It's funny how time can get away from you in the summer... It took me a little longer to nest than I thought it would, but it was really enjoyable to get re-acclimated with Missoula. My writing didn't begin until after my adventures at Camp Choate (on lovely Lake Coeur d'Alene) over the Fourth of July.
However, once focused, I completed a manuscript for submission to North Dakota History: Journal of the Northern Plains. It will be a while before I know whether it is accepted for publication, but my proofreaders seemed to enjoy it. The working title is: "Letters from Yule: Janet and Sophia Lang Through the Lens of Western Women's History." I finished the final revisions minutes before heading off to one of my summer music events.
This did seem to be the summer of music for me. I was able to take in the National Folk Festival in Butte, and was truly impressed with the breadth and depth of talented musicians in uptown Butte. I'll be sure to take advantage of that venue for the next two years because it was a great event. I saw Bela Fleck (Sparrow Quartet) at the Wilma, Buckwheat Zydeco at the Top Hat, and have plans to attend a few more events down the road before summer is officially over. In addition to the concerts, I've signed up for guitar lessons, which will begin this week.
In order to prepare for the transition back to the reality of a new school year, this past weekend I made a return pilgrimage to the St. Gertrude's Monastery in Cottonwood, ID. The retreat was a birthday gift to myself. The sisters build their ministry on the values of hospitality, simplicity, and peace-making - and those values are transparent in the rituals of the monastery.
Countdown: 9 days to my first PIR workshop!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
All Aboard - Last Stop...
From Miles City to Helena, (the last research stop of my sabbatical year), I took as much of the more scenic route as possible along Highway 12 from Forsyth to the Martinsdale cut-off. I missed out on the famous beans of Ingomar, but caught a few more pictures of rural county courthouses to add to the collection I started two summers ago. I also fell in love with the views of the rolling hills and distant mountains of central Montana, near Two Dot.
Staying with friends just north of Boulder and south of the Wickes tunnel, I "commuted" for three days to the Montana State Historical Society research room. Tracing the various family brands was productive, and the historic Sanborn maps of Baker and Wibaux were illuminating; but I had little success with early Montana newspapers (other than getting eye strain from reading microfilm reels) and photo archives.
Now that I have been back in Missoula for a couple of weeks, getting settled back into a routine and reclaiming my house and yard, it's time for the writing to begin. My focus will be two journal articles; one each for the North Dakota and Montana Historical Society publications. Here's to a productive summer!
Staying with friends just north of Boulder and south of the Wickes tunnel, I "commuted" for three days to the Montana State Historical Society research room. Tracing the various family brands was productive, and the historic Sanborn maps of Baker and Wibaux were illuminating; but I had little success with early Montana newspapers (other than getting eye strain from reading microfilm reels) and photo archives.
Now that I have been back in Missoula for a couple of weeks, getting settled back into a routine and reclaiming my house and yard, it's time for the writing to begin. My focus will be two journal articles; one each for the North Dakota and Montana Historical Society publications. Here's to a productive summer!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Cowboy Country!
I left Medora and made a few short stops in both Beach, N.D. (where I found a 1904 article from the Billings County Republican at the Golden Valley County Museum) and Glendive, MT (where I stopped at the public library and took a quick hike in Makoshika State Park) enroute to Miles City. The purpose of my research there was to retrace the final steps of Sophia's youngest brother, whose funeral was hosted by the local Elks Lodge, of which he was a member from 1908-1923. Through the good graces of my excellent hosts (who ranch in Kinsey), I even got a guided tour of the lodge, which is quite a spectacular old building. A stopover in Miles City is never complete without a visit to the Range Riders Museum, where the last remaining officer's quarters of Fort Keogh are on display, along with some pretty impressive portraits of early area ranchers. Before I left, I also had some success in the Custer County Clerk & Recorder's office and the Miles City Public Library.
My visit to Miles also happened to coincide with the world famous Bucking Horse Sale: with it's parade, quick draw art auction, and horse racing, you can't beat a weekend like that for entertainment! The Art Center (located in the retrofitted wastewater plant) had a great western art exhibit in conjunction with the bucking horse sale, and the Ursuline Convent (with it's wooden roller-skating floor on the third level) is also not to be missed.
My visit to Miles also happened to coincide with the world famous Bucking Horse Sale: with it's parade, quick draw art auction, and horse racing, you can't beat a weekend like that for entertainment! The Art Center (located in the retrofitted wastewater plant) had a great western art exhibit in conjunction with the bucking horse sale, and the Ursuline Convent (with it's wooden roller-skating floor on the third level) is also not to be missed.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Medora, N.D.
I took the scenic route from Bismarck to Medora. I headed northwest through Double Ditch, Fort Mandan, the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn, Knife River Indian Villages, Garrison Dam, White Shield, the Three Affiliated Tribes Museum and Crow Flies High Butte in New Town (on the Fort Berthold reservation); then southwest to Watford City and through the north unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Whew!
In Medora, I wandered through the Theodore Roosevelt National Park Visitor Center, to discover the brand of the family I'm studying prominently displayed next to Roosevelt's ranch brands. There was also a display of a map of the Little Missouri River area that appeared on an endpiece in Hagedorn's Roosevelt in the Badlands, which was drawn by Lincoln Lang (brother to the woman whose letters I'm studying).
My next stop was the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. The historic ranch "my" family established was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006. They have quite a little library in their brand new space, and I found some helpful background information. A Joisey girl like me can't be expected to know everything about ranching!
The Billings County Museum housed a treasure trove of early county record books in it's vault, and the curator was very friendly. The Clerk and Recorder's office also held quite a number of official records (dusty though they were) from the mid-1880's, which was very helpful to my research. Gregor Lang (Sophia's father) was an early-day Billings County commissioner, even though he had to ride 40 miles (one way) to the meetings in Medora.
My tourist stops in and around Medora included: Sully Springs (a Maah Daah Hey trailhead), Theordore Roosevelt National Park, Chateau de Mores, a leaisurely drive down East River road to Amidon, and Buffalo Gap. I was going to visit the site of the original shack at the confluence of the Little Missouri River and the Cannonball Creek, but the snowstorm in South Dakota a few days before my arrival flooded the Little Missouri, and it was both impassible and impossible to visit, (especially on horseback).
Fear not, there was plenty of horse action at my next stopover!
In Medora, I wandered through the Theodore Roosevelt National Park Visitor Center, to discover the brand of the family I'm studying prominently displayed next to Roosevelt's ranch brands. There was also a display of a map of the Little Missouri River area that appeared on an endpiece in Hagedorn's Roosevelt in the Badlands, which was drawn by Lincoln Lang (brother to the woman whose letters I'm studying).
My next stop was the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. The historic ranch "my" family established was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006. They have quite a little library in their brand new space, and I found some helpful background information. A Joisey girl like me can't be expected to know everything about ranching!
The Billings County Museum housed a treasure trove of early county record books in it's vault, and the curator was very friendly. The Clerk and Recorder's office also held quite a number of official records (dusty though they were) from the mid-1880's, which was very helpful to my research. Gregor Lang (Sophia's father) was an early-day Billings County commissioner, even though he had to ride 40 miles (one way) to the meetings in Medora.
My tourist stops in and around Medora included: Sully Springs (a Maah Daah Hey trailhead), Theordore Roosevelt National Park, Chateau de Mores, a leaisurely drive down East River road to Amidon, and Buffalo Gap. I was going to visit the site of the original shack at the confluence of the Little Missouri River and the Cannonball Creek, but the snowstorm in South Dakota a few days before my arrival flooded the Little Missouri, and it was both impassible and impossible to visit, (especially on horseback).
Fear not, there was plenty of horse action at my next stopover!
Monday, May 12, 2008
North Dakota Heritage Center
After being in Bismarck for a little over two weeks, I can honestly say I love North Dakota. There are wide open spaces, friendly people, and good clean fun.
The holdings of the library and archives are incredible, and kept me busy for nine of the ten days I spent there. (The other day was due my inefficiency, not the fault of the collection.) I read manuscripts, poured over historic brand books, read archival newspapers, searched National Archives microfilm for Post Office site applications and volunteer Weather Observer monthly reports, did some online genealogical searching, read and photocopied a number of articles from the North Dakota History journals, etc... (you get the idea)!
In addition to research, I was quite a good tourist; visiting such places as the state capitol grounds (including the exhibits at the Heritage Center), Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park (beginning of the Keogh trail, and home to Custer's 7th Cavalry), Camp Hancock, the former governor's mansion, and Fort Yates and Fort Manuel Lisa on the Standing Rock reservation.
My free time was spent riding my bicycle to Mandan (among other places along the Bismarck trail system), visiting Five Nation's Art in the old train depot, attending my first-ever Day Lily Society meeting (really), celebrating Cinqo de Mayo at Fiesta Villa, attending a Japanese tea ceremony, and watching the annual band night parade march right past my rental house (now there's another story).
But alas, all good things must come to an end - and so did my time in the capitol of the great state of North Dakota. Ever onward...
The holdings of the library and archives are incredible, and kept me busy for nine of the ten days I spent there. (The other day was due my inefficiency, not the fault of the collection.) I read manuscripts, poured over historic brand books, read archival newspapers, searched National Archives microfilm for Post Office site applications and volunteer Weather Observer monthly reports, did some online genealogical searching, read and photocopied a number of articles from the North Dakota History journals, etc... (you get the idea)!
In addition to research, I was quite a good tourist; visiting such places as the state capitol grounds (including the exhibits at the Heritage Center), Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park (beginning of the Keogh trail, and home to Custer's 7th Cavalry), Camp Hancock, the former governor's mansion, and Fort Yates and Fort Manuel Lisa on the Standing Rock reservation.
My free time was spent riding my bicycle to Mandan (among other places along the Bismarck trail system), visiting Five Nation's Art in the old train depot, attending my first-ever Day Lily Society meeting (really), celebrating Cinqo de Mayo at Fiesta Villa, attending a Japanese tea ceremony, and watching the annual band night parade march right past my rental house (now there's another story).
But alas, all good things must come to an end - and so did my time in the capitol of the great state of North Dakota. Ever onward...
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Western North Dakota
On my way from Wibaux, MT to Bismarck, ND, I wasn't in any particular hurry. As a matter of fact, Shirley had set helped me set up an appointment with another lovely couple, Paul and Mert Popiel, who run the Golden Valley County Museum in Beach. I visited with them at the museum, pouring through some local histories, and then we went for coffee at the Dairy Queen. I'll be giving them a call on my way back through - they were so helpful and nice!
My next side-trip was to Sentinel Butte. I hoped to find the old railroad depot - and I was just curious about how that town has survived the passing of years. I spoke with the postmaster, whose father used to work on THE ranch (just a fluke of luck), and she has his old brand book. I was referred to another resident and located the foundation of the old depot, which is all that remains.
My biggest obstacle in this research project has been the passage of time - not only one, but two generations have now disappeared. It is a little sad that there is so little historic preservation, but I am thankful for what remains; ultimately, it makes me a better sleuth!
My next side-trip was to Sentinel Butte. I hoped to find the old railroad depot - and I was just curious about how that town has survived the passing of years. I spoke with the postmaster, whose father used to work on THE ranch (just a fluke of luck), and she has his old brand book. I was referred to another resident and located the foundation of the old depot, which is all that remains.
My biggest obstacle in this research project has been the passage of time - not only one, but two generations have now disappeared. It is a little sad that there is so little historic preservation, but I am thankful for what remains; ultimately, it makes me a better sleuth!
Mingusville
Leaving the ranch, I arrived in Wibaux to the comfort of the Nunberg N Heart Ranch B&B, owned by Shirley and Fred Nunberg. They are a wonderful couple, making me feel right at home. I will post a photo of their barn, as their farmstead was just enrolled on the Historic Register.
Shirley is also the assistant librarian at the Wibaux Public Library, and I spent the better part of the next day in their Montana Room, reading through local histories and such; only breaking long enough for some split pea soup (delicious) at the Palace Cafe.
The museum was not offically open yet, but I did meet with the museum director and gathered some information relevant to the Nellie (Cooper) Wibaux (Mingusville)/ Sophia C. Lang (Yule) connection. There was no local newspaper in that era, so I'll have to dig elsewhere.
My only observation of the area is that there is very little difference between far eastern Montana and western North Dakota. As a matter of fact, it is a local call to Beach, ND from Wibaux, but long distance to Glendive, MT. Go figure!
Shirley is also the assistant librarian at the Wibaux Public Library, and I spent the better part of the next day in their Montana Room, reading through local histories and such; only breaking long enough for some split pea soup (delicious) at the Palace Cafe.
The museum was not offically open yet, but I did meet with the museum director and gathered some information relevant to the Nellie (Cooper) Wibaux (Mingusville)/ Sophia C. Lang (Yule) connection. There was no local newspaper in that era, so I'll have to dig elsewhere.
My only observation of the area is that there is very little difference between far eastern Montana and western North Dakota. As a matter of fact, it is a local call to Beach, ND from Wibaux, but long distance to Glendive, MT. Go figure!
THE Ranch!
On my way to Wibaux on April 22, 2008, I finally got the opportunity to visit the ranch! Turning east at the sign to Carlysle on my way north, I drove about 25 miles on red dirt road - and my bike knows it! Along the way, I encountered a herd of antelope, two herds of mule deer; and numerous pheasant went running for cover!
I had a great conversation with the current owners of the old Lang ranch at Yule; and they shared some local history with me, as well as another photograph of the original "new" house, built in 1892. There is only one building of the era left standing (the old storehouse), which has been remodeled into a home.
I was treated to a tour of the ranch headquarters in a Polaris Ranger (a new experience for me, not being raised on a ranch). I took some pictures, trying to capture the same vantage as the photo that is posted on the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame website.
I am deeply indebted to the ranch owners for allowing me to visit the ranch during a busy spring season. Please join me in praying for some rain for the area!
I had a great conversation with the current owners of the old Lang ranch at Yule; and they shared some local history with me, as well as another photograph of the original "new" house, built in 1892. There is only one building of the era left standing (the old storehouse), which has been remodeled into a home.
I was treated to a tour of the ranch headquarters in a Polaris Ranger (a new experience for me, not being raised on a ranch). I took some pictures, trying to capture the same vantage as the photo that is posted on the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame website.
I am deeply indebted to the ranch owners for allowing me to visit the ranch during a busy spring season. Please join me in praying for some rain for the area!
O'Fallon country!
Really - I don't know why I bothered to post the little "quiz." Nobody posted any guesses; but I don't blame you. I post so infrequently (due to limited access on the road) - and it was quite out of the ordinary, considering I usually keep this blog directly related to my sabbatical...
On my way to Baker on Thursday, April 17th, 2008, I actually stopped at Pompey's Pillar. I had never been there before - always seeming to be in too much of a hurry to stop; but it's minutes from the freeway - and a very pastoral (and historical)setting. I saw lots of praitie dogs and some geese (one was actually nesting on the top of the pillar, acting as a sentinel).
When I arrived in Baker, I immediately went to the O'Fallon Museum because the director was so helpful to me via e-mail prior to my visit. Let's just say I hit the jackpot in Baker in terms of photos and biographies of the Lang family (after they left the ranch in Yule, ND). I also used the back issues of the Baker Sentinel, which were housed in the Fallon County Library; found the wills of Janet and William in the Clerk of Court's office, discovered deeds recounting land holdings of the Lang's home and businesses in the Clerk and Recorder's office, and read minutes of the early meetings of the town council from the early 1900's.
While I was in the area, I also visited Ekalaka (the Carter County Museum) and the Medicine Rocks State Park, which is just as an incredibly spititual place today, as it was to the early Indians.
On my way to Baker on Thursday, April 17th, 2008, I actually stopped at Pompey's Pillar. I had never been there before - always seeming to be in too much of a hurry to stop; but it's minutes from the freeway - and a very pastoral (and historical)setting. I saw lots of praitie dogs and some geese (one was actually nesting on the top of the pillar, acting as a sentinel).
When I arrived in Baker, I immediately went to the O'Fallon Museum because the director was so helpful to me via e-mail prior to my visit. Let's just say I hit the jackpot in Baker in terms of photos and biographies of the Lang family (after they left the ranch in Yule, ND). I also used the back issues of the Baker Sentinel, which were housed in the Fallon County Library; found the wills of Janet and William in the Clerk of Court's office, discovered deeds recounting land holdings of the Lang's home and businesses in the Clerk and Recorder's office, and read minutes of the early meetings of the town council from the early 1900's.
While I was in the area, I also visited Ekalaka (the Carter County Museum) and the Medicine Rocks State Park, which is just as an incredibly spititual place today, as it was to the early Indians.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Blog Quiz
O.K. So, it's been awhile, but I'm back on the road...
It's time for some fun.
If you saw this sign, where would you be???
Post your guesses as comments!
It's time for some fun.
If you saw this sign, where would you be???
Post your guesses as comments!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Early March in Utah
At the beginning of the month, I left Boise and drove to a resort town in southern Utah by the name of Brian Head. Never heard of it? Neither had I! But fate intervened, and I had access to a timeshare there for about 5 days. The resort is at 10,000 feet - and the x-country skiing was great, especially around the Cedar Breaks National Monument and the Ashdown Gorge Wilderness area. I have to admit to having some respiratory symptoms (altitude sickness?) the first day - but it was blizzarding anyway, and I stayed in to study.
I also reviewed and organized my data (again) in preparation for my trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake. After being at the library for two long days of research, I understand why it has such a stellar reputation for their genealogical collection! The staff was very friendly and helpful. I walked each day from my hotel to Temple Square - and I'd like to say I did a lot of sight-seeing, but that wasn't the case this trip. I actually kept my nose to the grindstone, and there was a payoff. I finally retrieved copies of the naturalization papers I'd been seeking. I can also recommend two very fine (and relatively cheap) restaurants near downtown SLC!
I am returning to Missoula to file my taxes before my last extended trip of the year - to North Dakota. I have my letters of introduction all written, and I'm more than ready to tackle the most promising materials of the year...
I also reviewed and organized my data (again) in preparation for my trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake. After being at the library for two long days of research, I understand why it has such a stellar reputation for their genealogical collection! The staff was very friendly and helpful. I walked each day from my hotel to Temple Square - and I'd like to say I did a lot of sight-seeing, but that wasn't the case this trip. I actually kept my nose to the grindstone, and there was a payoff. I finally retrieved copies of the naturalization papers I'd been seeking. I can also recommend two very fine (and relatively cheap) restaurants near downtown SLC!
I am returning to Missoula to file my taxes before my last extended trip of the year - to North Dakota. I have my letters of introduction all written, and I'm more than ready to tackle the most promising materials of the year...
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
February in Boise, ID
Once I returned to Missoula from my family vacation in Australia, I checked out another armload of background reading materials from the Mansfield library, and hit the road (again).
Since winter time driving conditions prevailed, I kept to the Interstates and stayed one night in Dillon, where I was treated to a special tour of the Beaverhead County Museum. Of particular interest was the bird exhibit (and the Lewis and Clark diorama by Rudy Autio).
My final destination was Boise, ID. I stayed with a former colleague and great friend from my teaching days at Hellgate Elementary school, which seems a lifetime ago! I fell into a nice rhythm of exploration, exercise, and scholarship. My background readings on western women pioneers is almost complete, and I've begun to research the phenomenon of eastern (and foreign) money financing western ranching enterprises.
I am committed to not taking so long to post my next adventures. I know... promises, promises!
Since winter time driving conditions prevailed, I kept to the Interstates and stayed one night in Dillon, where I was treated to a special tour of the Beaverhead County Museum. Of particular interest was the bird exhibit (and the Lewis and Clark diorama by Rudy Autio).
My final destination was Boise, ID. I stayed with a former colleague and great friend from my teaching days at Hellgate Elementary school, which seems a lifetime ago! I fell into a nice rhythm of exploration, exercise, and scholarship. My background readings on western women pioneers is almost complete, and I've begun to research the phenomenon of eastern (and foreign) money financing western ranching enterprises.
I am committed to not taking so long to post my next adventures. I know... promises, promises!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Oz - the Land Down Under
And boy, does it ever take a long time to get there and back...
Ben and I left for Australia right after New Year's and returned home on January 19th, 2008. We flew into Sydney and spent time with my extended family at their home in Narrawallee (on the Sapphire Coast); then took a road trip through Pambula, Thredbo (in the Snowy Mountains), and Beechworth, before reaching our destination of Melbourne.
Staying in a serviced apartment sandwiched between the high rise central business district and the more funky Brunswick Street, (and convenient to the tram), we set out to discover Melbourne in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees fahrenheit. We ate every type of ethnic foods we could get our hands on (Chinese, Greek, Thai, African), and we cherished the taste of the local brew - Coopers (Pale Ale, Sparkling Ale, Lager, Nut Brown, Stout - they're all good) in a neighborhood bar called Gertrudes Brown Couch.
We were able to learn about opals in the Opal Museum, stroll through Fitzroy Gardens, visit the Melbourne Gaol, the Victoria Gallery of Art, and the Melbourne Museum. We left the rest of the family in Melbourne, and Ben and I flew back to the Sydney area (New South Wales) again.
Staying at the Sydney Travelodge (which also houses the NSW Football Club), we were conveniently located to the Domain, Royal Botanical Gardens, Opera House, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, and the Aquarium. We took a ferry to Manly Beach, and were treated to the sight of a giant sandcastle (a work of art, really) and some yacht club races.
After renting a car, we drove (yes, on the left) to Leura in the Blue Mountains National Park (home to the Three Sisters), where we dined on Indian food and hiked. Then we set off for the Hunter Valley, where we ate Japanese food and went on a wine tour.
We capped off our trip with a show (Le Grand Cirque) in the Sydney Opera House.
Ben and I left for Australia right after New Year's and returned home on January 19th, 2008. We flew into Sydney and spent time with my extended family at their home in Narrawallee (on the Sapphire Coast); then took a road trip through Pambula, Thredbo (in the Snowy Mountains), and Beechworth, before reaching our destination of Melbourne.
Staying in a serviced apartment sandwiched between the high rise central business district and the more funky Brunswick Street, (and convenient to the tram), we set out to discover Melbourne in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees fahrenheit. We ate every type of ethnic foods we could get our hands on (Chinese, Greek, Thai, African), and we cherished the taste of the local brew - Coopers (Pale Ale, Sparkling Ale, Lager, Nut Brown, Stout - they're all good) in a neighborhood bar called Gertrudes Brown Couch.
We were able to learn about opals in the Opal Museum, stroll through Fitzroy Gardens, visit the Melbourne Gaol, the Victoria Gallery of Art, and the Melbourne Museum. We left the rest of the family in Melbourne, and Ben and I flew back to the Sydney area (New South Wales) again.
Staying at the Sydney Travelodge (which also houses the NSW Football Club), we were conveniently located to the Domain, Royal Botanical Gardens, Opera House, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, and the Aquarium. We took a ferry to Manly Beach, and were treated to the sight of a giant sandcastle (a work of art, really) and some yacht club races.
After renting a car, we drove (yes, on the left) to Leura in the Blue Mountains National Park (home to the Three Sisters), where we dined on Indian food and hiked. Then we set off for the Hunter Valley, where we ate Japanese food and went on a wine tour.
We capped off our trip with a show (Le Grand Cirque) in the Sydney Opera House.
Holidays
It was so nice to be home after an absence of almost six months...
I made a scrapbook for my youngest son (long overdue), worked dilligently on a wedding gift for my friend Carla and her new husband Matt (fashioned after something I had seen in an art gallery in Ireland), and decorated the house for the holidays (sans Christmas tree). I was happy to be included in a few Christmas gatherings, and I sang a few Sundays with the choir at church. Our immediate family enjoyed a very informal and low-key holiday together. But the main event was Carla's wedding reception on New Years Eve, which was by all accounts a great success.
(I had even postponed my departure for Australia until afterwards...)
I made a scrapbook for my youngest son (long overdue), worked dilligently on a wedding gift for my friend Carla and her new husband Matt (fashioned after something I had seen in an art gallery in Ireland), and decorated the house for the holidays (sans Christmas tree). I was happy to be included in a few Christmas gatherings, and I sang a few Sundays with the choir at church. Our immediate family enjoyed a very informal and low-key holiday together. But the main event was Carla's wedding reception on New Years Eve, which was by all accounts a great success.
(I had even postponed my departure for Australia until afterwards...)
The Journey Home
I can't believe that two months has passed since I've posted to my blog!
After my last post, I bid a fond farewell to family and friends on the East Coast and started my jouney back home. My car packed and ready to go, the morning of December 3, 2007 witnessed an ice storm, as only they can occur in the east. My car had a quarter inch of ice encrusted on it, which had to be chipped away before my departure. I made my way (slowly) down to the nearest interstate highway before the wrap job around my bicycle came loose. Leaving the plastic wrap behind in a motel garbage can, I went forth. I encountered heavy winds in Pennsylvania, which gripped my car with a strength I had underestimated; but eventually arrived unscathed in Indianapolis, IN at day's end. I even had enough energy left to play a little prank on Krissi upon my arrival! We had a nice evening, eating at the Jazz Kitchen and hanging out with her sister and friend.
My destination the next day was Minneapolis, home to my friend Terri. For the most part, the weather cooperated (at least until the Dells, WI when it began to snow). Inadvertently earlier that day, I had dropped my debit card at a gas station in Remington, IN - and, of course, didn't notice until I needed gas next. (Three weeks later, we were reunited...) Upon entering Minneapolis, I took 694 toward Silver Lake and encountered the worst traffic jam (due to the bridge collapse earlier this year), coupled with icy conditions (many vehicles in the median ditch) that I have ever experienced. What should have been a 20 minute drive turned into a two hour ordeal. Thank goodness I was planning on spending two nights in Minneapolis, so as to get some rest in-between the legs of my journey.
After spending a great day in Minneapolis with Terri (including snowshoeing around Silverwood Park, and dining in Dinkeytown at the Loring Pasta Bar), she escorted me through the back roads of Minneapolis to get me headed in the right direction out of town (to avoid the traffic congestion of 694). I took the interstate toward Albert Lee to avoid secondary highways because it had started snowing again (imagine that - snow in December!), and then turned west on 80 toward Rapid City, SD, which was my destination for the evening. Some folks had asked me whether or not I was going to do any sight-seeing on my way back home, and I hadn't planned on it. But the signs beckoned and piqued my curiousity; so I got a wild hair, and ended up at The Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. Never been there? Hmmm... The snow started in earnest around Kadoka, and the surreal orange glow of the Air Force Base outside of Rapid freaked me out - but I arrived at Jim & Heidi's (who live IN the Black Hills) just in time for dinner (and wine). I learned a lot from Jim about some of the lesser-known exploits of my eldest son when he was a teenager...
The next morning I was headed for home. There were sketchy moments with snow (mostly around Sundance and Livingston), but it was nice to be driving along familiar highways, and I made it home safe and sound to a nice reunion with my boys and my dog.
After my last post, I bid a fond farewell to family and friends on the East Coast and started my jouney back home. My car packed and ready to go, the morning of December 3, 2007 witnessed an ice storm, as only they can occur in the east. My car had a quarter inch of ice encrusted on it, which had to be chipped away before my departure. I made my way (slowly) down to the nearest interstate highway before the wrap job around my bicycle came loose. Leaving the plastic wrap behind in a motel garbage can, I went forth. I encountered heavy winds in Pennsylvania, which gripped my car with a strength I had underestimated; but eventually arrived unscathed in Indianapolis, IN at day's end. I even had enough energy left to play a little prank on Krissi upon my arrival! We had a nice evening, eating at the Jazz Kitchen and hanging out with her sister and friend.
My destination the next day was Minneapolis, home to my friend Terri. For the most part, the weather cooperated (at least until the Dells, WI when it began to snow). Inadvertently earlier that day, I had dropped my debit card at a gas station in Remington, IN - and, of course, didn't notice until I needed gas next. (Three weeks later, we were reunited...) Upon entering Minneapolis, I took 694 toward Silver Lake and encountered the worst traffic jam (due to the bridge collapse earlier this year), coupled with icy conditions (many vehicles in the median ditch) that I have ever experienced. What should have been a 20 minute drive turned into a two hour ordeal. Thank goodness I was planning on spending two nights in Minneapolis, so as to get some rest in-between the legs of my journey.
After spending a great day in Minneapolis with Terri (including snowshoeing around Silverwood Park, and dining in Dinkeytown at the Loring Pasta Bar), she escorted me through the back roads of Minneapolis to get me headed in the right direction out of town (to avoid the traffic congestion of 694). I took the interstate toward Albert Lee to avoid secondary highways because it had started snowing again (imagine that - snow in December!), and then turned west on 80 toward Rapid City, SD, which was my destination for the evening. Some folks had asked me whether or not I was going to do any sight-seeing on my way back home, and I hadn't planned on it. But the signs beckoned and piqued my curiousity; so I got a wild hair, and ended up at The Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. Never been there? Hmmm... The snow started in earnest around Kadoka, and the surreal orange glow of the Air Force Base outside of Rapid freaked me out - but I arrived at Jim & Heidi's (who live IN the Black Hills) just in time for dinner (and wine). I learned a lot from Jim about some of the lesser-known exploits of my eldest son when he was a teenager...
The next morning I was headed for home. There were sketchy moments with snow (mostly around Sundance and Livingston), but it was nice to be driving along familiar highways, and I made it home safe and sound to a nice reunion with my boys and my dog.
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