Wisconsin - Here We Are!!

Jim, Stown and I went to Wisconsin for 7 days this July. Yes, Wisconsin in July - Humidity, Heat & Bugs. What were we thinking? Actually, the weather was nice - not too hot , not too humid - and the bugs didn't attack until the last couple days. Stown and I came home looking like we had the Chicken Pox from so many bites. What follows are some pictures and highlights of our trip.

All loaded up and ready to ride!

We arrived in Wisconsin on Sunday night, come Monday everybody was itching to ride. Steve (Jim's Dad) loaded Stown on the back of his Harley FLH Ultra Classic - a cushy ride for the kid. Jim drove his mom's Yamaha V-Star. Joyce (Jim's Mom) and I got stuck in the car with all the supplies.

With coolers stocked and sleeping bags stuffed, it was off to deer camp! This would be the first day of our week long vacation in Wisconsin.

In the background you can see a small hunting camp. It sits upon 65 acres of lush Wisconsin land complete with a spring fed pond. Steve, Joyce and Jim have planted 1000's of trees on their property and rent out a small plot to a local farmer (crops are visible in foreground). Joyce and I walked the roads and she pointed out the boundaries, trees they planted and other landmarks. We headed back to camp for a feast of venison (Steve had hunted on the land), a campfire and stories of Jim growing up at deer camp. We all stayed up until long after the stars were out then retired in the small camp house.

The morning brought forth a stroll down a country lane and berry picking with my in-laws. We scrambled up the shoulders of the road, braving poison ivy and prickers to fill our buckets with the sweet juicy berries. It was a quiet way to start our day.

I had some help with my berry picking from a stunningly beautiful tree frog.

Fresh Cheese Curds!!!

I had never seen the inner workings of a cheese factory before, it was very interesting. The one thing that "Wisconsin-ites" rave about is fresh cheese curds. They are served warm (right from the vat), are slightly salty and squeak in your teeth..... Yuck - no thank you! Meanwhile, Stown couldn't get enough of them. Perhaps my taste buds were turned off by the fact that it was 10am, I did try them later in the afternoon when they were cold, didn't squeak and I could wash them down with a beer... not so bad but not something I would stock in my refrigerator.

We went to Cave of the Mounds in southern Wisconsin. It went down 70 feet and stayed a crisp 50 degrees year round.

In the middle of the week we visited numerous family members that would not be attending the party. We took a road trip through Jim's old stomping grounds; past the quarry he swam in, the farms he worked and down the roads he bicycled. It was a trip down memory lane for him.

We also reconnected with friends of mine that I hadn't seen in 11 years. Their son is 6 weeks younger than Stown and we had met in Iron Mountain Michigan years ago. They hosted us for the evening with a boat trip around their local chain of lakes and pizza. They have 4 children now, so Stown was grateful for an evening filled with kid-fun.

Joyce, Stown & Steve

A trip to Milwaukee wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Harley-Davidson Museum. We saw a gazillion bikes and learned all about the history and evolution of the company. I think every one's favorite part was at the end, where they had bikes you could actually sit on.

The girls were off to a "Beach Blanket Bingo" party....while....

The boys hopped on the military bikes and were ready for service!

Then it was Party Time!!

The Reason!!

Jim & I were married over a year ago but never had a reception. I (and Stown) had never met any of Jim's family (with the exception of his parents). So what better a reason to throw a big party in a park and host overnight camping as well. Joyce (Jim's mom) reserved a picnic area and a campsite (for those who wanted to stay). She sent out invitations and bought all sorts of food and beverages. What would follow would be a HUGE family reunion of sorts. Family from both sides were there, biker buddies and old coworkers. It made for an afternoon filled with beer, brats and stories.

Steve, Jim's dad, grilled 80 hamburgers and 80 brats for a hungry crowd!

Go Grill Master!!

Not only family came out to party... Friends from Jim's college days too. Bill rode in to join the fun, too bad he didn't leave his bike.

Despite the cloudy weather, we walked down by the water for pictures and Grandma Katona posed with us. She is the last of Jim's grandparents. She came to America from Hungary over 50 years ago. While we were at her house (earlier on the trip) she told us stories of the journey and the hardships they encountered trying to find work and housing. She spoke of going hungry and cherishing a loaf of bread. It really makes one appreciate the luxury life we have today. Perhaps if more of us had those experiences we would be more grateful for what we have and not live such a "disposable & wasteful" life.

All the cousins were there!! It's not often that we can get this group in the same place, much less to stand still for a picture. We bribed them with beer afterwards.

All in all, it was a great trip to the Midwest. We got to see family and friends, caves and cheese, bikes and beers. Maybe we can do it again in a few years, but for now I'm still scratching the souvenirs the bugs sent home with me and trying to lose the 5 pounds I gained.
(By the way, can you pass the cheese and get me another beer please?)

Father's Day in the Mountains

Happy Father's Day Jim!

We celebrated Father's Day with a hike in the mountains. The entire family went, even the old cat! It was a beautiful day as we drove to the trailhead. We parked our truck and began a short hike to Taylor lake. The dogs romped in the water and the cat explored new grasses to feast upon. Taylor lake is a small lake (pond) created be snow melt and rain, it sits at nearly 12,000 ft. The sky is so brillantly blue at that elevation. What a great place to bond with the family.