Get up early, find bike paths–need to practise in altitude.  Start on nice paved paths–go to gravel, dirt, bumpy asphalt.  Having trouble unclipping & almost fall–Armand tries to adjust pedals–now can’t unclip at all.  Gets tired of my complaining–exchanges clips on his shoes–success.  Stop at bike shop & ask directions to Garden of the Gods–2 guys are renting bikes that don’t know how to shift gears.  Stop for pictures at G of Gods–meet nice couple who have bikes in their car.  Jay & Louise are from Littleton but want to come to TX for Ride for Roses–exchange info & invite them to stay w/us.  Keep riding (feel winded several times)–run into 2 guys from bike shop..  Andrew (from Dallas) & Thomas–just out of army-are on vacation & trying to bike–talk to them for 30 min & other couple drive up.  Beautiful day–bike around 32 m before driving to Denver.  Stay w/Anne (friend from Cross America Bike Tour in 2002.  Took Anne 3 tries–on 1st 2 times–she fell & artificial hip dislocated–unbelievable determination–I would have given up.  Went out to eat that night–planned bike ride in morning. 

Not going to mention again that I am worthless as a traveling/driving companion.  In Colorado Springs stop 1st & visit my 95 yr old Aunt Edie.  She lives in assisted living place–we go to her room & she is working cross word puzzles to keep her mind sharp.  She has picture of 12 kids in my dad’s family–she can name them all.  She has 2 pictures of her w/an Elvis impersonator.  Her daughter Gloria (my cousin) comes in & we all go out to eat w/Edie in the lead.  Gloria has stage 4 cancer in colon & liver–looks great.  She is still taking chemo treatments & will not be able to go to the family reunion in Canada–really nice to see both of them.  End up spending night at Super 8–near biking trail.

Armand drives-I read & sleep.  My turn to drive–after 2 hrs my eyes are sleepy–not much help.  Armand drives most of the way.  Stay w/Bob & Donna in house Bob built while he lived in bus for 4 yrs.  After wonderful meal Donna cooked-took walk w/their 2 dogs–nice visit.  Bob & Donna had completed a 10 week hiking/back packing trip in Patagonia & other parts of Chile–not something I could do or would want to do!!!!!!

My Europeon bike blog is not finished–still have pictures to post of Prague-On to 2nd biking/driving adventure.  We plan on driving to Colorado to do a Bike CO Tour & continue to Canada for a family reunion. 

I start in SA on Tues-drop my dog Dominic for my niece Bailey to take care of for another month-take my mom to HEB for grocery shopping-drive to Austin.  Armand has packed the Buick w/bikes & suitcases & is ready to go.  Drive to Dallas to stay w/my sister Nancy.  She fixes us a nice dinner.