{"id":15864,"date":"2018-06-26T19:16:27","date_gmt":"2018-06-27T00:16:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wohutravels.us\/?p=15864"},"modified":"2019-03-26T09:49:21","modified_gmt":"2019-03-26T14:49:21","slug":"final-thoughts-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/?p=15864","title":{"rendered":"Final Thoughts:"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>After our six days of riding, and the 325 miles we covered, we took time to rest, relax, and enjoy time with family and friends in the Twin Cities. (And to nurse sore knees and achy but strong quads!)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15874\" src=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/7-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"666\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/7-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/7-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/7-2-768x511.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We enjoyed a wonderful dinner al fresco with MJ\u2019s BFF Lynn, and her friend Tony, in St. Paul. It was Lynn\u2019s birthday too so the party continued.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15865\" src=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/5-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/5-3.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/5-3-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/5-3-768x482.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Then on our last night, Rick and his family celebrated MJ\u2019s birthday with a backyard picnic! Four little people under the age of four entertained us with their antics.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15869\" src=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"674\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4-3.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4-3-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4-3-768x518.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We had yummy appetizers, a great dinner, thoughtful gifts, and lots of family fun.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15868\" src=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/3-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"838\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/3-3.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/3-3-300x251.jpg 300w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/3-3-768x644.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>They know me well &#8212; I received an oak leaf tray!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15866\" src=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/1-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/1-3.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/1-3-300x192.jpg 300w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/1-3-768x492.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>MJ felt well-loved.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15867\" src=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2-3.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2-3-768x511.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>And even had a cake decorated with a bicycle!!<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KsOeH3FyB_8?rel=0\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562.5\" frameborder=\"2\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15870\" src=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/6-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"610\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/6-3.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/6-3-300x183.jpg 300w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/6-3-768x468.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>And then, for the final icing on the cake, Rick and MJ had breakfast with Becky and Rob in Stillwater \u2013in a bike-themed coffee shop to boot &#8212; before crossing the Cheddar Curtain back into Wisconsin. MJ and Rob have worked together for 20+ years and it was great to see him and Becky in their home territory.<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>Reflections by MJ:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>50 miles a day is my sweet spot for ride length.<\/p>\n<p>We heard more dickcissels in Wisconsin and Minnesota than I expected.<\/p>\n<p>The ride\u2019s ubiquitous bird was the indigo bunting.<\/p>\n<p>Through-riding is a lovely way to contemplate life.\u00a0 Sights, scents, and sounds triggered memories of specific people and experiences that have touched me. I thought back to college-era time spent in Costa Rica; of conservation leaders in Wisconsin who have been part of my life; of my parents and grandparents.<\/p>\n<p>I am fortunate and blessed to have a wonderful husband\u2026.who was delighted that I never complained! He was a thoughtful and fun riding partner.<\/p>\n<p>You have to eat a lot if you ride 69 miles in a day. Holy cow we ate a lot of food!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15889\" src=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/ruth.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"742\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/ruth.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/ruth-300x223.jpg 300w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/ruth-768x570.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s to my mother and father, who 60 years ago were surprised to learn that their newborn was a girl, after having three little boys (who are my wonderful big brothers!).<\/p>\n<p>May the ride continue!<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>Reflections by RW:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When we do end up on the same bike trip, I usually do the photo part and emJay handles the text or story line. That&#8217;s the way we did it on this trip and it worked great!!!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15879\" src=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/9-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"605\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/9-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/9-2-300x182.jpg 300w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/9-2-768x465.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I didn&#8217;t take this photo . . .<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15876\" src=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/8-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/8-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/8-2-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/8-2-768x472.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>. . . but I did &#8216;tweak&#8217; it a bit!!!<\/p>\n<p>I have been on a LOT of bikes trips through the years but this was the best of them all!!!<\/p>\n<p>Not because of the scenery, not because of an exotic locale, not because of &#8216;interesting&#8217; foreign food, not because of exquisite lodging and not because of exciting cycling\u00a0 . . .<\/p>\n<p>. . . but because of the six days my Smoochie\u00a0 and I spent together, just the two of us, cycling through time, and our own little world, as we passed through Wisconsin and Minnesota, but it could have been anywhere in the world!\u00a0 I can&#8217;t remember the last time we took a vacation together. . . just the two of us!!! It was fantastic to spend this quality time with the most important person in my life.<\/p>\n<p>There will come a time when she retires and we can do this sort of thing for as long as we want and where ever we want . . . just the two of us.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m counting the days until then . . .<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After our six days of riding, and the 325 miles we covered, we took time to rest, relax, and enjoy time with family and friends in the Twin Cities. (And to nurse sore knees and achy but strong quads!) We enjoyed a wonderful dinner al fresco with MJ\u2019s BFF Lynn, and her friend Tony, in &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/?p=15864\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Final Thoughts:<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2912,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[103],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15864"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2912"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15864"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15864\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15891,"href":"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15864\/revisions\/15891"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15864"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15864"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travels.wohu.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15864"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}