After 2 years of slacking…the front porch is close to being done. Thanks to my Dad and Nic for rebuilding the roof structure, Nic’s Dad for putting up the lattice, and to my painting skills! It does feel good to drive up to a nice entrance. Also notice the log path made from a huge tree that went down at my parents house and the ceramic moon that my Dad made me for Christmas.
Posted by paddleror03 on May 9, 2013
http://paddleror03.wordpress.com/2013/05/09/front-porch-improvements/
This video from Shawn Malone at Lake Superior Photo, is awesome! It took over a year to capture all of the shots from around the Upper Peninsula and I think it was worth the time.
Posted by paddleror03 on May 6, 2013
http://paddleror03.wordpress.com/2013/05/06/north-country-dreamland/
I think all of that complaining that I did about the lack of snow we have, has caught up to me! We sure do have it now in the UP! I keep shoveling off the back porch, but the dogs refuse to go off it into the deep snow in the backyard. They have now taken to peeing off/on the porch :/ Not too happy about that! Nic and I went back country skiing last night with the dogs and they could barely walk through the snow. I’m so sore from shoveling!
The view from a coworker’s window.
Posted by paddleror03 on February 20, 2013
http://paddleror03.wordpress.com/2013/02/20/winter-is-here/
I traveled to Colorado to visit a friend at the end of last month (January). It was a great time but I wish I had more time to stay out there!
The trip started out with a few bumps… As we were leaving Marquette to drive to Milwaukee to catch our flight, I noticed a banging noise coming from underneath my car. My entire exhaust pipe fell off and was banging on my axle. Luckily Midas in Marquette was very nice and fixed it for $25. I was pretty stressed out and it happened at 5pm, so we were very lucky to get it fixed, and for so cheap!
We stayed with one of my friends in Milwaukee and left very early in the morning to catch our flight. Nic and I were on the same flight to Denver, but then he continued on to Salt Lake City to stay with his friends out there.
I have known my friend Amanda since my Junior year of college and we have been great friends since. She was actually one of the people that helped Nic and I start dating. She moved to Colorado a couple of years ago and we stayed in contact. I was so lucky to have someone out there to visit. Read the full post »
Posted by paddleror03 on February 12, 2013
http://paddleror03.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/more-travels-and-adventures/
It seems that the only things keeping me motivated lately are my little mini-vacations. It is nice having something to look forward to. Although I love where I live, and can be happy just hanging out at my house, it is nice to get out of town and experience something new every once in a while.
Posted by paddleror03 on January 9, 2013
http://paddleror03.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/nye-in-chicago/
I haven’t been keeping up with my blog, and my mother has been bugging me to post more pictures and updates. I blame Facebook, because I have been just putting all of my pictures on there. Also, the last month has been crazy! Nic and I have been travelling all over the place and trying to keep up with the holidays. Enough excuses…here are some updates. Read the full post »
Posted by paddleror03 on January 4, 2013
http://paddleror03.wordpress.com/2013/01/04/ho-ho-ho/
We got a new (used) car last week. New cars are always exciting but it is hard getting used to all of the gadgets. I have wanted a 4Runner since I was sixteen and I finally got one! Gets a little better gas mileage than the Explorer but still has 4WD and can fit the dogs in it. You just try shopping for a car that can fit two Great Danes in it! Not easy!
Nic has the Explorer now, which is still a great car.
Posted by paddleror03 on December 10, 2012
http://paddleror03.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/new-car/
I would like to bring attention to a big issue that I am finding more and more common lately: the government’s attack on small farms (and even gardens). We are hearing a lot about people in urban and suburban areas with gardens in their front lawns, being forced to “landscape” their property instead of growing food. It starts with neighbors complaining that the gardens don’t fit in with the subdivision complex, or that the raised beds are an eye sore. Then the government gets involved and it becomes the homeowners fight for their rights to grow vegetables instead of maintaining a well-manicured green lawn. I am having a hard time understanding this whole issue. What ever happened to “victory gardens”? I like having my own garden and I recently expanded it into my front yard because I have better sun and I am so sick of mowing! I am just waiting to see how long it takes for one of my neighbors to chirp in…
Here are some examples of people in urban areas that are fighting to keep their gardens. I got these pictures off of a Facebook page called Grow Food Not Lawns. Why is this illegal?:
Posted by paddleror03 on November 14, 2012
http://paddleror03.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/right-to-farm/
My pumpkin (left), Nic’s (right) and the “pimpkin” in the middle!
I hope everyone is having a Happy Halloween! The City of Marquette did their business trick-or-treating last weekend, so it seems like most events are during that time. They also do residential trick-or-treating today, but it is only from 4-7 and not many kids go out. I think it is because most of the town is all college kids and they never hand out candy. I remember trick-or-treating in the DARK. What ever happened to that? Safety concerns? It’s not as fun anymore 
I opted to hand out play dough tonight instead of candy this year. I think sugar is the last thing most kids need. Read the full post »
Posted by paddleror03 on October 31, 2012
http://paddleror03.wordpress.com/2012/10/31/happy-halloween/
Nic and I made a short overnight trip to Ottawa National Forest this past weekend. It has been raining for weeks in the U.P. and we wanted to take advantage of a few dry days and our days off. We met a friend at Sturgeon River Campground, which is about an hour drive from Marquette. We arrived after dark and we saw hundreds of deer along the way. I was driving while Nic was scanning the side of the road for deer. This campground was really cool. We set our tent up 20 feet from the river. It is free to camp there and is pretty rustic. It did have a pit bathroom and the boys said it was very clean. We were the only ones there, so the dogs ran around free and loved it. It was a chilly night and I didn’t get much sleep. I woke up from being cold, or the dogs woke me up because they were cold and needed to be covered up. I am not sure if they were cold because they don’t have much fur, or if they were just spoiled and wanted to be under the blankets… Read the full post »
Posted by paddleror03 on October 22, 2012
http://paddleror03.wordpress.com/2012/10/22/a-day-in-ottawa-national-forest/
