Notes from Steve

I’m back.  I’m back from spending most of February elsewhere - 2 different weeks.  I never do this, and it was a lot of fun, but it was also just a lot of a lot.  I talked to a couple of friends who are retired, and they told me how much they love traveling.  Not that I’m not thankful and happy for my traveling, but there is also something to be said of the “staycation”.  Avoiding the airport at all costs.  (There was a disagreement in the Key West airport - a couple of drunk gals were told they couldn’t board the plane, and they freaked out.  They were too drunk and belligerent when they were sitting by me - I predicted there would be a scene, and there was.  It was sort of fun to watch.)

A group of us* rode the Keys in Florida on our bicycles.  I’ve never been down there before, and one thing I noticed was there were chickens everywhere.  Everywhere.  Chickens, in general, freak me out and to have them hopping up on tables and getting very close to me was interesting. I did better than I thought I would.   This is a pic of us at the southern most spot in the continental USA. 

After I got back, I instantly got sick. Headache, cough, fever … It feels like every time I’m on a plane I catch some sort of disease (flu - most likely). Sarah saw me at work today (this is Friday, and I took a day and a half off), and she said I don’t look like I’m back to 100% yet - I told her I’m about 85%. Taking a vacation is exhausting.

*The people I ride bikes with consistently.  When we talk about “belonging” this is a group I want to ride with and they want me to ride with them.  And I made them all wear mustaches.