August 9 through August 11, 2014

Saturday:

After Carlo's horrible week, we were happy to finally be on the road for a much needed weekend away. We made a quick beverage stop along the way to Tamarack, where we had the best hamburger! Each time I drive the pick-up truck I get more confident; as long as there is a minimum need to go in reverse! Yep, I try to pull through - ALWAYS!

We got to O'Wich around 2:00 and there were very few mosquitoes to greet us. We are usually a bug strip for them as we exit the truck. I'd like to thank the bat for this, but it has been dry, little rain and no flooding.

The under the addition job was finished. This got done quicker than expected. We now have a heat duct and air return in the bedroom and the underside was insulated and a finished board was put up to keep the critter out. We will be toasty this winter! And maybe next visit I'll take more photos!

We unloaded the few things we brought and kicked back for a couple of hours. Thinking Carlo might like to take a break, I ran for gas and to the grocery store - finding a pull-through spot of course. After I got back, we got the groceries inside, had a sandwich, watched a little TV and ended our day.

This was one of the weekends of the super moon!






Sunday:

Our early morning started at Norm's for breakfast, where I had to park on the street. Although not a pull-through spot, I was the first vehicle parked at the edge near the alley and that was pull-through enough for me! Once again, this restaurant serves to much food and our forest denizens will reap the benefits of the buffet we will put out for them later.

We stopped for propane and forgotten bread that we need for lunch on Monday. I dusted and vacuumed and then we tackled some electrical chores. Some of the front porch lights had come loose, bulb was out on another and Carlo changed the broken chandelier for the new one. Not only does it look much better, but the box is now out of the corner!



While ongoing (endless) episodes of some beer brewing show played, I got everything ready for dinner. We grilled some incredible steaks, baked potatoes, corn and we had onions and mushrooms. And yes, this dinner was certainly photo impressive...however, I never took the picture. But a rating of OMG is in order!

Carlo got a fire started while I cleaned up the kitchen. We grabbed some beverages and enjoyed a nice quiet evening...until a neighbor walked up from the easement. It was Joe from Kenosha County - not to be confused with Joe from Cook County or Joe from any other county. Who says they're from a county??? So we gave it back...we're outside of Chicago. So for the next two hours we listened to him talk about vinyl record albums, people we don't know - by name - and how much the Dells have changed in the last 50 years. And to say this man can talk...oh boy, can he ever! I WAS interested in what he told us about our place and how the old couple bought their vacation home from a catalog in 1964 (maybe Sears, but they stopped selling vacation homes from their catalog in 1940). Well after lots of alcohol was consumed, and non by Kenosha County Joe, I went to get my jacket and when I came back he was gone...almost as quick as he appeared. Carlo said he was surprised I didn't say good-bye. "I went to get a jacket and besides, I was only going to be gone for a moment and still couldn't get a word in edgewise!" We sat by the fire a bit longer and laughed about our not so quiet evening.

Monday:

I was up pretty early and made baked cinnamon rolls. Carlo got up for a bit but de3cided it was too early and headed back to bed. I was making a Pasta Bake for lunch and got everything ready. Once again, it was a great meal and I almost got a picture of it...I got the before shot done...after....we just ate it!

There were so many leaf frogs around this trip. And there were moths and wasps. AND I would like to recommend that you not try to knock down a wasp nest with a pipe...no matter how long the pipe is. Actually the longer the pipe, the harder it is to control it. 

Rather than continue to mess with the wasps, I took all the leftover food out and placed it in the wooded area. The problem with this was that I must have stepped in some poison ivy...this is what I ended up with...and boy did it itch!!!

Tuesday:

I was up around 2:00 since I slept a lot on Monday. We need to leave earlier than normal since Carlo's new work schedule has him starting at 6. I started packing up and we were on the road 12 hours before his shift was starting. We are already looking forward to our next visit!!!