Road Trip to the Upper Peninsula

How do you know you're getting close to the UP?

You've got a piping hot pasty in your lap, aye?


Joe's Pasty Shop, Rhinelander, WI -- check out the menu for these mouth-watering gourmet pasties, the pasties that made pasties famous.

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Did you know you could drive all the way to Norway from upper Michigan?

Just head east on Highway 8 and you'll be there in about five miles.

Metamorphosis

A childhood habit, I always scan the milkweed for Monarch caterpillars. I am surprised to find one this late in the year.



And by nightfall, it has begun its metamorphosis.



In a couple of weeks, it will emerge from its chrysalis a transformed creature and begin its long journey south.

My own journey and subsequent transformation, I fear, will not end until many generations of this Monarch's offspring have come and gone.

A Taste of Madison

We are excited for the Taste. Can you tell?


Another huge crowd on Capitol Square


Gyro-fry, minus the fry


Amanda will use this photo when she runs for State Senate someday.

Back On Campus

Madison It Is

I hate to unpack and run, but...

Polka band playing to a packed dance floor,

Hot pretzels with mustard and horseradish,

Giant steins,

Boots of beer,

Oh yes...

...the Essenhaus is calling.

Back in my old stomping grounds with the Sconni crowd and three of the best friends this gal could ask for.

Homecoming

Unpacking, I am flooded by memories.



I am a bit overwhelmed.

Back To My Roots

First stop on my journey, my childhood home and my temporary residence for the next few months. I have a photo of a lone pine tree on the family homestead I took nine years ago.



Over the past couple of months, I have been picturing myself sitting under this solitary tree at sunrise, meditating upon the eastern horizon as the first rays of daylight cast their brillance upon the surrounding landscape.

The reality is...



...in the past nine years, a grove of small pine trees has popped up, blocking the eastern view and there are so many mosquitos, neither the photographer of this picture, the dog at my feet, nor I can stand still long enough to snap a decent picture of me standing in front of my not-so-lone tree.

The best-laid plans of mice and men oft go awry ...though usually not for the abundance of mosquitoes and fast-growing conifers.