LAST ENTRY; AUG 20TH 2007

We have been home for a week now, and are slowly starting to settle into a normal routine.
To say that there was a "to-do" list when we got home was an understatement. I had had 3 days of driving home to think about exactly what I wanted to do when we got home.
1st. After spending about a week and the Mayhew house in Chilliwack, and enjoying their front porch, it was time to make our front porch a more comfortabel place to be. Kathy and I went out to Canadian Tire and bought 7 Muskoka chairs, a 10'x10' gazebo, a wrought iron bench, an outdoor carpet, deck lighting, and cushions for the chairs. After a couple days worth of assembly, we now have a very comfy, very country like front deck. With over 500' ft. of deck space, there is more than enough room to accomadate the new furniture, the BBQ, several potted plants, and several bird feeders. I think it looks great, and am looking forward to spending alot more time out there. Up until this point it have been a virtually unused bit of real estate, and now a part of our home. Thanks to the Mayhews for the insiration, and the ideas.
2nd- Lose that 10 lbs!!! With 3 weeks of no excercise, and eating like kings ( plus the odd beer!)
I seem to have put on an extra few pounds. I mean I still have my 6-pack stomach, its just now its behind the keg! So I really need to hit the gym hard, so what better way than to burn it all off than on a bicycle? The way I see it, if Michael and Liz, can pedal across Canada, than I should be able to do at least 30 or so kms a day on my mountain bike.
Russ and Kathy are also in the market for a new mountain bike, so we go shopping! Luckily in Barrie we have 3 stores that offer nothing but the best, for all your riding needs.
After going to all 3 for a couple hours each ( Kathy always did say I won't buy anything unless I have exhausted all my options, and she is right!) We all finally selected our new bikes,
Kathy got a new Diamond Back, entry level free-ride, dirt jumper, mountain bike with a few goodies on it, Russ got a 2nd hand cross-country, trail riding Schwinn, and I treated myself to a new "Raw" from Rocky Mountain Bikes, Flow Series. A serious hardtail frame, adjustable front susp., disc brakes, and a few other tricks.
So its off the the trails, Russ and I rode together for a couple days, until he had to go back to Toronto, and I keep it up, everyday trying to burn off that extra weight, and also train, in preperation for my day ride with Michael and Elizabeth. I have to be able to keep up with them, on the road, which common sense tells me it won't be easy!
Other than that , Kathy is getting ready to go back to work, I am probably taking the rest of the summer off.
Ryder is doing better than ever, we had him swimming again Sunday in a pool, and he is starting to enjoy real food! For the first time he has tried a couple different cerials, cookies, and an assortment of fruits.
I think this is where I am going to end the blog, hope you got something out of reading it, maybe an idea, or a chuckle, you must have gotten something if you are reading this right down to the last line.... Signing off for now, and already thinking about what we might do next year, keep in touch./..Chris, Kathy, and Ryder Cooke.