"Evansville, WI...."

Some may say it is a strange place to have a picnic lunch, but the cemetery outside of Evansville worked really well for us. Copper was able to be left off leash (although she stays close to us no matter where we are), there was a nice breeze, and of course, shade. When I walked around through the entry to take this photo, I saw the little box with the "rules for the cemetery" in it. Fortunately, I hadn't read it earlier.............. "dogs were not allowed".


The cemetery has some very old grave markers. Unfortunately, many had been broken, although it looked as though there had been some progress in restoring them to their original shapes.

I had to take a small detour around the construction, but Don was able to ride right on through. The entire Main Street was torn up and it looked as though some of the buildings were in the midst of being restored, too. Evansville had been one of Don's destinations last summer, while training for the ride to Traverse City, MI, but following the route took us basically straight through town and we didn't see a lot of the older residential area. With my having to detour a few blocks, I was able to see more of the beautiful historic homes of the town.

I took this photo just outside of the town. I thought it was a beautiful view, although I am sure the photo doesn't do it justice. I learned something yesterday about "blogger". Don showed me that if you click on a photo in the blog, it enlarges it in another window. This would be a good one to do that to. :) I went back to my last entry and clicked on the ones where Don was barely visible while coasting down hills, and he shows up in the enlarged version!!!! :)

"The Merrimac Ferry...."

Don took a photograph of all his "techie" things on his recumbent. Notice his new GPS, which I think has almost given him as much pleasure checking on his position while walking to work or riding in the car, as while riding his bike! :) He is totally set up with his iPod and speakers, too. Has a car got anything on this setup (other than cover during rain)? It even has "air conditioning"! LOL
His ride yesterday (Saturday) was to the Merrimac Ferry, going through beautiful countryside along the way. He is that small dot in the distance on the road coming down the hill. :)

Here he is coasting down another hill (as if you can really see him in this size photo, eh?). He actually is almost dead center of the photo where the crops meet the darkness of the wooded area. I'm showing photos of him coasting down hills.....lest you all forget, there is the ride to get UP to the top of the hill, prior to the coasting down. Trust me......some very STEEP inclines!!! :)

Again, we have the "history" part of the blog. :) This was the destination of yesterday's ride.

And here is the Merrimac ferry loading up vehicles/passengers for the trip across the Wisconsin River. There is no charge for taking the ferry......nice, eh? :)

"A Surprise" and "Sunday's Training Ride...."

First and foremost, I want to tell you of a very happy surprise that Don and I received on Tuesday night. Sara and Travis, our former neighbors, came by with their 2 greyhounds and wonderful news!!!!! They didn't even have to tell us because it was evident! :) Yes, Sara is pregnant! The baby (a boy) is due the end of August. We are so happy for them. This is such an exciting time in their lives, as many of us know/remember. We wish them all the best!

Now, back to our mundane life (totally untrue). :) As mentioned in yesterday's blog, Don went on another of his bike training rides Sunday. This time, he was able to do the full ride that he had intended to do the week before, riding to Lake Mills and back, via Cambridge. Copper and I, of course, met him at various places to give him refreshments, and to check on his progress. We had also packed a picnic and stopped just outside of Lake Mills, at the Aztalan State Park for lunch. More history that neither of us knew about, or I should say, that I didn't know about. Don might have been aware of it, but had never been there. As in yesterday's blog, I thought it would serve better to include the information sign, rather than just write about it.

Don, with one of the platform mounds in the background, prior to his ride home.

Don, at our picnic spot, with the park entrance in the far background group of trees. It is an extremely small state park (at least compared to others I have been in), although very nice. The picnic areas were well shaded, which made it a great spot for our picnic, since it was pretty warm that day.

Copper, in the car prior to our trip home. I try to make it as comfortable as possible for her when I haul her around on our jaunts, by bringing one of her beds, chew bones, and of course, PIGS EARS! I do let her out at some of the places we stop so that she can explore and "go", too. :)

Another of the platforms.......

"Koshkonong Prairie Churches...."

Sunday's training ride took us through the Koshkonong Prairie area. Did I know about this area before reading the sign? No, but both Don and I found it a very pleasant place to stop. :) I always have our 2 folding chairs in the back of the car, along with cold water for him, and sort of "set up camp" and used it as a rest stop.
We had come through this area the weekend before, on basically the same ride as planned for Sunday, but Don had some technical problems with his recumbent. He cut his ride short that day because his chain's derailer malfunctioned and he had no low gears. Luckily, he was able to make it to Cambridge and take the Glacier Drumlin Trail back, which isn't too hilly.

Rather than write about this area and it's 2 churches, I figured it would be easier (and certainly more accurate!), if I just included the sign which is located outside of one of the churches.

"A Quick Stop in Saugatuck, MI......."

On our way home from Grand Rapids Saturday morning, before getting to Benton Harbor to see my Dad and pick up Copper, we took a slight side trip into the Saugatuck/Douglas resort area, stopping at the park next to the "Chain Ferry". There happened to be an organized bicycle ride going on that day. We found that out because of "Mr. Shy" (Don) going up to these cyclists waiting for the Chain Ferry to return to our side of the Kalamazoo River. The ride incorporated the ferry into it's route (a nice money making deal for the village of Saugatuck, eh?), although the cost is minimal....$1 for adults and 50 cents for children.


This is the "Chain Ferry" en route to the opposite shore of the Kalamazoo River. As you can see, the passenger load of bicyclists was not evenly positioned. :)


Saugatuck and Douglas are small resort villages, and both are known for their artist communities. Their downtown shops abound with art galleries. The artwork even overflows to decorating/painting the restroom facilities, with George Seurat's "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte" :)


Don, "Pato", with the Kalamazoo River and Chain Ferry in the background.......

Me..... :)

"Grand Rapids, MI....."

Don and I went on a whirlwind road trip last weekend, leaving Madison early Friday morning, driving to Grand Rapids, MI, for the night, and coming home the next day. The reason, you ask? Don has a cousin, Christine, who plays violin in the Grand Rapids Symphony. The symphony was playing one of their summer "Pops" concerts, and The Kingston Trio (for those of you old enough to know of them) were performing with them. Don's Des Moines, Iowa, family has a connection to the Kingston Trio. George Grove (in the lower photo) from the Kingston Trio, is Don's mother's, late brother's wife's, current husband's, daughter's partner. Got that? :) Anyway....some of his family (Christine's mother, Jodie, step father, Roy, and sister, Sherry, all from Des Moines, and Elizabeth, who lives in Chicago), drove up to see the concert and spend a few days exploring the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, staying outside of Saugatuck, MI, which is an easy drive to Grand Rapids.

Nathan (one of Christine and Jonathan's twin sons), myself, and George.

Cindy (George's partner and Roy's daughter), Don, and Christine.

George, Cindy, and Don.

Yours truly, with the crowd on the slopes of the Cannonsburg Ski Area. :)

Sam and Paula (Jonathan's parents/Christine's in laws), Roy and Jodie (Christine/Sherry/and Elizabeth's Mom and step Dad), and Christine.

It was a quick trip, in which we packed a lot. We had dropped Copper off at my Dad's to spend the night with him, so we were "dog free" for the night. We stopped on the way home to pick her up and spent some time with Dad and Sandy, catching up on current happenings with their health and Mom's settling in at the adult foster care home (so far, it going well). We got home late afternoon Saturday and Don planned his ride for the next day, which will be a subject in a blog soon. :)

"More Neighborhood Construction...."

As I have mentioned before, there has been a lot of construction going on in the neighborhood. Rob has been working in his basement, creating a small studio apartment. This first photo is the new full sized bathroom and the second is of the main room. Construction has been going on since last winter. Slowly, but surely, he is getting it done. The results are looking really good, too.

Because of codes, he had to install larger windows. At first, he thought he only needed 1 legal egress window, but the new Madison code says there has to be a certain amount of "natural light" per square foot, so he had to add another large window (seen behind him). It makes a really nice effect in the room.

As things progress, I will add more photos.......