Starved Rock State Park

Once or twice a year my parents meet us roughly half way between our respective homes in Iowa and Indiana. That place is Starved Rock State Park in Uttica, Illinois.
Please scroll down to see some snapshots from our trip there last weekend...

Can you find Laura and Logan?

Can you find Logan?(hint:click on picture)

Bottom of the ravine

Father and son on a rock

Mini Golf

Techno Bella

Lookin at you sideways

Beautiful Laura

Cajun Ron and his kitchen crew doing what they do best. Besides the fact that Uttica, Illinois is roughly halfway between my parents and ourselves, the real reason we go there is the Cajun Connection cajun restaurant. This is the real deal folks. The restaurant is built inside of an old farmhouse. It is slightly surreal eating there primarily because of the location . One doesn't really expect to find an authentic cajun restaurant in the middle of an Illinois cornfield. The food is incredible and the atmosphere is 100% Louisiana.

Radioactive

If You're Going To San Francisco

Laura and I spent a week in San Francisco.
We got to hang out with Laura's sis Erica and her husband, Chris, who live there.
I took lots of pictures as you can see below...

CLICK ON THESE 2 PICTURES FOR A FULL SIZE IMAGE.
THE ONE BELOW IS THE VIEW FROM OUR HOTEL ROOM.

"You Are An Ironman"

Last weekend we went down to Louisville, Kentucky for the inaguaral Louisville Ironman Triathlon. We met our buds Joe and Kelly to watch Joe's sister and brother-in-law compete.
It was amazing. 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and a 26.2 mile run. The race began at 8:00 a.m . and the winner crossed the finish line at 3:38 p.m.. The course was officially closed a bit past midnight. Those who finished after the cutoff received no official time and the dreaded DNF ("did not finish"). Brutal...after being out on the course for over 17 hours and going the distance, still no medal or "finisher" t-shirt.

Watching the race was inspiring. I've done 2 short distance triathlons this summer and have caught the triathlon bug. I've committed to completing an Ironman before I turn 40. I'm doing a half-marathon this October and then next summer I plan on doing the full marathon. Possibly the summer after that I attempt the Ironman.