Hellos, Good-byes, and 16 Miles

Well, it's been over a week since I last posted. But it was a fun-filled week with friends and activities!

A week ago Saturday, friends from DC flew in to visit. We had a GREAT time in spite of the fact that this town has little to offer in the way of fun. I picked them up at Midway and drove them back to the "twin cities." We stopped at a pub I enjoy occasionally, Maggie Miley's, and drank some beer or cider and enjoyed some munchies. We had a LOT to catch up on.


The next morning we were off to walk Zoe and then have brunch at Kelley's downtown. Then it was off to campus to show them where I work (they got to see Buck hanging over my desk) and walk around. We ran into one of my colleagues, which was crazy 'cause we had been chatting about him earlier, and he gave us a full tour of the facilities. Then we walked the VERY small downtown area . . . enjoyed a rest the Coffee Hound (where one friend enjoyed a beverage) . . . and then headed home to escape the heat.


Once there, we hung out and chatted . . . and I baked a raspberry pie. Then we planned our menu for a pre-show picnic at the Shakespeare Festival. We ordered from a yummy Italian place that does carry-out and packed a bottle of wine. It was a really nice evening and the picnic was perfect! Then it was off to see the show, which wasn't near as good as the picnic. However, we ran into yet another colleague so my friends were able to start putting faces with names. Then it was back home for pie - YUM!


The next morning we walked again - and ran into yet ANOTHER colleague on the trail. It was getting kind of funny. Then my plan to take them to the Garlic Press, a yummy deli, crashed and burned as it was closed. So we were off to find another place to eat . . . and with each of 5 subsequent tries, we found a CLOSED sign. Seriously, between the twin cities, ONE restaurant (that wasn't a CHAIN mind you) was open. The towns just shut down on Mondays, roll the sidewalks in. UGH.

So we found ourselves in a throw-back of the 80s that made mediocre food and was lit with blue light. Blech. We were one of THREE tables with customers. In hind-sight, we should have gone to a chain!

After, we wandered the streets of the town, hit a boutique run by a nice, but very aggressive saleswoman, and stopped in a second store of the same coffee shop to enjoy a beverage. As there was NOTHING ELSE TO DO, we returned to my place to hang out.

In the evening, I invited the Fight Guy to join us for Margaritas (it was a Monday after all) and Queso. We had a good time drinking and eating and gossipping, and then called it a night. Next morning I had to say good-bye to my friends and drive them back to Midway.

It was a great visit, but impossibly short. I miss them already.

The following night I returned to the Festival with the Fight Guy . . . and was uninspired again, though we also had a great pre-show picnic.

And then Thursday, I made my way north for a day at Great America with my friend G. What a blast! It was bloody hot and it took me nearly 4 hours to GET there (NOT FUN), but it was worth it. G and I have similar tastes in adventure and fun so we're a good team for a day at an amusement park. We already have plans to go back in the fall. I can't wait.

I spent Friday recovering (and visiting doctors for annual exams, blood tests, etc.) and yesterday morning - as I was told my leg x-rays showed no major injuries - I ran 16 miles.

Yup, I got out there and did it. The first 10 weren't so bad. I could feel the shin splint in my left leg, but was managing the pain. From 10 - 13 it started to get worse . . . and from 13 - 14 I could feel my right knee's response to "carrying" the left leg. Miles 14 - 16 weren't pretty. I hobbled along and when the pain got too intense I would walk a bit . . . then hobble along. SIGH.

When I got home I put myself into a cold bath. Not pleasant, but it sure helped my recovery. My left leg still hurts today and I am certainly favoring it; I don't like going up and down stairs and prefer to stay off my feet entirely. Tomorrow I see the orthopedist and hope he has some solid advice that will speed my recovery!

Until then, I will rest (except for the required dog walks) and hope for the best.

And think back on a fun week.