It started out as a ride down to the nail salon and a coffee shop -- then home. Would have been 15-18 miles.

DH rode down with me. He was going to meet a buddy at the coffee shop and hang out waiting for me to join them for the ride back home.

Confusion about the "appointment" had me detouring to the coffee shop first, while younger daughter got her nails done, then back to the salon, where my older daughter did my nails -- they're VERY pretty! (salon owner prefers she does family on her off days)

While I was at the salon, DH stopped by with Mark, to see how long I would be yet (another half hour minimum, daughter told him, but she practices new techniques on me, so I knew it would be more like another hour) He and Mark left, heading home. Mark took DH on his "new" route, which stretched the ride for DH a bit.

Daughter and I talked about what other route could I take home than the reverse of my ride down into town. Picked out a fun one, that I was considering -- it was chilly this morning, and I kinda wanted to just get home, in out of the cold! (a little of the heat some of you are struggling with would be kinda welcome here!) DH called to see if I was headed home yet. He wasn't home himself, but he was concerned that I was going to be riding alone. For some reason, he's convinced I can't ride safely on my own in traffic. I'm going to crash, he says. You would think I was prone to tipping over or something! Or maybe idiotic maneuvers in traffic?

Daughter told him I was considering an alternate route -- and told him what we had talked about. (I was in a "can't touch anything state) He said oh no she CAN'T DO THAT! Which was, of course, a challenge to do it!

So, my ride was an extra twelve miles today, for a total of 32.6. From downtown, I rode out to the edge of town, and then under the freeway to the desert road that runs behind the airport. Less traffic than DH thought I'd have to deal with (the only scary part was passing by the freeway on-ramp area and under the bridge where the road was narrow) He was also pretty sure that I wasn't going to have any road shoulders, but they were close to an entire lane wide, making for PLENTY of room to ride! I think it's actually a pretty popular route.

It was pretty today, since it's still cool and wet here, so the desert plants are all still green. Not much wildlife -- a few birds, and a few chipmunks or chipmunk like critters. One of the chipmunks was standing on top of his little hillock looking like a meerkat. One dead jackrabbit. Poor guy got decapitated! Some cows and horses too --

DH said to call him if I wanted a ride. I did call at one point, to let him know where I was -- He answered the phone with "are you ready for me to come get you?" (Silly DH!)

Karen in Boise