Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

BWCAW here we come. Jenny and Andrew, me and Julie are heading up to the Boundary Waters today.

We are overnighting it at my friend and co-worker's parent's place in Silver Bay. Thursday we'll go to the ranger station to take the test for the permit and putting in at entry point #39 off the Sawbill Trail.

Here's to warm(ish) weather and NO rain!

Home this week and heading to Boundary Waters

Working from home this week - Mon, Tues, Wed. Going up to the wilderness for a long weekend.

Ford Mustang

Last week's rental was a black Ford Mustang. I've had this vehicle before and while really hot to drive was not very comfortable. I think they've adjusted the suspension because this time the ride was not nearly as rough. And that is saying something because Texas highways are not very smooth.

The Mustang is definitely one powerful vehicle. I was surprised how easy it was to squeal the tires - even backing up. This is a very low riding car but there is plenty of head room was in. It was kind of funny pulling up to the booth to exit the parking lot at the hotel. You have to hand your ticket to the attendant and give her your name and room number. I felt like I was sitting on the ground looking up to talk to her especially after the previous week's Jeep. She did comment that she really liked the car though.

A black car with black interior is not the smartest thing to have in hot Dallas. Thank goodness it was a bit overcast.

My only real complaint is the layout of the gauges. The fuel oil gauges are center with the speedometer to the right and the tachometer to left. The steering wheel hides the tach and speedometer so you have to look around to see how fast you are going. And you can go really fast really easily!

Spring Green, Wisconsin

Last weekend was the annual Spring Green, Wisconsin, road trip and American Players Theatre play weekend. There were eleven people this year with a GMC Suburban and a Chrysler mini-van.

We always stop in Tomah at Burnstad's for lunch. Burnstad's is a restaurant/grocery store/variety store/floral store/gift shop/souvenir shop/etc. There is a dessert carousel that has the most amazing meringue pies, cakes, and other German inspired treats.

Jane has to go to the candy store in Baraboo to restock her supply of cow pies. She had gotten the directions on the internet and also found out they close at 5pm. We made a mad dash to get there in time. Turns out they are open until 8pm. Jane got a wheel-barrow full of cow pies and others got various chocolate-covered things or licorice or circus peanuts. The candy is made here which makes it so special. See the picture of Linda and JT on the cow outside the candy shop.

On to Spring Green. A beautiful drive through farms and small towns. No matter how many times we make the drive, I think it is always wonderful. A friendly game of horse and cemetery was played. Some people might not think it was so "friendly" but that is just their competitive nature.

We always stay in the Spring Green Valley Inn if possible. Huge thanks to Rose Block for arranging everything. There is a big indoor pool which we always take advantage of. We ate at the restaurant at the Inn. Friday is all you can eat fish fry night.

And then the big reason for staying at the Inn -- the fire pit! That's a story in itself. I think Bunny should write about that.

Saturday was a lazy day of eating, shopping and sightseeing, including an old mill.




The play we saw Saturday evening was Misallince by George Bernard Shaw. I worked on this play in college and have always enjoyed it. American Players Theatre is an outdoor amphitheater. It was cold....really cold. Thank goodness everyone else was prepared and let me borrow various pieces of clothing and/or blankets.

It was a great weekend. Lots of laughing. Lots of stories. Lots of fun.

Jeep Wrangler

Catching up on my posting.

Two weeks ago I got a Jeep Wrangler as my rental vehicle. I didn't even know Hertz had them and certainly didn't expect one. It was fun to drive.

Closest thing to a real truck I think I've driven in a long time. This new Jeep Wrangler is more comfortable than the older models I've ridden in. This one was a soft top but had real windows in the doors. I wish I had had time to put the top down.

Overall, it was definitely a fun vehicle. Wouldn't want one as a daily vehicle though.

Am I whining a lot?

I was going to title this one, "Isn't it any wonder that I'm tired," but maybe I'm just whining.

Here goes...American Airlines changed their schedule first of September and I'm now taking the last flight out of Dallas which is at 7:45pm. The later in the day the more chance that there are going to be storms. Last night was one of those nights.

I got to airport just a bit before 7pm for 7:15 boarding. I do like to cut it close so I don't have to hang around the airport. A bit before 7:15 the flight gets delayed to 8:25. There are severe storms in Minneapolis.

We actually board the plane for an 8:25 departure. The pilot announces that our take-off time is now 9:20 but we have to pull away from the gate because another flight needs our gate. We drive out onto the tarmac and wait.

About 9pm the pilot announces that because the Minneapolis airport has been closed and there is only one runway, we are pushed back to 10:15pm take-off.

You guessed it.. pilot announces another time change. Now it is 10:39. Then about 10:20 he says they have shaved six minutes off our departure and we are going to take-off at 10:33, six minutes early! EARLY! What happened to 7:45!!??

We actually do take-off. We land at 12:15am and I get home about 1:00am.

Flying with the Governor

Back in Dallas after a weekend roadtrip to Spring Green, Wisconsin. More about that trip later in a separate entry.

The governor of Minnesota, Tim Pawlenty, was on my flight this morning. And, as a matter of fact, he sat in the row right before mine. I was in my usual 21D (aisle, exit row over the wing). He was in 20B, aisle, opposite side, there is no "C" seat).

Kind of interesting to have the Governor right there. And that he was flying coach. And that he was flying American Airlines instead of Northwest.

Quick turnaround

Just got back from Dallas. Heading to Spring Green, Wisconsin, tomorrow for annual theatre trip to American Players Theatre. Sounds like big group this year. This is a driving trip but not taking my Escape so won't have to drive too much.

I'm back in Dallas next week. So much time with Frankie and Uno this weekend and not weekend projects.

Aghhh!!! -- Dallas!!!

I really dislike Dallas roads and streets. Or maybe it is the lack of signage or that there is no way to figure out which compass direction you are headed.

I drove all over the place trying to find the hotel from where the guys decided to go eat. I know I've complained about the roads here before but this is just rediculous. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

Big rain storms this morning delayed are takeoff. Then we had to circle. When we finally landed we had to wait on the tarmac for 45 minutes for a gate. I left my house and got to the office at 3pm. I should have gotten in around noon.

Wasn't as bad as the project manager though. He was flying in from Miami. His 8am flight was cancelled. Then his 9:45 flight was cancelled. The his 10:45 flight took off at noon. When he landed his plane had to wait almost 2 hours to get to a gate! Now, that sucks.

A busy Minnesotan

My friend Bunny shared her mom's email with a group of us. I found it very humorous, a insight into mother and daughter, and a slice of life. Here is Bunny's email (with permission) with her mom's email in the middle of it:

hey, everyone. i emailed mom my regrets that i wouldn't be coming to ely for the "harvest moon festival" this weekend, and i got this reply, which i'm sure you'll enjoy, too!

i'll miss seeing you but i understand...sat
morn i have to take requests for Polka
don, in the afternoon from 2-4 i have to be
in the ely winton hysterical booth and then
all day Sunday i'll be in Biwabik for the
SWU minnesota days.....so i'll be busy but
i'll still miss you!! mom

oh, so you know, polka don hosts a 3-hour polka only radio show. in my family "historical" and "hysterical" have always been interchangeable words. SWU is 'slovenian women's union". don't even ask:) anyway, she's busy, so don't bother going up there! bunny

Who needs to travel for true wildlife

I was driving down my alley yesterday and there in the middle of the alley was a peregrine falcon with its tallons embedded in a bird. The falcon was still in the process of killing the bird and was not about to fly away just because this big green thing was heading toward it.

I tried driving around her/him but was a bit afraid of pissing it off. She got a good hold on her prey and flew off.

A few years ago a was walking in the neighborhood and saw a falcon swoop and grab a pigeon on the fly. I thought that was astounding. I wonder if it is the same one.

Labor Day week working from home

Working from home this week. Yeah!

Back to Dallas next week. Dallas is going to be the location for while I think.

Chicago (actually Northfield/Northbrook/Des Plaines)

I was in north Chicago last week for work. You may have read or seen on the news about their flooding. I didn't see signs of flooding though I did see very high water on the Des Plaines river.

There were a lot trees blown down and the electricity was still out for thousands of homes from the storm the week before.

My flight home is usually around rush-hour time and it just isn't worth taking the toll road because of backed-up traffic and construction. So I take the drive over local roads through Des Plaines. Along the way is the original McDonald's Restaurant built by Ray Kroc.

Don't blink though or you'll miss it. There is a newer McDonald's right across the street and the intersection right here is kind of tricky. The original McDonald's is not open.

I took this picture while driving by using my cell phone, of course. I do not recommend this technique but the pic really came out pretty good.

A few blocks before the McDonald's is a very large cemetery on one side of the road and a hospital on the other. I've always thought that kind of morbid. If I were to have to go the hospital, I think I'd ask for a room on the non-cemetery side.

The hospital has a time and temperature sign. While I was stopped at the light, I knew it was hot but this hot?

Glacial Lakes State Park

Last weekend I drove about 2 1/2 hours west of Minneapolis to hike in Glacial Lakes State Park. There is an interesting self-guided hike that describes the various features of the park.

It was a good challenging hike as there are hills and valleys and wide-open spaces. One of the big features is Mountain Lake. It has no inlet, no outlet and is spring fed.

The woods are mostly made up of bur oaks. These are medium to large trees with really rough bark. There weren't as many acorns as I would have thought given that the oaks were about the only tree. These trees are known for withstanding forest fires because of their thick bark.

These same trees were mentioned in the Toronto Lake area where Mom, Spade and I were for Memorial weekend.

There were also lots of flowers which attracted lots of butterflies. Maybe it is Monarch butterfly migration time because I say lots and lots of those.

Dallas night skyline

Catching up on some photos in my telephone. Here is the Dallas night skyline as seen from my favorite Dallas hotel, Hotel Anatole.

A lot of the buildings use lights to outline their shape. It is really nice.

Rabbit and Squirrel

My backyard is over run with squirrels and at least one rabbit. Between the squirrels digging in the yard and the rabbit eating my flowers, I've just about had it.

Then today I discovered my rabbit, which I've always suspected was a female, has indeed had a baby bunny. While cleaning up "the back 40" I almost stepped on a tiny tiny bunny. It hopped away all back feet and legs. It was the same color as the dirt and I couldn't find it again.

No getting rid of the rabbit now. I sprayed my new aster plant with a concoction of hot sauce, red pepper powder and dishwashing liquid. Let's see if that keeps her away from that plant at least. Why doesn't she eat weeds!?