Riley Reunion 2011

This was also Aunt Margaret's 98th birthday.

The Kids running in the forest.

Lena ask What?

Grand Ma Diane ask What?

Uncle Joe ask What?

Chevla not saying anything.

My cousins and siblings that came. Front row left to right. Carol,Nancy,Karen and Nelda.
Back row Mike,Mary,Me,Diane and Walter.

Meanwhile Down the Road....Ragbrai

What is RAGBRAI?
RAGBRAI, The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is an annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state. Heading into its 39th year, RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest and longest bicycle touring event in the world. Des Moines Register Media has been the title sponsor of RAGBRAI since 1973.

So someone didn't think of maybe they thought it was a great idea to have Bix and Ragbrai on the same weekend. 20,000 runners and about the same amount of bikers all coming to the downtown area. Well it turned out ok. One of the big things for the riders is to dip their tire into the Mississippi since they do that at the beginning in the Missouri River.

The funniest think that I heard that day was a lady on her bike asking where the Isle of Capri Hotel was at. Explained that is was about 5 miles further up river. She was upset. They told her the hotel was near the dip point. I said to her...You road across the fricking state and your whining about another 5 miles.

Dipping of the tires. Because of flooding it made it easier to get to river.

Bikers everywhere.

Giant sponsor kites, This is the Genesis one

Bix 7 2011

I helped out at the Bix again this year. This is my 6th year of helping in the Med Tent....well not really in...I'm one of the people that looks for distressed runners when they come across the finish line. It was almost 90 when the race stared and the humidity...OH Dear. I don't get to watch the race anymore. We went over to see the beginning when all the runners have hope and energy. But since the front runners can be back in 30 minutes its off the the finish line.

they are off

Up Brady St hill the first and worst of the the eight more to come

Coming over the finish line...

Leanne trying to show off and doing two fisted spraying.

Nancy spraying incoming

Busy med tent

Busy Med tent

Street Fest

Before the open house at Bucktown Arts. Kathy,Jane and I hit the Street fest going on down town.

Lots of booths of stuff. Nothing much caught my eye. A rock with my name on it ...NO...

Looking east down 2nd street. This year patchouli was the smell for most of one block. Not a pleasant smell for me

In case anyone got overheated 

Sign for the street fest

Bigger sign for the Street Fest

Santa Mel out on the Street.

The Figge was free so we went in and looked around. This is the view from their patio

Ducks coming in to feed

View off the skybridge. The Clock tower and roller dams at the Arsenal

Part of down town

Getting the med tent ready for a busy day.

Bucktown Open House.

I didn't take any pictures of the art because no one else was....but I thought these were neat

The Kraken Did invade Bucktown.

A view of Buck town from the Sky Bridge its in the upper left corner with the four windows showing