Finding Rich (not to be confused with Finding Nemo)

Saturday, July 31, 2010
0 miles

We woke up early this morning and looked out our window to the 3rd street bridge - there was a stirring of bike riders already crossing to the "Dip Site" to dip their tires in the Mississippi River after finishing RAGBRAI. Those guys must have started at 4am to be here so soon.

Janel and I decided it is aerobic activity day and head out for a jog along the bridge and down to the RAGBRAI ending site. We hoot and holler our congratulations at the riders we pass on the way. They smile and are happy for the support. After a brief rest we make the jaunt back to our hotel to roust John-man and get some grub.

We end up at Cafe Manna Java - a small restaurant on Main Street where we can start to watch some of the riders as they come into town. We choose to sit outside and enjoy a pleasant breakfast.

Main steet scene

crossing the bridge

Cattle crossing

Since we don't know when Rich will be approaching, we make our way down to the ending site at the river and stake out a shady spot to listen to the jazz band and watch the hoard of bikers coming in. The scene is great with colorful jerseys, unusual costumes, exuberant families and happy bikers. We scan all the groups to get a glimpse of Rich. I overheard a waiting couple saying that looking for one rider is like looking for a "needle in a stack of needles."

Where's OUR needle?

almost there

Janel and John are excited to see the "Spirit of Dubuque" sternwheeler. . .

mass confusion at the dip site

the mighty Mississippi

Finally, Janel spots an Arizona jersey. It's Phil! And Jack is right beside him! Yeah!!

Phil, Jack & Lisa at the dip site

Phil, Lisa, Paul & Jack

I finally clamber up onto a high ledge where I am literally in the catbird seat to watch for Rich.

Where is he???

YESSSS!

He made it!!

Rich rolls in and we are elated to see him! We follow him while he dips his tire ceremoniously in the Mississippi - a proud moment for all. He looks no worse for the wear and has had a great ride.

I did it!!


end of the line

a hero's welcome!

After riding 442 miles he still has to carry his bike up the stairs. . .

Rich has to return to Pork Belly Ventures (the company that has taken care of his camping arrangements, etc. to pack up his bike for shipment to AZ. Suffice it to say that although Pork Belly has looked to be very organized on the surface, when examined at a closer level, they are severely lacking. Rich stood in line with his bike for almost 2 1/2 hours in the sun waiting to get it packed for shipping.

waiting and waiting

Rich's bike was almost the last bike to be prepared for shipping and we all waited it out with him. As we returned to our hotel, Johnny pack-muled Rich's bags to the room and told Rich that next year if he were paid the same $ as Pork Belly he would "pork pie" all of Rich's arrangements for him. Hmmmm

Johnny being a pack mule

We all went back to our luxury room for a bit where Rich took a much needed clean shower. We then headed back to where the RAGBRAI festivities were firing up for the evening. We had diner reservations at the Star Brewery right on the waterfront and there was already a band set up nearby. We grabbed some beers and sat to listen for happy hour. Great people watching.

making a beer run

There was an audience participation trivia game going on and I made quite the spectacle when I was the only one around who knew the answer to the question "Who was Paul McCartney's latest ex-wife?" (Heather Mills, duh). I was invited up to get my prizes which included tickets to some show in Dubuque and a losing lottery ticket. Fun!

collecting my winnings

yet another beer run

We ended up on the upstairs outdoor patio of Star Brewery for dinner where we could still hear the music from the lawn. While the food was not spectacular (a whole other story) the company was fantastic and we had a great time.

view of RAGBRAI festivities from our table

During the walk home I spied the Diamond Casino and convinced Rich to make a stop. The kids went on to the room while we entered the den of eniquity. I found a penny machine and gingerly stuck in five dollars. Within 15 seconds I had won $50 and Rich tried to convince me to walk away. Well. . . I was tempted by the Glitter Kitty machine that turned out to be very good to me for a while. 30 minutes and $50 later we walked back to the room.

Long drive to Evansville tomorrow. We can't wait to see family and relax and have some great home cooked meals.

Like 200 miles or somethin

Nell and I begin our morning with some healthy lower body exercises in the legit weight room at The James. Mom decides to wimp out. We think she is just lazy. We still love her.

After we get back Mzom suggests we head to Yolk for breakfast, a local popular spot. The place is packed, full of patrons eagerly awaiting their cholesterol and nutrients.


I enjoy my french toast and apples as blurry Mom attempts to cool her imaginary meal at a distance. After breakfast Nell and Mommums head off to do a little shoppin while I catch some zzz with a little nap. We have left this day open as it isn't too far to Debuque, so I suggest we hit up the Chicago Museum of Science and Technology.

It has come to my attention that this camera of ours is quite low on batteries and we have left the charger in Lincoln. No big deal in the long run as they will bring it to us in Evansville, but for now it means I'll have to be a little conservative with my photo taking.


The museum is amazingly massive and filled to the brim with absurd attractions and crazy cool exhibit, including storm simulators and Tesla coils. We decide we have to be choosy about what exhibits to visit due to the sheer size of the building.


Here's a cool exhibit about projectile trajectory that throws tennis balls across the room.


Of course instead of using my limited photo time on cool, working exhibits, I decide to capture the most derp of them all.


I love Windows XP!

Glad to see some programs are still written with 16 color monitors in mind.


Ah, but we are approaching the plumbing exhibit! Nell is quite excited about this one.


The glamorous world of plumbing.

After our exciting adventure into the world of the skilled laborer, we decide that it would be best to head out on our way to avoid night driving. Getting out of Chicago isn't so bad... until we experience the industrious, ingenious, and invigorating Illinois highway system. Traffic is bunched up for miles with construction, rain, and tolls never ending. Perhaps an hour or two later then we expected, we arrive in Debuque, Iowa, the final destination for our father's journey.

We are all hungry and tired from the trip, so we head out to eat. Surprisingly for such a small town we find some fantastic eats.


The cook even came out to explain her recipes and give us some eating tips in New Orleans! How nifty.


Everything is better then expected.

And now it is sleepy time. Rest comes to us all.

Chi-town Round III

The skulking kung-fu robeast rouses us from lush dreamscapes. The James Hotel really does provide all variety of services.


Today is our final full day in la Ciudad del Viento, and we got a whole lotta walkin' to do. Aeolus shines good fortune upon his most favored subjects; it is a maximally gorgeous morning.


Chicago is stunning in so many ways. It is the character of New York minus the attitude, the relaxation of San Francisco minus the hipster. It is a total foodie paradise and utterly walkable. It has a friggin' BEACH. The ~40 minute sunshined walk to brunch is an obvious highlight of the day.


John, famous Jarritos-spokesboy, scores a freebie Amp in a clear malicious attempt to thwart prior branding plans.


We settle in at Cafecito, home of legendarily succulent Cuban sammiches. I peruse electric disco fashion photography while they are assembled.


Mom's chivito - steak, ham, bacon, fried egg, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, onion, shoestring potatoes, and citrus mayo - is the most picturesque, but my ropa vieja - slow roasted skirt steak, sweet plantain, black beans, and tomato creole sauce - is practically disintegrating with goodness. John chows a tuna somethingorother, which he claims is "happening". The crispy bread is particularly exceptional, as well as the dark, rich coffee.


Time waits for no man, however; upon finishing our final crumbs, we head straightaway to our second destination. Millenium Park, situated at water's edge, is varied in color, texture, and accoutrements. Unexpected sculptures abound in the midst of bright swathes of thriving flowerbeds. Summer has definitely kissed this corner of the earth, likely slipping in a little tongue.


The Thunderdome!!! Also known as Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Spacey piano music loops its way around playfully careening frisbees.


Mom, shockingly, has an agenda. Codenamed "El Frijol Espejo," her plan involves seeking out a giant reflective bean. We suspect foul play until rounding the corner on this lil' beastie.


It's called "Cloud Gate" by the sculptor, "Dude, Whoaaaaaaaa" by its spectators.


We


take


turns.


All together now!


We are not alone.


Reflective frivolities aside, it is time to prove our mettle as Ferris Bueller diehards. The Art Institute of Chicago beckons.


"Do something artsy."


I love these behemoths, entitled "Ice." Think they're Gerhard Richter pieces.


The wall blurb claims that "subtle brushstrokes" make these 100% white works worthy of inclusion on museum walls, to which I say " ".

If you stare into the Abyss long enough, the Abyss stares back at you.
Friedrich Nietzsche

More love. Want very much to do collage work within this kind of aesthetic.


Mom contemplates the eternal.


Mom and the famous Capital-A Art (it actually IS p cool to see all the zillions of dots in person!).


There's no dedicated area for statues (like the Louvre), but the ones we find hither and thither are captivating. Check out the horse's skin texture.


Many dead things.


And one live thing.


Hello.


Mom is totally uninterested by ancient art, but I'm fascinated - look how the shadow further multiplies the movement of the limbs. I love the urgency of this pose, and just think how long ago this was crafted. Pretty incredible.


Great art takes all shapes and sizes.

We tire long before exploring all the massive wings and head back to the James Hotel by way of Nordstrom, where I pick up a few essentials. We gussy up and head North towards our dinner destination.


Photo ops along the way are fully taken advantage of.

It's true!

It's a bit of a hike to Riccardo's Trattoria, and we're the first ones to filter in at the early bird hour of 5 PM. We have good reason, however - our tickets to an 8 PM Second City performance tonight are first-come, first-serve seating, and we like to languish our way through dinner.


"Languish" might be, indeed, the sole applicable word for the experience of savoring white-wine soaked burrata and prociutto accompanied by prosecco and oven-fresh peppered foccacia.


Al dente orecchiette with wild boar sausage handmade on the premises, accented with rapini, explosive sun-dried tomatoes, and pecorino cheese.


Irresistible rabbit provenzale with white wine, artichokes, olives, and herbs du Provence, including a giant bay leaf.


The cleaner: the silkiest panna cotta possible, kissed all over by a flirtatious passion fruit coulis.

When we do manage to extricate ourselves from the vice grip of Italian delicacies, we turn out to be near the very front of the waiting line for Second City, ensuring the real possibility of being sweat upon by a real live actor.


We try our own hands at funny biz while in line.


Woobert.


Glee. (don't stop.... belieeeeeevin)

The show is absolutely excellent and highly recommended. But this blog is about MY comedy, so for more specifics, go see it yourself (salt boners!).


Free pizza?