This past weekend was the annual girls camping weekend. A bunch of girls get together each year for a crazy adventure. Each weekend is themed- last year was Lumberjills, this year we were cowgirls!
We set up camp on Friday night and headed out early Saturday to canoe the Cannon River. It was supposed to take 2-4 hours... it took us 6! We ran into a bachelor party about halfway through and it was downhill from there. I guess we were quite the sight- imagine 5 girls in cowboy hats sitting on rocky island eating lunch. About 10 boats landed on our island and a few more passed us by and then started to furiously back paddle to land on the beach. After we launched again two of the boats stayed with us for the remainder of our trip.
That night we headed into town for dinner and dancing where Katie and I ran into two of our coworkers! Good times! Sunday morning we broke camp and headed to a nearby park to try our luck at Geocacheing.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Bikes v Cars v Motorcyles
Lately I've been taking the parkway home. It bypasses a busy stretch of highway with several lights. The speed limit is 25, and ultimately takes the same amount of time as the highway. But I enjoy driving through the slow drive through the park after work, and I can avoid stop lights- I HATE STOP LIGHTS!
Taking the parkway also means I share the narrow road with roadbikes. During rush hour I may end up tailing a biker or two for most of the 2 mile stretch. I have no problem waiting for a break in oncoming traffic to pass a biker with the appropriate amount of distance between the two of us. I will admit, I take a little bit of pleasure in forcing the folks who think this route is a short cut to slow down to the posted speed limit.
Anyway, yesterday on my way home I was behind a biker and couldn't pass him legally. Behind me was a long line of cars. Two or three back was a guy on the motorcycle who kept weaving out into the other lane to see if he could pass. Finally, he had the narrowest window to pass and he took off (nearly colliding with on coming traffic) and was on his merry little way.
As I approached the next intersection, a round-a-bout, there was a significant back up. It seems our motorcycle friend had wiped out in the middle of the roundabout and was trying to pick up his motorcycle and get it turned in the correct position.
The motorcycle guy was doing his best to get on his way, and away from someone who had stopped to help. It wasn't until I got into the roundabout myself that I saw why. Minneapolis Motorcycle Police were approaching the intersection. He did get on his way before the police got there, but I think a few scratches on his bike serves him right for being in such a hurry!
Taking the parkway also means I share the narrow road with roadbikes. During rush hour I may end up tailing a biker or two for most of the 2 mile stretch. I have no problem waiting for a break in oncoming traffic to pass a biker with the appropriate amount of distance between the two of us. I will admit, I take a little bit of pleasure in forcing the folks who think this route is a short cut to slow down to the posted speed limit.
Anyway, yesterday on my way home I was behind a biker and couldn't pass him legally. Behind me was a long line of cars. Two or three back was a guy on the motorcycle who kept weaving out into the other lane to see if he could pass. Finally, he had the narrowest window to pass and he took off (nearly colliding with on coming traffic) and was on his merry little way.
As I approached the next intersection, a round-a-bout, there was a significant back up. It seems our motorcycle friend had wiped out in the middle of the roundabout and was trying to pick up his motorcycle and get it turned in the correct position.
The motorcycle guy was doing his best to get on his way, and away from someone who had stopped to help. It wasn't until I got into the roundabout myself that I saw why. Minneapolis Motorcycle Police were approaching the intersection. He did get on his way before the police got there, but I think a few scratches on his bike serves him right for being in such a hurry!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Nearly done
So, I'm a little behind on posts. I haven't felt very well the last couple of weeks, but thankfully I think things are starting to settle down.
At the end of the second week of Chris's training we had the windows replaced. I'm am SO happy that we now have three FULLY functioning windows that open so easily and have screens!
At the end of the second week of Chris's training we had the windows replaced. I'm am SO happy that we now have three FULLY functioning windows that open so easily and have screens!
And here are some more pictures with the room ready for furniture!
The bed will sit under the windows.
Lots of closets! And Chris installed the A/C unit today. The extra insulation and sealing up the crawl spaces has made a world of difference!
Farther back picture looking towards the stair case.
Chris has done an amazing job planning, implementing and managing this project!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Lost in translation... or maybe not
Chris and I have been able to talk just about every day while he’s been gone, and I’m very thankful that we’ve had that opportunity. A real year-long deployment is going to be a rude awakening for me. (My sister gets to talk to her fiancé, who’s in Iraq, about once a week.)
Today he mentioned his favorite Barnaby story. At one of the castles he visited they had to check their bags and purses. Nobody was allowed to bring anything IN that could be used to smuggle artifacts OUT. So Chris asked “What about a bear?” Which apparently didn’t translate well because the clerk just stared blankly at him. So he grabs his backpack and pulls out Barnaby. (I’m imagining a nice satisfying “plop” sound as B is pulled out by one leg and set unceremoniously on the counter!) I guess the clerk busted out laughing! Can you imagine a 30 year old man- obviously military at that- pulling a teddy bear out of his backpack? She said she didn’t know, but when Chris showed her his camera with the other pictures she gave him permission. Oh too funny.
Only five more days until he comes home!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
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