Anna returns

Hal writes:

Anna and I will be leaving for two weeks of vacation starting today. My hope is that somewhere along the way we can post some pictures of our adventures. But if not, you will just have to wait until August.

Anna returned to Wisconsin last Saturday. The picture below is from her first night back. This may also have to serve as our anniversary picture as we didn't take any pictures on our anniversary.

Our goal this morning is to be packed up and on the road by 10am so we get to the cities in time for Kevin's ordination. We did most of the packing last night, so I am hopeful that we can get going soon.

4th of July

Hal writes:

I made full use of my day off as a Wisconsin state employee by participating in a number of hometown Independence Day activities. The first order of business was a 5k fun run. I don't know why they are called fun runs, because they really aren't that fun for the people involved. Perhaps the spectators named it. Anyways, I was pretty pleased with my race because I stayed pretty consistent with each mile split. There was a group of teenagers that took off after the police car leading the way when the "gun" (two pieces of wood slapping together) went off. The first half mile was all downhill, but I caught up to the sprinting pack when the road proceeded uphill. Here are my times:

1 mile - 7:07
2 mile - 7:40 (14:47)
3.2 mile - 7:57 (22:41)

Pictured below is me wearing my race t-shirt and first place medal (with red, white, and blue stripes on the ribbon). As impressive as the 22:41 1st place finish is, I was well behind the winning time of 17:30. I was first in the Men 18-30 category. Some high school XC runner was a good five minutes ahead of me. Oh well, he may be in my category next year, but I'm less than two years from breaking into the 30-40 age category.

I may do two races in the upcoming weeks. Another 5k fun run in the Barnum area and possibly the Park Point 5-miler coming up in a couple of weeks. I've issued a challenge to my siblings to participate in the 5k, I'll let you know if any of them rise up to take the challenge.

For lunch in the afternoon I went to the Mining Museum in town. The Music Boosters were selling Brats and other food items. I know I have been in Wisconsin too long when I automatically choose a brat over a hot dog. In addition to fun yard games for children, a music tent was set up for The Wundos to play. The gentleman playing the upright bass on the left is my supervisor's husband.


Darn Wisconsin hippies...

In the late afternoon I went to KJ and Mike's new house for some pre-fireworks fun. Pictured below are Nolan and Bob playing lawn golf. I played five games and lost everyone, but I blame my golf partner.

The fireworks in town are best viewed from the outfield of the local ball field. Some friends went early to secure good seats by laying out some blankets and chairs.

Andrea and I enjoy popcorn with a new RD, John, prior to the fireworks.

I tried my hand and taking pictures of the fireworks just to see what the camera could do. This was the best shot. I will understand if you don't "ooh" and "ah".

Tomorrow is Anna's last day of PT work in Phoenix and she flies back to Wisconsin on Sunday!

2 week hiatus

Hal writes:

It's been about two weeks since my last post. Since leaving Jim's wedding, I spent a little over a week in Arizona and then some time in Minnesota before returning back to SW Wisconsin tonight.

To follow up on my last post, here was my sixth row view for the Diamondbacks baseball game. (You can count six rows up on the other side to get an idea of how close I was.) Oh, and did I mention that they served Coldstone at the game?

I randomly found a candy company that gave a free tour in the afternoon. Besides watching the chocolate, creams, and caramel at the Cerreta Candy Company, we also saw a 400 pound cactus made of chocolate and decorated with other candies. Anna the PT student enjoys that they also make chocolate hip bones.

We spent a couple of days up in Flagstaff including a visit to the Grand Canyon. Anna's cousin Kip lives in Flagstaff with his wife Beth and their two daughters. Anna and I were able to go out to dinner with Kip and Beth (the first time to eat Thai for Anna and I) and get to know them a little bit better. Pictured below is Kip giving a rickshaw bicycle ride to his two daughters and his mom Carol. (Anna and I stayed with her aunt Carol and uncle Jim in Phoenix most of the trip.)

We left early one morning to visit the Grand Canyon. We walked a couple of miles along the South Rim and saw several different views.

Anna and I at the Grand Canyon.

When I returned to Minnesota, I spent a couple days with Kevin. He is getting ordained in two weeks, but in the mean time he is trying to relax and take time off. We went up to visit my parents at the cabin. Here is Kevin showing what his life will be like in 50 years: retired, enjoying lunch on the patio with a blanket to keep him warm.

My dad continues to have a variety of projects at the cabin. The next project is to create a level area for Anna and I to pitch a tent when we visit. In addition to creating a level surface on the hillside, he also has to make sure that when it rains, the water is directed elsewhere. He and my mom have a bet as to whether or not it will be completed when Anna and I visit in mid-July. Pictured below is dad with the beginning of his engineering project, piling stones to hold the dirt back before laying some sod on top.

In an ancient Scandinavian tradition, Kevin and I took kayaks across the lake to pillage some unsuspecting commoners. Pictured below is the victorious return.

This weekend Anna and I spent in the twin cities with her parents and sister Kat. On Saturday we went to Michelle and Steve's wedding in Red Wing. Kat and Anna know Michelle from college. They are pictured below with the bride and other UMD friend Katie.
Hal and Anna at the wedding.


Guess it's time for me to get back to work...