What’s it like to be back at work? Awwwwwwwwwww. I’m still unwinding from RAGBRAI. Besides the elbow I feel awesome, like I usually do afterwards. Its so invigorating being out in nature for a week and not in a stuffy office. The secret is find something or someone so I can maintain this feeling through the year….easier said then done. Still haven’t fully unloaded the bus, let alone cleaned it. Maybe tonight on that, the boys can help a little.

I have updated the team page , a little on the log, and put up some of the pictures I took from RAGBRAI. I usually don’t take my camera too much as I’d probably lose or break it for sure. That’s why the pictures are so limited.

Blaise had his first soccer practice last night…..I was so fun to watch these 5 year olds try to play soccer….very cute!

I have nothing planned the rest of this week through next as I’m just going to unwind…of course that could change.

Summerjam is Saturday in Newton

Deep Thoughts of the Day: I think a pillow should be the peace symbol, not the dove. The pillow has more feathers than the dove, and it doesn't have a beak to peck you with.

Here are all the winners at the 2007 Tour de France.

Alberto Contador (Spain) won the General Classification, aka, the Yellow Jersey. At age 24, he also won the best young rider classification, known as the White Jersey.

Discovery Channel put two cyclists on the podium, Contador and US cyclist Levi Leipheimer . As Discovery and its predecessor, US Postal Service, they've won the Tour eight out of the past nine years. Might want to give a big dose of credit to Johan Bruyneel for that. Discovery won the team competition.

Belgium's Tom Boonen (Quickstep) won the points competition, aka the Green Jersey. He also won two stages along the way.

Newcomer Mauricio Soler (Colombia) of the Barloworld team took home the polka dot jersey in King of the Mountain competition. He's also a young guy we'll hear from in the future.

Wim Vansevenant (Belgium) of Predictor - Lotto won the lanterne rouge competition,which means he finished last. I doubt if Vansevenant set out to win this competition, but one reason he finished 3 hours and 53 minutes behind the leader was because he spent his days helping the team boss, Cadel Evans, who became the first Australian ever to finish on the podium in Paris.

To see how everyone finished, check results for Tour de France Stage 20 at CyclingNews .

This picture is real - not doctored in any way - and was taken by a Transportation Supervisor for a company that delivers building materials for 84 Lumber. When he saw it in the parking lot of IHOP, he went to buy a camera to take pictures.



The car is still running, as can be witnessed by the exhaust

The driver finally came back after the police were called, and was found crouched behind the rear of the car, attempting to cut the twine around the load! Luckily, the police stopped him and had the load removed.

The materials were loaded at Home Depot. Their store manager said they made the customer sign a waiver.

While the plywood an d 2X4's are fairly obvious, what you can't see is the back seat, which contains - are you ready for this? - 10 bags of concrete @ 80 lbs. each.

They estimated the load weight at 3000 lbs. Both back tires exploded, the wheels bent and the rear shocks were driven through the floorboard.

There are only TWO TYPES of ships SUBMARINES and targets .

That was a long week, but it was nice to be away from civilization for a while.
Things I did or saw...
Missouri River
100's of School buses painted up and modified.
1000's of people.....
One easy on the eyes State Trooper!!!! Deb.
About 12 bands...a few were absolutely awesome....
Bi-Plane ride..
Lots of alcohol.
Baby Deer
Lost 10 pounds...forgot to eat.
Off route parties.
Broken down buses..
Lost people....
Lots of sun-burned bodies!!
Mr. Armstrong and his support crew.
Lots of highway and blacktop.....
Fireworks almost nightly.....
Dan Gable sculpture set to be bronzed for his Waterloo HS.
Return of Marcus and the 1st Battalion 133rd Infantry at Riverfront Stadium in Waterloo, IA....very emotional time!
Field of Dreams
Just a great number of people on vacation and relaxing....
Some great dancing....
Several weirdos
Mississippi River
Scott and Barbs wedding....can anyone say Wedding Crashers?



It was a great RAGBRAI...got kinda old after the first 5 days. So changed it up and didn't do the same.

PS. Dyersville has mucho numeral bars!



Wednesday, the 1st Battalion of the 133rd Infantry, better known as the "Ironman" battalion due to their record setting deployment during World War 2, has returned home from another record deployment. After being gone from home for 22 months, and several months longer than expected due to the troop surge, all but two soldiers returned home to their families and grateful citizens in Waterloo, Iowa.

Having a blast!!!!! Very exhausting...very little sleep...not for the right reasons......need to get going.

I got too much sun yesterday! sleep in a hammack last night in the bus....no since sleeping in the rain.

MARCUS is back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pictures and story will be coming!

There are a few updates on TeamKamikaze, pics and rest of information soon!!!!

Later! Have a great day!!!!!!