Sink or Swim

Well we found out Kona does not apprectiate the water, unless of course it is to drink. It was the annual paddle at the pool. The city park pool is open to dogs at the end of the season, before they shut it down. WE though that perhaps Kona would like to go swimming. There were happy dogs out in the water fetching balls and swimming. Kona on the otherhand wanted nothing to do with it. We finally got her coaxed into the little wading pool, but she always made a break for it.


kona seemed more interested in making new friends and playing with other dogs, chasing them around the pool.

Sox vs Sox

So after the close victory with UNI, it was time to pack it up and head back into the windy city again. More dunkin coffee woohoo!!

This trip to Chicago was to see the Red Sox. They were in town to play the White Sox. We were going to the game on Monday (labor day) So we got into town a little after noon on Saturday and decided after all the times in Chicago we had never taken a boat trip on the river or the lake. On our way to the boat ride we saw a little street performance. They were pretty good.

We got in line to board the boat, there were a lot of people on this tour. We found a seat near the railing. There were a lot of non english speaking people on this trip, they didn't understand they had to sit before the boat would go, it took a while to get going.





After the boat tour we decided that we needed something to eat so we thought we would try the Billy Goat Tavern, well it didn't look to appealing so we settled for a little place on the river and had a sandwhich and beer.
We thought we should chekc out the Navy Pier fireworks, so made our way to the Pier after supper. We had a little while to wait, so we got some drinks and chilled out, almost falling asleep. Then it was time for the show.


The next day we finally got to sleep in. However Josh went to work out. I enjoyed the sleep and the view from our hotel.

We then got ready, grabbed soem coffee and hopped the "EL" to the south side to US Cellular field. WE were going early, Josh wanted to see if they had batting practice. While waiting we ran into some hall of fame guy.

It was finally time to go in and find our seats. It was $1 hot dog and pretzel day, however we didn't stop there, we had to get popcorn and peanuts too. It also appeared as if there was no batting practice.


The game was not going so good for the REd Sox, they eventually lost! Bummer! So we thought we should get going back to Iowa City. We got back on the train and headed back for the car.
Oprah was in the process of kicking off her next season, so she had shut off a very busy part of Michigan Ave. so we were in walking distance of that and went to check it out before we got more coffee and hit the super slab.

GO HAWKS!!!

It was then time for the first football game of the season. The opponent: UNI. This was supposed to be an easy first game for us. Some forgot though that UNI is the best in their division, making it to their championship playoffs many years in the past.

Anyway, my friend Jen joined me at the game and away it went. Oh and Hayden Fry was there.


It was a tough start for the Hawkeyes, they were behind at half time.

they came back and decided to play some football, finally they had the lead. Some breathing room, but UNI wouldn't let up, they came to play. The game came down to the last few seconds. I am sure many have heard, but Iowa won 17-16 on 2 blocked field goal attempts. A game has never ended on 2 blocked field goals. It was a little crazy at the end, but Iowa won. Perhaps they will take a little away from the game.

a windy city triathlon

Wow it has been over a month since I last updated everyone with the haps here in the big city. I guess I just got busy and lazy at the same time.

So lets see, I will write about the most interesting thinkgs that have went on or things that we have done in the last month or so.

We headed to Chicago at the end of August, I believe it was the 28th or 29th for the weekend. My friend Kate was going to do the Triathlon. She does the sprint version, which is enough, heck just running is enough. Anyway the tri was early Sunday morning, so we thought we would catch a Cubs game on Saturday.

We got to Wrigley and still needed to get tickets so we stopped at some ticket store and were able to get 3 tickets together. The purchase even came with free beer, it was nice and cold.


When we got into the stadium, it was also free t-shirt day, woohoo!!


We found our seats, then found some ball park treats. What is a game without a hot dog, peanuts and a Mai Tai. After a Grand Slam by the Cubs, they pulled out the win, they played the Mets that day. It was slightly cool in the ballpark, but a good day for baseball.


We had to make it an early night becuase of the 3:30am wake-up call. WE found supper at a place called Miller's Pub. They had everything frot hot beef, to pulled pork to prime rib. They had an eclectic menu.

I couldn't sleep all night, I guess I was ready for Kate to get to the tri, it also didn't help that some drunk folks who were neighbors to our motel room decided to be loud at about 2:30.

I was up and ready to go, Josh slept in an joined us later. Kate just had to check in and get her bike in the transistion while it was open. There were 9300 people registered in this Tri. So we walked down near the lake, got checked in and prepared for the tri.

The swimming portion was first. Swimming was 1/2 mile in the harbor along Lake shore drive. Josh showed up after Kate had started and brought me some well needed coffee.


Then it was time to bike. The way the race was situated it was hard to see Kate leave off on her bike. She was quick. The ride was 13 miles long.

then to end the race it was a 5k run. We managed to cheer her through the finish line. She did a great job!!


After the race, we all relaxed listening to a band they had. It was then time to part ways, Kate had to drive back to MPLS. We grabbed our things from the hotel and some Dunkin Donuts coffee and were on our way back to IC

5k...and no that is not $5000

So last Saturday August 1st I decided it would be a great idea to run a 5k. It was the annual run for Hooverfest in West Branch. So josh and i piled into the old Escape and headed towards the big city.

The race started at 8, and we were registered and ready to go. It was an overcast day and a little humid. I hadn't run a 5k since may, i have been having problems with stress fractures, but what the heck right.

So we started the race and realized there were 7 gigantic hills, not your little inclines, these hils were enough to firm up that butt! I was following an older lady, who appeared to be speed walking, but was just running slow like me, at one point i thought i would have her beat, but no such luck.

i crossed the finish line, luckily i wasn't last. Josh had already crossed.

It was time for the awards. I know I didn't place, perhaps when I hit the 50 year old age group, something to look forward to. however i think i won the class of 1998 division as I was the only member of the class in the race. Josh on the other hand got a medal for 2nd place in his age division. That guy hadn's run since May either, wow what a stud!

Ah crap i deleted all my pics from the race off of my camera card....oh well if you want to see pics of us all hot and sweaty let me know

Look out for those tired juveniles

So last night I had to work at the gym. So at closing time, I locked the gym up and got in my car. I noticed this kid walking through the parking lot, no big deal. Then there was this kid on a bike that he was obviously too small for, casing the bike rack by the gym. AHHH, it was 8:30pm, perhaps time for the kids to be near their homes.

I am proceeding to our house and I pass the kid that is walking. He is using the center of the street as his sidewalk, as do most of the annoying juveniles in the hood. Then I pass the kid on the bike, using the whole road to ride, going from the center to the left side, seriously, use a sidewalk, someone wil hit you!

I sped home hoping the kid on the bike would not see where I was going, as he was near our house. I parked the car in the garage and went inside and got ready to eat supper. I went to open our blinds in the living room and there he was....

The kid that was on foot, was crouched down in the front yard and headed towards Jolene's driveway (neighbor) I told josh to turn off the lights so we could see out and he couldn't see in. By the time we got outside, the kid was no where to be seen....

Then he comes wandering out of our driveway, which kind of wraps to behind our house. Josh asks what he was doing...he says "I was tired" ok??? So Josh tells him there are other places to be and he walks north on Franklin St. If you were tired would you be scoping out the garages in the neighborhood?

So we decide to make a police report, nothing pressing, but if something were to happen in the neighborhood, we would want it on file.

then about 15 minutes later, the police actually drive by....I was stunned! Then the policeman actually stops and chats with us. This draws the neighbors outside and we all discuss the happenings. The police tells us, as we already know about the increasing juvenile crimes and activity in the area. He was very nice. As we were chatting a group of 4 kids walks by in the middle of the street. At least they knew the cops were in the area. Then the cop gets a call about some kids wandering the area and he drives away. We are still outside and see the cop driving by on adjacent streets and a second cop car.

At least on this incident we got some response. So that is the happenings in the hood....anyone got a house for sale?

Stormin' into Motincello

July 24th, we were headed to Monticello, IA. We knew there was a storm brewing, so we kept an eye to the weather radar. Dad, Josh and I were trying to make it to the Jones Co. Fair to see the Steve Miller Band. Dad was running behind as he had a few things to do before he could get to the fair. Josh made a call to the fair and asked what they did when the weather got bad, they said they never have cancelled a concert. SO with all the technology, we see that the storm would hit Monticello at about the start of the concert, so we were guessing they would delay it for a bit. This was good news to dad as he could get all his chores done.

So we headed up to the fair and Josh and I hit the storm. The clouds were crazy and fun to watch, the wind was strong, then came the rains. Trying to drive in all that water was not fun, but we made it to the fairgrounds at the same time as dad. It was about 8:30.

We got into the fair, with the fair admission you can see the concert for free here too, but the rides were not free. Over the PA system they annouce that the concert will go on, but there will be a delay. They were aiming for about 10pm. There was a lot of water on the track where the stage was. They had to take care of that.

SO in the mean time dad was able to grab some delicious fair food for supper and we scored some kettle corn. We were thinking ahead and brought a trusty blue tarp and a blanket to sit on the hillside (why we didn't bring our collapsable chairs, I don't know) We were able to find a spot to sit with no problems. However it was funny, there were many blankets and such that had been staked to the hillside all afternoon, and they were soaked, wonder where those peeps will sit?


We sat and waited for the concert to start. The people watching was fun, as well as the process on the track. A few loads of wood chips had been dropped off to be scattered on the mud and puddles that were on the track. There were gators and skidloaders working like crazy to get things in order.


At about 10:30 the show began! Steve Miller and his gigantic band really know how to put on a show. There were many songs I didn't know, but many I did now. There was even one band member who knew how to shake his groove thing.


The concert ended with a spectaculer fireworks display at about 12 midnight. At this time the sky had cleared up at the stars were shining. It was another cool July evening. We parted ways with dad as he went up to Guttenberg and we headed home. WE can't wait to see who will be playing next year.