A Low Country Christmas With Waves on the Side

My dad's footprint on the beach

All of my life I have lived near water.  Most of the time it has been by rivers where the water route is pretty well planned.  Even though you made not always be able to see what is around the bend, but you have a pretty good idea.  And the flow of the river always makes sense - just try to keep it between the banks.  And if it rains or melts too much snow, the river makes the changes need to keep the river flowing.  A river makes sense to me - it knows where it needs to go and does.  What doesn't make sense to me?  Waves.

This past Christmas my family traveled to Charleston, SC, to have a "Low Country Christmas."  The trip was a great one filled with tours of the Charleston Harbor, downtown Charleston by horse drawn carriage and a tour of the Boone Hall Plantation - all of which I would highly recommend if you ever find yourself in Chuck Town.  My brother ate his weight in oysters and I was able to catch up with my friend, Amanda, who lives near by.  I also watched a group of cyclists enjoy the view of the beach from the road as they rolled by in the much warmer than Minnesota temps.

Folly Beach Pier

As much as all of these activities were a fun time, my favorite part of the trip was were we stayed in Folly Beach, which is just outside of Charleston.  Once again we were able to rent a condo from a home owner on VRBO.com.  We have done this in the past with great success with this year being no different.  Our condo was right across a parking lot from the ocean and Folly Pier - a place I visited every morning we were there. 

Many of the times I went to the beach, my dad accompanied me.  We would comb the beach for interesting shells and creatures while we walked and talked along the water.  But as we walked I would always find myself stopping to watch the waves roll in.  You see to me waves don't make sense.  The come and go as they please - some big, some small.  Some come in and bring water only a small way up the beach, others travel farther making you scatter up the beach as to not get your tennies wet.  Yes, yes, I understand that have to do with gravity and currents and the moon, blah blah blah.  But at the end of the day waves are weird.

Little gifts left by the waves

But as I watched the waves every day I started to notice certain things about them.  I noticed that no two waves were ever the same.  Some would come in mighty and loud and others would quietly spread across the sand.  I also noticed that when they would finally roll onto the beach they would always leave a line in the sand of where they ended.  Sometimes they would also leave some shells or jelly fish, but regardless you could see where they had been.  A wave foot print.

I think in our lives we feel like we are the river - rolling along our course and staying in our banks as we deal with anything that lies around the bend.  Then other times we get to experience some waves in our lives.  Moving water that doesn't make sense and seems to crest at unpredictable times, but things that leave marks in our memories.  Waves that bring something new into our beach that we may not have seen before.  In the river of life, every once in awhile we need to experience some waves.  Even if they don't make sense.

 

Happy Holidays!

So normally I love putting together a holiday card to send out sometime between Thanksgivings and New Years, but this year I decided to save the postage and just send out this lovely blog instead!

The Micheletti sisters making
Thanksgiving dinner - 2013

This holiday season has been a fairly special one for me - I spent Thanksgiving with my mom's side of our extended family and enjoyed servings of turkey skin, stuffing and green bean hotdish.  But this Thanksgiving was the first once that I didn't leave afterwards to head back to Iowa, I simply got back in the car and headed home with my parents - the home that I now share with them.

Facetime with my favorite Alaskans!

After a filling Thanksgiving came my 28th birthday - a day celebrated with phone calls, text messages, facebook posts, and even a facetime chat with so many of the amazing people in my life.  I also was able to go on a long walk with my dad shaded by the woods and filled with the sound of a freezing river.  My mom made a delicious meal that was capped off by a round of homemade angel food cake and raspberry sauce.

Following my actual Birthday came my Birthday party in the Twin Cities with friends from Iowa and Minnesota.  Since it was my first birthday in 10 years as a Minnesotan resident, I figured it was only fitting to do stereotypical Minnesotan things.  We went to the Mall of America followed by the Hollidazzle Parade and dinner in downtown Minneapolis.  I loved seeing so many of my friends and catching up with many who I hadn't seen in awhile.

An extra bonus that occurred right after my Birthday was accepting a new job up here in Central Minnesota.  As I had recently decided to step away from my work at the American Cancer Society to look for a new opportunity, I was able to find that a lot sooner than I had thought.  My role will be with the Initiative Foundation in Little Falls, MN, working as an organizational development specialist and will allow me to continue my work in the nonprofit world, a world I have come to love.  And because my office would be only 10 miles from my parents home, it allows me to stay with them a little bit longer before starting my apartment hunt.  The new job not only lifted the stress of job and home shopping over the holidays, but because I don't start until after the new year, it also gave me the opportunity to fully enjoy the last three weeks of my mini-retirement. 

Now with Thanksgiving, my Birthday and my job offer and acceptance in the past and several inches of fresh snow on the cold ground, I am looking forward to our upcoming Christmas trip.  A few years ago my family decided that instead of having my brother and I always travel to Royalton, that we should fly somewhere a little warmer.  The first year we went to San Diego and then last year to Denver, where Josh lives, and this year we are traveling to Charleston, SC.  I went to Charleston last year to see my Alaskan friends, Adam and Amanda and their daughter, Emma.  I had a great time and was excited that my family decided to go there this year.

Our rental home in Golden, CO - 2012

The best part of our Christmas travels is that we always manage to find a beautiful home rental by using VRBO.com.  Last year it was a beautiful home in Golden, CO, that looked into the Rockies and the year before a condo in San Diego only a block from the beach.  These homes always work the best for us as we are able to spread out in the house, use the washer and dryer, and most importantly, we have a kitchen.  Everyone in my family loves to cook and to have fresh made food around.  My brother normally comes in first and attacks the kitchen by making some fresh guacamole and other snacks.  While we do find some great local restaurants to try and find a great sushi restaurant, we all really look forward to our annual Christmas meal of homemade fettuccine Alfredo with lots of seafood in it.  This meal was started so many years ago and it is one that my stomach craves every year.  And every year we always find something to add to it.  When I lived in Alaska, I would fly down some fresh King Crab and then my brother learned how to make sushi one year, so fresh homemade sushi rolls were added to the meal from time to time.  

Christmas 2011 - San Diego

Along with the food, we always find some local activities to partake in and local beer/wine to enjoy.  But really the best part of the trip is spending time with my family.  Normally Josh and I only see my parents a handful of times during the year, and Josh and I only really see each other once or twice during a good year.  So the four to five days spent together makes up for the lost time and creates new memories (and fights - who am I kidding right?  Nothing says family fun like a good argument!) to talk about for the coming year.  When we would all come up the Royalton we would spend the time catching up with friends who were back home as well, and not as much time together as a family.  But our annual trips are filled with days of being around each other while trying to navigate our rental car to where ever our hearts desire. 

The time during Thanksgiving and News Years truly is my favorite times of the year.  The days may be short but they are filled to the brim with family, friends, hope, shopping, smiles, and memories of another year spent on this beautiful Earth.

So from me to you and your family, I wish you nothing but the happiest of holidays filled with family, friends, food and fun!

Happy Holidays!

-Andrea

320

I remember my first cell phone - it was maroon and shaped like a small fish.  My dad bought it for me when I was in high school and I thought it was the coolest thing ever.  But the best part - I had my own phone number.

I don't remember my first cell number, but I do remember my second one.  I got that one my freshman year of college when we lied to the Verizon guy about my address so I could get their service.  And over the years I switched phones every two years as my cell phone has come with me every where and to all of the different places I have visited and called home.  And while my phones, location, and level of usage has changed over the years one thing stayed the same.  My phone number and my area code - 320.

An old high school friend asked me for my new cell number over the weekend and when I gave her the digits, she commented that it was the same one I had from years ago.  She was amazed that I never had it change and the more I thought about that fact the more interesting it became.  From the different states and street addresses, one thing stayed the same - 320.  It was almost as if I was just never really ready to let go of my roots in Central Minnesota or maybe my phone knew what was going to happen all along - that 320 would become my home again.

This week I found out some great news, my temporary status of living in central Minnesota just got permanent.  I was offered a new job at a foundation here in the area that involves me working with partnering nonprofits and helping them be successful in their mission to create change in their communities.  I start working again on January 6, 2014 - almost two months to the day since I had stopped working.  I am very excited for the new role but even more excited to be back in 320.

I was never sure I would be back in this area and be so excited about it.  I had spent so many years trying to run away from here that the idea of being happy to be back was very foreign to me at first.  But after speaking to my friend Heidi, it made more sense.  She had lived a path much like mine - she grew up in Mason City, IA, went to college at ISU and then moved out to Detroit.  After several years of living in the "Mitten State," a job and life change led her back to Mason City and her family.  As we spoke on the phone the other day about my new Minnesotan status, she gave me some supportive words about being back where you came from and especially being back around my family. With my old lifestyle I only saw my parents a few times during the year and my extended family in Minnesota only 1-2 times a year, and my brother, who lives in Denver, once a year.  I never thought this was all that weird until I started to notice how much my friends did with their families.

Nights out at the campground, a day spent seeing a movie, or just a quick stop in to say hello.  It was something that was a part of their daily life.  I forgot how much I missed that.  Many of my extended family is only an hour to two hour away from my parents' home and I missed being a part of their daily lives.  And my parents, who have supported me through every move, every hardship and every success, well I missed having them around.  A part of me truly wanted to change that and the job change only made it easier.

I truly believe that things happen that are suppose to happen, you just need to let them.  I knew I was met to make all of the moves and job changes I have done.  For good or bad, they lead me down my path and I gained so much from each one of them.  And the same has been true for my latest.  Not only am I gaining a new and exciting job, but I am getting my family back.  I get to be a part of my parents daily lives (until Spring that is and then it will be a part of their weekly lives ;) and get to see other members of my family more regularly.  And the icing on the cake?  I am still a small drive away from my Iowa friends that make for a great weekend escape!

So I am back in the 320.  If you had asked me five years ago if I would end up here, I would have said no way.  If you had asked me two years ago, I would have said - eh. maybe.  But now.  Well now, at this new fork in my road it feels so great to me back where hotdish makes sense and blaze orange is the state color.  Back in Minnesota and back in the 320 - where my cell phone number makes sense.  Where I make sense.

But to those in Iowa - don't worry I will keep representing the Iowa plates and Hawkeye sweatshirt for a bit longer, as you have been pumped into my blood as well with a side of Alaska.  It has been my travels that have made me who I am and is what makes me excited to be back home.

Dear 320 - I'm back to stay.   

Don't Grow Up - It's a Trap

Josh and I on our sweet rides

Do you remember when you first learned how to ride a bike?  How long did it take for you to lose the training wheels?  Odds are that one of your parents, siblings or friends took the time and patience to teach you.  Someone took the time to watch you try and try and would help you every time you would wipe out.

For me it was my mom, or at least I was told, and she said it didn't take me to long to ditch the training wheels and feel the freedom that is riding a bike.  She shared memories with me tonight about time I would ride downtown to get something from Larry's Groceries and take a detour or two along the way home.  She said I loved learning how to ride because it opened me to so many other things outside of my own front yard.   

So many things, like learning to ride a bike, is part of a "typical" childhood.  Our childhood is spent mostly having fun and learning.  From writing, drawing, swinging from the monkey bars, and playing tag - we took it all in and opened our minds to be filled with so many things.  But many times in our lives we get caught up in our "adulthood" and forget what it is like to be a kid again.

One of my favorite parts of coming back home is going to school with my parents and working in my mom's classroom.  Both of my parents are Elementary teachers - my dad retired a few years back but still fills in as a substatuite teacher from time to time and my mom has a room filled daily with third graders.  Tonight I went to my old elementary school to help in my mom's room for the annual holiday music concert.  Every year since I was a small kindergrartner and many years even before then, our school's music teacher, Ms. Burnside, would put on the most wonderful concerts.  The gym would always be packed with family and friends as they watch rows of children sing their hearts out on a stage surrounded by bright decorations and framed by black curtains.


Tonight's concert was no different.  I watched my mom's third graders sing about going to grandma's house with jingle bells on their little wrists and stomped their feet as they asked Santa for no more slippers for Christmas.  Afterwards back in their classroom I was quickly asked what I thought of the performance.  I told them they all did wonderful and was answered by toothy grins and some not so toothy grins.  They talked with my mom about who they all saw in the crowd from their families - moms, dads, grandparents, neighbors - they noticed them all from up on the stage.  Then they all started listening to a story about Clifford the Big Red Dog as I continued to work with some of them one on one to finish their stocking project.  After the story, they played a quick game of 7-Up - remember the game where you put your head on your desk as a few selected others would run around and put your thumb down.  Some them of gently push your thumb as they giggled and then others would give it a quick slam and run away.  Then you would raise your head and try to guess who had pushed on your thumb.

It seems so odd to think that it truly comes down to the simple things - listening to a story, playing a simple game, and sharing who supports you.  As adults we make these things seem so unimportant, but to kids they are at the top of the list.  Kids are so eager to learn, to try, and to share, where as us as adults we tend to be guarded, stubborn, and unwilling to change.  When did we forget to be kids?

As I finished up my time with the students tonight I was also reminded that some children don't get that "normal" childhood.  Not every child has someone to teach them how to ride a bike or to come to their holiday concert and that will bring me to tears almost every time.  But then you see one of their school friends step up and tell them they did a great job and that their slippers are really cool, and all seems good again.  Not every childhood is a great one or a perfect one, and sometimes it doesn't seem fair.  But as I told many times growing up - life isn't always fair.  They will be hard times, good times, times when you want to give up, and times when all you want is your mom.  And that never changes no matter how old you are.


So don't forget to have some fun today, to learn something new, and most of all love your life, no matter if it doesn't always seem fair.  And when you get the chance, make the time and have the patience be there for a little one in your life and to teach them something - trust me they will truly appreciate every moment of it.  And most of all, remember to never lose your inner child and to let her enjoy the wind in her hair ever once in awhile. 

It is not the heat, it is the humidity

So here is a little pop quiz.

On Friday in Royalton, MN, it was -11 degrees with a 5 mph wind, while in Mason City, IA, it was 15 degrees with a 15 mph wind.  Which place is "colder?"

When I moved up to Alaska, most people said the same thing - Oh boy, I bet that will be cold!  And don't get me wrong, it was cold.  Many times when I would travel to Fairbanks and Delta Junction and it would be -20, -30 and yes, -40 degree weather.  Up there it's completely normal to have a block heater hooked up to your car when it was parked overnight and to leave the engine running while delivering daffodils because if you didn't they would freeze.  Ever smelled thawing daffodils?  It is ain't a pretty smell.

But I learned something about being cold when I moved back to Iowa after my time in Alaska - once you hit 10 degrees, it just feels cold no matter the number, but once you add in a 25 mph wind, well that is down right cold.  Iowa is a tricky state, it can seem to be really nice outside until your eye wonders down to the wind report on weather.com and then your day automatically changes.  You look out and think, "Mmmm.  What a beautiful day, I should get out and ride!"  Then you walk outside and bam!  You are hit with a 20 mph wind gust that fills your lungs with the smell of sunshine and barn.  Yum.

But as bad as the wind can make a sunny, warm day in July, it only makes it 500 million, bagillion times worse in the winter.  You know you phase - it isn't the heat it is the humidity?  Well in the midwest it should be changed in the winer to it isn't the subzero temps, it is the soul sucking wind chill.  Wind that makes your face feel like it is going to fall off as you walk around the corner of a building and straight into a new direction of wind.

Braving the cold at the Hollidazzle Parade
 with Rachel, myself, Carl and Amber

This past weekend I traveled down to the the Twin Cities for my Birthday celebration.  The weekend consisted of some typical "Minnesotan" things - trip to the Mall of America and IKEA followed by the Hollidazzle Parade and dinner.  I had friends from both the Cities and Iowa coming to celebrate the big 2-8 with me.  On top of a recent snowfall, the state was enjoying the sunshine and cold temps that followed the storm.  Nothing says welcome to winter like doing the no-jacket-shuffle up seven flights of stairs in a over crowded parking garage, listening to how your friends managed to get their cuddle duds to fit under their skinny jeans, and of course by spending 30 minutes bundling up your body to stand and watch a lighted parade in downtown Minneapolis for 5 minutes before running back to your heated hotel room.

As much as I may complain about the cold, I know that it is what makes me stronger as a person.  You know you are a true Minnesotan when you are willing to bypass your shoes to run out to your car quick to grab your cellphone.  But the best part about living where it is cold, is finding out the things that truly make you warm.  From spending time with friends and family to remembering why you love the state you were raised in and recently moved back to.  The fun conversations shared over a fireplace; new games played while eating pickle dip in a warm hotel room; and the joy that a remote car start brings to your life.  Things that truly make you warm inside.

At the end of day, it may be cold outside and the wind may blow but all the memories that happen while trying to stay warm makes it totally worth it.  Because in the end the best part of being cold is that you can only get warmer.  That is, unless the wind picks up.

My New Boyfriend

So since my move back to Minnesota I have quiety been seeing someone new.  He is someone that I have gone out with before, but never really could fully commit to but now that I have some extra time on my hands I am really hoping to make it work this time.  Now I don't want to jinx it by introducing him too soon to those around me, but here goes - my favorite new guy is Gym.

Did I get ya?  Well all of what I said is true - except maybe the part that would imply Gym is a real person.  Sorry about that - my bad.  But I do look at working out much like a relationship.  There are times with you love spending hours together and then there are times where seconds seem like they are crawling by and you can't wait to leave.  There are days were you get a ton of alone time together and others when you need to share him with some pesky senior citizens who want all of Gym's time too.  But just like any other relationship, it comes down to staying true to each other through the good and the bad.

Now that cycling season is long gone and as I prepare for my first Minnesotan winter back home (projecting over half a foot of snow and subzero temps this week), I knew I needed to restart my relationship with Gym.  I also went into it this time with a true goal - the 2014 30 Day Bicycle Challenge starts on April 1st - only 4 months away!  I wanted to make sure I used this winter to get bike ready - that meant getting much stronger and much lighter.  I had some great rides last summer and pushed my body, but I knew if I really focused in the winter I could get rid of some extra post-ride beer weight and get my body much stronger for that first day of riding.  And that's where Gym comes in.

But you see Gym and I have been here before.  I say I will go and I do... for a few weeks and then I just kind of find a reason to not go.  I have a cold.  I am gone for a few days and don't have time.  It is too cold to drive all that way.  And the best one of all - I will see him tomorrow.  So I did what any person does when they need help with a relationship - Gym and I went to counseling .  I worked with a old friend of mine and put together some new workouts that I can do on my own so my workout ADD doesn't set in.  He is also helping Gym and I stay true to each other but checking in on when I make time for Gym and also giving advice and new workouts when needed.

So I am still in week one of dating Gym again, but so far it is going well.  My first round of soreness has passed and I can finally walk up my stairs without tearing up.  And I am finding my time spent with Gym to be well worth it.  My hope is that I can find true love with Gym this time and grow old together - well at least until cycling season...   

Peace Out 27... Helllllooo 28!

Me and the Longhaul Survivor

OK, I know many girls don't like to tell their age, but yes today is my 28th birthday!  Not 25th, like a few in Mason City would like to think, but 28.  The big 2.8.  I have been alive for 28 years. I have filled over 245,000 hours with either sleep or memories - some good and some bad.  28 years ago I was being brought into this world.  Still is hard to believe.

Hanging by the Lake in Clear Lake

My 27th year of life was one with many ups and downs.  I was settling into my new home in Dubuque, which I would also move from in the same year.  I was trying to meet new people while working in new communities with new volunteers.  I was learning a new part of Iowa - one that was filled with many hills and valleys.

Getting our Zip On in Dubuque

There were many new things that happened this last year, but some things stayed the same while still changing.  I continued to grow my existing friendships while letting some go.  I continued to be involved in the fight against cancer and then deciding to take a break from it.  I continued to try and better myself and while continuing to try and find the meaning of life - all while I was still trying to find myself.  And in the middle of this all - I got in some truly great biking!

Sir Hudson

This last year I was able to travel to Golden, CO; Bayfield, Trempealeau, Madison, and New Diggins, Wis; Galena, Ill; Sioux Falls, SD; and many places in between.  I celebrated many birthdays of my friends along with engagements.  I saw my dad be inducted in our Royalton High School Hall of Fame.  I watch the little ones in my life grow taller and taller and said final goodbyes to former teachers and friends who passed away.  I got closer to some familiar friends and met some amazing new ones.  I moved back in with my parents and became a member of my hometown once more.  I bought a new car and left an old job.  I attended many Relay For Life events, downtown Dubuque concerts, sold a few beers and learned "youes guys" is part of the English language - well at least in Dubuque it is.  And did I mention I got in some great biking??

A Sunday ride with Eric and Chris

I rode my bike 30 days in a row.  I rode some of the largest hills my handle bars have ever seen.  I became part of cycling groups and even help start a new one.  I rode my bike in a new state - Wisconsin.  I was able to ride around an island with my mom.  My bikes survived hundreds of miles on the top of my car and even a freak snowstorm or two.  I learned how to ride as a group, as a unit trying to working together.  I even rode with the boys (and kept up!).  I started a blog about my biking lessons (ps - thank you for reading it!) and learned that bonks do hurt, but you still have to get up that hill.  I have almost been killed while riding - kids, don't text and drive, especially on county roads.  My cycling taught me a lot this past year - lessons learned on the road, memories made after the wheels stopped turning and the beer was opened, and friendship formed in between belly laughs and several, "Oh s**t that is a big hill!"  I wear my RoadID ever day on my wrist and every day when I look at it I think of all the memories that have been made because of it.    

My dad and I kayaking on the Mississippi

When I think back over this last year, one filled with so many changes, and look at the pictures I took and think of the memories I made, all I can think is what will year 28 bring?  A new job?  A new home?  New friends?  Learning new things?  I hope so to all of those while also I hope it lets me continue to grow in my relationships and in my life.  I hope my 28th year continues to bring my challenges and successes.  I hope it continues to fill my days with fun memories and tearful goodbyes.  To continue to give me some Yin here and some Yang there.  I can only hope that my 28th year is simply filled with life.   

My mom and I at "A Prairie Home Companion"

Thank you to everyone who made my 27th year a memorable one.  You have filled the last year with so much joy and so many blessings.  Thank you to my parents for the increased support this last year and for also giving birth to be!  Thank you to all my family and friends - you fill my heart and remind me why I this life is so very worth it.

Good bye 27, hello 28 - I can't wait to see what you have in store for me!

This might hurt a little...

The other night my friend Natalee told me about a girl she knew who moved every year or so due to her work.  This girl made the comment to Natalee that if it didn’t hurt when she moved that she knew she didn’t truly become a part of the community or meet an amazing people.  I completely understood this idea.  

 In the last ten years, I have lived in five different towns in three different states, with my longest “residency” being in Forest City, IA, for three years while I was going to college.  Beyond that I spent 1.5 years in Anchorage, AK; 1.5 years in Clear Lake, IA; 2 years in Mason City, IA; and 1 year in Dubuque, IA.  And now, once again, I have to say goodbye.  And it hurts. 

Recently I had to make some very hard decisions in my life and my career which resulted in stepping away from my job. Because of this, I had to make the decision to move once again, but this time to somewhere all too familiar – my hometown of Royalton, MN – and to gain two new roommates: my parents.  (We will leave more about this for another blog)

Another great ride by the Mississippi

While making these decisions was not easy, what made it even harder was the idea that I would have to leave Dubuque – a city that I have come to love in the last year.  I will admit that it wasn’t a happy harmony when I first moved to Eastern Iowa, but soon I feel into a grove that filled my soul.  I took in countless views of valleys filled with every changing colors and smells.  I enjoyed 30 days straight of biking the rolling road and drinking up views of the Mississippi from behind my handlebars.  And I met some amazing people who have truly changed my life for the better. 

A fun night at Fat Tuesdays

People who I can only hope and pray to stay in touch with and continue to be apart of their lives.  It is because of everything I have expirence – good and bad – that makes this hurt so very hard.  The thought of saying goodbye would bring me to tears and actually doing it only made more run down my face.  This is the reason this hurts so much - a aching heart is the worst pain anyone will ever feel. 

Celebrating Gayle's Birthday!

Dubuque, even though short lived, had a huge impact on my life - this is where I started to change myself.  How I have grown as a person and the changes I have made in my life and how I live it came from living there.  The awareness that I have gained on how important this one life is and to continue to fill it with so many amazing memories and people.  This is turning into another hard goodbye. 

A night out with Eric in Galena

But maybe it doesn’t have to be a FULL goodbye – maybe just a “Hey, I will see you soon.”  Because I know I will be back, maybe not as a resident, but defiantly as a visitor.  A visitor who will truly appreciate a great Bob-on-the-Rocks at Fats on a Saturday night.  A visitor who knows to not play Dubuque Euchere unless you bring your "A" game.  And finally a visitor who gets to see and catch up with the one thing that make Dubuque so very special – my friends here. 

Jodi, Jen and I

 So with that, my dearest Dubuque, thank you for the memories.  Thank you for the struggles.  Thank you for people.  Keep being the amazing town that you are and until we meet again – thanks for the ride.   

Finding My Tribe

Almost every day new people walk into our lives.  From the friendly macanic changing your oil to random coffee lovers at Starbucks- every day we walk with so many new faces that we have never met before.  But what is it about certain people that makes us become instant friends?  Is it having the same love for Pinterest recipes?  Or a passion for long Sunday drives?  Or attending the same church or civic group?  Who do we add to our "Tribe" and why?

I was recently watching a Shas of Sunset (yes, I am addicted to reality TV) and one of them referenced their group of friends as their tribe.  I instantly loved that thought.  But what I loved even more was the idea that a person could have different sets of tribes.  And that is what I love about my various groups of friends - we are all friends for different reasons, but we all seem to have the same thread that keeps us all laughing.

Sad faces after a member of our Work Tribe, Jen, moved

After I moved to Dubuque a year ago, I became so much closer to my coworkers in my new office.  I knew Jodi, Cindy, and Jen fairly well over the years that we had worked on the same team, but I didn't know that quite as friends yet. Quickly we formed a great work tribe that included breakfast potlucks, a dammit doll, and hours spent together working on the fight against cancer.  Soon they all became friends first, and coworkers second. 

Then as I started to get involved in the Dubuque community, I attended my first Dubuque Jaycees meeting.  As a former member of the Mason City chapter, I knew this would be a great way to meet other young professionals in the area.  I quickly became involved in their various community services events, by selling beer tickets, and attending social gatherings.  From this group I met my cycling partner, Eric.  Eric then led me to my Bike Tribe.  From the fast paced Monday night group to the veteran riders of the Thursday night group, I quickly became part of the ride.  From these groups we even started our own rides and The Flat Iowa Society.  I love sharing the roads with all members of my bike tribe and miss seeing them on a weekly basis now that the sun is setting so soon and the chill of winter is starting to sting.

The Ring Master, Bearded Lady and Strong Man at my 27th Birthday!

One of my favorite things about my tribes is when they hold true dispite the miles.  My Mason City friends are one of the reasons I keep coming back to visit and to relax.  This past week I had been in town for about four days and loved to fill my time with laughter from all of the faces I don't get to see on a regular basis anymore.  Together as a group we have celebrated success and failurs, engagements and breakups, and sunshine and clouds.  But we got through all of them together and in the process formed a Birthday Tribe.  A group of us always block out the calendar to get together to celebrate our Birthdays during the year.  Many times these parties have fun themes (crazy cat lady, ribbons and curls, BACON, etc), activities, and of course cake. No matter where any of us of live, we all manage to try and the make the trip to celebrate of our favorite day of the year. 

I think in life we are constantly adding new tribes of friends - your college tribe, your high school tribe, former places of work/living tribes.  Many times these tribes shrink and grow over the years as people make changes that result in becoming closer or farther apart - both personally and physically.  The challenge is always to decide which tribes is worth keeping and which are ok to grow out of as we continue to change in our lives. But at the end of the day, to make sure you are in a tribe that supports you and brings out your best.  Ones that pick you up when you fall with undying support and love.  Those, my friends, are the best tribes to be a part of.

To those of you who I am blessed to call members of my various tribes - thank you.  You all have made the challenging parts of my life ones where I feel nothing but support and love.  Please know that every kind word you have expressed and every hug (*shutter*) have been heard and felt and truly appreciated over the years.  Keep being the amazing friends that you are to so many people and thank you for letting me be a part of your tribe.  Nothing makes me happier than adding new and amazing people to my life and to my tribe.  

A Pocket Full of Sunshine

There are days when I could do with not watching the news.  Suicide bombers, school shootings, lying, cheating - all of it can wear you down.  A guilty pleasure of mine is watching the Real Housewives of...well.. of anywhere.  But I have noticed that many times the reality of "reality TV" and the realness of the daily news paired with the newly shorten day can leave a person feeling pretty down and out.  Lately that has been happening to me - as the darkness of the days gets longer and longer and the sunshine filled hours of biking the Dubuque countryside turn only into memories, you forget what it warmth feels like.  But, today I, well today I felt like a fresh pot of coffee steaming with warmth.

I left early this morning to head to Cedar Falls for a meeting.  As the sun started to crest over the valley I live in, I rolled my car onto the road with only a quarter tank of gas.  While I was on Hwy 20,  I pulled off and into Epworth to fill up my tank.  Before this summer, I had no idea what or where this city was.  But now after many rides starting, ending, and rolling through this community, I was more than happy to spend some cash on some much needed gas.

As I finished filling my tank and made a quick walk to the front door of the gas station, I saw a man who had just finished filling his truck walk towards the same door.  As we neared the doors he did something very unexpected - he opened it for me.  And not just a open-walk-through-and reach-back kind of hold, but grab the door and stepped to the side into the 20 mph fall wind and let me walk in first.  It took me a moment to understand what was happening.  Now I have some guy friends who do this for me, but a male stranger?  This was a first.  As I strolled inside and felt the warmth of the store, I took a moment to give him a genuine thank you.  Huh.  Maybe there are some nice people out there.

Then as I continued down the road and into Cedar Falls, I saw another act of random kindness.  Off of the University exit a car had stalled and two people where out pushing it to the dealership was only a block away.  As I came down the exit ramp, a man jumped out of the passenger side of his Subaru in his fresh pressed suit and starting pushing the car from the back as his wife turned on her hazard lights and followed behind slowly.  Again, this was a new sight for me.

Getting help riding across the bridge... or what was left of it

The sights and actions I witnessed today truly reminded me that there is some good out there.  That many times they are small random acts of kindness that may go unnoticed, but other times are seen and felt by others.  At times this summer these same random acts would occur on my rides - from sharing a water bottle or energy gel to helping haul your bike over a bridge that was missing the front and back part of it.  Many of these acts will not be news stories that you see at 5 o'clock or watch on reality TV, but in the reality of everyday life - they happen.  When you least expect it and forgot to watch for - they happen.  So to all of you who went out of your way to help someone else today - thank you.  I can guarantee you made their day a better one.  And with the wind turning colder and the leaves finally falling as winter starts to approach, everyone could use a little sunshine and warmth in their day. 

Route Changes

When I first lived in Clear Lake, IA, I would ride around Clear Lake (the actual lake) once if not twice a day on my mom's 1985 Schiwnn Roadster - suicide shifters and all.  It was a 14 mile loop from my house and included some hills, beautiful views, and not too many cars depending on the time of day.  Over time it quickly became my favorite route and one that was honest and true.

After I upgraded to my Scott Contessa road bike (Tessa), the route continued to be my favorite, but I was able to make it around lake faster and faster.  I enjoyed the ease of shifting on my new bike, and the extra power my legs gave from being attached to my pedals.  The route had stayed the same, but how I got around it had changed.  

I was back in Mason City at the beginning of October and took time to head over and bike "the Lake."  The course had stayed the same, but some of the views had changed - remodeled homes, higher water levels, and leaves that had started turning with the final coming of fall.  The view had changed, but once again, the route stayed the same.  It was here that I learned how to roll with the road. 

Tessa at the Sea Wall in Clear Lake, IA

As I settled into the ride, many memories began to flood my mind.  Times when this road provided much need stress-release from my job to days when sitting on the bench at the park with the sun in my face was the best therapy you could ask for.  This ride had always been my favorite because I always had a good idea of how it would go, but still every once in a while it would give you a few new surprises.  This ride was good break from the riding I had being doing in Dubuque, where every route was new to me and you truly couldn't predict what was coming around the next bend because you just didn't know.  Some days you just need a a predictable ride.    

There are so many things in life that we do because it is familiar.  Even though some of the details have changed, it always remains tried and true.  There are days and times when we are ready for changes and new challenges, and other days when all you want to do is stay the same.  Neither one makes for a bad day, it is simply up to us to accept the kind of day you want/need to have.

Lately, I have been facing a lot of changes and challenges.  Decisions on which road to take while listening to the opinion of so many others as to what they would do.  Ideas and possibilities that seem endless and amazing, all followed by the words, "You truly will be great at which ever route you take."  While I love the positive feedback and ideas, I still find myself at times craving for days of what use to be an predictable route.  Knowing that you need to take a chance on a new path seems exciting and rewarding, but there will always be that part of you that just wants to give up and do what you have always done simply because it would be easier.

But then you remember something.  Somewhere in the back of your mind it begins to creep to the front.  The idea that this is your one life to live and only you can make the best of it.  That in the end you know what is best for you and what you want to do with your days.  That these changes and challenges only are opening the door to better understand who you are and what you want to become.  The idea that even though the route seems different and unfamiliar, the reality is that it is simply a road, just like the ones you have ridden before.  Even our most familiar routes at one point were new challenges that we learned to love and embrace.

In life, just like on a bike, the details of the route are ever changing, you just need to keep pedaling and roll with road in front of you.   Knowing that it will always be the right way, because you decided on that route while remembering that it will always be lined with your own cheerleaders.  And at the end, you always knew it would be the one that gives you the most changes and challenges - the road will be hard at times but over time it will become familiar.  And most importantly, it will be the one traveled by you and your feet.    

Just go.    

Thank You Trempealeau

This past weekend I traveled to Wisconsin for a 2-day biking trip with my bike buddy, Eric. Before I dive in here are a few things that were on my mind before we headed up the road:

1. I am a born and raised proud Minnesotan.  After six years of being an Iowa resident, my family is still trying come to terms with it and so even the thought of traveling to and ENJOYING the Green Bay Packer-lovin' state of Wisconsin is a hard pill for even me to swallow.

2.  Before this trip, I haven't been on a bike for over 2 weeks.  Somethings had been happening in other areas of my life and the bikes have seen more closet time that I would normally wish them to ever see.

So with that in mind I will continue.  We decided to do this trip after reading an article in Bicycle Magazine about Trempealeau County and how it had these amazing quite country roads that were going to be endangered with the new sand mines industry that was taking off in the county due to the need of sand with fracking.  These quite roads were now being overtaken by large trucks and much more noise.

So Eric and I thought that since Trempealeau is only a few hours away, that we should go and try to ride these roads yet this fall.  As we began to plan the trip, I Googled my heart away for all that the area had to offer.  I found the Trempealeau Bike Club's website and Facebook page.  The website had some of the best route maps I have seen so far and even better que sheets with turn-by-turn directions and even information on places to visit and where bathrooms were located.

Road trip check list: cheese curds - check.  Map - check.

When Saturday rolled around for us to leave, the forecast was not in our favor.  Some much needed rain was suppose to be moving in after noon or so, but regardless we made our way north.  We arrived in the city of Trempealeau and were greeted by cloudy skis, so we drove around downtown and into the state park to check things out.  Once in the park we noticed how nice the park road was and with a glimmer in his eye, Eric asked if we should try and get a quick ride in here before the rain started.  I agreed and we quickly got ourselves and our bikes ready to roll.

As we started up the park's path, my legs started to scream.  It sounded along the lines of "You IDIOT!  You haven't used us in weeks and you thought this would be a good idea???"  The screams continued for the first mile or so and then as we settled into the rolling rhythm of the road, the screams ended and a smile crept across my face.  This is what I needed and had been craving.  The wind in my face, my bike below me and the feeling of all stress simply drifting away down this Wisconsin road.

Horseshoe Falls at Parrot State Park

We did a quick 10 mile loop in the park and out to their nature center and as we pulled back into the truck, we started to feel the cooling drops of rain.  We hustled to get everything put away and covered and then made our way back into to town for some lunch.  We stopped at the Trempealeau Hotel and had an amazing lunch while watching the rain fall.  After our meal we made our way to Fountain City to try some local wine and then finally to Arcadia where were going to crash for the night.

The next day we woke up to sunny skies and a light fog hugging the upper parts of the ridges.  We took off from the hotel and biked out on the route we had found on the website - the Top of the World loop.  About 5 miles in we took a quick break to check the map and at the same moment my contact lens decided it had enough and jumped ship.  Now with only being able to see part of the road in front of me we made our way back into to town to fetch a emplacement lens from my hotel room.  Once back in town and with fresh contact in (and extras in my bike pack!) we decided to change the route a little go backwards so we could hit the "Top of the World" earlier in the ride.

As we rode the quite country roads, we were swallowed in amazing views and colors.  All of the tress were starting to change and the ridges and valleys of the Mississippi were truly breath taking.  When we settled into one of our first climbs, I knew I was in trouble and the surrounding beauty was blurred with drops of sweat.  My lungs were heavy and my legs felt as if they had mud on them.  I pulled my bike over to the side of the road as Eric continued on.  I thought to my myself that I have been here before and I had let myself bonk on a hill much like this.  I had given up and this time I didn't want to.  I knew I could make it up this hill.  It might not be pretty, but I knew I could do it.  So I pushed on and again I stopped.  I gathered my breath and my thoughts and once again peddled on until I could see Eric at the top.  I had made it.

Tessa at the Top of the World

We continued to ride the ridge until we came upon another climb.  As Eric made his way past me, I yelled out "Is it worth it?"  Without hesitation I heard a "You bet it is" echo back.  Again I needed to pull over and stop.  But again, I also pushed myself forward after catching my breath and made my way to the top.  And boy, was it worth it.  There on the side of the road was a painted Earth.  We both pulled over and took in the view as it was truly amazing.  You could see for miles across the valley and into the next ridges over.  The trees that made up the patchwork quilt below us made you slow down and breath deeper and deeper to take it all in.  It was so worth it.

After taking a handful of pictures we made our way back down the other side of the ridge.  As we coasted down the hillside, we were greeted with even more beautiful views and a cool breeze.  We finished up the last 5 miles a little slower than we started as we took all of the scenery in.  We finally rolled into town and recorded a total of 37 miles for the morning.  We both had done longer rides, but this one seemed different to me some how.  That I had somehow grown on the ride.

Eric and I at the "Top of the World"

As we packed up for the drive back to Dubuque, I felt as if I was new again.  I knew that the hills that I would be facing in the coming weeks and months, were ones that I may not have trained the most for, but ones I knew I could get up.  All I would need to do is stop every once in awhile, catch my breath and keep peddling.  And soon I would be at the top of the hill enjoying the cool breeze and the amazing view.

It is trips like this that remind me why I love to ride.  I got to spend two days on the road with a great friend surrounded by the beauty that is Wisconsin - yep. chocked on that statement, so so true.  I survived the climbs and enjoyed the descents.  I got my picture taken with Igor the famous giant mouse in Fennimore while enjoying some fresh cheese curds.  I was reminded how much I love feeling of soreness in my legs after a morning ride filled with the fall air.  But most of all, I continued to learn more about myself and to let myself grow in new ways with each and every ride.  Because no matter the size of the climb, each ride is completely worth it.
    

      

Which Way?

Today I took my last ride of my trip to Minnesota.  Last night I was up late trying to decide where I wanted to go on my ride.  There were a few details that were needed to go into my decision - I knew the temps would be a little cooler than the last couple of days, and I wanted to get around 20 miles in.  Other than that I just wanted to go on a fun, solo ride.   

As I woke up in the morning, I finally had a plan in mind.  I would take a county road out of town that connected to the Soo Line Bike Trail and then take that to Bowlus or farther depending on my legs.  It would be a very easy and very flat trail that I have done before many times.  It wasn't always my favorite because of the lack of turns and hills, but it was secure.

But then as I got going and rolled closer and closer to the turn off for the trail, I started to really think about the other route I had wanted to try.  It was one that I had driven many times growing up but never with my bike, mostly because one of the key roads hadn't been paved until the last year or so.  This route would mean more time on back roads that didn't have too much traffic minus a few tractors or two.  But it would also mean some miles logged on a  couple of major county roads that were used more regularly.  Again, it was a route I knew, but it was one with some hills and turns unlike the Soo Line Trail. 

Soon I had to make a decision, the safe route or the one less traveled.  Quickly I saw my turn off for the Bike Trail pass by me, and I continued down the road to try my new route.  I knew the roads I would be traveling well, but I had never seen them from my handle bars.  I could feel the road roll beneath me and the wind push on me from the north.  I watched a flock of turkeys cross as I pedaled by and even saw a few deer cross a ways down the road from me.

Because I never had taken these roads at a speed slower than 50 mph, I never noticed the details.  The way the corn looked as the sun came up and then quickly swallowed by the incoming rain storm's proceeding clouds.  The way the road felt.  The dips and bumps that gave it its character.  The way the cool breeze smelled of much needed rain and relief from the heat.

As I settled into my peddle strokes and worked against a little bit of a head wind, I made my way around the route at a good clip, enjoying the view and sounds from the road. As I wrapped up my ride and headed back into my hometown, I road up to the football field to catch my breath.  As I stood by the school building that I had spent so many days and years at, it looked the same but yet different.  I started to notice some changes - painted "Class of 2017" rocks outside the science room door, a much greener football field, and new handicap parking spaces in the student lot.  It is always funny how things that all seem to stay the same still changes.  Mostly small changes so that your memories remain, but you also notice new memories that are being made.

The sacred acre at Royalton High School

I continued through town towards the house that will always be called home.  Along the way, I ran into a friend from town and was able to quickly catch up on the latest news and weddings from the summer.  This has always been my favorite part of being from a small town - you always find someone you know and learn something new to take home with you.  Then finally, as the rain really started to pour, I pushed myself back down the road and rolled into the same place I had started.   

It was the last couple of damp miles that I noticed a smile had started to grow on my face.  I had taken the trail that I wasn't quite too sure of; I took a chance not knowing what the outcome would be; I had traveled a familiar road but got to see it in a new and different light.  And I still ended up where I wanted to go.

Sometimes we truly meet that fork in the road.  We know we need to decide on which road to take.  Do we take the safe and well known choice, or do we roll the dice and go somewhere new.  They both will most likely get us to the same end point, but the view and the ride will be different from each other.  Some pluses and some minuses to both.  So which will you choose?

So many times in our life we have this happen.  We make choices even when we don't realize we are making them.  But how was the end result?  Was it what you wanted/hoped would happen or do you wish you could go back and choose a different route?  If you had to go back, would you change any of it?  There are so many roads for us to ride, and we strive to find the one that you believe will get you where you need to go and make you happy all at the same time.  And the constant challenge is to, no matter the route, truly enjoy the ride.   

Buzz Buzz

Have you ever noticed that there are times when you are simply moving through life and then WHACK! You experience some sort of wake up call?  A slap to the face that reminds you to look up, make a change and take it all in?

Today I was out on a quick morning ride in my hometown in Minnesota, otherwise known as "God's Country."  I was moving along quickly as I needed to be back at my parents' to head out for a morning kayak with my Dad.  I was about half way around my 14 mile loop when all of a sudden I felt something hit my forehead where my helmet met my skin, and then a horrible stinging sensation right above my right eyebrow.  I reached up and felt something crunch under my fingers as I pulled the small kamikaze pilot away, but the damage had been done.  I had been stung.

I pulled over quickly and took out my cell phone to see the carnage.  My forehead was red and slightly swollen in the area of the small battle wound.  I was pretty sure I wasn't allergic to bee stings, but I had a moment of panic that I couldn't breathe and realized it was simply because I had been biking the last 20 minuets and in fact, NOT dying.

As I got myself back together, I checked my phone and realized my dad had called and left a voicemail to meet him down at the local bar for breakfast instead of going back to the house.  So as I got back into the saddle with a new end goal in sight, I took a moment to see the sunrise that I had been riding with all morning.  The way the rays rolled over the cornfields and onto the river beside me.  The sound of the birds waking up and starting their day.  The smell of the last days of summer and felt the hunger in my belly with the promise of hot coffee waiting for me at the bar.

The string had hurt, but it also had worked to wake me up.  I was so caught up in my thoughts and the road, that I didn't look around me and I didn't hear the change of plans that would only make my morning better.

So many times in life we experience wake-up calls - from unexpected news about a family member or friend, to changes in the work place, or simply that it was time to make a personal change - wake up calls come in all shapes and sizes.  Some come over the phone when you are thousands of miles away and others are simply as small as a bee, but regardless of the size you should always listen to them.  To take a moment to stop, look around you and appreciate all the greatness around and all of the amazing people in your life, and to know that no matter the change that may happen that this life is a good one.  One worth living and seeing and enjoying every moment of.

Stings happen.  They hurt and can leave a mark.  But how you handle the damage is what makes you stronger and better, and much more aware of everything in that moment.  The moment you wake up.

A beautiful sunrise in God's Country