Across America

Arriving in Minnesota, I quickly learned that this state was going to look just like I'd pictured. Lots of wide open sky, lakes, and paths for running/biking. My first time in this state, and I loved it right away.

Shawn and I went for a short run around Lake Calhoun, and I learned that no one lives more than 6 blocks from a park. How cool is that?

The lake was clear and people were swimming, and you could see downtown across the way.

After running the Urban Wildland Half Marathon with my friend Cindi, we had a BBQ at my hosts' house. Shawn and Brandy were very generous, inviting me to stay with them and showing me around the Twin Cities. Spending time with my friends Melissa and Sage just added to how great this stop on my trip across America would be. I got to see the Mississippi River for the first time, as well as the Colorado where the bridge collapsed several years ago, and see some of St. Paul, too.

We rented these cool bikes and rode all over the university and ballpark and city areas. I ended my fantastic time in Minnesota with a delicious local beer and a thick, rich malt. (My first one!)

Monday morning Shawn dropped me off to the airport and I made my way to Vegas.

After checking out the strip and checking into my terrific room at Bally's (right across from the Bellagio fountains!), I drove 40 minutes outside the city to the Hoover Dam.

It was amazing. So big and massive and filled with history. I walked around on my own a bit and then hopped into a short tour where I got to go inside the dam and see the inner workings.

After making my way back to the Strip, I went for a short run, got some dinner, and checked out all the ornate, illuminated, over-the-top things Vegas had to offer.

I saw an Elvis, Wonder Woman, Edward Scissorhands, Showgirls and more. I played some slots and won a few bucks. I went to bed psyched to have seen this part of America and excited for what my next leg of my trip would bring.

The drive through the Mojave Desert was awesome. Amazing. Incredible. The wide, open land, the ghost towns along the way, the landscape, the elevation changes. With a headcold raging, that last part wasn't so fun, but this drive was so cool. It's tough to put into words -- there is a magnificent simplicity to this part of our country.

I arrived in Santa Monica, the only familiar place on this trip, and breathed in the Pacific Ocean.I love it here, and this time I was going to get to visit with an old high school friend I'd lost touch with over the years. Thanks to Facebook we connected last year, and this would be the first I'd seen her in more than 15 years.

Laurie was the same and better. She was fun, she was more at peace, she was happy, and she still felt like my sister. We got dinner together all three nights I was there, and she got out of work early on the second day and we rode bikes all over -- from SM through Venice, to Marina Del Rey. I met her lovely wife, we laughed, we reminisced, we vowed never to lose touch again.
I spent my last day in California running along the beach, soaking in some sunshine, going for a long, leisurely bike ride, and breathing in all that this coast has. Then I met Laurie for dinner one last time.

As I boarded my red-eye for my flight home to the east coast, and giggled at Laurie's late text that said, simply, "Don't go!" I realized what an adventure this week had been. I saw new places, I did new things, I visited with good friends. I skipped across America, and loved it.

What a trip.

Minnesota was awesome. Lots of lakes and parks, a fun half marathon with Cindi, a great time catching up and spending time with Brandy and Shawn (thanks for the hospitality!), Sage and Melissa, biking all over town, good beer, and my first malt.

Vegas was awesome. Hot, over-the-top, big, bright. A 3 mile desert run, a tour of Hoover Dam, a little (very little) gambling. Light and water show at Bellagio, dinner on a porch right on the strip, Elvis, showgirls.

The drive from Vegas to LA was awesome. About 4 hours through the desert to the Santa Monica Freeway; it took my breath away. The vast, open, desert land was amazing. Mojave National Preserve, crazy elevation changes, pumping my own gas at a ghost town filling station.

And LA (specifically, Santa Monica) was awesome. I've been there before, and I love it there. Running for miles along the beach path, great weather, long bike rides, people-watching, celebrity sightings. This time, however, what made this trip so amazing was reconnecting with an old high school friend that I haven't seen in more than 15 years. We laughed, played, shared stories, and promised to never lose touch again.

This week was a.w.e.s.o.m.e. Pics to follow. Right now, I need some sleep.

Heading West

After some solid running this week (Tuesday was an 8 mile run with 4 miles at MP in the middle, and I did it!), I also had some miles that made me nervous -- my left achilles is still tightening up on me, so I saw a new doc today. He did some serious ART stuff on me which made me almost cry and then taped me up and gave me the go-ahead to run.

Good thing, 'cause tomorrow I fly to Minnesota to stay with friends and run the Urban Wildland Half Marathon this weekend! I'm not racing it - I'm just going to enjoy running in a state that I've never been to before. I'm going to tour around on Sunday, and then head to Vegas on Monday.

After a night in Vegas (what happens there, stays there!) I'm driving to LA. Woot! I love California. I'm staying in Santa Monica and hopefully visiting with a couple old friends. I may road trip a bit north or a bit south if I feel like it, too.

This is a week of seeing places I've never seen before (MN and Vegas), doing things I've never done (driving from Vegas to LA), and taking the days as they come. I'm going to run in all three states, I'm going to do touristy things, and I'm going to catch up with people I haven't seen in a long time.

And then, I'll fly home and really appreciate my last couple weeks of summer vacation.