Hi,



Karen is busy with her new position with GE, and traveling, so I thought I would take this time to give you another perspective of the GEICO Motorcycle race team.

This is Debbie Johnson, chief cook and bottle washer for the Karen Stoffer Geico Motorcyle team, often mistaken for Karen’s mom, a position that is already filled by a very wonderful woman or I would apply. Being a part of this team is always interesting.

We thought you might like to know what Doug and I do on some of our down time. This year between the Columbus and Joliet race we visited with our former teammates and friends, Geno and Donna Scali in the Chicago suburbs.

Chicago has always been a beautiful town for me, filled with opportunities to see and do many special things. Before the Joliet race last year the whole team rode the train into the city to see “Blue Man Group,” a fun filled musical experience. This year Doug and I parked our motor home at Donna and Geno’s new house. What a treat.

We once again included a trip downtown. For those of you who have not had the opportunity to be in the area, Chicago has a mass transit system that you can ride to and from the city for less than $20. Once you arrive in the city there are many museums, the planetarium, the aquarium and also the famous “Navy Pier,” where you can either catch a taxi or ride the trolley system to any of these places. The dinosaur “Sue” is in one museum along with a beautiful fully working “doll house” and a captured German submarine from WWII.

There are too many adventures for such a short time, but one stop we always try to make is the top of the John Hancock building. The view either at night or in the daytime is magnificent! This year we had extremely clear skies and the city below us was beautiful. I have included a couple of these pictures to share the view.

So in closing, let me just say that if you have the opportunity to visit this great city, don’t pass it up.