BWCAW - Day 1

We didn't do our annual Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) trip in 2008, so I was really looking forward to it this year. Here's Todd getting our packs ready at Williams & Hall Outfitters. We arrived there at about midnight on Sunday; we rent the canoe, paddles, and life jackets from them. We also have them shuttle us to the first portage - about a half hour boat ride. Here we go......... Monday - Day 1.


For those who haven't done this sort of thing (it was new to me when I first met Todd), a portage is an overland path where canoe and gear must be carried. Todd portages the canoe - I think it weighs about 50 - 60 pounds.

Portages are measured in Rods. One rod equals 16.5 feet or 1/320 of a mile. 80 rods equals one quarter of a mile. Rods aren't long, BUT.....when you're portaging a canoe and 40 pound packs over rocks, mud, fallen trees, inclines and slopes, it feels long.

Happiness is............

Each morning on my way to the office, I get to pass several beds of tulips - you can't help but smile! I think I'll plant some in my own yard.

Happy Birthday, Jen!

For the past two years, we've been the host family to Jen - she's an international student from Malaysia. She'll be graduating next week and we celebrated her birthday yesterday!

Jen also participated in student research day and displayed her poster illustrating marketing research she did with a faculty member.

Thank Goodness Spring is Here!

Today was a most beautiful day; mid 60's, partly sunny. Great for yard work!

Mom - check out my new rake! I loved using your's and had to buy one for myself.

If anyone is wondering; the workers were being supervised. Here's the supervisor sunning herself and keeping a watch for slackers and squirrels.

Hip - hip - hooray.......Erin's Home!

Erin was discharged from the hospital and got to go home yesterday! YEAH! Now Jen can sleep in bed rather than a hospital chair. And Erin can enjoy the comforts of home - all her favorite music, books, and bath time. Erin - we're so glad you're doing better!

S.A.F.L.

Saturday visit to SAFL = St. Anthony Falls Laboratory in downtown Minneapolis. This is a new location where Todd and his students will conduct some research projects.


Below, Todd and Ann (in charge of this project) discuss the set-up.

A view of the meandering stream that was built.

This is the kind of ecosystem Todd studies, rocky bottoms invertebrates feed on the algae growing on the rocks. It was an absolutely gorgeous weekend to be outside - yeah for the sun and warmth!

The Weather

The weather is always a good topic, isn't it? Mother nature has been having way too much fun with us - only in the last couple of days have we had sun and blue sky - a big relief and very welcome. The gloom and cold was downright yucky. It's warmed up to 50 degrees though we are still below freezing at night. I'm already looking forward to wearing my cropped pants and sandals.

Erin Update

Our precious niece, Erin, is still in the hospital but she's doing much better. She had a tracheotomy done and she looks so beautiful without all those breathing tubes around her face. Here she is visiting with Tucker, the hospital dog. We're hoping she'll be back home in a week.

Another Birthday!

We celebrated Todd's b-day in Hawaii and he wanted to go sky diving - is he crazy? Of couse he wanted me to go with - I think not - I really like the ground, you could say I'm a grounded person. Yup, that sounds good.

It's rather cool when you think about it, Todd celebrated his 50th in the 50th State, and Hawaii became a state in the same year (3 days before) Todd was born!


Here's the b-day boy practicing his shaka!


This could be the last picture of us together. I know, pessimistic but some of you would have thought the same thing - admit it!


Check the gear......one last prep................




See ya' in about 16 minutes, 10 for the plane to reach it's altitude, one minute of free falling, and about 5 minutes of gliding down to mother earth.

More skydiving next post.

Happy b-day Mist!

Misty's b-day was this past Friday, April 3rd. She's 8 (56 in dog yrs.) & still as cute and lovable as ever.