Time to Pack for TDF #101...

Today's Stage was a mix of mowing, trimming, laundry, housekeeping, last minute errands, power conversion technology, checking lists, calling credit card companies, and giving Hotshot some place to live for two weeks (no, not Jaqueline... Jannelle's fish is named Hotshot).

The TDF (an acronym for Tour de France) was less crashtacular today than yesterday... although a Gerolsteiner rider looks to have fallen and broken his clavicle (collar bone), and the guy who's nice yellow jeep he leaned his bike on seemed mostly concerned with Sven (the rider). There were bouts of rain and sun... mostly, it was uneventful. The Devil Guy did show up today though, with a fork that is shaped to represent the number 101. This is the 101st anniversary of the first TDF.

We're hearing and seeing exciting signs of growing popularity amongst Americans. Leno's guests last night were seen wearing 'Live Strong' yellow (the www.wearyellow.com yellow wristbands). If you don't have one, get one. It signifies that you care, that you support cycling, that you are concerned with cancer and survivorship (which comes in many forms these days). We even saw one on the wrist of our Sports Authority salesperson today ! In fact, many of the riders in the peleton (non-Americans) are wearing these as well.

Back to packing... did you see all that stuff...??? Believe it or not, we did not have to spend an hour getting the girls to put away things they would never need. In fact, it is Dad who has the largest pile of crap to haul around. Notably, the remaining space in each of the girls packs will allow them to shop, while I sample goods that will remain in France (the wine, the cheese, the bread, the art, the buildings, the smell, etc.).

Well, we'd better get our packing done. There's still dinner and a movie to go before we lay down our heads for the last night in the States (until our return, of course). Stay posted... drop us a line... start a blog... plan your next vacation... go somewhere... get outside... and most of all, do it 'wearing yellow'. - The Howell's