We’d put it under the column, “Banjo,” of course. What happened was we were walking in the formal gardens at historic Schell Brewery when we surprised a peacock. Banjo thought it would be quite a mouthful; she wanted at least a try at it. That was after this morning’s close call with a flock of […]
Tip: Know Which State You’re in Before You Critique It
I’m in Minnesota, and but I’ve gotten that wrong twice now: when complimenting the helpful associate at an AT&T store while she was hooking me up with unlimited cell service on my new iPad, and when complaining to the company that fixed my iPhone screen but screwed up three parts in the process. I won’t […]
Ignoring the 2-2-2 Rule
We’re in Minong, Wisconsin, where Tracy spent several summers as a kid because his grandparents lived here and ran the town grocery. He took me on a tour as we drove through, and I have to agree with his joke, “The town sure has gone to hell after my grandfather died.” To be fair, there […]
Time to Migrate South
Lake Superior is so alive and accessible and multifaceted. The NorthWoods are lush and cool. The culture is a type of weird I’ve never encountered. But it was 47 degrees this morning when I walked Banjo, so it’s time to go! Apple, My Overlord I’ve spent several hours every day sucking up our precious cell […]
Yooping
All broken things aside (my laptop is officially toast, as is my bike tire and pump), we’re making the most of our non-fixing-things time here. We’re in a small town that’s directly north of a very cool lift bridge that crosses the canal dividing the eastern portion of the U.P. Few large boats need to […]
Deer Skull Boiling: We’re Not There Yet
We made it to Hancock, Michigan, which is right on the canal that sets apart the tip of the Upper Peninsula. According to signs, there’s a lot of these activities around here: Snowmobiling Drinking in roadside bars Hunting Selling handicrafts (these seem to be mostly wooden spoons) Living in giant, rundown frat houses (Michigan Tech). […]
Goodbye Perch Lake + Planning
We’re leaving this gorgeous lake today and headed for our final northern camping spot in Hancock, MI, before big plans. Here are a few final photos. Banjo’s Morning Repose One cold morning she dug this hole to hunker down and wait for the sun to reflect off the lake. Finally, sunshine. I think she’s part […]
The Mosquito Hike
You know things are quiet around here when I follow a post about seeing a bird’s nest with one about taking a three-mile speed walk around a wetland. But it gives me an excuse to provide your weekly mushroom slideshow! We booked it around this loop, skimming the interpretive signs and keeping Banjo on track […]
Eagle’s Nest Island
I’m one of those pitiable people who grew up when bald eagles were endangered and never saw them. I was in my 40s when I’d occasionally see one over the Potomac River in West Virginia or over Lake Anna in central Virginia, and I’d have a spaz attack. Now that I’m where they’re plentiful (Perch […]
The Sky on the Lake
I just can’t get enough of it. I would have spent more time on the water this evening had I realized when I got in the boat wearing my rainboots that eventually they wouldn’t really fit in there. Rainboots plus workout pants. My evening sky-appreciation attire.
