Beautiful day, no wind, a nice canal to bike by and a lot to see.

OK, well some of the canal was a little dry.

We rounded one bend in the City of Peoria and were surprised to see the WI Brewers practicing across from us at their spring camp. Who would have thunk it!!!

A nice terrace that probably looks better with a little water cascading over it.

Here Pittsburg Tom is getting some directions from a local on where he will travel later in the day once he leaves us.

This mini-storage must be owned by a veteran or someone very patriotic!

I mentioned that when I rode the TransAm we all bought white shirts to wear when the sun is SOOOO . . .incredibly hot that one just needs to keep the sun off your arms. Several thought it was a good idea, so we puled into a St Vinnie’s along the way to check out what they had in inventory. I asked them if they new of Nancy from WI and of course they did!!! I met Spencer, above, who was volunteering with the Boy’s Team Charity to help clan up around St Vinnie’s. A really nice young man who likes to play lacrosse.  Once he gets done at noon he was meeting up with his buddies to do homework!!!

Gina, Linda and I bought shirts but Linda couldn’t stop shopping and bought this ‘Tickle Me Elmo’ to fasten to her backpack during the ride! Matches her bike.

Gina shopped some more too and ended up looking like a dark haired Bo Derek from Bolero!!!!

Sharon helped me pick out my designer white shirt. I told her she looked like Vanna White!!!

Of course we had to stop at a local bike shop we passed along the way and each spent about $60 on stuff we probably didn’t need. Jim the manager thought we were a hoot. Just like kids in a toy store!!!

Just outside the store was Sophie and Foxy, a Welsh Corgi. Sophie was too shy to have her photo taken . . . but Foxy wasn’t. Cute pup!!!

Here is the famous Camelback Mt. Had to pull into a cemetery to get any kind of a shot!

It may be dry but they have bug problems here!

I had forgotten that this is how they water the grass in this area with period flooding. The house is on a slab above the water line. Certainly keeps the grass green!

Don’t miss this video !!!!!

After a quick 12 miles through the city streets (the ACA maps and my gps guided us right through) we arrived at the Quality Inn Margie had reserved for us. You go girl! Huge suite with a separate bedroom, kitchen and sitting area. All for $89 as compared to the $110 we spent for a closet at the Motel 6 last night. Go figure!!!

There were several college teams from St. Cloud and Bemidji, MN (my home state) checking in for a little spring training. In about a half hour they were all in the pool!

Once we got to the Quality Inn several were having lunch. Beers were order, snacks were brought out and Gina began practicing posing for her upcoming ‘Bo Derek – Bolero look alike’ photo shoot!!!

We had been hoping to stay with Dan’s friends, Peter and Julie but the mileage just didn’t work out. They did stop by for a visit with us around the pool.

And Peter brought my package that Smoochie had sent me via the USPS. My special intelligent bicycle flasher lights that are smarter than me!!!

I had sent them to a small town north of London in the UK for a firmware upgrade and had not received them back before I left. Thanks again to Smoochie and Peter for getting them to me!