danaleeling

Today was arts and crafts day in preparation for Saturday's gathering of family and friends. A variety of decorations were worked on by the team assembled here in Argyle. Not everyone was working on decorations for the party. The flowers in the process of being glued. Other teams colored in letters on banners. Three cultures from two continents and an island, are represented in the following image. In the evening Dr. Hushang "Henry" Najat visited us. Adair Najat brought us the most incredible home baked sour dough bread, wonderful bread. Adair also brought us an absolutely exquisite cake.

Today the gang of fifteen descended on Noah's Ark Water Park in the Wisconsin Dells, self-proclaimed to be "America's largest waterpark." Although I am in my fifth decade, this was the first water park I have ever entered, hence I cannot comment on any claims as to whether the park is the largest or potentially best water park in America. It is clearly the largest and best water park that I have ever been in. All one of them. Being a water park and being as one spends the day getting wet in interesting and new ways, I spent the day sans camera. Only at the end of the day did I grab a couple shots. At the very end of a long day in the park, my son and daughter hit Tadpole bay . My son enjoyed the zip line. My daughter and my sister both demonstrate balance and grace walking on the inner tubes... er, never mind, scratch that balance and grace. Both went into the water. My daughter just prior to hitting the water. Of all the rides I enjoyed Slidewinders the best - good...

Today Shrue, my son, and I made a journey through the lead region of southwestern Wisconsin, tracing our way down from Shullsburg and Benton on down to Dubuque. This was also a journey into history. The very first European into the area in pursuit of lead was Julien Dubuque , who mined lead under an agreement with the Meskwahki native Americans and under a land grant from the Governor for Spain in New Orleans. My son is on an overlook in the Mines of Spain state recreation area. Julien was the first European to mine lead in the area south of modern day Dubuque. The overlook is at the location at which Julien Dubuque was buried in 1810. From 1810 on into the 1800s with a trip to the Ulysses S. Grant home and statue in Galena, Illinois. Grant would fight in the Mexican-American war and with fellow Illinoisan Lincoln would battle to preserve a union of the people, by the people, for the people. Grant would go on to become the 18th president of the United States. Moving from the late 18...

I ran 14.4 kilometers in 1:39:31 up and down the hills of the Driftless Zone, crossing the Pecatonica valley on a long run to Yellowstone State Park. I reached the Yellowstone Dairy Restaurant in an hour and 28 minutes, at a distance of 12.6 kilometers. That was my finishing location five years ago. This year I ran into the park to the beach where the family was picnicking and swimming. More photos from along the road - what a runner in the Driftless zone sees.

The gang all gathered on a curb for the fourth of July parade in Shullsburg, Wisconsin. Candy is thrown during the parade, so a curb side seat is a necessity. Among many other entrants, tractors old... ...and new were a major feature of the parade. After the parade games were held in Shullsburg park. The grandchildren won the initial heats and the semi-finals, facing off against each other in an all-non-Shullsburg final. Team Spain-Micronesia beat team Connecticut-Micronesia. Despite a best effort, the top cup cake eater from Micronesia was unable to beat Shullsburg's best cupcake eaters. My youngest got a taste of holding a fire hose in a game where two kids faced off with hoses and tried to push an aerial barrel on a wire. Shullsburg tanker 361 provided the water and hose lines, many thanks to the fire fighters of Shullsburg for their time, effort, and equipment! More pictures from the Shullsburg fourth of July!

The International Crane Foundation commits to a future where all crane species are secure - a future where people cooperate to protect and restore wild populations and their ecosystems. These efforts sustain the places where cranes live, to the benefit of countless other species. Even including my children. The wattled crane's were out and about on a cool and breezy Thursday. After visiting the new Africa exhibit at the ICF, the group took a break for lunch before afternoon hikes on trails on the ICF property. Across the road, an unusual sight. The land being worked by a team of draft horses. A view of a portion of the hiking area at ICF , specifically the native prairie project area. Burns are done every three to five years.

Seen on the road on county road H in Green county just east of 69 near New Glarus. Not sure why it is bent over. Navigator down! Chief engineer down! The Yukon can put any child to sleep. Shrue bowls a strike during her first time to go bowling. The right most lane has bumpers in the gutter that prevent a gutter ball. Fun for children. My son looks at the pin set-up while carefully considering his choice of ball.