Missing Dad at Bedtime

Bedtime is the hardest time, according to Mom, when Dad is away.

First, it's hard enough just to get five girls in their pajamas, get them to brush their teeth, read them a story and help them say their prayers. Then toss in the fact that you're doing it by yourself and it can be a real challenge.

The good news is that Mom is feeling much better after her recent bout with illness.

Julia left Dad a message on his cell phone the other night. "Dad, I miss you!," she said, sobbing. "This is Julia." It was a real heart-breaker, as you can imagine.

This morning (Thursday), it is absolutely pouring rain here in Monterey, Calif. That is not good for the riders, who will ride 134 miles along the coast (on Highway 1). It is sure to be a day for the hard men of bicycle racing. Between the wind and the rain and the up-and-down terrain, I'm glad I'll be in a car and not riding my bike.

Here's a few pictures from yesterday's stage 3, which finished in San Jose. Lance Armstrong was here, riding in the Discovery Channel team car. The picture above is of the broom wagon, which "sweeps" up riders who cannot make it to the finish.


Clockwise from top left: The setting for the post-race press conference. Levi Leipheimer is looking more and more like Lance Armstrong. The skies threatened rain, but nothing ever fell from the skies.