The Bauer Family

Yesterday we celebrated JJ's 16th birthday.  It was a full day of activities that actually started the prior day.  I went to work early on Thursday so I could get out early and take him to his drivers test.  He was really nervous about this.  I talked with him on what he would need to do to relax and when we got there we ran into a few issues.  With them resolved the test started.  He first had to do some parking and a little driivng on the range.  He passed this segment and then we went on the road.  He completed this and got his certificate.  He was very excited. Friday came early and I had to stop into work briefly and take care of a little business while Michelle took the boys to the Social Security Office to get JJ's card.  We then went to Genji's for lunch, a tradition for JJ's birthday.  With full stomachs we then went to the Secretary of State Office.  JJ needed to get his license, I needed to renew mine and we had to...

  I had hoped to post up a short hightlight video of the Shore Rock and Junior Rock races.  Unfortunately I keep getting an error when trying to post, so there will be no video.     I will just talk about our trip home.  We left Marquette around 12pm and headed out.  We got to Johnny Dog's in Munising for lunch and they were closed for a catering event. So we went down the street and ate at the Dogpatch.  Decent burger special that came with the salad bar, otherwise overpriced.  Service left something to be desired.   We got back on the road and our next stop would be the Garlyn Zoo. The boys really enjoyed this stop.   I always suspected Brendan had horns?   Peacocks were roaming everywhere!   Porcupine behind!   Mountain Lion was for sale in the Gift Shop.      We left the zoo and were on the road again.  At this point it was well after 5pm.  We stopped i...

I was up at 5:30am on race day, Saturday, August 10.  It was 46 degrees outside.  I made a cup of coffee and got in the shower.  I had some breakfast and then started to wake the rest of the family.  JJ got up really good for how early it was.  He was really nervous and did not feel he was ready.  I went down to the van and got the bikes ready for the race.  We were all loaded up and on our way to the race by 7:16am.  We arrive at the starting area and finished out prep.  JJ was still nervous so we went to the start line and readied ourselves.   Ready to go!     The race started and JJ started working his way to the front of the pack.  I got stuck behind some slow traffic but made my way up to him somewhere after the 1st mile.  JJ was doing good until we hit the climbs.  I would slow down and wait for him after cresting the climb.  I kept encouraging him to push on and he did.  At the top of...

Friday was a beautiful day and we went out for a short preride of the Shore Rock Course.  We parked at the trailhead that is around a mile or two into the race and rode out.  We got suited up and prepped the bikes and were off.  Brendan was doing pretty good for not riding much and Michelle was cruising along good.  Brendan stopped quick on some routes which caused Michelle to crash.  She was ok, we dusted her off and kept going.  JJ was doing good and rode ahead a bit.  I started to ride with JJ and tell him more about the race and strategy.  We got to the base of the big sand downhill and I was telling him about it.  JJ thought it would be a good idea to walk to the top to check it out, I agreed.  Before heading up Michelle called and informed us that her and Brendan would be heading back to the van.  Some riders started coming down the hill so we waited for them to get to the bottom.  Come to find out it was one of my f...

I woke up this morning at the Holiday Inn in Marquette, MI.  We left home yesterday around 11:30am and headed for Marquette.  Loaded and ready.      We stopped at my mom and dads for a short visit and then got back on the road. From there we stopped at the Clare rest area for Butterfinger coffee. Traversing the Mighty Mac  Then straight through to St. Ignace.  We had the traditional BC Pizza and climbed Castle Rock. The final steps to the top.    On top of the Rock!   The family cruiser waits in the parking lot.   Looking up.    After getting gas we were on the road again to Marquette.  There was a short stop in Munising for ice cream and then the final leg of the trip.  We checked in at the Holiday Inn and were in our room at 10:20pm.  A long day on the road. Todays plan is to get a short ride in and check out some of the course.  Then packet pick up and spaghetti fe...

Yesterday at lunch we discussed with JJ the preparation that he needed to do for Ore to Shore.  He signed up for the Shore Rock this year which is 10 miles and not an easy 10 miles.  I made a deal with him that if he trained with me 3 times a week I would ride with him and pace him for the race.  So today we started the training.  We would ride to his girlfriends house and Michelle would meet us there.  He could then ride home with Michelle or ride back with me.     A quick lesson on the shifters on the cross bike.     A quick photo.   And we're off!   We took a direct route to Kayla's house which ended up being around 8.3 miles.  JJ did really well until the final stretch when everything he had for dinner caught up with him.  His stomach was not feeling good.  But he got his first ride of the year in.  We will be riding home from church tomorrow.  I will make the ride as short as p...

This past week we had church camp.  It kicked off on Sunday afternoon and wrapped up on Thursday evening.  The theme this year: This is the second year of our church camp for youth.  It was the first year for Michelle and I to be head counselors as well as chefs.  As the theme says we encountered many mountains. We arrived late Saturday evening and set up our camp.  Pastor Harold Inman was kind enough to let us use his trailer for our accommodations this year.  The trailer was small, but had air conditioning and a nice bed.  We were going to grill for our meal but decided not to when Dawn and Rueben suggested pizza.  It was getting late. Sunday arrived and we continued to set up the camp and prepare for the arrival of the kids.  We had everything set and the kids came in and we had a taco bar that night.   Group photo!     The kids setting up camp!   Dinner served.   Th...