Friday, August 14, 2009

Cub Lake

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Cub Lake at Natchez Trace. We've only been there in the fall, when the beach is closed and the paddleboats are locked away for the season. It was terrific getting to swim and play there this year; the adults were pretty bored, but I had a great time splashing around with my nephews in the swimming area. My sister even joined in one day; we had our first mud/water fight in 30 years! The boys were pretty surprised. :)

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In truth, the paddleboats were more fun to watch than to ride; the foot pedals were short which didn't allow for full leg extensions, which made it hard to move. But the dog in the lifejacket sure seemed to like it!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Bird Watching

Some of the birds we saw at Natchez Trace...

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Bald Eagle and owl hiding behind him

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Second owl, who made strange clicking noises at us

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Hummingbirds!

The eagle and owls were in cages at the Park Ranger station. I have never seen either up that close before. It was pretty amazing!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Happy Birthday, Richard!

Happy Birthday to my husband! Next year, we will celebrate your birthday here, with juicy steaks, cold beer, and a fat stogie for you.

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For the record: I love you, honey, and I love that you love fishing, but this will never be me.

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Saturday, August 01, 2009

Porta-Bote

We're headed out for a week's vacation with my sister's family, where there will be much fishing, boating, hiking, and general silliness with my awesome nephews. Before I go, I wanted to show off my husband's fold-up boat that he got this year. It will be making the trip with us, of course; that's why we got it! I watched him put it together last month, and I have to admit, it's pretty darned cool.

The whole set is here on Flickr, but I'm posting some highlights on the blog.

Looking pretty insubstantial...
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Unfolding...
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More unfolding...
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The stick becomes the key to the set-up.
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Putting in the first seat
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Putting in the second seat (less gracefully than the first, LOL)
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Screwing in the stern board
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Voila! We have a boat!
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You can also attach wheels so you can roll it to the water, which I maintain are HUGELY DORKY and make it look like Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang.
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There is, of course, a waterproof floating holder for the iPhone. OF COURSE THERE IS.
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And we are on the water! With very bad rowing! (The trolling motor was added on the next trip. And Hubby claims to have improved his rowing technique now.)
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(Sure does look weird without the bow piece. Hubby will be adding it this week, although it's still kind of ugly with it.)
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Comes apart pretty fast too...
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That's all of it, including the fishing backpack
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Pretty cool, righ? It's called a Porta-Bote, and you can order them online. Tell 'em we sent you!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Argh, matey!

Argh, matey!

I love how in Chicago you can be on a random boat tour and come across something like this.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Hailey looking up in wonder

Hailey looking up in wonder

My two favorite things together: my beloved Cultural Center glass domes, and my 14-year-old niece.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Chicago by Segway

We rented Segways this weekend and explored Millenium Park and Museum Campus. It was great fun, and I highly recommend it for anyone visiting the city who wants to see the lakefront without walking it. Here are some of the highlights:

Group Yoga at the Pavilion
Group yoga at Millenium Park

Monroe Harbor
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Skyline with the newly renamed "Willis Tower"
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In front of Buckingham Fountain
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Riding up to Soldier Field
Ramp up to Soldier Field

South Loop condos
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Field Museum
Field Museum

Dinosaur enjoying the sunny day
Dinosaur overlooking Chicago

Self-Portrait of me and my Hubby
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I even have more to post tomorrow. *gasp*

Monday, June 15, 2009

We lost a person!

My husband and I have been losing weight this year. Between us, we've lost over 120 pounds -- it's practically a whole other person!

This is us now:
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This was us then (3 years ago at my brother-in-law's wedding):
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Don't know how long he will let me keep these up here, so enjoy them while you can! :)

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Kristen and Aunt Pat
Me and my godmother, Aunt Pat

I am in Tucson visiting our family, and for my mom's Birthday I thought I would post some photos so she could see how we all are. Especially Marley, the newest addition to the family. She looks like a Bukowski, for sure! :)

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Aunt Pat and Uncle Art

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Marley, who isn't too sure yet about this whole thing

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Marley and her G.G.

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Awwwww.

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Love you, Mom!

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Arizona trip


Pools and mountains, glorious, originally uploaded by kudzuplanet.

I am in Tucson at a work conference. This is the resort I am staying at.

I miss my husband and cats, but I don't think I want to go home. EVER.