QCT Bix 7: I miss you!

Above, and top, me doing the virtual 'Quick Bix' in early July

Today is the first day in about 33 years that we haven't been in downtown Davenport well before 8 a.m.

The Quad-City Times Bix 7 has been a part of the Baker family since the late 1980s. I walked/ran it for eight years, and then reported on it as part of the Times' news team. The last two years I've done the Prairie Farms two-mile "Quick Bix."

On this Saturday, we Bakers would normally shop at the crafts fair, eat at the food booths (sandwiches from the Scott County Pork Producers), enjoy popcorn, beer and listening to live music.

The Bix 7 race and street festival is a place to gather with family and friends. It is the best weekend of the summer and it would have continued this year except for COVID-19.

I did the virtual "Quick Bix" on the hottest day of the year, in early July. Last year I ran 13-minute miles; this year it was 15-minute miles on a treadmill.  I did enjoy getting all that went with the $30 registration fee, and the new tee-shirt. I posted the photos (above) on social media with the Bix 7 hash tags.

But I did miss the crowds, the excitement and the great outdoors. Running up that Brady Street hill is really hard to describe; I find it glorious. It is also a joy to run downhill, as the race ends.

For some reason, I got the house and gardens ready for guests earlier this week. No one is coming to visit but maybe next year.

My husband and I do plan to cautiously visit downtown Davenport. We'll take it slowly so we don't put ourselves at risk of getting sick. It will be our first trip downtown in several months.

We soldier on.