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| biking on art on the legacy bike trail |
I loved meeting and visiting with the Germans. I had already met a couple of them during my bike ride across the northern coast of Germany in 2005. One of the wonderful ladies I met is a marathon runner and we have decided to run a European marathon together next year :) Perhaps Berlin!?
Each day there was a scheduled bike ride. I missed a couple of the rides because of a day trip or laziness, but when I did ride, I had a wonderful time. Weather was perfect in the 70's/80's. The distance I biked ranged from 20-58 miles per day. I also squeezed in a couple fun runs.
We stayed with some of my parent's best friends (who really are like family to me) in their beautiful home. Thanks S&G!!
Here are a few highlights from the trip (and we can't forget THIS fabulous place too):
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| biking along Casey Key...close to Stephen King's home! |
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| hanging with a new Manatee friend |
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| hanging with a 2nd manatee friend!! |
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| Tappan and I at one of the 5 sunsets that we saw. As you may remember from this post, I LOVE sunsets (and sunrises.) |
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| taking a break from the bike ride on Manasota Key |
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| last but not least, my favorite little beach cabana on Casey Key, I'm ready to retire here! |
I did an exchange program when I was in highschool and stayed with a family in Aachen for three weeks during the summer and loved it. Wish there were a program like that for adults my age! I'll have to start one.
Want to do an international marathon with me?!
Depending on my fall plans for next year, I may or may not do Berlin...any other international recommendations for my friend and me? Athens? Paris??
Looks like a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteA marathon overseas would be pretty amazing! My brother works in England so I'm hoping to do a (half) there eventually.
YES and then you can do a full after that :)
DeleteI looooove Florida sunsets -- and Florida in general. What a cool trip! The most beautiful marathon I've run was in Ocala, FL.
ReplyDeleteMy international marathon vote would be the intercontinental marathon that runs over a bridge from Europe to Asia or the Great Wall marathon. So fun!
Oh I've heard of the Great Wall Marathon! I was tempted, but then I thought about how "hilly" it would be and I ruled that one out quickly. But I love the idea in theory!
DeleteAwww looks like the manatees like you! Wonder if dugongs would have the same reaction?
ReplyDeleteNever done an exchange program but I do know I will be recommending it to my offspring (whenever that happens). I think it is a great opportunity that I totally missed out on in life!
I would love to run in Italy, I am just far off from a local race let alone an international one!
You really get some fabulous weekends. Sounds like a great time. That is a lot of biking!
ReplyDeleteI was part of an exchange program in 4-H we we went to Corpus Cristi and the next summer they came up and stayed with us. It was a lot of fun.
Yes, I was able to schedule the week off of work far in advance, I was so proud of myself... we have to schedule our vacation weeks so far in advance (summer vacation weeks need to be requested 5 months ahead of time) so I was so happy it worked out!! Otherwise I just try to stack my 3 days together at the beginning of one week and the end of another :)
DeleteThat looks like a wonderful time. I love the Keys.. and manatees, too. I would love to do a bike trip in Fla. cause it is so flat there!
ReplyDeleteYes Elle, the flat was so crucial for me, I am not a fan of hills--- while running, biking or anything really!
DeleteThat looks like fun! We should go bike touring together one day! :)
ReplyDeleteI did an exchange program to Spain when I was in college. Loved every second of it and I'm dying to go back to visit. I'm still fixated on The Big 5 Marathon in Africa. RUNNING WITH ANIMALS WOULD BE AWESOME!
YES bike touring together, I would love it!!
DeleteOr even better, the big 5, YES!!!
DeleteFriends of mine are planning Rock 'n' Roll Dublin in 2014. I might have to go to cheer them on...
ReplyDeleteYou should run it with them :)
DeleteSounds like an amazing trip! I bet the views on the bike were amazing!
ReplyDeleteYES, you get to see so much on the bike-- so much more than if you were just running, but it's still slow enough (compared to driving) that you get to pick up on a lot of beautiful sights and details :)
DeleteI ran the Rome marathon last year, it was AMAZING! and i have been thinking about doing a teaching exchange to Australia! we'll see! lol I have some friends that ran the Paris marathon a few years ago and loved it!
ReplyDeleteSO jealous you did Rome. I wonder if it's flat and cool! (That's what I look for in a marathon haha.)
DeleteYou should totally do the exchange in Australia, that would be such an amazing experience!!
Glad that you had fun! An international marathon is on my bucket list. I would love to run Paris someday. :-)
ReplyDeleteAlright, Paris, it is-- let's do it hehe :)
DeleteThat looks like fun! Glad you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteYour post put a BIG smile on my face, love reading about your love for Germans :) I heard Berlin marathon is awesome. But Munich is great as well. You finish in the Olympic stadium. Plus it is around the time Oktoberfest is! Let's do it!!!
ReplyDeleteI did a semester abroad when i was 20 in Sweden...AHMAZING! hands down the most life changing best thing i ever did. I don't think ill ever be a fast marathon runner so instead i have marathon goals, running in another country is one of them. I saw a marathon advertised that runs through Italy, Switzerland and France...I would love that!
ReplyDeleteThis isn't a marathon, but my dream race is the Paris-Versailles Le Grande Classique.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.parisversailles.com/lgc_parcours.php?lang=en
Someday....
I never did an exchange program, I just full out moved to France!
ReplyDeleteMake sure you read lots of reviews before choosing which marathon you'll do.
Lyon is the 2nd biggest marathon in France (after Paris) and the reviews are HORRIBLE.