Catching Up, Instragram And Pics

Ive been outta touch lately.  Work got super busy a couple weeks ago, and that means Im worked when I get home, which had been via bicycle, and by the time I clean up, eat dinner and sit down, Im completely done.  Then we took a belated family vacation to Chicago to see my wife's family last week.  We were originally supposed to go last Thanksgiving but the whole family came down with some sorta funk and we couldnt do it

The photos here are from the trip...via Instagram, and Instaport.  Instagram came out with an Android app recently and the trip was the perfect time to try it out.  Today I saw an article on a couple sites that hook up to your instagram account and then download your photos to a .zip file on your computer for use.  So, thanks Instaport!

Now Im back at work and looking at having to work 6, possibly 7, days a week, for a few reasons.  The big ones are that its full on bike season here in Colorado and Im the only mechanic.  Then there's the simple fact that the wife lost her job recently and for some reason unemployment isnt playing ball.  Couple that fact with the one thats she's 7mos pregnant, and the fact that means that no one will openly hire her, and you have the reasons for why we need the loot.  Wish I could go in to more detail, cause I know id love to, but my hands are "tied" due to some pending "things" we're dealing with.  

So for now, enjoy the photos...

the boys at DIA stoked for the plane ride

I saw with my oldest, and he was a champ the whole way. Nice to get compliments on your kids, especially on a plane!

Mom and brother behind us 

my dad taught me to always ask for the "can" of coke, otherwise you just get that stupid lil glass

thats a no brainer, but I suppose someone needs to be reminded

landing in chicago

Midway

lunch was at Mannys Cafeteria! Damn that meatloaf was the bomb!

view from the Hyatt McCormick Place

I have a huge fetish for alleys.  Big city ones are always fun

Navy Pier

going to the Lincoln Zoo

my boys and i at the zoo

spring was kickin

happy easter fools

Waffles breakfast joint on Indiana

I saw these "new" bottles and had to take a pic

gave a shout out to some guys racing in the Boulder Roubaix back in CO

boys had easter egg fun with friends of the wife and kids

the place setting for Passover Seder at the in-laws place

Cafe Society is great lil place to eat and chill

the Jane Addams house and gardens right down the street from Cafe Society 

this was too good to pass up.  my kids will never know what this thing did for us

the day we left it was so nice we had to stop by the park before flying back

my oldest fell asleep on the way to the airport...

but was wide awake for the entire flight home

...boots out

Chicago Time

We've been here for a day and half so far.  The weather has been great, except for the notorious wind Chicago is known for.  Im sure the locals think its nothing, but its a bit of a nuisance since we've been dealing with lots of wind back in Denver this early spring.

Yesterday we went to the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is a free zoo.  I suppose its good for kids and people to see animals they normally wouldnt, but my own opinion leans towards its a pretty damn nasty place of a zoo.  The big animals were pacing back and forth in their cages.  The stench of feces and urine was everywhere.  The sea lion "pool" was more like a toilet.  In the underground viewing area I could see trash in the pool, straws and garbage floating in the water and other debris that shouldnt be there.  In the end, it wasnt the best experience for me, but the kids had fun, and I suppose thats what matters.

Afterwards we split up and the kids went over to their Aunt's place and slept and ate.  I chilled in the room trying to catch up on sleep and let the drugs wear off from the day before.  Those things are evil!

The evening was pretty chill.  We had dinner with Grandma and Aunt then came back to the hotel and the kids passed out with little to no effort.  They slept so well, mom and I were so proud of them.

Today is family breakfast day with some friends of the family and this place called "Waffles"...not quite sure what they sell(pun intended), then easter egg painting and Seder dinner at Grandmas.

Ok, off to get ready and hit the road again!

...boots out.

Kink In The Plans

via 9news.com

Im not sure Ill be riding in tomorrow. Ill have to see what the weather in the morning is doing. Sucks cuz I wanted to get 200 miles in this week, and If its shitty Ill be a bit short.
Reasoning for not riding in in 40's and mix of snow and rain...we're heading out of town this coming thursday, and we have a bad history of getting sick before flying or trips. I dont want that to happen.
Maybe Ill ride in in the morning if its not shitty yet and then get the wife to pick me up. At least that way Ill only be 20 miles off my goal.
There'll be plenty of days/weeks coming up to put lots of miles in.
...boots out.

Posted via email from They Call Me Boots

Day 91...It Hurts

Yes, Ive been riding my bike the past couple of weeks.  From "Zero" to "Hero" as someone said.  I stayed off the bike, completely for about 6mos...long story, wont explain at this point.  I told myself I would start riding to work more, mainly on the weekends cause the wife would be home with the boys.

Well, after another set of unfortunate events, ie the wife getting fired from her job, it wound up being that I could put more time in on the bike and commuting to work.  It works out pretty good for the most part.  I save us 40miles round trip everyday in gas money, and I get to throw myself back into riding again.  The only part that sucks is I dont see my boys as much.  I leave before they get up in the morning and get home just in time for bed.

Thats ok, cause next week, we're headed to Chi-town for a family trip that has been planned for some time now.  Ill be able to hang with them for a super long weekend.

This week my goal is to ride everyday to and from work.  That mileage should be around 200 or so.  Which from sitting on the couch to throwing that down right off the bat, Id say isnt but so bad.  The down side is my legs feel like hell, but I know my body and I know I respond best to completely destroying myself at times.

You can check out the mileage total for this work week on endomondo HERE.  Keep in mind my work weeks are Thursday thru Monday.  As of today im past half way to my goal.  Im really diggin that endomondo app so far.  Just wish I could do a really long ride with it, and not have to worry about the battery dying.  Android OS kinda sucks the life out of those things.

Anywho...

...boots out.