Every winter I participate in the Try Melon Tri (triathlon) at the Y in Muscatine. Muscatine, as you know, is the “Melon City,” thus the name, as in, “Try the Melon City Triathlon.”  (There seems to be a contest to come up with the cleverest name.) 

The lady who has organized this event for years is Melanie Steckel. Every year I make the suggestion that the event should be named, “Try Melanie Tri.” So far, they have never taken me up on my suggestion, although they all say it’s a great idea.  Maybe next year.

The event always takes place the weekend before the Super Bowl, when people are going through withdrawal from lack of football and need something to do with their hands and feet. My friend, Lonnie Cale, from New Boston (Iowa), along with our significant others, usually travel together to this event.