Moving Water

After a long and frustrating day at work (power outage today),  I came home tonight and Bike man said, "you better hurry and get down to the lake to take pictures."   He was right.  The sun was low enough in the western sky to catch the beauty of some beautiful maple trees turning brilliant colors.  As I took the photos, I realized there were two deer wading in the water....look off to the right.  Click on the photo to get a better view. 

To my surprise, Bike man turned the lake pump back on.  Apparently, the duckweed has moved back into our bay area, so getting the water moving is the best way to get it to drift away from our dock.

The pump works pretty good don't you think?  The algae in the lake water has now died down......almost swim-able now!   Well, maybe if you like "cool" water!!!!!

Shorter & Shorter

I looked out the window of my workplace and saw hundreds of Boxelder bugs clinging to the windows and stone building.  Yuck.  Apparently, they are looking for a place to winter-over.  Any day now the Asian Beetles will show up during the harvest of soybeans.  I work in an old historical building so the Boxelders and Asian Beetles find their way in through every single crack or crevasse.  I can hardly wait!!!

A simply beautiful day.  Went for another run after work.  I definitely have noticed the days getting shorter now, so I've pretty much switched over to running.  I'm hoping to get a bicycle ride in.....maybe in a couple days.  Will have to ride fast and not waste time so I don't run out of daylight!  I love fall, but it sure goes by quickly.  One day it's here and the next day it's gone.

Finding Love Again

First, I need to say a "Big Happy Birthday" to Bike man! Baked him a pumpkin pie today!!!   Kind of a rare moment when my family can get together for a group photo.   We attended an evening wedding last night of a dear friend.

I'm so happy for Marilyn and Dave.  They planned a beautiful but simple wedding.

Marilyn's daughter, Lindsay (left), was so pretty last night.  I don't think she ever sat down during the evening or stopped talking and giggling!  It was so good to see Marilyn and Lindsay happy.  It's been nearly seven years ago when Marilyn suddenly lost her first husband....those were very hard times, but it just proves that everyone can find love again.

Great fall colors at the church.....thanks Son for the photo!

Sweet Treat

Who could resist a sweet treat, especially a freshly bake one!  This tender sweet pastry is called a kolache (Czech/Slovak) and features a dollop of sweet jam or poppy seed filling in the center. If you've never eaten one of these beauties, you're missing out.  The only drawback is that they are typically small, so eating just one is almost unheard of!  Thanks Bike man.

Do You?

I looked forward to a warmer day today, but the dark clouds rolled in along with rain and then the winds began to howled.  Stayed that way all afternoon.  I'm afraid this is the beginning of our seasonal change into fall.  One day it's cool and next day you're bringing the summer clothes back out.  I'm still hoping for a few warmer days ahead.

So, just as I stepped out the front door tonight for a quick run, I heard the familiar rumble of thunder.  Yah, I stepped back into the house and let the brief rain shower to it's thing!!!

Waiting for Bike man to return home tonight from an all-day trip to Bayfield on Lake Superior.  I'm kind of envious.....you know, of retired life.  Or maybe it's just having a carefree schedule that's not glued to an 8-5 routine.  Don't worry, I love my job, love my schedule, but sometimes I just want be spontaneous and go with him!  Do you ever feel like that?  Just stepping away from your routine???

Switching Gears

Perch Lake

When I heard the word frost, I realized autumn really is here.  But what happened to summer?  So, to be safe for tomorrow night's possible frost, Bike man picked the rest of our vegetables in the garden...always a sad moment when the garden comes to an end.

Considerably cooler and windy today, so no Monday night bicycle ride.  Instead, I choose to run after work.  I'm a little rusty, however, bicycling kept me in shape for my 3-mile running route.  I'm not putting my bicycling away just yet, maybe just switching gears a little.  

Fat Tire Weekend

Dry, dusty and very warm.  This was the weekend of the Fat Tire mountain bike race.  Pretty much an annual event for my family.  Gone are the days of racing the Fat Tire.....I raced once back in 2000 and Bike man raced about five consecutive years.  40 miles of off road racing on the well-known Birkie trail near Hayward/Cable Wisconsin, along with some single and double track, which consists of rocky and muddy trails.  This year the mud holes were limited due to our drought conditions, but lots of sand, dust and plenty of rocks.  

Our ritual is to hang-out on top of Seeley fire tower hill......the highest elevation and climb on the entire Fat Tire route.  As usual, Bike man brought along his bike tools just in case one of the racers had bike problems.  As for Chris, Becca and me, our job was to support the riders with cow bells, cheers and much needed snacks.  I stood next to Pete, a well-known local guy, and between the both of us, we refill bottles with water or Gatorade, and passed out random snacks.  My family's contribution this year was gummy bears and Pete brought along Snicker fun size bars, chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal cream Little Debbie cookies.    A big thank you to Becca for helping me deal with the slightly melted Snicker bars, and a thank you to Chris for cooking us breakfast on the hill and grilling brats for a mid afternoon snack.    

Back at our campground later on Saturday, Chris made an awesome grilled pork chop meal on the open wood fire.  Our son has turned out to be an awesome camp chef!  Chris's camp meals are so delicious and so simple.   I think all those years of camping with our kids in national forest campgrounds has really paid off.

Yup, I'm the campground paparazzi!  Caught the moment when Becca emerged from her tent early this morning.  Don't worry, she just needed some coffee and then she mellowed out!!!

A super fun weekend with the family.  For almost twenty years, we've been enjoying the Wisconsin northwoods.  I can't even describe the feeling of sleeping under the birch and evergreen trees and hearing the Barred and Great Horned owls hooting during the night.....so refreshing and calming.