Driving a car is weird

I may have officially lost my mind.
Certify me. I want to get back on the road. Interesting to note: Several folks who saw me in town these last few days remarked on how I've lost weight. Wasn't my goal and I didn't notice. Lol. What I DO know is I cannot seem to get enough food or sleep as I recover from what I refer to as a "feat of pure endurance" these last 3 weeks. It's hard to believe myself that I rode my bike to Connecticut, and after coming home to Minnesota for one day, rode to the Ozark mountains in southern Missouri solo.

...already planning my next trip. Very soon. I'm thinking a weekend on Lake Superior. Never took my bike to Duluth yet.
There's no more hope for me.
I'm a bike trip addict.
Driving a car is weird.

Home.

I arrive back in my little town. Before going to my house, I decide to ride down my mainstreet. I spot my friend Duane's bike at the corner store. I block him in, so he cannot escape my trip diatribe. Turns out he's been following both blogs. 💚

Duane takes a photo of me. The last one of my 3 week trip. As you can see, I'm still smiling. Truthfully? I'm already planning my next trip.....

Ketogenic food is a big part of how I fueled my trip. Something you'll notice about me? When I have cravings, I heed them. Craving seafood, I picked up scallops and shrimp on my way home. I also found a ripe avocado and picked up ingredients for a favorite asparagus recipe (saute asparagus in ghee with walnuts and fresh garlic, add fresh chopped flat leaf parsley when finished). 

For dessert? Fresh raspberries and toasted salted pecans covered in heavy cream.

My first Biker Bar, "The Wooden Nickle"

I was a bit nervous to go in. Funny. I thought all the Harleys out front would be owned by 30/40 something randy young men.

My mistake. They were all couples. Older than me! (I'm 53). Lol
Retired bikers FTW! HA!

I ordered two 1/2 pound burgers with bacon and cheese, no bun, no chips, no fries. It was the only keto thing they had. $14. Not so bad. Plus I needed an air conditioned last stop with solid keto fare to power my last 186 miles home. And an outlet to charge my phone.

I've been playing all day. Time to take the fastest route home from here. I'm ready to get home. And beat deer-o'clock.

Kinda sad to end this awesome 3 week vacation.....

IDK WTF is in that relish jar, but it's not sweet, and I'm eatin' it.

I ate ALL the dill pickles. Salt cravings much??

Beautiful day riding up 35. Wisconsin side home

Prairie du Chien Wisconsin.

10,000 on the odometer

Epic day.

Dubuque espresso

Ran into "Trish" from Winona Minnesota.
She offered to take my photo.

Last trip Day & looking for beautiful sights

Packing up and leaving my hotel in Dubuque Iowa.  Headed home. 11 day solo bike trip. Beautiful day. Swam, hot tubbed, showered. Now to abuse some espresso.....
I hope to find some interesting things on the way home. I'm taking 52, but may head over to the river and Winona area. It's so beautiful outside. I'm taking my time getting home. Only 250 miles to go. I think I'll add a few more....

Looks like a wild party last night. Just me. Enjoying all the hotel amenities. And a morning nap. Lol

Deer-o'clock and room service

It is important to me that I arrive at my destination before dusk, to reduce the chances of possibly hitting a deer. Very important.

I normally am thrifty and had planned to pick something up for dinner at a grocery, but by the time I had checked into the hotel, I was exhausted. Room service to the rescue!

Dig this:
- Buffalo hot wings with ranch.
- A half pound bunless beef burger with mushroom, Swiss, and an over easy egg.
- A side salad with blue cheese dressing
- And a side of garlic butter asparagus

When I'm hungry?
....watch out. I can ketofy anything anywhere.

Powered by ketones

Dunn Brothers stop. Cold press with heavy cream. It's all the fuel I need to ride 300 miles. I'll find some kind of protein to indulge in tonight. I'm craving seafood. Maybe I'll polish off a bag of cooked shrimp. Dipped in melted butter. My hotel room has a microwave.
It's an incredibly wonderful day. High 70's. I'm ready to stop for the day already. 100 miles to go before Dubuque. I've already started taking side roads and exploring tiny towns on my route.
I plan to completely investigate Minnesota now. No one is safe. If you live there I'll be by. No doubt about it.

I got gypsy in my blood, and there's no stopping me now. I love this entirely too much. And being ketogenic makes the travel so much more simple. I can intermittent fast whenever it's convenient. My body temperature is cooler too. There is no way I could have handled these 90+ degree days with humidity off the charts and a heat index over 100* F without my excellent fat adaptation!

Here's a lizard pic for my favorite motorcyclist, Peyton:

I love my keto life.

Pancakes and Lizards

Tammy Kidd sent me off today with bacon and super low carb pancakes this morning. They're made with coconut flour, mayonnaise and eggs!

Peyton wanted to see the pannier lizard again. 100 miles into my 600 mile trip, I stopped to take a photo for her.

I'll be stopping for the night in Dubuque, about halfway to Minneapolis. I booked a really nice hotel again, with an indoor swimming pool. I'll be arriving early and enjoying the amenities. 

I stopped in Bowling Green Missouri.  I asked for 3 shots of espresso,  the young girl did not understand how to work the machine, so ended up with 10 shots. I'll be sipping on this high octane fuel all day.

I never would have been able to physically endure this trip if I weren't in ketosis. The mental clarity and physical edge keto gives me made this possible.

It's cool outside today and gorgeous.

I've had such a wonderful trip. Fantastic people, beautiful sights! Spoiled rotten I was.

I'm already thinking about when and where my next trip will be ......

Who wants to go with me?

Badass Diabetes Warriors

My good friend Tammy Kidd. As badass as they get. 

I'm proud to know her.

Even though she FORCED me to sleep with a Harley blanket all week. SMDH

Meat Up in St. Louis

What a fine group of people. I saw familiar faces and met a few new ones. A blue rare ribeye steak cooked perfectly at The Block, along with some flash fried Brussels sprouts in citrus seasoned shallots. I also ordered a sous vide beef rib as an "appetizer".

I DO WHAT I WANT

A sample of in house homemade garlic seasoned pork rinds and a Jack & Coke completed my meal. The waiter brought out bowls of butter as requested, herb flavored by the chef. Special.

Good times.

St. Louis Missouri

Had to visit the arch one more time. I leave for Minnesota in the morning. I'm not usually one for man made features, but this is beyond impressive. You HAVE to see this.

The ride down to the arch park was covered with cobblestone, lined with sidewalk cafes, and embellished with horse drawn carriages. It was a trip riding that dirt bike down those rough streets. I drew more than a few stares.

Clayton, Missouri

Because Mike Zorn.

Curious about the city my friend Mike works for, Clayton is a western suburb of St.Louis Missouri. A beautiful city with several parks and colleges and many brick buildings.
I found a coffeeshop. Starbucks will have to do. I get their cold press, no added water, light ice, no sweetener. Add an inch of heavy cream.
Perfect.

Pork rind pancakes for Tammy Kidd & family

Tammy's husband Steve thought for certain they'd taste like pork rinds. He was pleasantly surprised. I even made a Mickey Mouse shaped one for their granddaughter Peyton. It was big and she ate the whole thing!

https://www.ketogenicforums.com/t/pork-rind-pancakes-or-waffles-youre-welcome/7476

7/27/17 Lazy rainy day

After several cups of coffee, I caught up on my blog and Tammy finished some work. Then I took a nap. It was rainy. When the afternoon dried out I rode my bike to the local station for air, bought a few shots of espresso, then back to park in Tammy's garage. Her granddaughter Peyton parks her bike right next to my bike. I am honored. She's 4.

Tammy picked up cream cheese stuffed bacon wrapped chicken breasts when she was out at work. Got it at the local butcher. O.M.G. So yummy! Plus she made jalapeños stuffed with cheesy ground sausage. 

So good!!

Steve Kidd's Ranger, flying fish, & the most keto restaurant ever

Wednesday July 26. Busy day! I'm being spoiled rotten again!

Tammy's husband Steve hooks up his Ranger boat and hauls it to the Mississippi just to take me out special. Tammy and granddaughter Peyton too.

 Asian carp jump out of the water in the shallow parts of the river.
It was crazy. Several landed IN the boat, including a 5+ pound one that hit me in the leg.

 The sound of the motor startles them.

 This fish was HUGE. I wonder if it tastes good.

 This is Peyton and her grandpa Steve.

 Tammy and I go to a local restaurant tonight called Fast Eddie's Bon Aire in Alton. It had keto selections that were dreamy. Steak and pepper kabob, dry rub spicy chicken wings on a stick, homemade bratwurst, and lovely peel and eat shrimp  (we ate a dozen each!).

Sleeping with Dr. Fung

Four tiny kittens at Tom's house.

Dr. Fung. I named him when he was a kitten last November. He slept with me in the RV then.

A handsome guy, that Dr. Fung.

He sleeps with me again.