Wheeeeee, doggies

Just got back from 10 days on Bald Point in rural North Florida. No internet. No cell service. Just sand, suds, music and a bag of books. Weather was chilly and wet most of the week, but we squeezed in maximum sun time. Just rolled in a couple of hours ago from the 27-hour car ride back, so I’m just posting some photos today. We’ll get some vids up in the next day or so, along with more tales of witchcraft, scandal and derring-do.

Just to whet your appetite, I had to post the picture above from the car trip the guys took to Natural Bridge Battlefield. We were driving down a dirt road in the middle of nowhere and talking about all the bad horror movies we had seen that started out on little dirt roads like this one. Then we passed a pair of country guys who raised a can of beer to us in slow motion as we drove past. Around the next bend, we came upon the scene above: a mud bogging arena, if you could call it that, complete with old chairs, a gas grill and plenty of swampy land for maximum bogging. Can’t believe we missed the festivities. Maybe next year.

Attention: Pro lacrosse scouts...

Jesse and her friend, Allie, decided to play boys lacrosse this spring, so Allie’s mom and I took them down to the local lacrosse shop this weekend in Rosemount (Lavin Lacrosse — check it out. These guys know lacrosse and lax equipment and are great to work with). Above, Jesse is all decked out in her new equipment. She and Allie got everything on the required list … well, except for the cups. Lavin had a boatload of good used equipment for us to pick through. We got some pretty sweet deals on the pads and helmet. Allie even picked up a used helmet that used to belong to local lax hero Colin Achenbach, now a member of the Minnesota Swarm and the new boys JV coach at Eastview HS. Also check out Jesse’s sharp new Maverik stick. No more using dad’s old beat-up Gait stick.

Katie just finished selecting her dorm and her meal plan options for Bemidji State University, where she starts her freshman year on Aug. 20. Katie plans to live in Oak Hall, where the First Year Residential Experience is housed. FYRE is a program that helps freshmen adjust to college and dorm life through social activities. Katie is really jazzed about participating in FYRE. She has selected an all-women’s floor in the coed dorm (she said she figures the bathrooms will stay cleaner). Oak Hall was recently renovated, with a big screen TV and fireplace in the commons room. I want to move there myself. Want a peek at Katie’s dorm? Click on the photo tour link at the top right of this page.

It’s all starting to become all too real to us that our little Katie is about to leave the nest. Makes me sad and proud at the same time. I’ll certainly miss Katie’s ready smile and her bubbly personality around the house. But I also can’t wait to see what kind of teacher she becomes and to watch Katie grow into a full-fledged adult. We certainly have been fortunate with both of our girls.

Originally posted by jmidget123

I wonder if the newspapers in Wisconsin just have the bold phrase below programmed into their computers for ready access in this type of story.

From the Associated Press:

MANITOWOC, Wis. ― A zoo in Manitowoc was shut down for the day after a bear bit off at least two of a woman’s fingers. Police say the 47-year-old had gone past barriers and warning signs at the Lincoln Park Zoo and was apparently trying to feed two bears around 11:30 a.m. Friday. Capt. Scott Luchterhand tells the Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter a bear bit off her thumb and forefinger, while her middle and ring fingers were partially severed. The woman, identified as Tracy Weiler, of Manitowoc, remains hospitalized. Her boyfriend tried to pry the bear’s mouth off her hand. He also was bitten, but did not lose any fingers.

Mayor Justin Nickels’ office says alcohol was a factor with both adults. A 3-year-old child with them was not harmed (Editor’s Note: Apparently, he was the designated driver). Police say the bears likely won’t be euthanized.