Several more involved extreme cold, such as visiting ice shanties on White Bear Lake and pedaling around on the Bear Bike with feet that were completely numb. Ellen and Sadie came along for those, and to see the stunning ice caves in Bayfield, WI, which involved a long walk on the frozen Lake Superior.
Back home, I joined a flash mob dancing at the North St. Paul car show, having learned some steps at a birthday party session earlier that week. After I jumped in, and realized how many were watching, I went panicky and completely cotton-mouthed. I almost bailed, but pushed through to wrap up my most public adventure and the one with the greatest opportunity for embarrassment. Not overly impressed with my dancing but acknowledging my courage, Sadie commented afterward, "I'm both proud and disappointed in you."
And in the midst of many scheduled adventures, my friend Cathie surprised me with my first-ever jet ski ride; she even let me drive it and then take Ellen and Sadie for a spin. What a special treat!
So the birthday is next Monday, the 21st. I'll post the entire 50-before-50 list then in a new blog. There are still 8 days left to add new items to replace some of the lame ones, but as of now there are 50 done! Whew!