Canoe in the Chicago river?

Sunday Oct 5th was the Flat water classic on the Chicago river.
We put in by lane Tech High school and paddled all the way to 18th
street in China town. Comes out to about 7.25 miles of very diverse scenery.
They say there was about 200 canoe or kayaks on the water and I have to admit it
looked pretty cool! The trip ended at Ping Tom park with bands,food and cheering. We ended up finishing in a pretty good time and just beat the rain.

After the canoe race it was off to meet Mike at Morgans on Maxwell st. to watch the Bears game and get ready to go to the Sox game. Rain stopped just in time for the Sox game and they won! A must win game Vs. the Devil Rays.

Anyway, for anyone with some free time think about putting in on the Chicago river for a fun day of exercise.

*** click on the picture of me ***

Sox Win !!

It was a well pitched game by John Danks! Somehow I knew the first team to score was going to win the game! Solid defence timely home run by Jim Thome and an awesome fall night. This is the first time in MLB history that a team ( The Sox ) have beaten 3 different teams in three different nights. (Cleavland,Detroit,Minnesota) Everyone wore black to the game and it looked awesome,you saw a sea of black and it made peoples faces jump out at you. The crowd was into the game like they normally are on the south side. Anyway a great win but now its off to Tampa bay.

Water Dog II

Boomer is no Angus in the water but he is coming along.
We went to the beach today and had a good time. Met a nice girl also, I will keep you updated on that. Anyway, My brother Mike tells a pretty good Angus story when we were up at lake Vermilion. Angus went into the lake after some ducks. I was not aware of this but I guess ducks will lure a predator out as far as they can to try and drown them? Mike had a hard time getting Angus to come back and he ended up swimming out to bring him back. Today at the lake Boomer was trying to return 2 balls at a time like Angus used to do but could not get two in his mouth at once. He ended up corralling them against his chest and pushing them in as he swam. All in all a great day at the beach! Get out and enjoy, there are not many left!

Wiilliam Perry

Many have heard about my new fridge, well its not so new any more. I guess its about 3 years old now but compared to my old one with the door that made the click sound when you opened it this is still new. As you can see by the picture I don't keep much in it, this is really pretty full compared to most times. The one thing I would like to point out is the owners manual in the lower left crisper. Been there since day one for those of you that doubt me.

First day back

Well, it was a busy day. I got tired about 1030, I'm never able to sleep well the night before a return from a long time off.
I'm glad I missed this past weekend, I guess with the three days of rain( 7 plus inches ) terminal one turned into a lake. last time something like this happened was 1987. So before it happens again it should be 2028 and I will have been retired for a few years. One of the larger issues was water getting into fuel pits. This is a major deal for airplanes and to ensure we don't use bad fuel there are all types of checks to ensure all water has been removed before it gets to the aircraft. It slows down the whole operation but safety first always. Even though the worst was over today was catch up, it still beats you up a little. I can just hope things are more back to normal tomorrow. I'm sure it will take me 2 or 3 days to get back in the swing of working an operational environment. My brain has been resting and takes time to get going.

Last day of vacation

Well, here it is the last Day of my vacation. I have to admit it did not turn out as I planned it. I guess they never really do but this one was way off the mark. If I could have a redo I would have stayed in the BWCA a little longer and done some more hiking with Boomer, he really likes to hike. I would not have gotten caught in the construction zone, o.k. maybe I should have just slowed down! I will in the future for sure. Ottawa was awesome, not much I would have changed there, maybe if I could have stopped the rain. California I will visit for fun, it was nice to see everyone but next time it will be for something happy. Boomer and I were on our coffee walk this morning, I guess I just got tired of waiting for the rain to end so we just headed out. By the time I got home I was drenched! I had to put Boomer in the basement to dry off. Much like my run in Ottawa a walk in the rain is not all bad, its kinda a strange thing. Everyone else is running from the car to the house or a business to a car. Boomer and I were just walking in the rain, its kind of relaxing once you give it to the fact you are going to get wet.
***** click on the picture of Boomer and me *****

California

California, Seems like I was there every summer when I was growing up. I knew all the neighbors and friends of my Grandma and Aunts. I knew everyone in my family for sure. This last trip out, My Aunt Pam had to point out a few family members to me. Then remind me of their names. Everyone grows so fast, some cousins I remember as 2 year olds are now driving and enjoying an adult beverage! ( not at the same time ) Things change, I still feel like I should be the kid when I visit but there are way to many new ones to allow that to happen. I have to be grownup. Things move forward weather you want them to or not. So now that I know all the new faces and I'm up to date with what my family is doing the goal is to stay in touch and not let it get away again.

Sleep Adjustment

The best thing about being off for 30 days is the sleep I have been able to get. Could you imagine getting 8+ hours of sleep each day? It's awesome. Now the down side, there are only 5 more days left and I will have to adjust to getting 5 or 6 hours a night and then getting up at 4 a.m. is going to kill me. 12 more years until I can start my second career and whatever that is will not require me to wake before 0800!


Flying out of LAX later today and will be into ORD 0018

Will need to find some fun for the last few days of vacation. I could always finish my kitchen remodel or Start the bathroom? NOT!

Peter Chifo ( 1922-2008 )

Well I'm out in California and I have to say it's very nice to see some family
I have not seen in a long time. The bad part is we only seem to see each other
at a wake or funeral. My Grandpa passed away and I knew I had to be out here to
represent the miswest. Grandpa was a dynamic guy, he could tell stories and hold court
for hours on end. I will miss him and what he represents. I do not have many more people in my life that represent the old world. Raise your glass to Pete Chifo, my Moms Dad.

The Sailfish at the right my Grandpa caught in 1948 off Mexico. In the picture of the landing my Grandpa is in the middle.


Ron

Back home in Chicago

I have seen enough rain in the last few weeks to last me for the next few months. It rained a ton in Ottawa and now looks like it is going to rain pretty hard and long here at home.
Going to try and go to Orange County tonight so I hope the storms move
through here fast. I'm trying not to read to much into this but Boomer has been very sad the last few days. He loved Angus more than Angus loved him. It was kinda funny to watch Boomer try and love the old dog. There were even times Angus would give in and show Boomer some love.
He is either super tired from playing with Mikes dog Charlie or he is just sad?
Here are some more pictures from Ottawa, mostly of this awesome old Parliament estate.

Sunday afternoon in Ottawa

So, the rain finally relented and I got a chance to get out and walk around Ottawa. I walked south down the Rideau to the market area and on a Sunday morning it was hopping! People and dogs were everywhere. Just like France it seems Ottawa is a Dog town.( why is french so common in Ottawa? ) The smell of the Market was awesome. Fresh organic fruit and vegetables were in the air, I could smell coffee and pastries. There is a Canadian delicacy called the Beaver tail, i guess in America its a churro ( from Mexico ) but in Canada they stretch it out and flatten it and put flavors on it. ( thanks to Debbie for showing Beaver tail ) Last year in Sydney it was meat pie and this year in Ottawa its Beaver.

Ottawa ( Rain and Run )

Rain and Run. Many of the people at this years WARR were upset because of the rain. I have to admit it came down long and hard. Started to rain Saturday morning about 0600 and has not stopped as of 1635 . That's the only reason I'm in my Hotel room on a vacation. I happen to like running in the rain. Its cool misty and just makes you know that you are alive. I ran the 10K, it started at 0900 and I think I ran a 48 ish minute time. Just about an 8 minute mile pace. Was a little worried because I did not sleep well the night before due to a stiff neck, ahhhh the pressures of a vacation. There was about a 45 minute delay between the 10 and a 5K so I jumped in and ran Bandit on the 5K at a nice easy pace. I wish more people from United would join me at the WARR events, you get to see awesome cities and meet lots of very nice people. Next year(10-9-2009) is in Hangzhou China, so start training now and get your passport and visa in order!

Ron

Angus 1995-2008

Some people get it, some people don't. I know dogs are not people, yet some treat them as if they are. I do not, I think they are more noble. What other creature is there for you 100% of the time? When other humans mistreat you, A dog will pick you up. When you just have a day that kicks your ass, a dog will once again pick you up. Angus has been there for me hundreds of times and I will be there for him today. His body was once 100% muscle, now a cancer has taken most of the bone in his front left leg. He has been limping for a few months, I knew it was not going to be good news. I went to the Vet yesterday and the X-ray shows large gaps in his bone and that could lead to a very painful break at any time. Right now he is sleeping at my feet but today is the day I pay him back for being 100% loyal to me, I will do what has to be done for him.

Angus has a long list of dog friends and human friends that will miss him, thanks to everyone who came into his life and made it richer.

Ron

Fish for dinner in the BWCA

I was thinking about putting together a cookbook on how to have a fish dinner in the BWCA.
This is how I set up a large mouth bass dinner in the boundary waters.
#1 Send Adam out fishing with clear instructions not to come back without fish.
#2 Let Adam clean fish and prepare fillets.
****** I cook rice while reading a book *******
#3 Help Adam boil water.
#4 Boil fish for about 7 minutes.
#5 lay fish over a bed of rice and add salt and or pepper to taste.

Let Adam handle the clean up. ( one reason we boiled fish, makes for easy clean up )

It really does taste best caught and clean and cooked fresh by someone else.

Dock Dog

I have always wanted a dog that would leap off the end of a dock after a ball.
You know, the need to get after the ball takes over from the fear of the jump into the
water. It took me just a few tries without much coaxing until Boomer let it fly!
Fright train down the dock and into the water. After about 10 launches a small group of people gathered around to watch, so Boom stepped it up a level then after a retrive walked over to the crowd and shook all the water off his back and got the people wet. Seems like everyone enjoyed it.

Duluth

Awesome small town with nice bars and restaurants.
Rainbow at right lands in Duluth.

74 in a 45 construction zone

1 mph away from revoking my licence. Clocked me just as I was entering the zone.
The officer game me a break and wrote me a ticket for going 55 in a 45. $249.00 vs. $501.00
I was guilty for sure but the speed limit was 65 and I set cruise at 74, 9 mph over limit thats what I normally do.Costly mistake for sure.

US 1

There is a drive that goes from rt. 61 north out of Two Harbors to Ely. Awesome scenic drive that could be in any time period. There is nothing on the drive that would make you think you are in 2008. I would say its about 80 miles long, I decided to drive it about 2 minutes before I came upon it. I was driving along 61 ( the north shore of Lake Superior ) and saw the sign for Ely and turned. I saw maybe 5 cars/trucks during the drive. Most of its goes through U.S. forest land. Superior National forest. The are a few roadside bars and resorts but other than that its just a beautiful drive.

If you ever find yourself in the area, check it out. *** click on the bar picture ***

Dorthy Molter "The Roor Beer Lady"

The Root Beer lady lived on Knife Lake on the Isle of Pine in the BWCA. She moved there from Chicago to care for a friend Bill Burgland. Dorthy would make home made root beer to sell to canoest during the summer. During the winter with the help of fur traders and trappers she would cut out large sectins of ice and store them in sheds covered with moss and saw dust. That ice would last most of the summer and it was used in the root beer. People from far and wide would tell stories about seeing the Root Beer lady and her cabins. She made fences out of broken canoe paddles and planted flowers in old row boats. *** click on the cabin picture ***



The cabins were built in 1925-27 by Bill, a trapper,guide, game warden and lumber mill worker. After Bill's death in 1948 his family signed the cabins and islands over to Dorthy.



As a result of the wilderness act,Dorthy's property was purchased by the United States government but because her many friends circulated petitions she was granted a lifetime tenancy in 1975. Dorthy lived in the cabins until her death in 1986.

Harold Dewinter a guy that lived next to my Dad in Des Plaines Knew Dorthy and would have a drink with her whenever she visited Chicago.

A legacy of wilderness life.

Boomer II

Well, he stayed in the canoe and never jumped out the whole trip. He could not have been a better canoe dog. Even started to sleep and align himself down the center of the canoe so it felt more stable to him and us. We portaged and with each time in and out of the canoe it got smoother and more efficient. He loved the portages and ran ahead then slowed down and waited for us. He tried to catch chipmunks and said hi to any other canoeist we would come across. Only bad thing was scaring a small girl who did not know he was the friendlest dog. Boomer passed all aspects of canoe and camp. He will be invited back time and time again.

Boomer

Let me just start off by saying I already miss Angus.
He was a little under the weather when I left. I hope he is feeling better. I'm sure Kerry is seeing to that! Boomer is with me on the trip, kind of a big trip for a dog who is only 2 years old but I could not be more proud! He slept or just sat in the back of my Jimmy the whole way up here. He looks out the window as if he is playing piddle. We stayed in Superior at a Days inn and I left him in the room alone and he was good as gold. So I pulled up at the outfitter and Adam had all our gear packed and ready to go, all I had to do was get in his truck to go to the drop off point. I had to put Boomer in the back of his pickup and he jumped in and curled up in the forward corner of the bed along with the canoe and gear. Then we get to the put in point and we load the two Duluth packs in the canoe and its time to tell Boomer to get in. Takes about 5 minutes but he slowly steps in and after another 2 minutes I coax him to sit down. I get in and Adam pushes us off and jumps in. Boomer is not sure what to think but holds steady. I still have this feeling he could jump into the water at any time. If that happens there is no way to stop the capsize.

Is coffee in the morning really a big deal?

Yes!


Canoeing across Rose lake I just happened to ask Adam if he packed the coffee?
He did not. I tried to make like it was not a big deal but as some of you might know,I need my coffee in the morning. At our first campsight we looked into the fire pit that has a US Forrest service grate over it and saw some coffee grounds in the dirt in a nice pile. They seemed to be unused. What do you think we did?

Adam, did a great job getting ready for the trip.He really knows what he's doing up here. Proud Uncle Ron.

Boomer update next.

Java moose

70 degrees and very sunny on the north shore of lake superior!
Just about to start my trip up the gunflint trail.
The parking lot is filled with Subaru outbacks and Kia sports.
The drive up 61 today was awesome, I was in no hurry like years past.

I stopped 3 or 4 times ion the 100 mile drive to see old cabins and
trail heads. This might be the last place I have wi-fi for a few days but I
will keep a log and post pictures and updates back here at the moose on my way
back off the trail. ( I think I have driven about 530 miles so far ) Gas is going for
$3.65 a gallon.

Fairlawn

Fairlawn was built in 1891 for 150,000.00. Martin Pattison was a wealthy lumber and mining baron. The 42 room mansion was built in the popular Queen Anne Victorian style. In 1963 the city of Superior purchased Fairlawn for 12,500.00. Took 1.6 to return Fairlawn back to a single family home after it had been used as a home for poor children and unwed mothers. ( for 42 years after Pattison died )

O.k. so that's the educational part of my trip, that might be the only thing you learn from this blog.

Does that make me an Airline baron?

Golf clubs old and new

Went golfing Sunday with Kurt,Jimmy and my Godson Jeffrey .
Awesome day with tons of sun and fun. I have been playing with hand me down
golf clubs my whole life thanks to my older brother Mike. Sunday Kurt kindly pointed out
that the old clubs are cool but the new ones have a lot of technology working for them. I hit his driver and the ball went way farther. I used an Iron of his and the ball did what I asked it to.
I know i'm still not a good golfer but it was made clear to me that the club does make a difference.
A day out golfing with friends old clubs or new is better than, well just about anything.

BWCA here I come

coffee dream

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has done this but just before I fell asleep last night I was thinking about my cup of coffee in the morning. I thought it was kinda funny at the time but you know, not many things are better than a good cup of coffee. As much as I try to hate Starbucks they still make an awesome cup of coffee. I did my walk with Boomer to the local Starbucks. ( gave Angus the day off ) He was moving kinda slow this morning. Not many people were up yet so it was a nice quiet walk with my young buddy. I noticed about 5 houses west of me on the south side of the street they tearing down a house, rumor has it the house next door on the east side bought the lot and are going to make a play lot for their kids. Hum, a 400,000.00 play lot.

Mexican food in the burbs tonight,golf tomorrow morning and the 2008 Henderson st. block party in the afternoon. Monday off to the BWCA.

Good morning Gloria

Kind of a slow day today, I was sitting in the yard having coffee and noticed how out of control my morning glories have gotten. So anyway, here is a picture of my morning glories.

Errand day today and golf Sunday. Real vacation starts Monday.

Sox Win 15 to 3 Griffey hits 1st home run

Well, first home run as a Sox. It was really number 609 that ties him with the corker for 5th all time. I found out they also sell beer at the Cell, so I had a few. We played "pick to click " yesterday.Kurt,Mike and myself. Each guy picks 3 players and every thing they do at the plate could cost or earn you money. Yesterday I had Quentin,Pierzynski and Beltre ( from the Mariners ) Never really sure who wins or loses, the money passes hands fast. After the game Mike dropped us off and we walked over to Fernando's Mexican restaurant, a place I have not been for well over a year. It goes back to a day I was at the bar and they had the Cub game on all the T.V. sets playing a replay of a game earlier that day. I asked the owner to put the Sox game on and he said no so I left and said I would never go back. Never is a long time but I'm still not going back as often as I used to. Maybe i'll go again in 2010?

Max

Chicago White Sox

Going to see the Sox play Seattle today at 1 p.m. ( The Cell )
Gavin Floyd pitching, Sox are 20 games above 500.

30 days off

Going to keep everyone up to date on my 30 day vacation