September 13, 2009

We were up by 8:00 to a yard full of ginormous sized turkeys. Unfortunately, something spooked them before I could get a picture. :(

We met Val and John at 10:30 and headed to the Dells and Paul Bunyon's for breakfast. After a tasty, never disappointing meal, we took a Lower Dells Boat Tour. Our Guide pointed out Highway A, which was the road Lake Delton washed out in 2008. He pointed out the damage of the shores the devastation caused. The tour allowed for lots of pictures and was very interesting. Some of the people on the tour were interesting too ~ okay, not interesting - unique or maybe just weird! I think they were from Russia!!! Or maybe Poland since the Dells was hosting a Polka weekend! They certainly were not from the Charlie Pride groupies!

After the conclusion of the tour, I took the opportunity to take some land photos!

We parted ways at the end of our outing and we headed back to O'Wich. The fresh air was very tiring!

I worked on my project while Carlo shut his eyes for a bit and then watched TV. We didn't do much else for the rest of the evening but enjoy the quiet. This was a much deserved, enjoyed and appreciated trip. Next week is our "IZE WEEKEND" - when we will organize and winterize the cabin; so being lazy this weekend was okay!

September 12, 2009

I woke from my awesome nap around 3:00 am, wondering WHAT fun I missed during the previous 8 hours. Being too early to stay up, I took care of some moths that were fluttering around and went back to bed...I can get a good 4 more hours of shut-eye in if I hurry!

7:00 am - Got my 4 hours for a total of 12 and heard, AGAIN, I missed out on lots of fun. Involved in the missing fun was a river, the woods, a streaker, some running, and someone with a spectacular imagination! Just make up your own story!!!!

The turkeys arrived for breakfast right away and it looks like the tin I set out is still there, unknown if it has any food in it or not. Well, time for coffee, cleaning and photos!

The C&C Coffee Cafe opened for about an hour...no need for the neon sign. We visited with Paul and caught up a bit since we didn't see him last weekend. After he left, I cleaned the inside of the cabin, Carlo got the fire pit ready for a bonfire tonight and then I blew the leaves off the porch and deck. We spruced it all up!

Carlo replanted our very sick looking (most likely dead) shrub. Maybe it will find new life in the sun!

I snapped lots of pictures and then showered while Carlo ran to Do-It-Best. Now all we need to do is wait for Val and John to arrive.

They arrived at 2:00 and we had an awesome BBQ lunch. The chef was certainly "in the cabin" or at least on the deck! After lunch we sat around and caught up on everything O'Wich since their last bi-annual visit. Well at least we have some traditional type visit in place! We chatted and laughed about anything and everything - and like a shampoo bottle; repeat!

We walked down to the river and sat there until the bugs were too much for Val and the little portable fans her and John clipped to their waistbands! This must be why Val and I are such good friends...our love of nature!!!

Val made her "wish" by the O'Wich version of the Wishing Stones...hmmm, I wonder what she wished for...

We had a bonfire for the rest of the night that included some snacks, smores and more laughter. Captain (Morgan) and Tenille (Tequila Rose) showed up to join in on the fun. They left around 11:00, decided to stay at the Best Western. Tomorrow we hit the Dells with them!

September 11, 2009

After work, I packed and got some things together that I needed for this weekend. While waiting to leave, I caught up on some unfinished things around the house and took a very much needed micro-nap. By the time Carlo helped me got some storage units and my stuff in the truck, we were finally pulling away just after 10:00 am - he had some "behooving" things of his own to finish up before we left! First stops were for gas and cash and then not again until we got to O'Wich.

There was quite a bit of traffic; probably because it was Friday. Some trees along the way seemed to possess leaves of turning colors - a sure sign that Fall is on the way. The sky was blue and the cloud count grew the further along we traveled but remained white and fluffy. It was a nice ride! The road to O'Wich was dry and still bumpy as hell - but sandy vs. muddy is much better!

We arrived by 1:30, unloaded, unpacked, got the coffee brewing, opened the cabin (yep, summer time opening is just 3 switches...only 3 little switches - yay), and get this...in my recliner ready for GH. Now that's what I call perfect timing!

At 3:30 we were both showing signs of fading fast - okay I was showing the most of the signs, so we headed out for dinner and then Pierce's. We picked up some things we needed for a BBQ lunch we're having tomorrow and brought some left-over dinner home for the critters - I wonder how they would rate the Chicken Alfredo and Garlic bread...actually I am really wondering what will become of the tin I delivered it in!

I put my jammies on - ahhh! We watched a little TV and then it was time to stick a fork in me!

September 6, 2009

I was not feeling good all night - both muscle pain and flu-like symptoms. Carlo made sure the birds had seed. The morning was full of fog and it was a good thing we didn't get off as early as we wanted to. We gathered our things and closed up the cabin and got on the road. Next week we have more work planned and are expecting visitors!

September 5, 2009

COOL FACT: Snails can sleep for 3 years

Interesting thought: I might be part snail!

We were up by 8:00 am and I was looking forward to cooking and enjoying breakfast.

Although this trip had "no list" attached to it...relaxing was over when Carlo was on his way to get insulation for the crawl space walls. 22 x 15 x 5.

While he was gone, I listened to the sounds of nature and even got a glimpse of all the denizens getting ready for the upcoming end of summer. A squirrel knocked acorns and pine cones from the tops of the trees, the birds cleaned out the feeders, the red squirrel emptied another feeder and the turkeys helped themselves to the seed covered ground; all the while the woodpeckers pecked at the trees! And another squirrel took the time to stare me down as if to say FYI.

We worked under the cabin until after 6:00 pm, stopping for lunch and for another run for more adhesive. We were barely able to walk or even stand up straight by the time we were done. I cleaned up the mess and tools and supplies while Carlo finished putting the insulation on the water lines and finish taping the seams. I think we did a great job considering all the cutting and piecing we had to do - we only wish we would have done this BEFORE the plumbers were here! We still have to put pieces along the bottom and I forgot a piece in the corner, but we'll save that for another day!

After our showers, we started grilling brats and corn.

We had dinner at 8:30 pm and thought the time was not a problem we were battling over whose muscles were the sorest - it was a tie!

September 4, 2009

Up by 8:00, we were surprised how cold it had gotten during the night - 49 degrees!

Question: Carlo turned on the furnace a: to make sure it was in good running order b: because I was cold c: because he was cold or d: all of the above? Another surprise...the answer is C with A following close behind!

I had coffee while Carlo put a bird feeder on the back deck, hung a new one in the front and filled all of them with seed. While he ran to Do-It-Best, I took pictures of the birds at the back feeder as well as watching (at current count) 7 birds slam into the patio door window. WTF? The back was swarmed with birds and it was neat to have them closer ~ to watch.

Hopefully the squirrels and raccoons will stay away from this feeder. I headed outside in search of nature photo opportunities. I found lots of feathers and many mushrooms...not sure what the fowl encountered for them to have their large loss of quill-age - but I didn't pick up nearly the amount that I found! And in the front and back, although scattered, were a lot of wild mushrooms. Can't recall these growing in the years past. And then the huge-ass turkeys came in for their feeding! They have really grown since the first time they came to eat!!!

Carlo wrapped the pipes with heat tape to prepare for the upcoming cold weather months. We didn't really do much else besides have lunch and watch TV. I took a nap until about 8:00 pm.

Carlo woke me and I realized I missed out on more fun! He made a bonfire. We had hot dogs on the grill, watched a little more TV ~ love the Create channel ~ and went to bed.

September 3, 2009

Along our route is the barn that I haven't had a chance to take photos of lately...until now ~ and strangely, it's still standing!

We arrived at O'Wich around 1:30 after a late start, a quick stop at the bank and another for fuel. I settled in for a little GH and Carlo tinkered outside, feeding the birds and checking things under the cabin. The Bird Man of O'Wich's flock were happy to see him. If beaks could only smile; but instead their songs of appreciation chirped loud and clear!

We watched a little more TV to unwind and left for town around 4:30. We started at the farm stand for corn and tomatoes then went to Bud's for pizza. After dinner, Carlo dropped me off at Walmart to start shopping while he ran to Tractor Supply. He picked up seed, a bird feeder and feed - I picked up a huge variety of scrapbook supplies that I needed for an upcoming class. We got our grocery assortment and got back in time to walk down to the river, sit for a drink, enjoy the peaceful surroundings and to watch the sunset.

By 8:15 I had been up over 24 hours and Carlo was up for several more than that - so we ended our night!