tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74230141357595549762024-03-12T18:48:35.776-04:00A Little Slice of da Harbor...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger402125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-50152540821874421182017-05-31T18:14:00.000-04:002017-05-31T18:14:17.456-04:00Blog Transformation!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">THIS BLOG HAS METAMORPHOSIZED!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since Braeden and I spend all our time together, I have decided to start a blog that illuminates the wonders of a little boy with Down syndrome growing up here at the end of the earth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I will do my best to post weekly instead of way too long. I feel this new material is important, as one of my goals now is to advocate for him and others who are different. We will have our own little adventures and savor the little things at the end of this beautiful peninsula.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you want to come with us, click on this blog, <a href="http://www.downsbythebay.blogspot.com/">Downs by the Bay</a>. No new material will be posted on this page, as far as I can predict.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks for your patronage along the way!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-46635268468399284022017-05-13T14:18:00.000-04:002017-05-13T14:18:37.864-04:00Tricks, Returns and Events<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Boy, this spring surely didn't want me to have to miss winter like I thought I did! Nearly every time I had to drive to the big town, I drove through snow, freezing rain or slush. But I didn't have to shovel, and I didn't get to go skiing. And after being acclimated to an Arkansas spring, I really couldn't put on enough long underwear to stay warm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So I stayed inside a lot. I was just plain cold. Shivering with the wind. Deploring the precipitation. Preferring to stand in front of my wood stove and think about the sunshine. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That experience, of feeling trapped in my house because of the weather conditions, made me understand a term that I never understood before. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cabin fever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cabin fever does not mean you yearn to go to your cabin. It doesn't mean you are sick while being in your cabin. It means, that with every fiber of your being, you want to get the hell out of your dwelling and soak up some rays.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So thank you, crappy Keweenaw spring. Now I get it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But this whole week has been sunny! It's funny because Brady P and I get out to throw rocks into the big lake each day it's tolerable. And I know darn well that other places are 70 degrees in this sunny weather, but we are at 50. Especially by that big lake. Her Majesty, Lake Superior. I don't mind. I have jackets to wear. And the rocks are usually warm, so I just lay in them gratefully.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today I submerged my foot in the lake. Usually, by this time, I would have dunked myself in her glory, but the air has never been so warm to make me wish I was cooler. Today, however, I accidentally threw back a rock that I wanted to keep. It wasn't too far out, so I just took off my shoe and sock, stood carefully with my shoed foot on a protruding rock and stepped in with my naked foot. Sure it was chilly, but my motivation kept me warm. Braeden thought it was pretty neat, too. Not an exciting story, but a story. Wink.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Guess who is back in the harbor? The bell buoy. It came back on the 3rd or 4th of May. I looked for it one morning, to no avail, and by the afternoon, there it was! What the heck, bell buoy! How do you always sneak in on me? After my 11 springs here, I have never once witnessed its return. But I guess there are worse things in the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Isle Royale Queen, however, I greet each time she returns for the season. The captains now come off the boat and say, "You're always here for this trip, Amanda. You're like a tradition now!" Yes. Yes, I am. Because Isle Royale has such a big place in my heart, and the Queen is what gets me there. So yeah, I like to greet her upon her return from the Portage Canal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Harbor Haus has reopened. Jamsen's Fish Market and Bakery is open Friday through Monday. Some of the gift shops open up -- at least on the weekends. So we're getting back into business around here. It's kind of nice to see some more activity around town.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And the biking and hiking trails are open!!! Alleluia. I got to go for my first trail ride a few days ago. Man, that felt good. And I am stoked for more rides to come!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Not much for blooming life yet, however. I believe that the hepatica has been the only wildflower I've seen so far, but the arbutus are soon to follow. No leaves on the trees, but some of the buds got brave and popped. The waterfalls are still pretty rockin', and lake levels are high. Still no bugs -- for the most part.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are some events coming up. I hope you can read through the glare, as I took pictures of the posters already hanging on the general store's door. Keeps it authentic, right?</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xqcu5V_7850/WRdLU2xpYmI/AAAAAAAACeU/a_eCe-4b5a8ez-KsSYtNUixuea4q3qMWwCLcB/s1600/Blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xqcu5V_7850/WRdLU2xpYmI/AAAAAAAACeU/a_eCe-4b5a8ez-KsSYtNUixuea4q3qMWwCLcB/s640/Blog1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Please note that the Zik is actually July 1st.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lnWlmPgGMcE/WRdLWIdvCjI/AAAAAAAACeY/dysHKPRu42EmHIjXK9FYejLSeWxh549LACLcB/s1600/Blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lnWlmPgGMcE/WRdLWIdvCjI/AAAAAAAACeY/dysHKPRu42EmHIjXK9FYejLSeWxh549LACLcB/s640/Blog2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mvZsVCexRYs/WRdLX4FRL5I/AAAAAAAACec/blE-dJXlD0sbUeY5Depw3aDV2G25Wzg4wCLcB/s1600/Blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mvZsVCexRYs/WRdLX4FRL5I/AAAAAAAACec/blE-dJXlD0sbUeY5Depw3aDV2G25Wzg4wCLcB/s640/Blog3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T9ObSnYGAyA/WRdLZPhyX-I/AAAAAAAACeg/LtVxrlYpmlQWsipDWTk0_r3heVOV3nE7QCLcB/s1600/Blog4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T9ObSnYGAyA/WRdLZPhyX-I/AAAAAAAACeg/LtVxrlYpmlQWsipDWTk0_r3heVOV3nE7QCLcB/s640/Blog4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, maybe we will see you up here for one of these! Take it easy.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-55446541801633441172017-04-12T14:24:00.000-04:002017-04-12T14:24:00.992-04:00Hooooome<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Guess what! 1,100 miles and thirty less degrees later, Braeden and I are home! Back to the Yoop. The Keweenaw. Da Harbor. Our little house on the rock. Ahhhh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On the drive home, I expected to see more snow. Now, I try not to have expectations in general, but we drove during the first week of April, so some snow was not out of the question. I didn't see much. The areas with the most substantial amounts of snow at that time were Twin Lakes, Calumet and Lake Medora. I think Lake Medora still has the biggest piles. They seem to have the longest winters. And that lake is still frozen!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then, while coasting down the hill from the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, I saw her. She was dazzling in her blue gown. Lake Superior in all her glory for the first time in three months. I got all choked up, of course. I mean, don't you?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once I got to the blinking light, I shot down to the nearest beach, put the van into park, and jumped out to the shore. I swished my hands in the icy water and smacked it onto my face. Oh, it felt so good. Right down to my soul. There really is no substitute for Her Majesty, Lake Superior. I was giddy, grateful and relieved all at once.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I got back the day before my birthday, and I only had one birthday wish (besides being back home). That was to go for a bike ride. Luckily, Annele was still with us, so she could watch my little man.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had conquered some hills there in the Ozarks, and I wanted to see how it translated to the Keweenaw. Well, the actual bike trails were too snowy and wet to ride, so I opted for the snowmobile trails. Not any better, but at least I wouldn't get in trouble if I rode those!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Arkansas must have built up some strength in me because that hill up Manganese Road was like cake. I wasn't even breathing hard! I just gunned it through the hard-packed snow areas, and enjoyed the ease of the pavement. I'd say proportions were half and half. Probably less snow by now. I hope to take Brady P up for a ride there today, so we will see.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then up Trail 134 was a bit more difficult because of the mud, but I went as far as I could before I would have to push my bike. That is not fun, so I just found somewhere else to go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was slow and wet, yet it was amazing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's how I know that I have a new love for mountain biking. In fact, I am taking an instructor certification program through the International Mountain Bicycling Association this June, so I can teach other people how to mountain bike effectively and lead group rides. Woohoo! I am stoked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Other than that, my return was anti-climactic, yet peaceful. I'm sure you always feel a sense of peace when you get here, but it was different this time. It was like my whole life is peaceful -- not just the fact that I'm here. But that fact totally helps because I don't have to drive through traffic-laden towns. Or go past tall buildings. And it is still quiet. Spring is so lovely here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am still working on my memoir. I have finished the first draft, actually! There's still a lot to add and edit, but it is coming along! It can only go as fast as a couple nap times a week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, I am looking forward to the best summer ever, but I'll let spring roll along first. I hope you are well. Maybe I'll see you up this way! Take care.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-56641348566371950992017-02-17T15:29:00.001-05:002017-02-17T15:29:20.540-05:00Rural Arkansas Tour<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It seems like they are having quite the winter up in da Keweenaw. Man, it's really weird to say "they" when talking about the Keweenaw. And the U.P. It is my home, but here I am soaking up the sunshine in Arkansas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is the first winter I have cheated (it sure feels like cheating) in my whole life. And the people down here say that this hasn't really even been winter either! It's only mid-February, but buds are forming on the trees, the grass is greening up, and new shoots are coming out of the ground. I am getting a suntan too. I can't lie, though. I like it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's a little tour of some of my favorite natural beauties in my current place of residence near Kingston. Remember, I am not a photographer. The lighting is bad and things aren't focused well, but I am using an old iphone. Like an iphone 4S that isn't even connected to a tower. Haha. I am still a yooper at heart!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Anyway, here we go!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some landscape shots.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UUiBLqVoGx4/WKdYlM0DUvI/AAAAAAAACdM/I3YIKBTYR1kM-NCJEt5bJEBXjNDfO7aagCLcB/s1600/blogfieldpan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UUiBLqVoGx4/WKdYlM0DUvI/AAAAAAAACdM/I3YIKBTYR1kM-NCJEt5bJEBXjNDfO7aagCLcB/s400/blogfieldpan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>A pan of the Ozarks and a beef cattle field</i></div>
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<i>A fifteen foot high rock pyramid</i></div>
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<i>(Photo does no justice)</i></div>
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<i>The Kings River at a low crossing</i></div>
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<i>Some cool boulders -- perfect for a picnic or sunset</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Xd5QJGjNAg/WKdY_O-7EPI/AAAAAAAACdc/5NbxdKxnofQbbq1CGVepAe7tSeMhEnYgACLcB/s1600/blogtree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Xd5QJGjNAg/WKdY_O-7EPI/AAAAAAAACdc/5NbxdKxnofQbbq1CGVepAe7tSeMhEnYgACLcB/s400/blogtree.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>My favorite tree</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WDE04SBWZmg/WKdZqh9ig-I/AAAAAAAACdk/QvH7LrJk3-kEZn1RMN0kCuC8dVaLJe7sACLcB/s1600/blogbradyp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WDE04SBWZmg/WKdZqh9ig-I/AAAAAAAACdk/QvH7LrJk3-kEZn1RMN0kCuC8dVaLJe7sACLcB/s400/blogbradyp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Brady P. overlooking the valley</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That little boy. He is eating a granola bar, so pardon the messy face. Aaron took that picture, that's why it looks so good. Plus, well, Braeden makes everything look better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How about some fauna?</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Ent6zK3g_8/WKdaIB9UnHI/AAAAAAAACdo/WnC1YWVMojw8CTPXRhO2bvX3Ax3N0dV-wCLcB/s1600/blogcows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Ent6zK3g_8/WKdaIB9UnHI/AAAAAAAACdo/WnC1YWVMojw8CTPXRhO2bvX3Ax3N0dV-wCLcB/s400/blogcows.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Aaron and Brady P. calling the cows</i></div>
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<i>Horses at sunset</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not pictured are the turkey vultures that consistently circle the skies. Or the lovely birds of prey that sit in the trees after a rain. Or the deer that scamper out of site when our family crests the hills in the side-by-side.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's kind of the jist, really. This area is rural, hilly and quiet. I would come back here next winter for sure... Don't judge!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-24445178754308436762017-01-26T14:31:00.000-05:002017-01-26T14:31:29.199-05:00Howdy from Arkansas!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How y'all doin?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Haha. I learned that in Arkansas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But really, how <i>are</i> you? I sure hope all is well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All is well here. I can't say I have felt deprived of one single snowflake while I bask in the sunshine wearing a t-shirt. It's pretty chilly now, but one lady said that this sure is unusual weather for now, so we should enjoy it. Enjoy it we do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The only picture I took so far that doesn't have Braeden's extraordinary cuteness in it is this one. It's the view from the back porch of the old B & B that we are staying at. I thoroughly enjoy staring out the window. We're in the Ozarks!</span></div>
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<i>View from the back porch</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, in the Ozarks just south of Kingston. Kingston is a tiny town, perhaps the size of Copper Harbor. I haven't spent much time there yet, but they do have a quaint little downtown square that looks interesting. Once a week, Annele and I make the 50-mile journey to Fayetteville to do all our grocery shopping for the boys. She is the cook, so she needs to stock up because these ten trail-workers eat as much as 30 normal people. Ha!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In that way, it's kind of like being back in the Keweenaw. Travel an hour from our quiet little nature scene to the big town. But Fayetteville has a sign that says 73,000-some people live there. That's enough to get us out of there before rush hour traffic. We made that mistake once, and podunk Amanda doesn't enjoy the stress of that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Aaron and his crew seem to be enjoying their time building down here. They surely enjoy the mild temperatures. The land they are working on is quite majestic. The Kings River runs through the valley. Rocky bluffs extend high above the valleys. The rock formations jut out in unique designs. There is a really fat, old tree that I want to get a picture of for you. Horses and beef cattle roam their spacious pens. I hope to do a post on the project area. It would be a nice office for a trail builder or a writer!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Brady P. likes it here. He enjoys taking walks without being bundled to the gills with snowflakes pelting his face. He loves to see dad and the guys when they come home. He loves to eat Cheerios and throw them on the floor. He loves to do puzzles. He is a little too good at them -- I have to get him puzzles for a three year old because he does the other ones too fast! What a guy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So it's a good thing we like it because we plan to be here through March. I miss all my harbor friends and watching the lakes freeze, but this is where I am now, so I'll make the most of it! Spring will probably arrive here before we leave, so that will be a welcome sensation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, just wanted to check in. Y'all take care now, ya hear!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-40485736528148050762016-12-06T13:57:00.000-05:002016-12-06T13:57:26.356-05:00Love Note<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hello. How about a love note?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It has been two months since your eyes feasted upon my words. Two months since I have tickled the keys for your pleasure. Has your heart grown fonder? Or has it turned away, feeling neglected and hurt?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>My love for you has not dwindled. It is always there, whether I reach out or not. May this unconditional love set you free from expectations. Free from feeling fault. It's not you. It's me.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, that was kind of corny, but I like to spice it up, you know?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I look out my window or walk through the woods, I see the green and brown of the ground. Yes, green and brown. Maybe some red and gray, but you get the drift. No snow yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hear there's a storm a-coming, so perhaps things will look a little brighter soon. Until then, I'll just enjoy the days where I can push a stroller on the damp pavement with ease.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Maybe we will have snow for Winter Wonderfest this weekend. That event is Saturday, December 10th in the Grant Township (Copper Harbor) park and community building. It starts at 10 am with crafts and a bake sale. Santa comes with presents at 4 pm and the park lights up at 6 pm. Who knows what will follow after that? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Snow or not, it is always a fun time. Maybe I will see you there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then guess where I am going after Christmas. Arkansas. Yup, going to try it for a month with Aaron and the Rock Solid crew. They are building trail in the middle of the Ozarks. It sounds like a beautiful spot. We'll see how long Brady P. and I last; it will be an adventure. I'll take pictures for you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My memoir is coming along very well, thanks for asking. And yes, that's still why you've been neglected. Brady P. only takes one nap a day, and I want to get that baby ready to be published. I'll let you know when it's ready. Probably a few months yet. But, boy, I am addicted to it right now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's kind of it. The bell buoy is gone. The garden is pulled. The house and yard are ready for winter. Brady P. and I are just enjoying each day together. Good thing he likes me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, I'll probably catch you down south next time. Remember you are in my thoughts. Be well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Love,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amanda</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-86289600992472958662016-10-08T14:31:00.000-04:002016-10-08T17:16:12.028-04:00A "Fall" Adventure<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, the Switch-keeper just flipped it to fall. It turned to fall two nights ago. Three days ago Brady P. and I were out in t-shirts. Now we have to wear winter coats and hats! Happy fall!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So you might be thinking, "Well, that's great, Amanda. Why didn't you tell me sooner? I mean, where was your nice Color Report that you did the last few years?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I've been busy, sorry. And actually, that's why I took the time to write today. To a) tell you that the leaves are AWESOME if they didn't all blow off already. And tell you that the fungus is amazing too. Dozens of species up here for you shroom lovers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And b) I wanted to tell you what I <i>have</i> been writing in my spare time. Usually I don't like to leak things too far in advance just in case something tragic happens, and I don't finish. But I am really excited about it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am writing a memoir.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oh, geez. <i>Now</i> you are probably thinking, "A memoir? But you are like 12 years old!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yes, I say to you. A memoir. You don't have to be old to write one. You just need a mighty experience that you want to share with the world because you believe it's worthwhile. And it helps if you actually like writing... and you don't mind sharing your personal details with whomever reads it... or risking people getting mad at you because you wrote something that offended them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yeah. I can do all that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Besides, I am about 80% finished with the first draft. "What?!?" You sound surprised. Well, why do you think you didn't get a color report? I got stuff to type before I forget it all, man! And don't get too excited yet. The first draft is like the framework of a building.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am really stoked about this story. Can I tell you what it's about? I know, I made you read this far, so I may as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I have mentioned in previous posts, my little boy and I had a rough first year of his life. I mean, medical stuff that I never, <i>ever</i> fathomed happening to anyone's child, happened to my little boy. He survived open-heart surgery, urethra surgery and several emergency room visits. That's the jist of the hard part.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He was also, unbeknownst to us until after his birth, born with Down syndrome. Now, if I would have visited a gypsy with a crystal ball ten years ago, and she told me, "Amanda, you will be kissing and hugging and loving the snot out of a person with Down syndrome in a few years," I would have said <i>patooey</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I know, right? I was a jerk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So it is more than perfect that he came into my life. I have never been sad about it, by the way. It is part of this journey of life. My community, my family and I are all better because of that precious little boy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I know. Tears. Well, through my wit, rawness and charm, that's what my next book is about. How hardship and stress and the unexpected can turn out to enrich our lives beyond what we ever thought possible. Going with the flow, and being grateful for each new lesson. I mean, why else are we here?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It doesn't have a title yet, but you can be sure that I have a whole list of them written down, and sometimes possible titles come into my head and keep me up at night until I write them down. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I also don't know when it will be ready. How can I predict that? Just give me time, and hope nothing tragic happens... even though it's part of the journey. <i>Wink.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anyway, you've been so patient while I spew about my personal life. Here are some pictures from the U.P. Luckily, I went to the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association (<a href="http://www.miowa.org/">MOWA</a>) conference in September, so I took my camera on some cool adventures... mostly waterfalls!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The conference was based in Bergland, Michigan surrounding Lake Gogebic. I was excited to explore this territory just over one hundred miles from my own house. The following pictures were taken in the Black River Parkway Falls area just north of Bessemer. So worth a trip. I mean, there were 5 cool falls within less than eight miles of each other. My friend and I didn't realize that the North Country Trail connected them all, so we drove to each one separately.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The first was Great Conglomerate Falls. We saw so many mushrooms along the way, we were like little kids!</span></div>
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<i>Great Conglomerate Falls</i></div>
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<i>Way cool red mushrooms</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Then we drove to the next spot where we could walk to two falls: Gorge and Potawatomi. These were awesome as well, with their own set of mushrooms.</span></div>
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<i>Gorge Falls</i></div>
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<i>Potawatomi Falls</i></div>
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<i>A little yellow guy between the rails of the overlook</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Haha. I really need to get a mushroom book. "Little yellow guy?" That wouldn't pass in my wildflower world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Past these were Sandstone Falls and Rainbow Falls. Both awesome as well. Rainbow was too big to capture on my camera to do it justice, so you will have to take my word for it. We lucked out, though because it rained in the evenings, so the falls were much more voluminous than they would be during a dry spell. Falls in the fall? I highly recommend it.</span></div>
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<i>Sign before Rainbow Falls</i></div>
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<i>I love the warning on it</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The next day two friends and I visited O kun-de-kun Falls. It was totally worth the mile hike, but let me tell you that you might want to wait until someone redoes that trail because it was a muddy slip-and-slide. If you are agile and don't mind the mud, go for it. That one is just off of Highway 45 between Bruce Crossing and Watersmeet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And there are so many other falls in that area that I just didn't have time to get to them all. If you ever need a waterfall fix, check it out. Any area visitor center should have a map of all these falls and more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Can I brag about one thing? I entered an article into the MOWA craft awards, and it won first place in the "Best Feature" category. It was about the "Becoming an Outdoors Woman" event held each winter in Big Bay, Michigan. If you are a woman, I recommend attending it. If you want to read it, the link is <a href="http://mynorth.com/2015/02/becoming-outdoors-woman-michigan/">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Wow. You made it all the way to the bottom of this post. Thanks for your eyeball endurance. Not many people will read this many paragraphs in a row these days. Kudos to you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now I better see what else I can get done while my little boy naps.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-67701363841114850302016-08-25T14:17:00.000-04:002016-08-29T19:49:42.663-04:00"Going Out More Often"<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hellooooo! Guess what. I'm actually beaming to you from da Harbor this time! As I sit in my comfy rocking chair, the cross-breeze blows past my face, and I hear the rustling of the leaves on the trees. I hear some birdies and squirrels by my back porch. I also hear all the motor vehicles whizzing by because, well, it's August.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Can you believe it? August. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you have been with me for a few Augusts, you know what that means. So I will spare you the rant, and show you this cool picture of a cloud from a couple weeks ago. I've never seen anything like it. The sun shined up from below, hit the bottom of the overhang, then extended its rays beyond. Pretty cool.</span></div>
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<i>Setting sun through a cloud shelf</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The other evening, at sunset, the sky was illuminated with a copper color. A friend said that it was going to rain copper from that cloud. Well, it didn't, but lots of people took pictures of that sky too. I wasn't one of them, though. Sorry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So how does a person get to see cool sunsets and clouds? How does a person get to experience the wonders of this land?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Go outside. More often.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">With technology making it so easy to stay indoors these days, it can be easy to get stuck in front of a screen. Here are some ways that I make sure to get out. <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/">Eventbrite</a> has a whole project dedicated to going out more often (GOMO) as well. Check it out, and maybe you will get some of your own GOMO ideas!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">First of all, I just plain love to be outside. People and machines made all the things in my house, so they are not really all that intriguing to me. Except my cast iron pans. I love to cook with those. And my fridge too. Yeah, cuz sometimes I have leftovers, and it's 80 degrees outside. This chair is really comfy too, actually. I'm grateful for that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But I digress. Do you want to know something that I <i>don't</i> have in my house? I have't owned one of these for years. A television. That's right. No 42 inches of HD for this girl. Not even a 13-incher in black and white with the little turny knobs. Nothing. Well, except for this computer screen that gives me a headache after a while.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Not liking to watch stuff on screens also really helps me go outside more. The great outdoors presents a screen that I can feel, smell, touch and taste (if I know -- or hope -- it's not poisonous). The wonders out there were NOT made by people or machines, and I marvel in their perfect existence. Everything has its place, and I love to explore that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Secondly, (or am I on my third now?) I love to make sure I have gear. Living up here, conditions can change, and I want to make sure I don't always have to change my plans. So I have rain gear, snow gear, biking gear, ski gear, camping gear and half a dozen different ways to tote Braeden around, so he can accompany me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Okay, time for something cute. Here's a picture of Brady P. in his new wagon. The wagon is great because he really doesn't like to be strapped into a stroller or backpack all the time. Plus, the wagon provides cargo room for our garden harvests.</span></div>
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<i>Brady P. in his wagon</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The garden itself is a great way to get out more often. It's a wonderful place to sit, pull weeds, talk to the person in the plot next to you, ponder the universe, get a suntan, eat vegetables and simply marvel at those perfect creations. It brings a person to a new level of gratitude and accomplishment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, heck. Here is a picture of the garden from a couple weeks ago. It contains about a dozen plots from different people in da Harbor.</span></div>
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<i>Copper Harbor Community Garden 2016</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ain't she a beaut? Delicious too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I suppose I am a part of events as well. For instance, I was in charge of the bake sale at last weekend's Art in the Park. Over Labor Day weekend, I'll probably volunteer for the Bell's Beer Copper Harbor Trails Fest. When other events come up in town, I often volunteer or meander through them if I am available.</span></div>
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, you've seen my adventures in the past. You know where my curiosity and lack of marbles takes me sometimes. I always love to share them with you. Thanks for being a part of them so far. But sharing them with you through a computer screen is hopefully more than just screen time for you. I hope it inspires you to try some things on your own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now, if you live in a crowded city in a little apartment with your tiny dog, you might think that it's not fair because I live in the most majestic place in the world. Well, I have two thoughts for you right away. One, your tiny dog needs to get outside to run around and carry out its duties. Unless you have it potty trained in a little box by your shower. If so, you might actually have a cat. Not sure. And two, go on a vacation! Take a trip!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where is somewhere you've always wanted to go? What events are going on in your city that you might want to experience? What part of your own town are you curious about? Take a walk. Take a drive. Sniff some flowers (please, always look for bees first). Sit under a tree and watch people go by. Identify a new flower. Find a new restaurant. Do a pub crawl with a friend. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You have options. See that? Wow. This world is pretty amazing, isn't it? Maybe tonight you can go out for an evening stroll just before the sun sets. You might get to see copper clouds yourself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Be well, my friend.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-36362319593195503692016-07-15T13:31:00.000-04:002016-07-15T13:31:18.978-04:00Summer to the Max<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Haha. I guess the only time I take to write a blog is when I'm at my in-laws' house in the Wisconsin Northwoods because here I sit again on their couch. Always too much to do at home, you know? Hopefully my little man will sleep until I finish this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh, my little man. Can I tell you how he is? He is amazing. I mean really. He is so stinkin' cute. He steals the hearts of all the ladies (and even some men) at the grocery stores when he smiles. He makes us laugh til our faces hurt. He is so healthy after his heart surgery. He tries so hard to do the things that other kids do. He can walk about 4 steps and stand up on his own. He is on Braeden time, but that is just perfect for everyone because he will teach us so much more than milestones in this life. He is a gift to the world, and we are grateful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He loves practically anything with a motor, so here is a picture of him with Dad in the CAT. Aaron is working on a new campground in Copper Harbor. It's called Trails End Campground, and they should have sites up and running by August! That Aaron. He never has enough to do, but at least he loves to spend time with his little boy.</span></div>
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<i>Brady P. and Aaron digging big holes</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So life is just wonderful right now. I actually have time to go mountain biking!!! Hooray! I can slowly introduce death-defying sports into my life again. I feel so ALIVE! I even got my season shuttle pass from the Keweenaw Adventure Company, so they can take me to the top of the mountains, and I can ride down and practice my skills.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What else is great? The berries are starting to come! I ate a couple blueberries and bilberries before I left, so those should be raring when I get back. Thimbles are not far off and I bet razzies are about ready too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The wildflowers are beautimous as usual. I found a couple new species this summer when I visited a new spot. <a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ANPO">Bog rosemary</a> and <a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=METR3">buckbean</a>, which is a protected wildflower. Oh, I was so excited when I saw the buckbean because I knew what it was from the pictures in my books. I also found a couple new ones here in WI. I am a junkie when it comes to identifying flowers. I just HAVE to know what it is, or I get all itchy and can't sleep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another amazing thing is the Copper Harbor community garden. I meant to take a picture of it for you, but who brings a camera to the garden? Perhaps when I have tomatoes and peppers hanging I'll snap a shot for you. It's encouraging to see all the plots in the garden. Quite a few people really take the time to work their spot. It's something to be proud of, and it's nice to share good food with others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have jumped in Lake Superior twice so far this summer. She's starting to warm up -- especially since my first dip in April! Talk about invigorating!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And guess what else I haven't been able to do since I had a baby in my belly. Go kayaking. But in June, Tim the hawk-counter and I paddled the sloughs at Bete Gris. Oh, man, it was a picture perfect paddling day. Luckily I took some photos!</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WOADj41ymYc/V4kWklfpRoI/AAAAAAAACac/YJzm5ilD5m878UQpRDRXx1kyJibvrp_8QCLcB/s1600/blogbohemia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WOADj41ymYc/V4kWklfpRoI/AAAAAAAACac/YJzm5ilD5m878UQpRDRXx1kyJibvrp_8QCLcB/s400/blogbohemia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>A view of Mt. Bohemia from Lac La Belle</i></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L107YNaVKOc/V4kWm1Rg7RI/AAAAAAAACak/5n8PE-tDtn4FI4-iXUQPmN07nL_0cQ94gCLcB/s1600/blogswan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L107YNaVKOc/V4kWm1Rg7RI/AAAAAAAACak/5n8PE-tDtn4FI4-iXUQPmN07nL_0cQ94gCLcB/s400/blogswan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>A lone trumpeter swan on the lake</i></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PNEL-QPc4K8/V4kWlsmf4XI/AAAAAAAACag/5G3iREnwhVkRGs2n6uziexymPJz7tRN7wCLcB/s1600/blogcanal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PNEL-QPc4K8/V4kWlsmf4XI/AAAAAAAACag/5G3iREnwhVkRGs2n6uziexymPJz7tRN7wCLcB/s400/blogcanal.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>The opening of the Mendota Canal in the distance</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We parked at the end of the road in the slough zone and paddled to most of the dead ends, turned around and paddled to the next one. It was great exploration. Our plan was to paddle to the Bear Belly Bar and Grill for lunch. What we didn't realize was how far it was from the channel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Luckily we are both positive, go-with-the-flow kind of people because we were huuuuungry way before we were even close. We almost clubbed the swan to eat for lunch. (Okay, some of my jokes are terrible.) But just before we gave up hope, I smelled french fries!!! Suddenly we were renewed, and my blistering hands paddled a little faster to the shore. Mmm, french fries.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Other than that, we all survived the Independence Day festivities. And now it's July, so all my friends are busy working. Well, at least they got a break! Mama don't get a break! But I don't mind. I think I'd rather hang out with B than make fancy cocktails at the speed of light. Everything has its season, you know. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And now that I'm not serving tourists, I like them much more. I even go out of my way to help them when they look confused. I take interest in where they came from and what brought them here. I wonder what they like to do while they are here. Yes, Brady P. has taught me that we are ALL people, and we all deserve respect. There is some good in everyone, and that is what I look for. Life is a struggle enough without having to feel judged by others who have no idea what you're going through. Maybe he will be president someday.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-70793636684288322872016-06-01T11:47:00.001-04:002016-06-01T11:47:27.470-04:00New Favorite Season<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I sit in the same room as I did when I wrote my last post. Somewhere lost in the woods of northwest Wisconsin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since then, I have been to Copper Harbor, Central Wisconsin, Portland Oregon, Bend Oregon, Eastern Wisconsin, Marquette Michigan, Copper Harbor and back to these woods at Grammy and Grampy Rogers' house. All those adventures with a one-and-a-half year old. All while trying to enjoy our time to the fullest wherever we were. And, well, getting sick a few times. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, yes. I miss you. There you are, in all your glory. Here is mine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This spring in Copper Harbor was amazing. People often ask me what my favorite time of year is, and I always tell them that it's whichever time it is at the moment or whichever time the weather is reeling in next. But now I have a new answer, and this one might hold true for some time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's those moments I can spend with my little guy, my husband and my friends outside. Out in the sunshine with no jacket. Out in the woods with no bugs. Out on my front porch with no tourists (no offense). It's that time when we crawl out of our long winter cocoon and stretch our butterfly wings, noticing how our new colors sparkle in the seemingly brighter sun (that's a fancy way to say "get sunburned").</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But really, it's the best time! It's short -- four weeks at most -- but we enjoyed it thoroughly. Let me show you how!</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8iz41voKLZo/V07728V0yRI/AAAAAAAACZQ/yC4Tab-YaPQ0S2BAe1ZjSYlAt5qX0rTHwCLcB/s1600/blog-alligator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8iz41voKLZo/V07728V0yRI/AAAAAAAACZQ/yC4Tab-YaPQ0S2BAe1ZjSYlAt5qX0rTHwCLcB/s400/blog-alligator.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>An ice alligator head on Hunter's Point in early April!</i></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH9QlEUoTZM/V078N3GiGKI/AAAAAAAACZU/N5x9H1zbiGYaO2KbN9q_YhA5p3jQEiJeACLcB/s1600/blog-turtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH9QlEUoTZM/V078N3GiGKI/AAAAAAAACZU/N5x9H1zbiGYaO2KbN9q_YhA5p3jQEiJeACLcB/s400/blog-turtle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>A fresh baby turtle by Lake Manganese</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My friend Annele and I watch this turtle in awe for, geez, an hour or so. We speculated its origin, watched it get from here to there and wondered where it would end up. We even got a video of this little munchkin going for what may have been its first swim.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://youtu.be/D3iWAsl-AWU">CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE TURTLE SWIM!</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hYDwtBCPo54/V0783BEgkpI/AAAAAAAACZc/5O_PJvv4usE64CqMGh6ldolSlyMCuJCEwCLcB/s1600/blog-manitou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hYDwtBCPo54/V0783BEgkpI/AAAAAAAACZc/5O_PJvv4usE64CqMGh6ldolSlyMCuJCEwCLcB/s400/blog-manitou.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Manitou Island on the horizon during our anniversary ride to High Rock</i></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CHhZaILlXV4/V0786PBNKMI/AAAAAAAACZg/v22GkFEjmtsQrMRUhT4g7wIu9_bOPG-uACLcB/s1600/blog-fishermen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CHhZaILlXV4/V0786PBNKMI/AAAAAAAACZg/v22GkFEjmtsQrMRUhT4g7wIu9_bOPG-uACLcB/s400/blog-fishermen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Lots of fishermen at the mouth of Fanny Hooe Creek</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I do have to apologize because there was lots more worthwhile stuff that my brain fails to recall at the moment. I remember the thought often going through my brain, <i>I should tell all my readers to come up here right now because it's so heavenly.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But, of course, I didn't, and now the blackflies and mosquitoes are out. Oh, no! I mean, no they're not! It's still heavenly. Come anytime. Wink. What? It's probably more peaceful than most places in the country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I do have a few pictures to show from Oregon also. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4GvfFxtJAoo/V07-PfdneMI/AAAAAAAACZs/gq4hljvzUHEBrkvYonLOPD8S1oyd8334gCLcB/s1600/blog-ocean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4GvfFxtJAoo/V07-PfdneMI/AAAAAAAACZs/gq4hljvzUHEBrkvYonLOPD8S1oyd8334gCLcB/s320/blog-ocean.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>B and me out at the Pacific Ocean!</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then on our family drive to Bend, we went through a couple mountain passes. The scenery was gorgeous. At one time we had big desert rock to the left and a mountain range to the right. However, I was not a very good tourist, and I couldn't figure out what those formations were called. Anyone?</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnVg_87ul8Y/V07-zk0P_gI/AAAAAAAACZw/9B88mds3aWgcdbmDEa0SSGeceKxmTFIbQCLcB/s1600/blog-bendrock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnVg_87ul8Y/V07-zk0P_gI/AAAAAAAACZw/9B88mds3aWgcdbmDEa0SSGeceKxmTFIbQCLcB/s400/blog-bendrock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Rock up high to the left</i></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xs40FCBCCGA/V07-1BqTKCI/AAAAAAAACZ0/i0NtAyTk74QijKwaHeQt-2qXJgtXBjtxgCLcB/s1600/blog-bendmountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xs40FCBCCGA/V07-1BqTKCI/AAAAAAAACZ0/i0NtAyTk74QijKwaHeQt-2qXJgtXBjtxgCLcB/s400/blog-bendmountain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Mountain to the right</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That snowy mountain is smack dab in the middle of the shot. Can you see it? I can't say pictures through moving car windows are that great, but it's better then nothing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oregon was beautiful. I'm a sucker for the green lushness of the world. And water. And huge blooming flowers. Well, it was full of that, so I was giddy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now here's one thing in Copper Harbor that made me giddy. Well, one that I actually remember. I got to mountain bike the start of the Keweenaw Point Trail. I don't get out on my mountain bike much. I have to coordinate with a babysitter, and that's more work than putting all that bike gear on. But I finally rode the KPT. It was so fun, and now I'm addicted. But having withdrawls of course. Oh, that reminds me. I have some news for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Starting mid-June our little family will get to be together in Copper Harbor for most of the summer. Plus we will have Gramma Rogers with us. WHAT?!?! A live-in nanny? I think this just might be the best summer <i>ever!</i></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-71287673184527344172016-04-02T14:16:00.000-04:002016-04-02T14:16:12.731-04:00An Arkansas Spring<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, of course winter wasn't really over in da U.P. -- no matter what the groundhog said. Even as I sit here in WI, winter came back. But I'll get to see my beloved little town tomorrow. It's been weeks...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I remember driving out of da Harbor last month. I had a tear in my eye. A real dripping tear! I said, <i>Heart, it's okay to be sad right now. That just means you really love it here. But think about how happy you will be when we come back!</i> Heart settled a little, so I could see while driving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We spent a few days in Wisconsin on each side of our Arkansas trip, but Arkansas was the highlight, so we'll go right there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One different thing I noticed right away as our plane swooped down, was white trees. <i>White trees?!?!?</i> The flora nerd in me was giddy. I couldn't wait to see what they were made of. Yooper me thought they were cotton trees. Haha. Nope. They looked more like saskatoon trees in full floral bloom. We have those here, but they did look a bit different, and I didn't get to find out their exact species. They just lit the landscape up with a soft whiteness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There were purple trees too! Here is what they look like from afar.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k3qqiTe3C_g/Vv_-zil3RXI/AAAAAAAACX8/VbRNX27iJWc-k7tIm_lE2wavoWzhjl5fw/s1600/blogpurple1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k3qqiTe3C_g/Vv_-zil3RXI/AAAAAAAACX8/VbRNX27iJWc-k7tIm_lE2wavoWzhjl5fw/s400/blogpurple1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>The purple flower tree</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lovely, aren't they? By the end of my trip, the tiny green shoots were starting to pop out of the ends. Here is what those flowers look like up close.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-no-nf7Morc8/Vv_-0zLNXMI/AAAAAAAACYA/bLXFcUVEsuAo68hlrVkTU9XMXcrnVhmZg/s1600/blogpurple2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-no-nf7Morc8/Vv_-0zLNXMI/AAAAAAAACYA/bLXFcUVEsuAo68hlrVkTU9XMXcrnVhmZg/s400/blogpurple2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Flowers on the purple trees</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't know what kind of trees these were either. They didn't have much of a scent that I could decipher. I wonder what they look like in the summer. Some of the flowers were starting to fall by the end of my two weeks. No leaves came out while I was there. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Next time I'll have to bring a flower book for the area. Sheesh!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also saw a few unidentified flowers. Unidentified to me, that is. One I thought was wild basil, but it didn't taste like I'm used to. And I think it was too early for those. Dandelions were out. Violets too. And white trout lilies! I've never seen those before, and I assumed that's what they were by the mottled leaf and structure of the plant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is not a good picture, but this plant just boggled me. I've never seen leaves grow like this before. It's almost as though they were hiding the flowers. Do you know what this one is? The leaves stand almost perfectly vertical either when they first grow or when it's dark out. The stem is square and the flowers themselves remind me of a nettle. Just a few inches high, and I think they were done growing. I'll have to check Peterson's. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QQqUH5oXEUU/VwAAjlf1VSI/AAAAAAAACYQ/uVgKuhBXWCUwoes29lqqMYRZ_H2xtR-Gw/s1600/blogmystery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QQqUH5oXEUU/VwAAjlf1VSI/AAAAAAAACYQ/uVgKuhBXWCUwoes29lqqMYRZ_H2xtR-Gw/s400/blogmystery.jpg" width="330" /></a></div>
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<i>The mystery plant</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So it was certainly springtime there. I thought there would be more moisture in the creeks and such, but again, that is my Yooper brain expecting runoff. No snow means no runoff. Luckily we missed the tornados and floods!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While there, I got out for a couple hikes and one bike ride. Let me start this out by saying that the landscape reminded me of Wisconsin with it's rolling hills, big oak trees and cattle pastures. It seemed like a nice place to be, and the people were nice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I mean, really nice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They would look you in the eye, smile and say hello or hi or hey there. And <i>mean</i> it! Now I am someone who usually extends the first greeting, but down there, I was often second because it is just so engrained in people. I guess that's what they call "Southern Hospitality." I like it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But back to the trails. I got to hike at <b>Bella Vista</b>, where one of Aaron's crews were just finishing up. It was a nice valley-side trail through some cool horizontal slate rocks and unusual flora. I saw cacti and moss in the same space! Didn't know that was possible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also hiked at <b>Hobb's State Park</b>. It was a busy Saturday morning down at the park. I forget how busy recreational places can get, but it's just nice to see people out enjoying the sunshine. This was a nice hike in the early spring. It was a bit dry with only an "elbow" view of Beaver Lake available, but I was just glad to get out. It made me realize how amazing the Keweenaw scenery is, if that was popular in Arkansas. I know, I'm such a critic, hey?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our bike ride was the best part. Mostly because I <i>love</i> riding a bike, but also because I thought the trails were awesome! We rode at <b>Slaughter Pen</b>. Just when a climb was becoming a bit too much to bear, we got to go downhill. There were lots of creeks and rivers flowing through. They had some fun, big berm and jump lines to rip. One section of which Aaron's crew built, and one section the home team built. Some of the trails themselves were old school and rocky, but I really had a blast. I could tell that people there are proud of their recreation. I would recommend riding there. In fact, IMBA's World Mountain Bike Summit is going to be held in northwest Arkansas, so many of the mentioned trails will be showcased as well as some they are still building. After all, that's why Aaron is there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And do you want to know something else I saw that I didn't realize actually existed? The first ever Wal-Mart. There, in downtown Bentonville, on the side of a tall brick storefront, was a Wal-Mart sign. I wish I would have taken a picture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also wish I would have gotten a picture of our little family in front of the "Rogers, Arkansas" sign. I mean, the Rogers family was <i>living</i> in Rogers! Maybe only I think that is neat-o, but I don't mind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What <i>did</i> I take pictures of? Stuff that grows. So here are a few more of some trees that were all over that I liked.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0lR3Pfgt7tw/VwAFvH_liWI/AAAAAAAACYg/WlKYX9nuXy09H1NvjDyXkh19ncHRkvLnQ/s1600/blogredcedar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0lR3Pfgt7tw/VwAFvH_liWI/AAAAAAAACYg/WlKYX9nuXy09H1NvjDyXkh19ncHRkvLnQ/s400/blogredcedar.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>The red cedar smelled incredible</i></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6RnBMsyrtmU/VwAFxkss3fI/AAAAAAAACYk/1fFwIXO5JSMOKNGS3G6MQzeSbeykahCxg/s1600/blogwhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6RnBMsyrtmU/VwAFxkss3fI/AAAAAAAACYk/1fFwIXO5JSMOKNGS3G6MQzeSbeykahCxg/s400/blogwhite.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Perhaps an apple tree</i></div>
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<i>It blossomed just before I left</i></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hjr6SDr_YLM/VwAINgcvsoI/AAAAAAAACY8/D_3ikNhWAAsoQULDPeg-JdpCZb_XtV7vg/s1600/blogholly%253F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hjr6SDr_YLM/VwAINgcvsoI/AAAAAAAACY8/D_3ikNhWAAsoQULDPeg-JdpCZb_XtV7vg/s400/blogholly%253F.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Some kind of a holly tree?</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PGOplOh7Bgo/VwAFzsFgOaI/AAAAAAAACYo/wz_pcLqjpA8ETqiUaKSkethQEhLBfIHng/s1600/blogfungus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PGOplOh7Bgo/VwAFzsFgOaI/AAAAAAAACYo/wz_pcLqjpA8ETqiUaKSkethQEhLBfIHng/s400/blogfungus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Some cool, paper-thin fungus</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The only other wildlife I noted was a red fox by the guys' apartment. I watched it saunter through the leaves and brush. Then it did something I never saw a fox do before: pee. Yup. It stood there and peed just like a female dog. I don't think it would have done that if it saw me. Also by the apartments, there was a pond. A decent sized pond, but the fish I saw swimming in there were at least two feet long! When I scared them, they dove into the mud, so I bet they were bottom feeders of some sort, but I didn't get a good enough look at their heads to tell what kind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh, I did go for one more hike. That was the spot Aaron was working on when I was there. I wanted to see it because he was surprised and slightly frustrated with all the rock they had to work with and around. Though this picture doesn't depict the rocky sections, it sure depicts my handsome boys.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lfajkRGUtoE/VwAH72mT33I/AAAAAAAACY4/tneUD9e4azonvDc-rXBFfWRb9RSr71HgQ/s1600/blogboys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lfajkRGUtoE/VwAH72mT33I/AAAAAAAACY4/tneUD9e4azonvDc-rXBFfWRb9RSr71HgQ/s400/blogboys.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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<i>My boys on a hike</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm surprised I got to compose this post before my next trip to Portland, OR. Guess I just like you that much. Be well, and we will meet again soon!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-73391256876363351812016-03-02T14:18:00.001-05:002016-03-02T14:18:31.922-05:00Winter in a Nutshell<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wow. I think I picked the right winter to be a single mom. With Aaron in Arkansas, and me taking care of B-man 24/7 (well, some hours I get a break!), taking care of the winter too sounded a bit daunting. Luckily, when the snow was pummeling us for days in a row, Grammy and Grampy had my little guy in Wisconsin, so I could shovel every day and go to Mount Bohemia to shred some fresh pow. Ow ow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And bring in wood. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I really should have put on my helmet cam this one time I had to bring in wood. I mean, no time is easy, but some days are horrendous. Like the one time I had to shovel off a three foot drift on my back porch just so I could get the wood-hauling sled off the porch. But <i>then</i>, I had to pull it approximately 40 yards over undulating drifts (one as high as the top of the wood pile!) with my legs post-holing up to my thigh in spots and me swearing like a drunken sailor. Then to dig out the flapping tarp and secure it up, so I could get to the wood, fill up that otter sled and haul the loaded sled like a scorn donkey back over the humps and finally up the steps to the porch where I could fill up my wood rack next to the wood stove. Three times in a row to fill up the rack.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yeah, that would have made a funny video. Perhaps my neighbor John took one. Hopefully he at least noticed my efforts. Anyway, we stayed warm!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But back to my first point that this was a good winter to do all these burly chores myself. This was certainly the mildest winter I can remember in my ten years here. The harbor never even froze over! Maybe a little sheet, but not for the walking! Here are several pans of the Harbor with different ice statuses that I took throughout February.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IVFshWd4bns/Vtc3dzN7lsI/AAAAAAAACXU/Yd7TduqFsug/s1600/blogharborice1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IVFshWd4bns/Vtc3dzN7lsI/AAAAAAAACXU/Yd7TduqFsug/s400/blogharborice1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Looking through "The Gap" early February</i></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-urwTl91J7bc/Vtc3fsj-hZI/AAAAAAAACXY/D2R0ZjjnGCc/s1600/blogharborice2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-urwTl91J7bc/Vtc3fsj-hZI/AAAAAAAACXY/D2R0ZjjnGCc/s400/blogharborice2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>On the shore by the Fanny Hooe Creek exit mid February</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-74i5aNbJuPo/Vtc3hIyqsvI/AAAAAAAACXc/Jo91SAE9kRg/s1600/blogharborice3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-74i5aNbJuPo/Vtc3hIyqsvI/AAAAAAAACXc/Jo91SAE9kRg/s400/blogharborice3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Near the Harbor Haus later in February</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So many times this winter I would look out and think, <i>This it is! She's gonna freeze for good this time! </i> But, nope. Ain't gonna happen this winter, folks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And that is fine, I guess. It's already March, so bring on the spring!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the sun shines on my chair as I type now, I think spring is on the way. Yes, it was a short, mild winter indeed. But B and I made the best of it. We got out for XC skiing, snowshoeing, pulling in the sled, shoveling, and walks along the ever-changing shore. Oh, and here is a super fun one: ice volcanoes!</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g7UlBUgGpdU/Vtc4x4-Ur4I/AAAAAAAACXk/cjTGoPmUHS0/s1600/blogmevolcano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g7UlBUgGpdU/Vtc4x4-Ur4I/AAAAAAAACXk/cjTGoPmUHS0/s400/blogmevolcano.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Me celebrating climbing the biggest one!</i></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lAZa-B-ph_Q/Vtc408StgfI/AAAAAAAACXo/VitAq2Omctk/s1600/blogBvolcano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lAZa-B-ph_Q/Vtc408StgfI/AAAAAAAACXo/VitAq2Omctk/s400/blogBvolcano.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>B erupting from one just his size!</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Xel4wLE5Lk/Vtc43Mpue2I/AAAAAAAACXs/UAXwmUc_uB8/s1600/blogshorevolcanoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Xel4wLE5Lk/Vtc43Mpue2I/AAAAAAAACXs/UAXwmUc_uB8/s400/blogshorevolcanoes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>I pan of the shore that day -- see which ones we were in?</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No ice skating this year. And no death-defying descents down Brockway Mountain. Not <i>this</i> year. Wink.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nope. B and I are headed to Arkansas to visit our hard-working man in some snowless weather. For two weeks! So we'll be gone for most of March and then lots of April to Portland, OR. Spring is a good time to get out of here because there's often not a lot of do-fun-stuff opportunities while everything is melting, mushy and muddy. Except see waterfalls...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So who knows where I'll be when I see you next? Enjoy your life til then!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-86963924223947696672016-01-12T18:23:00.000-05:002016-01-12T18:23:16.505-05:00A Transition for the Shore and a Spirit<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's winter now!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today I was getting ready for an adventure, and I asked myself,<i> How should I turn the cuffs on my jeans so they don't get full of snow?</i> Then I laughed because it's time to wear snow pants! And even snow shoes in some spots. So yes, it's winter. Smiley face.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So get a tissue ready because I'm about to tell you who didn't come with me on my adventure today. Got your tissue? Duce. My handsome, sweet, goofy buttery boy has been released from his pain on this earth. A tumor grew aggressively up his paw making walking and life in general very painful. On Friday he stopped eating. I took him to the vet yesterday, so he could be free. He has all the rocks he cares to chase now.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGCj9NwvgtI/VpV9WZnLQjI/AAAAAAAACV8/ByWdAxkuerE/s1600/blogducegsb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGCj9NwvgtI/VpV9WZnLQjI/AAAAAAAACV8/ByWdAxkuerE/s400/blogducegsb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Duce overlooking the lake at Great Sand Bay</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now he can overlook us anytime! And work on the trails with Aaron -- something he surely missed when the pain arrived. I have only great memories of that puppy. A true adventure buddy indeed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In fact, he led me to what is now one of my new favorite spots! Can you believe I found another new spot around here? And it's so close to my house, that I'm not worn out by the time I get there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It started as a nice flat area overlooking the lake: the perfect spot to build a snow fort when Brady boy can help me. But I realized that there were too many trees in the way for a great view, so we ventured further through the forest until we found a cool, flat spot with a clear view. Well I'm not the only one who liked that spot because I saw the indentations of 4 deer in what little snow we had at the time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Excited at this point, we went all the way to the shore, and Oh. My. Good-golly-miss-Molly. was it beautiful. Check it out. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l5lw-NgeKas/VpV-4sCCqtI/AAAAAAAACWI/eNGlw7823EI/s1600/blogicerockpan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l5lw-NgeKas/VpV-4sCCqtI/AAAAAAAACWI/eNGlw7823EI/s400/blogicerockpan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>The ice-covered shore in the sunshine</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay, maybe you are thinking, "Come on, Amanda, that's not <i>that</i> spectacular." Well, it was when I was there! Here's another shot from (I think) the same day. I love it when the sun shines exclusively on Porter's Island.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bnUnl5rtXCY/VpV_drl3lAI/AAAAAAAACWQ/bNv8Qqir1tU/s1600/blogporter%2527ssunlit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bnUnl5rtXCY/VpV_drl3lAI/AAAAAAAACWQ/bNv8Qqir1tU/s400/blogporter%2527ssunlit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Sunny Porter's Island in the background</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That was on another part of the shore. I have gone out there day after day, and it's always different! Thanks, Ducer, for showing me the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another cool thing from out there is the ice couch. I can just sit on the ice couch and watch the world go by. Maybe I'll have to melt a cup holder in there to bring some tea! In the picture below, my beautiful friend Annele is modeling the ice couch for us.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MhNEkFqFJ1w/VpWAKWy6JLI/AAAAAAAACWc/kMBxVlKAxEk/s1600/blogicecouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MhNEkFqFJ1w/VpWAKWy6JLI/AAAAAAAACWc/kMBxVlKAxEk/s400/blogicecouch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Annele on the ice couch!</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I sit on it each day I go out there. And now it's covered in snow, so it's a little more comfortable. Snow cushions! I bet it sits about 5 people if you ever want to bring a party out there...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now let's take our ice adventure to Hunter's Point. I went out there with my parents and little Brady boy. Since it was almost 40 degrees with no wind that day, the little man was happy to join us. My dad even commented that he had never seen the lake so calm as that day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My parents were like little kids out there. "Woah, look at this!" my mother would exclaim like a 4-year-old. "Ooh, these rocks are dropping from their ice shelf," my dad noticed. "Phil! Take a picture of this!" My mom would shout. Just like kids, I tell ya. That's one of the coolest parts of adventuring -- turning serious adults into curious children. Let me know if you need a turn!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The ice was stunning that day, so they weren't being dramatic by any means. Here is the ice parrot we found.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ulOfCJZCeg8/VpWCQxne2AI/AAAAAAAACWo/uTYozYKU3Rg/s1600/bloghpiceparrot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ulOfCJZCeg8/VpWCQxne2AI/AAAAAAAACWo/uTYozYKU3Rg/s400/bloghpiceparrot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>The perched ice parrot</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And the lighting was so cool when I saw this ice-covered mass. It reminds me of oozing lava, except the opposite temperature!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sj9-ITIMuXM/VpWCkivYyOI/AAAAAAAACWw/s5DGDyV79Yc/s1600/bloghpicegrowth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sj9-ITIMuXM/VpWCkivYyOI/AAAAAAAACWw/s5DGDyV79Yc/s400/bloghpicegrowth.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Hunter's Point ice formations</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today the journey was pretty amazing too. I sat on that ice couch almost long enough for my buns to indent it. But there was so much going on along the shore that I just couldn't sit still for long!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So remember that first picture I showed you of this shore that I made sound like it was unbelievable? Well, now it's covered in snow, and the ice is growing out over the Big lake. I saw several instances of ice volcanoes starting to form, only to be overgrown by other ones starting to form. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That got my wheels spinning. I remembered that I couldn't walk along the whole shore before because the ice was too slick, and the drop on the edge was too steep. But today, ho ho, today that ice extended the walkable area and widened my margin of error. However, I knew that not all that ice meant that there was solid ground underneath.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am getting smart in my increasing-responsibility age.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Instead of walking along the edge of the icy shore that was constantly bombarded by frigidly swirling waves, I walked closer to the earth. And I used icicled branches as holds along the slick spots. I recognized that a false move would mean death, so I was extra cautious. Oops, except that one time I slipped a bit down the ice mound. Shoot, that woke me up!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Enough babbling. Here is what it looks like now!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oOLK-uAOgkc/VpWF981qBRI/AAAAAAAACW8/VyLynmWFoFI/s1600/blogicymagic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oOLK-uAOgkc/VpWF981qBRI/AAAAAAAACW8/VyLynmWFoFI/s400/blogicymagic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Waves changing the icy shore</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At one point, I found a nice spot to sit and rest, and the sun was just right to light up these pieces of ice. It looks like they're glowing! At least one of my pictures turned out for you. Pictures just did not do today's vistas justice.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NBa3lxxa_p4/VpWGbGJA6kI/AAAAAAAACXE/qgoNhT3eFe4/s1600/blogiceglowing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NBa3lxxa_p4/VpWGbGJA6kI/AAAAAAAACXE/qgoNhT3eFe4/s400/blogiceglowing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Can you see that ice glowing?</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In that picture you can also see that ice is starting to form on the lake. Today it got broken up by the waves, but it started yesterday in the calm of the afternoon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As far as inland lakes go, I think they are pretty well iced over. I haven't ventured out on them myself because the last times I was out, I didn't think it was safe. And especially when there is a baby on my back, I'm not going to risk it to check!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I always had the rule of thumb that if Duce wouldn't go on the ice, then I wouldn't go. He had good intuition about that. However, I would go out sometimes anyway because that's just how I am. So today I asked him to be my ice guide from above. I know he won't let me down.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-426708497685718742015-12-18T15:36:00.000-05:002015-12-18T15:36:39.930-05:00Ground Porn<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of the first things I got to do after my last post was get out to my rock. And luckily, Aaron was still home, so just Duce and I went while B napped.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Without a squiggly little boy on my back, I can be more nimble. I am also able to hold a camera steadily and not get kicked while I snap the photo. This particular day, wet and warm, I was interested in ground cover. Here are some of the shots I took on the way out.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jP6kHh6ZYQ0/VnRhDtzARJI/AAAAAAAACU8/hkOHB1VPltE/s1600/blogmicrosystem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jP6kHh6ZYQ0/VnRhDtzARJI/AAAAAAAACU8/hkOHB1VPltE/s400/blogmicrosystem.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>A tiny ecosystem grows on an old stump</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P-r7LpVcqKg/VnRhFefm3ZI/AAAAAAAACVE/o_eipkOF5ug/s1600/blogmoss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P-r7LpVcqKg/VnRhFefm3ZI/AAAAAAAACVE/o_eipkOF5ug/s400/blogmoss.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>If I didn't have a one-year-old,</i></div>
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<i>I might have this as my carpet at home</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For some reason, I have always been intrigued by these tiny ground covers. They turn something old into new life. Their structure seems simple, yet effective. Like how those light green stems in the top picture have a dent in the top, so water can pool there, and they can stay moist. Genius.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Out at the rock, my soul was on fire. I scampered all around like a child, exploring all areas of this magnificent geological beast. One of my favorite parts was the lichen. Guess I was still on that kick, hey?</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VVUuj4puihY/VnRi4aEC-kI/AAAAAAAACVQ/UbeHewSerKk/s1600/bloglichen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VVUuj4puihY/VnRi4aEC-kI/AAAAAAAACVQ/UbeHewSerKk/s400/bloglichen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Lichen on my rock</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">White, gray, green and orange all in the same spot. Pretty spectacular. And once my own heart settled a bit, and I could hear beyond myself, I heard this <i>woh woh woh woh</i> sound. In not too long, I knew it was a freighter. For some reason, I got really excited. Probably because I couldn't see it, but I knew it was there. I could almost feel it. So I sat on that rock, and I waited.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w_9uw7CeRjw/VnRjzEeMdJI/AAAAAAAACVY/8BLX2SbAmjM/s1600/blogrockfeet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w_9uw7CeRjw/VnRjzEeMdJI/AAAAAAAACVY/8BLX2SbAmjM/s400/blogrockfeet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Enjoying my view again</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The <i>woh woh woh woh</i> kept getting louder, so I figured it would poke out from behind the lighthouse point at any moment. I tried not to stare at that spot and just enjoy myself, but it seemed to be taking quite a while. And my excitement just built.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then there it was. Haha. It was pretty anticlimactic. Yes, there it was: a freighter in the mist on the horizon. Seen it a hundred times. Got lots of pictures of it. So I thought for a moment how the anticipation was more intense than the actual delivery. Kind of like a kid opening a present on Christmas, you know? Life is like that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now I will forget a lot of incidents in between, but here are a couple more of note.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Winter Wonderfest was a blowout despite the fact there was no snow. The grass was lush and green. People hung out by the fire because the air wasn't even too chilly until it started to drizzle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay, but let me back up. B and I worked a shift at the bake sale that day. During that time, we saw lots of people come and go. I always wonder where they come from. Then around 3:30, before the ornament decorating was about to begin, the kids came in droves. Holy crap I was almost claustrophobic! Where did they all come from??? Were they here to make ornaments? See Santa? Well, I still don't know the answer to that, but they came.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And after the park lit up at 6pm, they all ran into it to play around the lights. That part was pretty cool -- mostly because we weren't all in the same room. Thank goodness for the great outdoors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, <a href="https://youtu.be/8-2t0v3KGaE">HERE IS A VIDEO OF THAT GRAND LIGHTING</a>. Just click that underlined part. Oh, you know what to do!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was pretty sweet, I tell you. Nice job to Donny and all the helpers. Maybe you'll be there next year!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The other cool story happened yesterday. I was out on a walk with my friend Annele (thank goodness I have another adventure buddy for the winter!!!), and while we stood on Jamsen's dock, this freighter scooted by. It was so close, but we didn't hear it -- just barely saw it in the mist. Now this photo is heavily edited, so you can actually see the freighter. But it looks cool that way anyway.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J79W2AYN0oQ/VnRnc8ez9fI/AAAAAAAACVk/FgHKaJ00py4/s1600/Blogfreigher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J79W2AYN0oQ/VnRnc8ez9fI/AAAAAAAACVk/FgHKaJ00py4/s400/Blogfreigher.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Freighter in the mist through the gap</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I mean, how perfect is that? It's half the length of the gap! If the wind was from the north, we probably could have smelled the fuel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh, see? Now I'm remembering some other things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One day I walked along Lake Fanny Hooe, and she was soooooo still. I mean look how still she was!!! A perfect reflection!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3TvJAgTcwcA/VnRoBZ1JsyI/AAAAAAAACVs/BQLipUrQFok/s1600/blogfannyreflection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3TvJAgTcwcA/VnRoBZ1JsyI/AAAAAAAACVs/BQLipUrQFok/s400/blogfannyreflection.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>A perfect Fanny Hooe reflection</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Can you tell where I was standing? That's the resort on the right side. Pretty cool, if I do say so myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And lastly, I recall a day when I wish I had my camera. I had just gotten back from a hellacious drive from town. It was a day that I wish someone had told me how horrible it was going to be, so I just wouldn't have gone! But I did, and we didn't die.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So I got back, and often times, instead of turning right at the blinking light, I'll go straight through and take Brockway Ave. along the lakeshore. Man, we pulled up to the Jamsen's dock, and I couldn't believe the gap! It was a constant whitecap! The water level seemed to be higher than the rocks out there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I stepped out of my car -- getting pelted by freezing rain and sloshing through a huge puddle -- I noticed the waves in the harbor itself were breaking over people's docks! I don't know if I've ever seen that before. A lot of elements had to be aligned for that to happen. And it did. And I got to see it. But I didn't have a camera.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let me leave you with the fact that we are in the middle of a lake effect snow storm. I'd say approximately 3 inches of fluff has built up on my porch so far. It's beginning to look a lot like the Keweenaw!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-73765313183925955792015-11-30T15:46:00.000-05:002015-11-30T15:46:18.551-05:00On the Verge of Winter<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, I was right about one thing: the bell buoy got stolen from right under my nose. But today, as the sun shines brightly and the lake is calm, there is plenty of freighter action on the lake. I saw three, and that's when I wasn't even trying!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That means winter is coming. Sometimes, by now, we are already buried in snow. Not this year! Look what's on the ground in the woods on the last day of November!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FvT9_y8EXU/VlyuW1ZeCqI/AAAAAAAACUA/Qm06_CXM4c8/s1600/blogsnowcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FvT9_y8EXU/VlyuW1ZeCqI/AAAAAAAACUA/Qm06_CXM4c8/s400/blogsnowcover.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Snow cover in the woods as of 11/30/2015</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not a whole lot. But there are other signs of winter. Just looky here at the frost I saw on my hike today.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zquxjbzWals/VlyutNJ_WEI/AAAAAAAACUI/_CSvZoWkzZw/s1600/blogfrosties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zquxjbzWals/VlyutNJ_WEI/AAAAAAAACUI/_CSvZoWkzZw/s400/blogfrosties.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Ground frosties!</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And take a look over here at the potential first ice skating rink!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XgvuF-J_OKs/Vlyu7DVnS3I/AAAAAAAACUQ/E3AeLnIiB2w/s1600/blogicerink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XgvuF-J_OKs/Vlyu7DVnS3I/AAAAAAAACUQ/E3AeLnIiB2w/s400/blogicerink.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Clyde's pond icing over nicely</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And wouldn't you know it, Donny K. Jr. is out in the park putting up Christmas lights so "we can have the best light display in the U.P." Looks like he had some help from the big boys today.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p5J_vQRybgA/VlyvaPugNzI/AAAAAAAACUY/AgptZ6hn93I/s1600/blogparklights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p5J_vQRybgA/VlyvaPugNzI/AAAAAAAACUY/AgptZ6hn93I/s400/blogparklights.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Don sending lights to the top of that cedar</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you are up, feel free to help him out by decorating a tree. He always needs volunteers. We'll see how cheery things look this year. Actually, you can see them too at Winter Wonderfest. This year it's December 12th. Crafts, gifts and goodies in the community building all day, then the park lights up at dark! It's always a lovely time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Know what else was a lovely time? My parents came up two weekends ago. One day my mom volunteered to watch Braeden (bless her heart), so my dad and I could get out for an adventure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On that blustery day, we hiked the south shore of Hunter's Point. Then we sat on the point for some time while we took it all in. We hiked the north shore back, and each time we could jut out to the beach, we did. We stood at each outlet and watched the waves crash. It was neat because at each spot, the waves hit the shore differently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now I must say that my dad is really awesome because not everyone will stand there at each outlet on the beach and watch the waves crash on the shore and love every minute. Thanks, Daddio. We'll have to do it again sometime.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also got to take my parents out to my new favorite rock. That day was sunny and not as windy. Though ice covered the stones up to the rock, and waves flooded the path between the icy stones, I timed it out, so I could sit up there and bask in the wonder of my spirit. I just love that spot. Here you can see my boots overlooking the eastern edge of Porter's Island in the distance.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VpEDBLkSeig/VlyyFJtzLNI/AAAAAAAACUs/UDL2aUsMky8/s1600/blogfeet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VpEDBLkSeig/VlyyFJtzLNI/AAAAAAAACUs/UDL2aUsMky8/s400/blogfeet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>The view from my rock</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now my goal is to get out there as much as possible this winter and take this photo. What will be different each time? Lighting, ice, snow, my boots, my pants and whatever else will surprise us! Now it may not be easy getting out there with little man and Duce through the blowing cold days, but I'll do my best.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So yeah. I am pumped for winter. Excited to see what it brings. Hopefully I can show Brady Boy some ice skating moves before too much snow falls. But I surely won't bet on that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And want to know what's extra cool about this winter? December 13th marks 10 years since Aaron and I moved up here. Ten years! I'm so excited, I just might have to celebrate!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-82844115476305265922015-11-11T16:34:00.000-05:002015-11-11T16:34:59.470-05:00Between a Rock and a Contest<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember how I like to perch on intriguing boulders? Well I found a new favorite one. But I'm not going to tell you where it is; you have to guess. I took a picture of it from an angle that you may only recognize if you've been there.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oE_Olko0isM/VkOq2OM3L8I/AAAAAAAACTw/mZlBD9oQS90/s1600/blogrock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oE_Olko0isM/VkOq2OM3L8I/AAAAAAAACTw/mZlBD9oQS90/s400/blogrock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Where is this rock?</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do you know? If so, leave a comment of where you think it is, and you could win a free signed copy of Touring the Tip! The first person to enter the correct location of this rock wins. Please bear in mind that you need to leave your name somewhere, and I must moderate all comments. If you don't see your comment right away it's because I didn't get to publish it yet. Okay, go!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Want to know something else really cool? I got to go mountain biking -- true singletrack-ripping mountain biking for the first time in almost two years. TWO YEARS!!! That's a long time for a mountain biker. But I am still learning how to give my son to someone else and say, "See you later. I hope I come back in one piece!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The weather has been lovely lately, though. I think rain tomorrow, but we've had sunshine and sometimes no jacket weather! We've had some clear night skies too. I spent a couple evenings out watching shooting stars and constellations. Man, it's great to be back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last I checked, the bell buoy was still out by the lighthouse. But we know how quickly that gets swept out from under my nose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lucky for you (and me, of course), I am not moving away this winter. You know, Arkansas just does not sound that appealing to me for four months. Yeah I'll have to haul in wood and shovel and take care of a one year old and all that, but I can do it <i>here</i>! I've had some unexpected adventures in the past, so I wonder what this winter will bring. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I just love how outdoor activities depend on the weather. Skating? Parachuting? Avalanche? Okay, just kidding about the avalanche (I hope). But life is full of surprises.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Otherwise, it's just nice and quiet here. Oh, how I love it. Well, I've seen some hunters up scouting lately, but other than that, just us. What a gift.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, you're probably getting antsy to comment on where that rock it, so I'll let you get to it. Good luck! Maybe I'll see you out there sometime.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-53136407194459104042015-10-21T21:31:00.002-04:002015-10-21T21:31:54.124-04:00Back to Amanda!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay, maternity leave is over! Braeden is one year old, in stable condition and all around amazing. Time for me to be Amanda and do my writing stuff which I didn't even realize how much I missed until I got back into it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When we were at Grammy and Grampy Rogers' house two weeks ago, I had a revelation about it. I was walking down a dark, gravel road with only the twinkling stars as my light. I thought, <i>Hmm, when I walk down the road in da Harbor, the street lights are shining. This is completely void of lights from civilization. Awesome.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then I noticed that I should be more grateful about where I am even though I can't be in my favorite place all the time. I should appreciate where I am <i>all</i> the time. Bam! I got an idea for a book. And when I thought of the memoir I am currently working on, I realized, <i>Well, I better write that, so I can get this next one going!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All the sudden, <i>~zing~</i> across the sky. A shooting star! And at that moment I made a wish for myself for the first time since Braeden was born. It's been a whole year since I wished something for myself! So it's about darn time I get things rolling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's a picture of the sunset from that night. It's so lovely there.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UC77R4sJ1E0/ViUabGxUG7I/AAAAAAAACSs/PnHz1NUuWIc/s1600/blogsunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UC77R4sJ1E0/ViUabGxUG7I/AAAAAAAACSs/PnHz1NUuWIc/s400/blogsunset.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>A northwestern Wisconsin autumn sunset</i></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then our little family was reunited in Crosby, Minnesota. Where the heck is that? It's part of a little cluster of towns in north-central Minnesota in a rural, recreational setting. Lots of lakes, trees and trails. Plus history from iron ore mining. Really cool, actually. I've enjoyed my time here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just a few places to note.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SpaldingHouseBar?ref=hl">Spalding House</a> is a historic bar/motel/apartment building recently renovated in the past year to cater to the trail enthusiasts and locals. The bar has awesome drink specials that I think my own little town could add to its weekly routine. $1.50 taps on Tuesday nights? Try and keep me out of there! Okay, so maybe my town shouldn't do that. Wink.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And here is a picture of their fabulous tapper selection! Whatever makes the wheels go round!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVLcgNrLyBw/Vig59EVE-oI/AAAAAAAACTA/x9V8qL2vHEc/s1600/blogtapper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CVLcgNrLyBw/Vig59EVE-oI/AAAAAAAACTA/x9V8qL2vHEc/s400/blogtapper.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>20 draft beers at the Spalding House</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Aaron, Braeden and I sleep above it in one of their cozy little rooms. I thinks it's cool, and the owners are super sweet. They recognize what's happening in their town, and they are progressive about what their visitors are looking for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also enjoyed my Americano and sandwich at Mixed Company. Quaint, friendly atmosphere and cute crafty things on the walls. The owner thought Braeden was adorable, but so far I haven't met anyone that doesn't. KJ's Mini Mart was also perfect for me to set up an impromptu birthday party for my one year old! Plus I even got him a nice second hand blazer for his Halloween costume. It's an interesting combo of retail, but it worked for me!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jAqZngTmMhA/Vig6Xe7JDsI/AAAAAAAACTI/0ImuEp9JvN4/s1600/blogbdayparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jAqZngTmMhA/Vig6Xe7JDsI/AAAAAAAACTI/0ImuEp9JvN4/s400/blogbdayparty.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Birthday bash with the Rock Solid crew!</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another place of note it the park at Serpent Lake. The playground there is amazing! It's decked out like a ship with things to crawl through and pretend drive and dig and swing and slide and hang. Man, if Braeden was a little older, we would have been there all day. Except poor Duce felt dejected tied up by the entrance. Sorry buddy, no dogs allowed.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a_LKmJIJ2Uk/Vig6nFBkHkI/AAAAAAAACTQ/Apwno-S_l-8/s1600/blogserpent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a_LKmJIJ2Uk/Vig6nFBkHkI/AAAAAAAACTQ/Apwno-S_l-8/s400/blogserpent.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>B under the Serpent at Serpent Lake</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The lake there was lovely. They had a skate park with actual people using it! And camping and tennis courts and restrooms and all that. It was really well kept up. If I could have let my doggy run loose there, we would have gone back more often.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then there's the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail. It's a paved double-wide trail that snakes between the lakes and around the little towns. It was perfect for me on my touring bike pulling B in the trailer. Lots of great vistas heading west out of Crosby. And it seemed like after every turn there was another lake! And sometimes there were lakes on both sides!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J0IpNAwpMgU/Vig62l6SlII/AAAAAAAACTY/W4L8LVYO7-0/s1600/bloglake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J0IpNAwpMgU/Vig62l6SlII/AAAAAAAACTY/W4L8LVYO7-0/s400/bloglake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>A lake along Cuyuna Lakes State Trail</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I liked the feel of this town. Nothing classy, but functional. I actually hope that Aaron has to come back and build more trails here. I would hang out and adventure and cook and write. I even got to take Braeden on his first singletrack ride in the trailer. I think he liked it because he threw up on himself!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_iY-Q9-3Kg/Vig7Hw9pX3I/AAAAAAAACTg/Xk0MPjWVZgY/s1600/blogworksite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B_iY-Q9-3Kg/Vig7Hw9pX3I/AAAAAAAACTg/Xk0MPjWVZgY/s400/blogworksite.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Aaron on the job in his mini-ex</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, I've got a couple more stops in Wisconsin, then back to da Harbor for a month! I hope... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">See you sooner rather then later!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-43559353613881900492015-10-10T13:40:00.000-04:002015-10-10T13:40:45.128-04:00Longing for Home<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I snuck out on you again. I was in Spokane, Washington for a week because my little brother got married. So happy for him -- he found a keeper. <i>Wink</i>. And Braeden did great on his first plane rides. Whew!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And now I am in Wisconsin en route to Cuyuna, Minnesota where Aaron is building trails for the month. All I can give you is a guess at a <span style="color: red;">color report</span>. I bet the leaves are lovely in da Harbor right now. Good thing I have seen some glorious ones in past autumns, or I would be sad to miss this year. The maples were electric on my way out of town. Nice color in Northern Wisconsin right now, too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My computer is mostly better. Thanks for asking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To be totally honest with you, I may only get to be in Copper Harbor for Halloween and November. Then hopefully January and February, but even the winter is up in the air. I think Aaron is booked pretty much all next year too. Ah, the life of the wife of a traveling man. Good thing I don't have a <i>real</i> job right now! I told him, <i>Well, at least we have a house to live in when we actually get to be there!</i> And he said, <i>It will make it all that much better when we get to be there then.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Like I said in a previous post, I realized how much better my heart beats there after I've been away for so long. But there are worse things in the world...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I really wish that I could provide you with substantial information and entertainment from da Harbor, but I guess that will be to come. Heck, I wish I provide that for myself! Don't have high expectations for me for the next few months. Then hopefully I can surpass them!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Man, I don't even have a picture for you right now because they are on my camera at home. Nice planning, Wais. I can tell you that I got some cool pictures of the moon rise the night of the lunar eclipse. That was the highlight of my fall. That moon was sooooooo huge, and I caught it rising over East Bluff and Lake Superior. Seriously made my day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I would assume that things are starting to slow down in da Harbor during the week, but I bet leaves are pretty peak right now, so weekends are probably still a bit crazy. Just a guess. Correct me if I'm wrong. I prefer to be corrected than to spew false information. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If I keep typing to you, I would just be rambling and guessing at things, so I'll close. Plus my little man is ready to get out in this nice fall air. So am I. Braeden is doing amazing, by the way. He turns one year old on Thursday. They say the first year is the hardest, and I hope they're right because we have been in lots of hospitals. But his strength, joy, charm and love never ceases to amaze me.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-60762004684622565672015-09-25T16:33:00.001-04:002015-09-25T16:33:57.202-04:00A Brief Report<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh no. My computer pooped out on me, so I am scrapping to find you. I guess I just have to stick with with basics for now.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Color Report</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Covered Stretch is around 20% turned. The colors are quite bright and florescent because they're mostly maples, of course. I haven't seen a whole lot on M-26 or Brockway yet, but it could go fast. Looks like people are ready to see some bright, shiny leaves because town is filling up this weekend!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sorry to be so brief, but technology is against me momentarily. I really do think about you much more than I am able to communicate. Thanks for still reading, though! Be well!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-89687937865740412172015-09-01T16:28:00.001-04:002015-09-01T16:28:34.998-04:00Down Under the Bridge.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Though I have travelled over 700 miles since I left Copper Harbor, I am still in Michigan. Man this is a big state. I did go the Wisconsin route, however. I have to get my fresh cheese curd fix. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, I don't mean to get all sentimental on you again, but it was really hard to leave this last time. Probably because I knew how great I felt while I was here. Even though the town was overrun with visitors, my spirit was overcome with peace and inspiration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Plus, the choke cherries were amazing. For a wino, <i>ahem</i>, winemaker, choke cherries are a prime fruit. Imagine bunches of cherry red grapes hanging from the trees -- almost ready to pick. Sooooo close to being ready to shuck off those branches. And I had to leave. Choke is some of the best wine I have ever made. Well, next year, I hope. Just look at these babies.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EYiZmiRqQAs/VeYAlsS2zKI/AAAAAAAACR8/Ey6q9nHtcjM/s1600/blogchokes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EYiZmiRqQAs/VeYAlsS2zKI/AAAAAAAACR8/Ey6q9nHtcjM/s400/blogchokes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Whopping bunches of chokes... for the birds</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As odd as it may sound, this picture was in my mind as I turned up the hill on Highway 41. Then I looked back at Lake Superior in my rearview mirror, and said <i>See you later beautiful lake.</i> Sniff a tear. Oh, she is such a beauty. My heart longs to be there still. Probably much like yours if you are not there right now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do you want to know where I am 700 miles away still in Michigan? Sitting in a hotel in Ann Arbor. It's not so bad. I'd be a bit more adventurous if I wasn't so afraid to drive in cities with actual lines of traffic and stop lights. We're here for Braeden anyway, my mother and I. Don't worry. He's doing fine. Just needs some check-ups and testing, and Mott's is worth the drive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been longing to tell you about something that I've seen lately. Maybe others have seen them more too, but I haven't really heard anything. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wolves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay, so two wolves on two separate occasions. That's really more wolves than I've seen in my whole entire life. And what they were doing is what gives me that goosebumpy feeling. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Both times were in the U.P. Both were while I was driving with my little boy in the back seat. And BOTH times the wolf came out of the woods and stayed there, staring. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The first time I was driving south just south of South Range. I thought it was a deer at first because, well, that's what usually jumps out of the woods. Then I saw that it looked more like a dog. A huge prancing dog with no collar. <i>Oh my gosh, that's a wolf, Braeden!</i> He was probably sleeping by that time. But the wolf, in it's tall tan and gray glory frolicked across the road, made a U-turn back across the road, stopped on the yellow line and stared at me. Not a glare or anything scary, but a gaze as if to say, "I am here for you." Then it trapsed off back into the woods where it came out. Has this ever happened to you? I think it's pretty strange behavior for such a beast, and though I thought it a bit incredible, it instantly put my mind at ease, and I knew everything was going to be all right. Kind of like a sign of good luck.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The second time was less than two months later. I was cruising north just north of Mohawk. I noticed brake lights on the car ahead of me. Slightly annoyed because this is where we get to speed up, I saw why they slowed down. A wolf stood on the driver's left side of the road just looking around calmly. You know, it watched us as we went by. That same calming feeling filled me as we passed, and I hoped the car behind me got to bask in its majesty as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, when I think of wolves in the wild, I would be a bit more scared. Especially if I was walking on a trail somewhere and there it was -- looking at me. Yeah, I know I was in a car, but this was really different. I think Braeden's energy is behind it. Call me a kook if you want, but I try to listen to my intuition, and that's what it said. That sweet little boy has already led me on quite a journey. We'll see where this one goes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy September, by the way. I know you're probably biting your fingernails because I'm way far away from the Keweenaw, and I can't give you a good color report. Oh, I bet you have other resources, who am I kidding? But, if you like my report, I should be back by September 13th or so. I am excited to show Braeden the colors in the trees. When he was born, they were already brown on the ground.</span></div>
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Well, I'll see you when I'm back up Nort, eh!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-81759069028642037412015-08-13T15:06:00.003-04:002015-08-13T15:06:47.288-04:00Back to Myself<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last week I drove back to Copper Harbor. After 5 weeks of somewhere else, I was eager to return. But I didn't realize how much I missed it until I got back. I'm sure you can relate to this. It may sound cliche, but it's true. Here it goes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once I got just south of Houghton, and I crested that hill, I got goosebumps. I felt like I was truly back in the Keweenaw. Coming over the hill into Copper Harbor, though, wow. I saw the sign and the lake, and I cried. Real tears trickled down my face. I didn't even care as long as I could still see the road.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I pulled into my driveway, I opened my car door, hit the ground on my knees and kissed the rocks and sand. If I would have kissed it the way I really felt, I would have had a mouth full of dirt, and that didn't seem like fun to wash out, so I just kissed it with my lips. When I looked up, I saw my thimbleberry plants bursting with magenta orbs of tang. I ate as many as I could one right after the other until I remembered I had a sleeping baby in the car. He was still sleeping, so I looked out at my little town and took a deep breath.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's when it hit me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I felt two feelings at that moment. One was like someone inserted my "missing piece" somewhere in my body and soul. A piece I didn't even realize was gone until it got put back. I felt whole again. The other feeling was like someone plugged me back into life. I didn't realize I was unplugged until the electricity of the air energized me and made me feel alive. <i>Hello, Amanda!!! There you are!!! I missed you!!!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am not exaggerating this. I bet you believe me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know that most people come here and feel like a weight is lifted off their shoulders and peace fills their soul. That is wonderful too. I would feel that way if my life away from here was stressful, but it's not. It's just, well, to be polite, not here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So there I was. Completely Amanda again. I jumped and cheered and Braeden woke up. I tried celebrating with him, but I don't know if he fully understood my elation. I showed him around the house and checked his reaction. He was more observant than reacting. Pretty typical for him. He takes it all in, that wise little man.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Like at Hunter's Point. He loves to sit in the rocks and chew on them. Here he is picking out a tasty one.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9J5QrepA11A/VczhsPY9JMI/AAAAAAAACQw/pOL6r7zE8Q8/s1600/bloghprocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9J5QrepA11A/VczhsPY9JMI/AAAAAAAACQw/pOL6r7zE8Q8/s400/bloghprocks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>B finding his next chew toy</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That boy is tough, I tell you. And just darling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We've gone quite a few places since we've been home. Great Sand Bay where he took his first dip in Lake Superior and ate his first fist-fulls of sand. Up and down Paul's Plunge. Along the first part of the Keweenaw Point Trail. Lake Manganese and Fanny Hooe. Through Fort Wilkins campground on a busy weekend in August. Atop Brockway Mountain for his first time. Clyde's field. Docks along the harbor shore. Brickside Brewery where the bartenders always give him free beer. Kisses! I mean they give him kisses and hugs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So here is a picture of the beginning of the Keweenaw Point Trail. I have told you this before, but this trail is destined to loop around the tip of the Keweenaw (hence the name) and Phase I is now complete. It starts on Manganese Road just above the falls and comes out just east of Lake Fanny Hooe by the Mandan Loop near the beginning of Highway 41. Got that?</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-le4XV4Et7Rg/VczjzktgWjI/AAAAAAAACQ8/VqyzwoIGy3w/s1600/blogkpthead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-le4XV4Et7Rg/VczjzktgWjI/AAAAAAAACQ8/VqyzwoIGy3w/s400/blogkpthead.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>KPT Trailhead!</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was intrigued by the suspended rock at the beginning. Cool, huh?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And here is a part of the seasons that you may not have fully compared in your head. The difference between the bottom of Manganese Falls in the spring and late summer. Can you guess which is which below? <i>Hint: it's the same order I just mentioned.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Can you believe it? It hardly looks like the same spot! But it is. I am not a liar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The berries are pretty amazing right now. Yeah. What a tease this year. I mean, here I am, actually here with all day to pick, and someone won't sit still in the bushes for hours at a time. I don't blame him, though. When he's ready to pick with me, I'll have him make up for it. Tee hee!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So here is a bit of blatant truth into my life. Raw Amanda. I can't get out to pick berries to make, um, wine, so I just bought rice to make sake! Ha! I will find a way to make wine! I think it will be a nice experiment. I'm all about fermentation experimentation. See also: I like to make and drink wine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Guess what. It's Art in the Park this weekend in da Harbor! If you're coming up and you don't have a place to sleep, you'll be sleeping in your car. Or on some nice person's beach, I don't know. Sleeping on a pebbly beach is quite wonderful, actually. Even if you don't have a tent. Unless the bugs are out...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, if you come up this weekend, stop by the bake sale. That's where Braeden and I will be! I'm running it again this year. Bring some baked goods or buy some! If we get to talking and I like you, maybe you can try my wine sometime. See you in September!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-40352335011559959222015-07-20T16:38:00.000-04:002015-07-20T16:38:17.678-04:00Adventure Redifined<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You're probably wondering how things are going in Duluth. Well, I don't even know!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been west of Duluth a couple times this summer to see my sweet man, but I haven't really been in Duluth - the city. But the times I've been to that area have been interesting and adventurous.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Why haven't you been living in Duluth, Amanda?" That's a fair question. See, when you bank on the life of a contractor, you bank on chance and waiting. We waited (and are still waiting) for some of those chances, so I am staying nearby at Aaron's parents' house for the month of July. Then Braeden and I can book it the 100 miles each week to be a family -- in a house with a bunch of trail working dudes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are some of the interesting and adventurous parts of Duluth, or, west of Duluth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The flowers are quite similar to those of the Keweenaw. I suppose you would assume that, but there some differences that I have noticed because for some strange reason that is what the essence of my being gravitates toward. </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They have lots of dewberries (which are delicious). I have only found a few of those in da Harbor.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Like this western part of Wisconsin, where I currently reside, they have lots of water hemlock. Cicuta douglasii. Do you know what that means??? It means that it's a good thing that I don't hate anyone. I know where the hemlock is, and I know how to use it. But don't worry. I won't. That would be wrong, and besides, I just said this in my blog, so that's evidence.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Their shinleaf is not as scarce.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They have thimbleberry plants, and they may not even know it. I have not seen a single flower or berry, but the plants are rampant in thimble-loving areas.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I saw my first Michigan lilies bouncing in the breeze.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I saw my first bloodroot leaves, but the flowers already dropped.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Virginia creeper is common.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wow, I am a nerd. But most people fill their mind with useless information of some kind. Some people have sports. Some have Hollywood. I have wildflowers. Thank goodness for diversity on this planet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Also, west of Duluth, I have hiked part if not all of the original Seven Bridges West trail. I can recount most of those bridges though many of them have been crumbled by floods.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then one day the president of Rock Solid Trail Contracting LLC. (aka my husband) asked if Braeden and I would like to go on an adventure ride in the side-by-side. He was hauling lumber from the road to their new trail via an old ATV trail. Well, what else did we have to do? We went.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We buckled the little man in nice and tight. I would have done this anyway, but the fact that Aaron did too should have set me off for what he meant by "adventure." My definition of adventure is setting off into new or old places where one can always learn something new and expect the unexpected. Aaron's definition includes something along the lines of hopefully not dying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So we went on Aaron's "adventure."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Early in the trip, as we rounded a corner and I thought we might slide off and sink into the muddy clay, I said, "Whew. That was an adventure right there." Aaron laughed and said, "The adventure has just begun." Still no red flags went off in my mind. And I have been with this man for over 10 years. Have I learned nothing???</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A few branches whipped and ripped beside my head. That didn't bug me, though. I knew parameters were tight. Some flesh-stinging wounds were just part of the ride. But then he took us on some turns where I thought that maxly packed machine was going to tumble down the hill. I tried not to envision us rolling down the hill, but I did. And we didn't. But the adventure wasn't over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have you ever been to Six Flags Great America? They have this roller coaster ride called <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPFt3vB1ezo">Raging Bull</a>. I've included a video that I found on youtube of some people riding this beast in the front seat to help illustrate how I felt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Did you watch it? Okay. Now remember the first part as they chug-chug-chug up and up that first hill, but add the element of Oh-my-God-are-we-going-to-make-it-up-this-hill? Even Aaron wasn't sure. We were on one of his test runs. After making it up one, I asked, "Was that the worst one?" He shook his head. I kept wondering why he would take his wife and infant son (who was fast asleep) on such a ride. That's Aaron for you. Never a dull moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then remember the part where they go straight down and you can hear the woman say, "I can't see anything!" What she means is that you can't see what's in front of you because it is so straight down that it's out of sight. I remember being on this roller coaster ride at Six Flags. I thought that exact same thing. Then I shrieked the whole way down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And that is the experience that flashed through my mind when Aaron took us down the hill. Again, I envisioned us tumbling down bumper over lumber. But we didn't tumble. And Aaron had to keep up his speed at the bottom in order to make it up the next hill... the worst one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But I am here to write about it, so you know we didn't die. We all stayed quite buckled in, actually, so I give that Kubuta 4x4 a lot of durability and safety credit. Aaron ran that trip multiple times. It was just a day in his work life, but a day that I thought might end mine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Aaron's definition of adventure is forever ingrained in my brain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You know what I miss? I miss the cool Lake Superior breezes. I forgot how hot Wisconsin summers can be, and my veins are no longer use to this. I can't even lay out for a suntan because I feel like a slice of bacon ready to crisp up in a cast iron pan. But a slice of bacon does sound good right about now. Mmm, bacon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The only picture I have that applies to this blog is the one I took of the Copper Harbor bell buoy just a few days before I left for Wisconsin. Here it is as the sun set behind it.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lKhCrQ1P21g/Va1XpZpqcRI/AAAAAAAACQY/JrOFPZNHZbw/s1600/blogbuoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lKhCrQ1P21g/Va1XpZpqcRI/AAAAAAAACQY/JrOFPZNHZbw/s400/blogbuoy.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Ye old buoy up close</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Ding da ding ding!</i> Man, I miss that sound.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-86097019650226662972015-06-12T12:45:00.000-04:002015-06-12T12:45:02.004-04:00Picture Perfect<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Every time I'm going to write, I think <i>Okay, now Amanda, don't apologize for not writing in a while. It makes you look bad.</i> Well, you deserve an apology because it's now been well over a month. I'm sorry. I hope to make it up to you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So here's an inside scoop into my brain. After so long, and so many adventures and so much to say, I feel overwhelmed. <i>What am I even going to say? What order do I put it in? How should I organize it?</i> And I just can't make a decision, so I just wait longer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Luckily, I thought of a good way to do this. Pictures! I took lots of pictures, so I'll just show you them all and write a brief caption. I hope that works for you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Before I begin, here are a couple facts that aren't necessarily captured digitally. The blackflies are almost gone already. And the skeeters are coming out more. The weather has been lovely -- a little cool, but we are not going to complain! Weekends have been busy, and the weeks are still a bit slower until after July 4th.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay. Moving on. And yes, there are a lot of plants.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oucrcpFSxF4/VXsGCed-yBI/AAAAAAAACMk/U37tDUXso4s/s1600/blogarbutus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oucrcpFSxF4/VXsGCed-yBI/AAAAAAAACMk/U37tDUXso4s/s400/blogarbutus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Early arbutus in May</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KI8txM2qLd8/VXsGUPjgzaI/AAAAAAAACOM/359DWq9Kp24/s1600/blogmangcreek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KI8txM2qLd8/VXsGUPjgzaI/AAAAAAAACOM/359DWq9Kp24/s400/blogmangcreek.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Manganese Creek in May</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then I went to a Michigan Outdoor Writers Association conference in early June. We stayed at Treetops in Gaylord, MI. Really now, that part of the state isn't so scary. It was a nice time.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I76wCizDkkM/VXsGPUQVfBI/AAAAAAAACMw/1D8Q8JN62T0/s1600/blogaspensign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I76wCizDkkM/VXsGPUQVfBI/AAAAAAAACMw/1D8Q8JN62T0/s400/blogaspensign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>It took us two hours to hike two miles here in Gaylord, MI</i></div>
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<i>I was with true naturalists that day.</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lMsK-Pj5CB8/VXsGQIUBJWI/AAAAAAAACM8/f2QKrT-emL0/s1600/blogbeech.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lMsK-Pj5CB8/VXsGQIUBJWI/AAAAAAAACM8/f2QKrT-emL0/s400/blogbeech.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>A Gaylord beech tree looking at us</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQKO9jnRu2c/VXsGUfCDAVI/AAAAAAAACO4/6eLz6o-KUy4/s1600/blogpartridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQKO9jnRu2c/VXsGUfCDAVI/AAAAAAAACO4/6eLz6o-KUy4/s400/blogpartridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>My first partridge berry sighting ever!</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pCUiZSsYC7s/VXsGXun04MI/AAAAAAAACPY/Xx_mIYYqth4/s1600/blogtrilium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pCUiZSsYC7s/VXsGXun04MI/AAAAAAAACPY/Xx_mIYYqth4/s400/blogtrilium.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Trilliums on their way out for the spring</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yASx94VZAFg/VXsGSfMK2II/AAAAAAAACN4/wDE7B5XMLR4/s1600/blogelk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yASx94VZAFg/VXsGSfMK2II/AAAAAAAACN4/wDE7B5XMLR4/s400/blogelk.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>A not-so-wild herd of elk in Aspen Park</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1GBlP8CUb44/VXsGXA4pT2I/AAAAAAAACPU/r7aN4e9Eq7k/s1600/blogtoms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1GBlP8CUb44/VXsGXA4pT2I/AAAAAAAACPU/r7aN4e9Eq7k/s400/blogtoms.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>"Tom" foolery in Aspen Park</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QXvWByRfTzs/VXsGPUlF_FI/AAAAAAAACM4/BG6H6BzG2aI/s1600/blogawards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QXvWByRfTzs/VXsGPUlF_FI/AAAAAAAACM4/BG6H6BzG2aI/s400/blogawards.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Three awards won by yours truly at that conference</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And back to da Harbor...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GhrD9jJohKY/VXsGWX-hW3I/AAAAAAAACPw/aH4IRy1fNOM/s1600/blogstarflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GhrD9jJohKY/VXsGWX-hW3I/AAAAAAAACPw/aH4IRy1fNOM/s400/blogstarflower.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Starflowers on a mossy log</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E0aQyDG6hGU/VXsGPSkGcOI/AAAAAAAACNA/xPRJimsMVUI/s1600/blogbalsam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E0aQyDG6hGU/VXsGPSkGcOI/AAAAAAAACNA/xPRJimsMVUI/s400/blogbalsam.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>New growth on the balsam trees</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JRBWO4g08-o/VXsGQjwtnoI/AAAAAAAACNQ/BQNODp04w8I/s1600/blogbunchie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JRBWO4g08-o/VXsGQjwtnoI/AAAAAAAACNQ/BQNODp04w8I/s400/blogbunchie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Bunchberry flowers</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oA1QAQ5TIVM/VXsGRDxtEeI/AAAAAAAACNM/k2y2lz8Rp44/s1600/blogcherries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oA1QAQ5TIVM/VXsGRDxtEeI/AAAAAAAACNM/k2y2lz8Rp44/s400/blogcherries.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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<i>Freshly sprouted cherries standing straight up!</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-avQYt9mV3Ss/VXsGRfjoJtI/AAAAAAAACNg/zvAfMYErHGw/s1600/blogchokeflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-avQYt9mV3Ss/VXsGRfjoJtI/AAAAAAAACNg/zvAfMYErHGw/s400/blogchokeflowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Chokecherry flower clusters</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-24fNTv7Zvc8/VXsGRscV3MI/AAAAAAAACNk/jHDum-1n5oY/s1600/blogdandy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-24fNTv7Zvc8/VXsGRscV3MI/AAAAAAAACNk/jHDum-1n5oY/s400/blogdandy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>I have two gallons of dandelion champagne brewing...</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETrfQjpmvEk/VXsGR2iic9I/AAAAAAAACNc/hnRRVFdTIZE/s1600/blogdouglas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETrfQjpmvEk/VXsGR2iic9I/AAAAAAAACNc/hnRRVFdTIZE/s400/blogdouglas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Freshly budded douglas honeysuckle</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RkeyQTGsvbE/VXsGStCMG2I/AAAAAAAACOQ/tbGVD4cZ2yg/s1600/bloggaywings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RkeyQTGsvbE/VXsGStCMG2I/AAAAAAAACOQ/tbGVD4cZ2yg/s400/bloggaywings.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Gaywings!</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9a5chGUvqmk/VXsGTMfIIqI/AAAAAAAACOA/4HLWGCXkrGM/s1600/bloghepatica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9a5chGUvqmk/VXsGTMfIIqI/AAAAAAAACOA/4HLWGCXkrGM/s400/bloghepatica.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Flowerless hepatica leaves</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1ac_kYml3o/VXsGThR04KI/AAAAAAAACOI/ZCIb0Zy3u-4/s1600/bloglilacs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1ac_kYml3o/VXsGThR04KI/AAAAAAAACOI/ZCIb0Zy3u-4/s400/bloglilacs.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Lilacs in peak season!</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Jt6-Dk-_Zg/VXsGUtCdZsI/AAAAAAAACOg/zEE_Q4KKyKI/s1600/blogpeavine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Jt6-Dk-_Zg/VXsGUtCdZsI/AAAAAAAACOg/zEE_Q4KKyKI/s400/blogpeavine.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Cream pea vine</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIHhA4g2I8o/VXsGVJnUYPI/AAAAAAAACOo/OhG0Jdb2cMg/s1600/blogrose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIHhA4g2I8o/VXsGVJnUYPI/AAAAAAAACOo/OhG0Jdb2cMg/s400/blogrose.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>The first wild rose I spotted this year!</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-te-xH1gebaw/VXsGW4ghipI/AAAAAAAACPE/Aq7lEAwhZ40/s1600/blogthimble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-te-xH1gebaw/VXsGW4ghipI/AAAAAAAACPE/Aq7lEAwhZ40/s400/blogthimble.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Lonesome thimbleberry flower</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8qjbFsUVWBE/VXsGV6f12CI/AAAAAAAACPI/NnHBR1TkNcU/s1600/blogserviceflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8qjbFsUVWBE/VXsGV6f12CI/AAAAAAAACPI/NnHBR1TkNcU/s400/blogserviceflowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Serviceberry/Juneberry/Sugarplum flowers</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CpW9ZSdrAVk/VXsGVgVr0AI/AAAAAAAACOw/tO6UuHuKLU0/s1600/blogsarsasparilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CpW9ZSdrAVk/VXsGVgVr0AI/AAAAAAAACOw/tO6UuHuKLU0/s400/blogsarsasparilla.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Wild sarsasparilla -- still tiny and red</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gMwYwRUiRKg/VXsGX8F4c0I/AAAAAAAACPk/3vV81msIC7Q/s1600/blogunsure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gMwYwRUiRKg/VXsGX8F4c0I/AAAAAAAACPk/3vV81msIC7Q/s400/blogunsure.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Not sure what this one was... anyone?</i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l1zhqoopIeQ/VXsGYV_O_WI/AAAAAAAACPo/7usYRG9bMV0/s1600/blogussie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l1zhqoopIeQ/VXsGYV_O_WI/AAAAAAAACPo/7usYRG9bMV0/s400/blogussie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Little man and me enjoying our hike!</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-riRb04obDRU/VXsGSZe8q_I/AAAAAAAACNo/xmQcpMNdoKQ/s1600/blogducksfanny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-riRb04obDRU/VXsGSZe8q_I/AAAAAAAACNo/xmQcpMNdoKQ/s400/blogducksfanny.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Ducks in Fanny Hooe Creek. See them?</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Copper Harbor Volunteer Fire Department spaghetti dinner is tonight from 5-8pm. Bake sale and silent auction. I'm going!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Isle Royale Queen IV sunset cruise fundraiser for the fireworks is Wednesday, June 24th. Boat leaves at 7pm sharp. I'll be there too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Catch me if you can!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-63489228979455033892015-04-28T19:20:00.002-04:002015-04-28T19:20:52.962-04:00The Harbor All Over Again
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So remember, I have news for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sunday, April 26th, I had a great hike with Annele and
Braeden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>B had the easy ride in my
backpack while I got to sweat extra. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Along the way, I saw those tough oval leaves trailing
through the fallen brown oaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Arbutus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough, it was another arbutus
plant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She even had buds!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Annele knelt down to smell them, but
apparently they need to be open to be fragrant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As we ascended the ridge, we heard a boat motor on the
lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was really loud, and it lingered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, when
we approached the top of the ridge at Stairway to Heaven, guess who we
saw!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The buoy tender!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have been waiting to see it drop off for years, and by some chance it was out
there while we crested the ridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>B
would have seen it too if he wasn’t snoozing the whole time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3WnAqqhQTs/VUAUwO-6CjI/AAAAAAAACLs/Xl75l_RgCFk/s1600/blogbuoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3WnAqqhQTs/VUAUwO-6CjI/AAAAAAAACLs/Xl75l_RgCFk/s1600/blogbuoy.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The buoy tender from afar</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But that is not my news.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today was magical for B and me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only, he doesn’t realize how special it was
(or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">does</i> he?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a day full of firsts for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a few:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span>He got to see his first wildflower –
hepatica.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I picked one for his stroller.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span>It was the first time we got to take the
stroller on the crushed gravel trail beside Fort Wilkins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only a couple snowy spots.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span>It was his first real experience with Lake
Superior.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let me elaborate on the last one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We journeyed to the shore by the lighthouse
overlook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun sparkled the water and
the trees at the mouth of the Fanny Hooe Creek held the breeze at bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to take B out of his stroller, so he
could get a better look and feel of things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I sat him in my lap and put a warm rock in his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then another and another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We threw some for Duce, and he got to watch
that crazy doggy splash around in the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I even sat him right on the rocks to warm up his tushy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I laid him belly-side-down, so he could
feel all those rocks underneath him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
seemed to enjoy the scene!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We found driftwood, and noticed how the creek entered the
Big Lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We listened to the buoy ding,
and I even dipped his little fingers in the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was taking it all in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized that I didn’t have my camera to
capture such inaugural events, but as we waved good-bye to the shore, I was
actually glad that I didn’t have to try to pose him for pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our time there in the moment was really wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so glad that I get to share this
beautiful place with such a perceptive little being.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I realized right then and there how much I am going to love
being a mom up here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a unique way
to experience the Keweenaw – like it’s the first time all over again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That is not my news either, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here it is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, this blog is titled “A Little Slice of da Harbor.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A little slice” refers to the fact that it
is only my perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And “da Harbor”
refers to Copper Harbor, a harbor town on Lake Superior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, would you be mad if I was at a
different harbor town on Lake Superior for a little while?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My little family is moving to Duluth, MN from July through
September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aaron has a trail building contract
out there, and he doesn’t want to miss us all summer again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Awww.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At first I decided to do it for the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now I sort of feel like it will be a neat
change for me personally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Duluth is a cool city (albeit a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">city </i>which is scary), and variety
is the spice of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Braeden won’t know
the difference because he’s never had a summer anywhere besides in my belly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So there you have it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My slice of da Harbor will be from Duluth this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll be back, though, don’t worry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our hearts are in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i> little harbor.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423014135759554976.post-69222639707932815442015-04-19T16:02:00.000-04:002015-04-19T16:02:11.107-04:00Sparkling, Rushing Water<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hello!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Except for today, it's definitely springtime.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But that makes sense -- the today thing. You know that saying that includes, "Red in the morning, sailors take warning?" This morning, when B woke me up, I looked out the window to a spectacular sunrise. Oh, man. Red and magenta beamed from the sky. I considered taking a picture, but the power lines were in it, and pictures just never do it justice. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In general, though, the weather has been sunny and pleasant. My cheeks are getting rosy from getting out pretty much everyday! Here are some highlights.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">April 12th, I believe, the ice left the harbor. She was all open and sparkling like a freshly opened bottle of champagne in the sunset. I don't know which is better. Wink. Here is proof!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lSjBs2DVjUI/VTQEPPXRqqI/AAAAAAAACLM/KnvpSUYY2lo/s1600/blogharbor2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lSjBs2DVjUI/VTQEPPXRqqI/AAAAAAAACLM/KnvpSUYY2lo/s1600/blogharbor2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Open water from Third Street Dock</i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The waterfalls are pretty great right now. Well, I'm assuming they are. I've only been to Manganese Falls so far, but it was sweet! Here's a video from Friday, April 17th.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw1Sez6xPS3A7PTM7hkqv5Z2XobzkZCuqSSzaZhYPudBvroPNKxmZBEhF90QnZVtFKeCYr3Lc6OPqM7JdCjWw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's always enchanting there when the sound is loud, the air is wet and the ground turns green and woody. I love to watch the mist suspended above the rushing water. Surreal, you know?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Another cool thing about that day was that I got to go there with three other friends. Kind of cool how our little group hike randomly came together for a magical experience. We got up to Lake Manganese and the serenity continued. At the mouth near the creek leading to the falls, we paused (mostly because the bridge was no longer adhered) and chatted away. Who did we scare up?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At least 200 geese.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0iin_GVeXpE/VTQGMrdbTHI/AAAAAAAACLY/HczQQcnyeQ8/s1600/blogmangogeese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0iin_GVeXpE/VTQGMrdbTHI/AAAAAAAACLY/HczQQcnyeQ8/s1600/blogmangogeese.jpg" height="207" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>A fraction of the geese on Lake Manganese</i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Suddenly they flew east past us in many different V (and some not-so-V) formations. We stood there in awe. "Woah," exhaled from all of our bodies. These geese then circled back west and east and west again. Then we watched them land on the southwest end where they must have took off from. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Silly humans, riling up the peaceful geese.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">People must be coming up to see the falls because I feel like there are more people around than usual this time of year. Usually it's just us local folk. But people who come up this time of year often don't have high expectations for a little town that's half shut down.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I knock on wood as I say this, but I seem to be getting this mom thing under control. Nap times are somewhat on a schedule. Solid foods help the boy sleep longer. We have not had a medical emergency in a month. Life is good!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What's my point? Well, don't hold me to this, but I hope that this may be the beginning of a break for me. A break in favor of my writing. I miss it so much, and even this blog helps me feel like a whole person again. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I hope you enjoyed this post with actual media besides my rambling words. And stay tuned because I have some news for you...</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4