SPOONER, WI

by Uncle Hans

Finally had a moment to catch up on the blog. Good job! When life settles down a bit, I may try the blog thing. I have reviewed your Cheesedays plans and they sound like fun. It just rained here and more is on the way. While that may not sound like news, we have had quite a drought here. The crops were all lost about two weeks ago, it was that serious. My trees are saved, I believe, but only by hand-carrying water and often. Anyway, the rain started at 0430 and I could not sleep so here I am. Hannah and Jason's house comes along daily. We will finish the woodwork staining/varnishing in our garage today. The drywall people will finish on Tuesday and paint the whole interior on Wednesday. Jason will install the woodwork/interior doors and the flooring people do their thing at the same time. Jake, Hannah, and I will finish out the electric (wire up the switches and outlets, then install the faceplates over them). The kitchen cabinetry will be installed and........W! ALLA!!............they move in! Probably in 2-3 weeks. The medical school business is exciting to the point of nervous breakdown. Every day a victory or two and a setback. Wow! I have never imagined such a business. Full details around the fire at Cheesedays, if we are not institutionalized by then! WEndy may be in England or attending to the birth of her first grandchild, Owen, due September 14. I may be there alone or with Ian. Neil is still contemplating a bike trip to follow, and we may need a chase vehicle. stay tuned.
Hans

Spooner Lake

By Mary

Another day off...two in a row...we like it!!

Today we went on a hike around Spooner Lake. Last year when we did this hike a fire helicopter was there sucking up water to fight a forest fire. That was a real interesting sight. It is such a pretty hike and very diverse. It starts and ends in the forest, but the middle is through a meadow and also some marsh.

I forgot to mention our stop at a roadside fruit and vegetable stand yesterday. So of course after our hike today I need to organize and clean out the fridge. I started by making fresh salsa and ended up making pizza. Pizza gets rid of a lot of leftovers. I usually make a half recipe of pizza dough but decided to make the full recipe to see if I can freeze this dough. Kind of a good thing to know before we get to Cheese Days since we plan to grill pizzas there. The bread machine will certainly get a workout in Wisconsin if all of our plans work out.

Countdown time...39 days to lift off!!! Out of the 40s and into the 30s...time marches on!!

Are we in Wisconsin Toto?

By Mary

Wow....the area in Northern California we traveled to today really reminded me of home. It was beautiful and we took enough pictures to do a web page. I'll blog when we get it finished and posted. The picture below shows both apple trees and grape vines. And across the road was a Christmas Tree farm. It was really strange see all that in a 180. Also just down the road was a giant pumpkin patch. We were really in California farm country today!!

We visited three wineries and let me tell you after wine tasting in three wineries....you are feeling the effects of the vino!! I ended up buying six bottles!! I should be well stocked for a while!!

The town of Placerville (Pop. 8400) was really quaint with a lot of cute shops. Of course I visited my share. Placerville isn't in the mountains so it was really hot and Rex didn't like that much. He also didn't like the fact that you couldn't smoke anywhere. Welcome to California!!

Ok..countdown...40 days to lift off...I cannot wait!!

What A Day.....OFF

By Mary

A day off..we are happy about that!!

Out of the gate it is obvious that Rex and I have different styles. He gets up and makes coffee, reads SEVERAL on-line newspapers, his favorite blogs, and catches up on e-mail..while I, on the other hand, hit the floor running. I had 4 loads of laundry done, dishes washed, plus various other household chores taken care of b4 Rex was done with his computer stuff!!! While I am not complaining...it is sometimes a question of equity!! Who (in my mind at least) do you think is on the short end of the stick??

So this afternoon we went to Brothers..to have a day off drink. As is normal, we got into a discussion of our trip to WI and all the plans we have. The most prevalent, of course, is our Cheese Days menu. We are SO looking forward to seeing everyone and cooking. I can assure everyone that the Big gASS grill will get quite a workout!! I can also ensure that anyone around the campfire that wants to eat will be well satisfied with our menu!!

Our next day off will be Thursday and we plan to go to Placerville, CA about 60 miles from here to see the historic downtown area. It is also very close to Sutter's Mill where the California gold rush started.(I always thought that was in Southern CA but that is not correct.) According to my info, Placerville and surrounding area is home to many fine wineries. I am very anxious to visit.

OK it is now countdown time....We are leaving Lake Tahoe in 43 days....and will be arriving in WI in about 48 days. I can't wait!!

Hike

By Mary

Today was a day off, our second in a row which is the first time since we started working Memorial Day week end. It was really nice to have two days off after a 7 day stretch. We were both wiped out and needed the break.

I finally got Rex out hiking today. We went to Camp Richardson which borders the lake and had a great hike. There just isn't a bad view of the lake and we had a wonderful time. Camp Richardson actually includes the remains of a couple of really great estates from the 1890's and 1900s. The guest cabins, main cabins, boat houses(complete with boats), polo fields, garages, stables, laundry cabins, court yard, arboredum...get my drift...estates that belonged to the very wealthy. One of the wealthy was "Lucky" Baldwin founder of the famous Santa Anita Race Track another was Mr. Pope (I can't remember his first name), co-founder, along with Mr.Talbot, of the Pope and Talbot Lumber Company.

We are using the Big gAss grill to make supper. Tonight's menu is a pork roast with a couple of foil packs...mine has zucchini, potato, onion, cauliflower, broccoli, lemon slices, olive oil, and fresh rosemary in it. Rex's foil pack has potatoes, onion, and butter flavored crisco. Go figure!!

Countdown time...pulling out in 46 days and arriving in Wisconsin in 51 or 52 days!! I am ready!!