The Shores of Gitchee Gumee

I had a fun road trip on Sunday. It was a beautiful sunny day so I decided to take the 'red sled' out for a drive.

My first stop was The Sand Castle. This is a rustic (no plumbing, no electricity) cabin co-owned by 3 of my nephews, my brother and myself. It's nestled in an area which is primarily reforestation by the paper mill companies. A few cabins & houses here and there, but quite secluded. I ate lunch at the picnic table in the sun and used the fabulous facilities (i.e. outhouse).

This place is amazing.

Sometimes I think the earth is getting so crowded, but it's sure not crowded in this area of the world.

I ran across this nice golf course out in the middle of some farm country. I'll have to check it out this summer.

Then I headed North to the big lake. I had heard that the ice was starting to go and I had not been to Superior or Duluth since I was a young girl.

Park Point in Duluth reminds of a little of Boulder, lots of joggers and walkers with dogs. This strip of land is probably only 100-200 yards wide at it's narrowest. Some of the houses are really something to see.

The beach is so interesting in the winter, and right now the ice is starting to leave the lake, so there are 'waves' of chunks of ice.

I stopped at Canal Park too. Next time I'm going to plan to have lunch & a beer at Grandma's Bar & Grill.

Finally, I decided to head back towards Rice Lake. Back over the big bridge, and driving South on Hwy 53, I saw a sign for Wisconsin Point. It was still daylight, so I decided to drive in and see what there was to see, am I ever glad I did!

Wisconsin Point Drive was a narrow road that runs along the south shore of Allouez Bay. On the North side of Wisconsin Point, is Lake Superior.

The ice floes were so interesting, like something from another planet.

This breakwater edged the channel where boats enter Superior / Duluth from Lake Superior. I am hoping to go back this summer and see that activity.

I took this 'glam' shot, just to prove I was there.

The road back to Hwy 53 was pretty rough, there was a sign that alerted me to travel at my own risk. I think it is named well, Moccasin Mike Road, it is probably paved comfortably for mocs but I took it pretty slow with my car. What a fun day!

Wrestlemania

Today I went to Cameron to see great nephew, Gage, wrestle in a youth tournament. Gage is in first grade and seems to enjoy and be quite a good wrestler. It was my first wrestling tournament (ever). I am told that the gym was quite aromatic, fragrance of sweat was strong. Lucky for me, my lack of sense of smell kept me from enjoying that part of the day.

Gage won his first match and his second match, so he was the Champ of his bracket of 3. We were proud of him and he looks happy to have this very awesome trophy. We enjoyed a nice lunch after at the China Buffet.
Here is a short video of him during one of his matches. Gage is in the red singlet.

Road Trip

Went on a short road trip today. Kris and Anders had to go to Spooner to deliver some canoe forms to Kris's friend, so I road along. Before we went, Anders was playing on the floor with Barley watching him, Anders was not too impressed by the kitty. Funny, he lives with 2 big dogs and doesn't mind them, but he was not happy about the kitty.


In Spooner, we got to visit a new venture that is a grass roots effort by local folks who love canoes and canoeing. Kris's friend, Mike Johnson, is the President of the group and they are in the beginning stages of renovating the old feed mill to make it into a canoe museum & workshop for canoe makers. It was very interesting, and the canoes that have been donated or loaned to the group are amazing. I know very little about canoes, and in fact have never been in one, but I'm about to win a beautiful cedar strip handmade canoe...well I bought 5 raffle tickets, so I'm focusing on the positive!!

http://www.wisconsincanoeheritagemuseum.com/

Take a look at the website, very interesting. I volunteered to help in any way that my skills could provide assistance. I'm not a woodworker and probably can't help too much with the demolition that needs done, but I could supply some cold beer to the workers! I think it could be fun to get involved with this kind of project.

Diversity

Today is diversity day at the feeder and in the front yard. So far this morning already I have had my eyes on Redpolls, Robins, Starlings, Gold Finches, House Finches, Juncos, Nuthatches, Chickadees, Blue Jays, Crows, Mourning Doves, Pine Siskins, and a Downy Woodpecker. Also, a crane, (I think it was Sandhill Crane), flew over the house this morning when I was out picking up the newspaper.

I just love the red headgear on these Downy Woodpeckers.

Old Luck

Well, seems like those postcards are of interest to some of you. Here's another picture, same viewpoint, must be about the same time frame based on the dirt road & sidewalks.

I don't own all these cards, some of the images were copied off the eBay postings for cards I did not win.

Springy Rain

More rain today.


I scored another old Luck, WI postcard on eBay. This one looks like it is 1910 vintage. I believe this photo was taken from the North end of main street, which makes this building the current Jensen Furniture.
I'm starting to have a nice collection and plan to scan a few more and share them here occasionally.

Show and Tell

Today I am looking for good vibes from all my blog readers. I have a showing on my Arvada house this afternoon and I'm feeling pretty optimistic. It would be too great to sell that place.

To quote my good friend Malia, "keep picturing and focusing on what you DO want, because what you don't want will probably come along anyway!" So, I am focused on a buyer who falls in love with 5207!

Cowboy Owen

While I was at Gus and Lois's for coffee this morning, Angie stopped in with Owen. He was sporting this nice red cowboy hat. He's quite the dude!

In the background you can see Ruby in her fun saucer.

Fractured

I stopped by Glenn & Kathy's lake cottage on Big Moon Lake this afternoon and ate my lunch on their deck. The lake has a fracture as far as I could see across the lake. Personally, I would not go on the ice now, but I watched a fisherman walking down the middle of the lake pulling his fishing sled behind him. When he got to the fracture he stepped across but paused a moment, I was scared silly he'd fall through and I would be the only witness!

This little cottage at the Lake Cottage caught my eye. It already has a nest inside, wonder who lives there?

In Hot Water

Well, the joys of home ownership abound. I am happy to say I personally stimulated the local economy today by replacing the water heater in my home! Last night I found no hot water when I wanted to wash dishes. When I checked the water heater, I found a leak and knew I was in trouble. I left a message for the repair company and at 7am this morning they called me back. John, the service guy, got here at about 8:30 a.m. and by 11:30 a.m. I had a brand new functional water heater. It does NOT look like this redneck version.

We all scream for ice cream

According to my niece, Kaija, when you see the first robin of spring, you get to go to Dairy Queen. This morning as I was having coffee, I saw a robin in the front yard. The first one of this spring for me. So, DQ here I come!!

Referencing http://web.mac.com/wildlifeweb/Robin-Facts/, here is the 'scoop' on Robins.




What Robins look like
- Robins have a reddish orange chest
- The colors of the male are usually brighter than the female
- The adult male robin has a black head; the female has a grayish-brown head (see photo)
- The short beak is yellow with a dark tip
- They have white crescents around their eyes
- Adult male and female robins are about the same size
- Robins are medium size birds in the thrush family
- The body is grayish –brown with dark tail feathers and a white rump

Sound - Click on link to hear the robin.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/audio/American_Robin1.html
- Robins make a musical whistled phrase,
"cheerily, cheer up, cheer up, cheerily, cheer up."
- The males sing in the early morning and late afternoon.

Charli & Milli - The Wild Bunch

On the way home from Durand, I stopped at Mike & Kaija's and had a visit with the Vanasse girls. Milli is walking now, and she is busy. Charli is full of information. For instance, she told me that when she turns 5 (she's 3 now) she'll be able to chew gum! Who knew! Also, she told me all about the Oompah Loompah's in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. In fact, before I could leave I had to watch part of the movie. I had not seen the movie, so the Oompah Loompah's were new to me.

Cowgirl Milli

Kaija and her girls. New baby is due in May.

Charli is intent while watching the Oompah Loompahs!

Durand Durand

I had a fun couple of days in Durand last week. I drove down on Wednesday evening and then stayed with Anders all day Thursday while his Mom & Dad worked and had after work commitments. He's quite a delightful little boy. Loves to play with his toys and did not cry once while I was there. It was nice to see him again and also to get a visit with Lora and Kris.

Anders got the giggles when his Daddy teased him with the nook.

Calm before the storm

The kitties got some snuggle time in this afternoon before the storm hit. Tonight we are having a little snow, strong wind and big dip in temp. I guess it is still winter for a few more weeks.

Glenn and Wanda's Big Adventure

Long story, but basics are...my brother Glenn and I went to Spooner, WI Friday night (about 30 miles from RL) to watch Sectional HS Girls Basketball tourney and on the way back his car overheated. We had to have a tow, from the middle of nowhere, back to my house in Rice Lake. Then I drove him home to his house in Spring Valley (about 80 miles) and we got there at about 1 a.m., so I slept there.

Saturday morning, Glenn & Kathy and their granddaughter Alyxis, came to RL to work on the car. After a full afternoon of disassembling parts from the car with the help of Doug Loyas, it was decided that a mechanic is needed. Glenn & Kath left here about 4pm. Just prior to that, Kris & Lora and Anders stopped in for a quick visit. Crazy couple of days!

The good news about Friday night, is that we saw two really good basketball games at Spooner, and the tow truck driver was quite an interesting fella as well. I also now have some new phone numbers in my cell phone, like the Wisconsin State Patrol - the dispatcher was very helpful with the phone numbers of towing companies.

Sunday is going to be a day of rest, and I think some snow is supposed to be coming as well.

Regional Basketball Action

I should have mentioned that when we got to Luck, the line of fans waiting to get into the gym was very long. It was really foggy and the end of the line disappeared into the fog.

No Joy

Well, the Luck boys lost their Regional Tournament in Overtime tonight. With about .2 seconds left on the clock, Eleva Strum got their own rebound and made the bucket. Here's the video of the end of the game, you see the Luck fans standing stunned that it is over.

Sure is sad to see the season end, I've really enjoyed all the games that I was able to attend. I guess I'll have to latch onto the baseball team once that starts.

Bird Watching

6 Months

Today is the 180th day of my life in Rice Lake. Crazy how fast that went. For having been here 6 months, I still have lots of 'moving in' chores on the list.