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Happy Thanksgiving

 
The Thanksgiving Holiday started a day early for me this year.  Two years ago we tried starting an annual mountain bike ride at Island Lake State Recreation Area.  Last year we were not able to do it due to lack of time and vacation time.  So this year I revived the ride and hope to continue the tradition as long as I am able.  Ended up having Raymond, Mark Abbe, Don Miller, JJ and myself.  We arrived early and were the only ones in the parking lot.  Guess the cold weather was keeping people away.
 
Green Machine ready to roll!

Don arrives.
 
We got the bikes prepped, got in our riding gear and were ready to go.
Raymond and Mark.

Don Miller
 
The trail was in great shape!  We only encountered one other rider and a few hikers.  JJ did really well for the amount of time he has spent on the bike.  He really seemed to have fun.
Mark at one of our pit stops.
 
JJ getting out of from the rays of the clouds!
 
Raymond was having a hard time keeping his hands warm.  When we got to the intersection to extend the ride or head in Raymond headed for the parking lot.  Mark said he was not up to the extended ride and JJ agreed.  I gave Mark and JJ the van keys and Don and I took the long way.  I forgot how much climbing was in this section of the trail.  Don and I had a good time riding this section and rolled into the parking lot to find Raymond and Mark already gone.
 
Ride totals.
 
We packed up the bikes, changed into dry clothes and headed for Buffalo Wild Wings.  We settled in and ordered our food.  Don came with us so we had some additional time to socialize.  We only see each other a couple times a year.
 
Build your own burger with pulled pork and buffalo chips!
 
JJ got the wing combo.
 
JJ tried a new hot wing eating method.
 
We finished eating and got on the road for home.  We were hosting the Thanksgiving cooking prep at our house and I ended up having to make a stop to pick up a few things for the ladies dinner.  JJ got a nap in on the ride home.  It was a great day with good friends!  Thanks for coming out guys.  Hopefully we will have more join us next year.
 
Michelle and I stayed up after midnight so we could do some early on line shopping.  Unfortunately Sam's Club did not start their sales as the usually did.  After waiting for a while we decided to call it a night.  We ended up sleeping till after 8am and then got up and did some on line shopping.  Then it was time to prepare for Thanksgiving with the family.
 
There was a lot of work to do and we did manage to get it done.  There was nearly a few melt downs but we got through it.  I called mom again and she said that she did not want to come out.  She is very depressed.  It is her first Thanksgiving without Dad.  Everyone missed her and had hoped she would come.  Not sure if it made it easier or harder for us?  Just know that I also really missed him.  I guess I just didn't realize how much I was missing him.
 
So we stuffed ourselves and then we headed into town to do some shopping.  Michelle's parents as well as Dawn and Reuben stayed at our house for a while.  We had promised Brendan that we would take him shopping for Black Friday.  He had a lot of fun.  A first time experience for him.
 
We got home and found that mom had even done dishes for us.  That was a very nice surprise!  Your awesome mom!  We got Brendan to bed and sat down to do some more online shopping.  Michelle was also planning out her Black Friday strategy.  She will be going out on her own and I will stay home with Brendan.  I also gave her my Christmas list.  I already have most of her shopping done.
 
I plan on spending some time in the bike shop tomorrow morning and maybe get a short ride in after Michelle gets home.  Then we may go out to mom's in the afternoon.
 
The renters are supposed to be out of the house on Saturday.  We will need to get in and do some cleaning quick as we have a showing on Monday.  Hoping the house will sell now.
 
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
 
 
 
 


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