Louise's Last Regatta

I just finished a sailing race on Lake Michigan with my dad, cousin and uncle. It was officially the last race of the year here in the soon-to-be very cold town known as Milwaukee:(

We raced on a 44ft steel boat that was onced cruised extensively in the South Pacific. This was the first time I sailed on this particular boat with its current owner...for this story let's just call him 'Bart'.

Bart has a very interesting philosophy of being on the boat and in the race: Relax, everything will work out and be fine. For those of you who are not familiar with racing just let me tell you this is probably not the best ideology.

Imagine this; 115 to 120 boats ranging in size from 8ft to 70ft and from $5000 to a million or more dollars. Now all these boats are in an area of about a square mile of each other weaving in and out, fighting for position at the starting line. There are many protocols for rights of way so that boats stay relatively safe.

Essentially Bart was a little too relaxed with the protocols. We nearly clipped the rear end of two boats. On one we actually caught some of their rigging on our bow (front). Needless to say it was not a good/safe situation.

A crash could cause serious damage to boats as well as their crews.

I had a great time being on the water, as I always do. The weather was perfect, 75 and sunny with a light breeze. Bart's racing tactics are somewhat hilarious as you look back at them from the safety of the dock.

I'm now off to eat with my Uncle Bill who made the outstanding chickens. Unfortunately I won't be eating his chickens tonight:(

Splash Cover

Yesterday I picked up the mail and to my surprise I was on the cover of SPLASH Magazine!  One of my dreams has always been to be on the cover of a swimming publication.  It feels very satisfying, OH YEAH!!!

Chicken Roast

This past weekend my parents threw a big party in celebration of my Olympic Gold Medals!!!

My great Uncle Bill is famous in our family for an incredible chicken roast that he has been doing for almost 45 years. I had never actually tasted the chickens, at least not that I could remember. I made a deal with him last year that if I made the Olympics he would make me roasted chickens!

Saturday was Uncle Bill's day to roast chickens to perfection. Usually he would roast 20 chickens. However, the chickens we got were too big so we only got eight on each spit. The two spits are rotated by a 40-year-old washing machine motor. The entire contraption is something you would see on MacGyver!

Roasting these chickens is as easy as any recipe. We simply basted the chickens twice in a solution of Miller Lite beer and a touch of salt. When the beer and salt mixture dried, we basted them in butter. About a half hour after this first basting session we did this once more.

In about two and a half hours the chickens were cooked to perfection. They were the most unbelievably juicy, tender and tasty chickens I had ever put into my by-then watering mouth!

Bud Selig

Today I had a cool experience. I met Bud Selig, the commissioner of Major League Baseball.  We discussed the impending demolition of Yankee Stadium as well as my Olympic experience.  It was pretty interesting to meet someone who has had such an impact on MLB. He was truly gracious.

Abbaye de Citeaux

While at the restaurant Daniel I had the opportunity to taste the most unique cheese of my life. It's a cow's milk cheese that is called Abbaye de Citeaux. This splendid cow's milk creation is made my monks in a French monestary. The flavor is something that sounds weird and maybe even unappetizing: when I first put this soft, creamy cheese with a semi-hard rind in my mouth, I instantly thought of a Wisconsin dairy farm. It was splendid!

It's amazing to me how food can be so unique and how it always finds a way to make me so happy and content!

Olympic Dinner: Sign Up Now!

Bacchus, a very nice restaurant in Milwaukee, approached Garrett about doing an Olympic event on Monday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m. It fit perfectly with his love of fine food. You can still get a spot. Call 414-765-1166.

Horseback Riding

Today I had a rare treat. I went horseback riding!

I am currently seeing a physical therapist for my ankle. I sprained it at the end of my trip to Beijing (luckily it was after the swimming competition was over and the sprain was not severe). I found out that Megan, my therapist, has five horses and plays polo. I have a real interest in horses and talked to her about it. She could tell that I was super excited and said, "you need to come riding with me sometime." I jumped at the offer!!!

Today during my session she asked me if I wanted to go riding. Her boyfriend was training the horses about 25 minutes away. I jumped at the chance and said, ABSOLUTELY!

I drove to the stable and went riding with Tom. We spent about an hour and a half in this enormous indoor riding arena. Tom was a professional polo player so he is an expert rider. He taught me how to position my body better, what to do with my hands and feet. It was great. We were trotting and cantering all over the arena.

After our session in the arena, we took the horses outside and rode on this huge ridge that overlooked the Wisconsin countryside. Few things are more beautiful than my home state during the summer. Riding was absolutely wonderful. I was so happy I got the opportunity to go and to learn so much from Tom.