US vs France. 9am PT ESPN. Check out our opening 'Tease' narrated by Martin Sheen, edited by Tara, Adam, Twe and Nick. That airs at 8:30a. It will give you chills.
It may have felt like it, but Sunday's momentous win over Brazil was not the Grand Finale. The US ladies have their hands full with a hungry French side that would love to shock the world.
Big questions- has the US had enough rest after that emotional roller coaster Quarterfinal? Have they recovered physically? I know that I have barely recovered (may have pulled a hamstring in celebration). Will being the 'Favorites' play into a Head Game? Who will start for Red Carded Rachel Buehler? Will they take France too lighlty? Will Coach Sundhage do the Chuck Berry dance?
Yesterday, once again, the open road beckoned me. Again, I ventured out mapless with only the online image in my head. Again, I was delighted in what I found. 
Daily Døpplégångér DoubleShot-
In honor of US Defender Ali Kreiger's final PK to win the game, we hereby dopple her to Law & Order's Angie Harmon. Thanks for making that one.
Here in Germany, bikes are for everyone. In the city, there are Businessmen in suits on bikes, TwentySomethings commuting and teenagers on BMX trick bikes. Out here, it's the bright Lycra colors of real riders, Retirees on cruisers and families with babies in trailers. At one point I came across a cycle mom and her three two-wheeled ducklings. The last kid in line looked at me as if I were some kind of freak (I get that a lot). Being a fierce international sports competitor, I wasn't going to let that look go without a response. Like the Lance Armstrong's 'Stare Down' of Jan Ulrich in the '01 Tour de France, I challenged that 5yr old with my own look. His pace faded in utter defeat- the cycling equivalent of a 1st round knockout. Take that, Mini-Ulrich!
Along the river, along the rail lines and along these bike paths, there are countless garden plots. These are places where the city dwellers can come for solace and to grow something of their own. Most are in the 30X40 foot range and have some sort of shed. Some of these appear to be more like a summer cabin, I suspect that they could stay here over night if needed. This time of year, everything is in bloom and occasionally fruits and veggies are for sale.
Numerous double-track dirt lanes lead to many more of these gardens. I ventured down one of these, because it seemed to beckon me. It was nice to get off asphalt and back to dirt, my first cycling love. Unbeknownst to me, that trail led to a Nature Preserve. I really wish I could read German, the information sign probably had some great story about that bird and this amphibian recovering from near extinction.
Oh yeah, there is also another Semifinal today- At 11:45a PT, Japan and Sweden battle for a trip to the final.
A friggin HUGE thanks to Jen and Mer for the recent contribution of homemade Choc Chip cookies. It was great to hang with for a tasty Turkish dinner last night. Fluff enjoyed something I can't pronounce while I had Spicy Lamb with vegetables. oh baby!
Meet me in Frankfurt on Friday, I'll ya buy some!
IPSWICHTOWN STAT OF THE DAY
Ian Darke contributes via Twitter "Amazingly, after N. Korea, no other team has been struck by lightning at the WWC" .
here's some background- http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/06/29/137496813/north-korea-soccer-players-hit-by-lightning-before-loss-to-u-s
IPTWN Stat-o-Day brought to you by The Rubber Ducky in the Bath, cause little Ian will need it as the banana is washed off his face.
OK, turn off the computer, now. Grab your Cap'n Crunch (with Crunchberries, of course) and go watch the latest episode of this US Soccer daytime drama.
Tschüss, Rüus
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