45 days to Safari. I finally got to ride today. I went 27 miles with Richmond and Paul. I was still a bit tired from the severe infection but I managed it. Now I am at work and a little tired. Tomorrow morning Bev and I will ride a loop down toward Fayetteville. I think it is supposed to be even warmed than today. It looks like good riding every day thru Monday! That's a change. A very welcome change.

I heard from Mike today. He and Mitzi are getting in some significant miles. They should be ready for the Safari. He mentioned Howard in his email and how he missed him. We will have to raise a toast to him. He was an inspiration.

I had some quality time with my baby girl today. She sat and lay her head on my shoulder while we talked about her Grandpa Pat and other family stuff. It sure is nice to have her back. I missed my little girl. Mike mentioned how things get better as time goes by, mostly. Who knows, he might be right

Being sick is awful...

47 days to Safari. I really hate being sick. I think this is the worst I've been sick in many years. I think the worst of it is the loss of rest. I am very tired from fighting it. Tonight I read that the Safari is sold out. The six day part is sold out! That means lots more folks than in the previous 2 years.

I walked over to the spinning class. Bev, Johnny, and Kathy were there. Little Tim paid for his suspension fork. I heard that Melissa, Sara and Sarah rode 50 miles this past weekend. They are really getting to it. I am impressed.

Arnold called tonight. I think he is interested in the daytime job here at Coosa. We talked about what the job would be for a few minutes. He mentioned that he would loathe to leave my Sara behind to deal with the floater pharmacists and the mess they would bring. He is anything if not loyal.

Riding under the weather...

48 days to Safari. Bev and I did a 23 mile ride yesterday despite it being windy. I have been suffering from a severe cold but was glad to get out and do some riding. It was unfortunate to have been working Wednesday which was by far the best day for a long ride of the entire week. We have much riding to do before the Safari. We are both a bit out of shape for it. There has been no good ongoing chances to build up endurance. Today it is in the 20's and it isn't expected to warm very much with a cool breeze. We will have to see if it is worth dressing up warmly and riding.

Big changes at Coosa...

50 days till Safari. I worked 2 days this week for Wal-Mart. I was juiced again. After some really tiring days I went to Homewood and found a pharmacy that hadn't been updated. Messy. We didn't have enough folks to get the work done. The second day would have been better but we had tornadoes coming through so everyone got their rx filled that morning when it was just me and Jennifer.

Back at Coosa, Mr. Woosley announced he is leaving, Shirley and Lorraine are retiring and Shelly has gone to part time. I don't know what it will all mean but it no doubt means a lot more work for the rest of us.

Signing up...

55 days to Safari. I signed up for the Alabama Tandem Weekend last night. It is another chance for Bev and I to get out riding with people sharing out interest. I also have us scheduled for the AHTS conference at Cheaha State Park. Once you add on the trip to the Safari, the Alaska Trip, and a Florida trip this summer, we will be busy.

David hurt his arm...

56 days to Safari. Yesterday David took a fall off a chair onto the grass in the back yard and appears to have broken his elbow. We got a message from CVMC today and carried him in to get his elbow splinted. They suggested we take him to an Orthoped. I am really sad that he hurt himself. It was hurting last night and bothered his sleep. I wish I could take it for him.

We celebrated Sara's 21st birthday today. Everyone gathered at the Tavern for a special lunch. We enjoyed our little celebration. Sara got tickets for Circ du Soleil, money, sunglasses, and a racquetball racquet.

I found a tandem rally that Bev and I could attend. Surprise! That shortens up the time we have till we have a getaway.

A spring-like day...

57 days to Safari. Today was the kind of day we've hoped for. It started off colder but we had the time to wait for it to warm up. by 10:30 we rolled out for a short ride down to Perkin's driveway and back. The wind blew against us and slowed our average but it was great to be out again. This is more riding than we have done in a long time and it has left us both a little tired. But the additional exercise should budge Bev off the 163 plateau.