Circumstances prevented me from actually attending RAGBRAI 2008, but that doesn't mean it had no effect on me. On the contrary, I may have the best record of the culinary experience. Here is my journal

• Saturday - Kent sends me pictures of food on my phone, and I get pictures of Hal and Ivan
• Sunday - Kent sends me pictures of food on my phone
• Monday - Kent sends me pictures of food from Marcia's phone
• Tuesday - Kent sends me pictures of food on my phone. Marcus sends me a picture of a cookie on a stick.
• Wednesday - I receive so many pictures of food on my phone that it crashes and it takes me 2 hours to get it working again. I am amused.
• Thursday - I received only one picture of food. I thought it was my phone, but apparently that was all. It must have been a weak day for food.
• Friday - Kent sends me pictures of food on my phone. It is long since full and I am deleting themes, applications and anything else I can find to keep it working. I can't receive calls until I do. I am actually still amused.
• Saturday - A picture of very tired people on a bus...and more food.
• Sunday - You might be surprised, but I'm not. More food.

• A month later - Thinking that RAGBRAI has come and gone and I missed it, but had a few impressions. There is one final reminder. My cell phone bill has $30 in charges for pictures received.  It was a good trip. I look forward to using a bike on the next one.

This was a very tough time for me. I lost my brother to cancer the week before and was struggling badly. These vicarious experiences cheered me up immensely every time I got one or two or ten pictures. Thanks guys!!! I wish I had been with you.