Maidei goes on a world tour-Part 1 of the Bicycle Mystery Tour

**Trek-chick** · 12-20-2010, 08:36 AM

I wouldn't mind taking her after Bike Chick. Maybe she would like to do some skiing with me

**Bike Chick** · 12-21-2010, 03:56 AM

Originally Posted by Trek-chick

I wouldn't mind taking her after Bike Chick. Maybe she would like to do some skiing with me

Trek-chick, I'm going to take Maidei along on a ski trip over New Year's Eve and we will see how she likes it! It will be my first time skiing so I won't be able to teach her much. We will plan on sending her your way for some real ski lessons after her visit with me unless there is someone from St. Louis who would like her to visit and we can arrange a personal hand-off.

**Catrin** · 12-30-2010, 12:40 PM

Maidei has safely arrived and is with Bike Chick. She spent a very calm and peaceful Christmas with me, and I am sure that she will have a great time with Bike Chick!

**Bike Chick** · 12-30-2010, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by Catrin

Maidei has safely arrived and is with Bike Chick. She spent a very calm and peaceful Christmas with me, and I am sure that she will have a great time with Bike Chick!

Yes, she has arrived safe and sound in Illinois. We have a lot planned over the next couple of weeks beginning with a new year's day ski trip! This should be fun!!

**Bike Chick** · 01-05-2011, 02:51 AM

Since we were visiting family in northern Illinois, I had Maidiei sent to me there. That way, I wouldn't miss her arrival and she could see the state from one end to the other. We had planned to ski on New Year's Day but the trip was postponed because of 30 mph wind gusts and -5 temps. Everyone was so disappointed, especially Maidiei! She had just found a new pair of skis waiting for her under the tree when she arrived and so wanted to wear them so I took her skiing in the yard. The hills there were a perfect size for her and she had a great time until she took a spill on the biggest one.

We took a road trip instead from Oregon, Illinois, along the Mississippi River to beautiful Galena, Illinois. Galena is a picturesque town in the northwest corner of the state that sits in the Driftless Zone--a region that escaped glaciations during the Ice Age. It is a sleepy little town sitting in a valley that is the home of General U.S. Grant. It reminded me of a Swiss village. I tried to take some pictures of Maidiei in Galena, but it was so windy, she kept falling over and hitting her little head. Poor thing just refused to get out of the car after that!

**Trek-chick** · 01-05-2011, 05:49 AM

Love the skis

If she wants to come up North to MI, I'll show her around the Great lakes State.

**OakLeaf** · 01-05-2011, 07:01 AM

How fun! Glad she's enjoying the "slopes."

**kmehrzad** · 01-05-2011, 08:17 AM

How cool are those skis? Looks like Maidei needs to stay on the Bunny Slope for awhile.

**bmccasland** · 01-05-2011, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by kmehrzad

How cool are those skis? Looks like Maidei needs to stay on the Bunny Slope for awhile.

Maybe she had trouble with the silver cord that comes off the ski tips

**Bike Chick** · 01-05-2011, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by bmccasland

Maybe she had trouble with the silver cord that comes off the ski tips

Ha! Ha! I knew someone would say something about that

**Bike Chick** · 01-05-2011, 02:28 PM

Before we began our long trip home, we visited Lowden State Park where the 48 foot statue of Chief Blackhawk sits on a 70 foot bluff overlooking the Rock River and the town of Oregon.

We got on the road and headed south, making a stop in Bloomington at the bike shop to stretch our legs and do a little shopping. Maidiei enjoyed the trip and was a good passenger. She even took a little nap with Yuki, our dog.

**Bike Chick** · 01-05-2011, 02:34 PM

(Sorry I'm dragging this out but want to add the pictures).

Once we arrived home, Maidiei made herself at home and was thrilled to see the new bike jersey given to her by the River to River Cycling Club.

**Bike Chick** · 01-05-2011, 02:39 PM

Today, Maidiei and I took a trip to Rend Lake and did some riding on the bike trail. She really enjoyed herself and wore her new jersey. After the ride, she took a break on the swings and did a little site-seeing.