My Week that Was - September 18

Hazy sunrise over Lake Monona. 9/11/2021 (dwm)

The skies were hazy Saturday morning and I thought I smelled a hint of smoke as I began my ride.

A red or dark orange sun is an indication of air particles - whether its dirt, smoke, or other pollutants.  It did create a more dramatic picture.

The ride took me into town on the Southwest Commuter trail to Lake Monona I took the photo on right.  A little further north on the west shore, triathletes were practicing on the swim portion of the IRONMAN course tomorrow.  

Speaking of the IRONMAN, as I neared home I passed a small group of riders heading the opposite direction and one of them wished me luck 'tomorrow.'  She was moving too fast to correct her.  I'll just consider her comment the highlight of my career as a tri-athlete!  :-)  

This ride went north and east around Lake Monona, to McFarland and back on the South Yahara Trail then back home on the Capital City path, 43 miles total.

The IRONMAN rode through Verona Sunday.
9/12/2021 dwm photo

 Sunday, athletes spent a third of their day riding through western Dane County and Verona, maybe 30 yards from our door.

 The 112 mile segment passes through twice.  We get to see them as they pedal east on Cross Country Road.

 Our intersection is controlled by a police officer because there is a steady stream of traffic all-day long.  When I went out to watch and cheer around 10:30 there were a dozen people cheering curbside for the competitors.  

It's another event back after Covid cancelled it in 2020.  For the 1,900 competitors (ranging from 18 to 77) and their supportive families, it's a big deal and part of their being.  A tip of the hat and applause is something every finishing athlete deserves.

At the end of the 3rd quarter in the Packer game it felt like a lost cause.  Aaron Rodgers threw interceptions on consecutive possessions while in the first half the defense was completely out of sorts.  It was U-G-L-Y with a capital u.  I wrote in my 'Fearless Forecast' that it is tough to know how a team will do when the starters don't play in the pre-season.  

After this game, my hope is this was one horrible, out-of-synch game and the players will all show up to play next time.  I've haven't felt this bad about a regular season game in a very long time.  It was Rodger's biggest loss as a starter, topping a 31-point loss in 2018.  In 2005, the Packers lost to Baltimore 48 - 3 in a Monday Night game when Brett Favre was playing.  They ended up 4 - 12 that season, so that isn't a good sign.  On the other hand, Tampa lost to the Saints by the same score in 2020 and won the Super Bowl.

We'll see how the Pack responds Monday night when Detroit comes to Green Bay.

Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers are close to clinching the National League Central Division title.  After sweeping Cleveland on a visit to the city on Lake Erie, the Crew had a 14 game lead over its closest rival.  Then they lost twice to Detroit.  It's possible we'll get to see them clinch the division crown at our next game in Am Fam Field.

Split Rock Lighthouse and Lake Superior.
8/25/2021 dwm photo

Thursday I shared our lighthouse visits with a nice group on Oakwood's east campus.  It was the first time including the lights from Minnesota's North Shore, including Split Rock.

Afterwards, one resident came up to say they used to live in Two Harbors, Minnesota which is where we spent the night in the Skiff house at the lighthouse bed & breakfast.

Friday was a productive day to end the week as several projects were wrapped up and progress was made on a couple items due the last week of the month.

Earlier this week the forecast was hot weather for the weekend, but things changed and it sounds like I'll need to pull on the long-sleeve bike jersey tomorrow.

Enjoy your week!