Remember how small the Sandhill Crane colts were back in May when we arrived here? We saw them nearly every day for weeks in "our" field, worried on days we didn't, and breathed a sigh of relief when we saw them again in a couple of the adjacent fields after not spotting them for a few weeks.
Two months later...
...both colts are almost as tall as their parents, and when we surprised one another on my run this morning, they took to the air with beautiful grace! In a couple more months, we'll all begin our migration in a southerly direction, but until then, we have more explorations to do here in our nesting grounds.
On our first mutual day off this week, we were originally headed to a place called Raspberry River Walking Trail. We found the sign at the trailhead, but we didn't even need to get out of the car to see that the trail hadn't been mowed (probably at all this season) and while we're prepared for some pest encounters, walking for miles in shoulder-high weeds ain't happening. Plan B was to head up to Little Sand Bay, which is part of APIS, to check it out.
Again, the trails weren't long and the terminus at the lake shore didn't afford much of a beach area, but it is possible to see at least four of the Apostle Islands. We didn't find it all that alluring, but we've talked to others who really like it, so don't just take our word for it!
The next day we met our friends, Al and Ingrid, for brunch in downtown Ashland. Mutual friends of our buddies, The Lowes, we first met in person on Thanksgiving of 2019. They have spent many a summer in Hayward, WI about an hour south of Ashland, and when we originally accepted the position here, Ingrid was kind enough to drive up here to photograph the grounds for us so we'd know what to expect. This week we met at Black Cat Coffeehouse.
Like everywhere these days, we were told when we ordered that there would be a 45 min. to 1 hour wait for the food. Fortunately, we had the time and good company with whom to pass it! I thought the cafe itself was adorable, and the (mostly locally-sourced) food, when it came, was pretty good. A & I had BLTs, TBG had the Root Down Veggie Hash, and I had the Spicy Asian Beef & Kimchi Rice Bowl. It was a lovely late morning to sit outside and catch up with friends, and we -- that's us and you, Faithful Readers -- will see them again next week.
That afternoon was heating up quite a bit, so TBG and I drove back to Long Lake to see about a swim. The sky was overcast and smoky upon our arrival, and the breeze was strong, making it feel a good ten degrees cooler than when we left. Determined to finally swim somewhere, we tromped to the end of the beach toward an empty bench, and while I warmed a bit in the sun first, TBG dove in. TBG never thinks I'm going to get in, but I always get in so I don't know why his doubt persists. We swam out and back a number of times. It was clear water, sandy bottom, and nothing gross touched my feet.
One of my favorite times of day is the early morning of a day you know will be too hot later. Here, on such days, I like to take my coffee out to the picnic table, savoring the balmy air, and watch the birds. The masked Common Yellowthroat comes to sing to me most mornings.
Again on my weekly bird walk, I was able to check a few new ones off the area list, and, again, good photos of them didn't happen. I watched this silly Sora clucking around forever, but the reeds confounded my photo efforts, so I soothed myself with some of the pretty flowers, broadleaf arrowhead and the dazzling Michigan lily. This particular picture was taken in the field by the VC, but these lilies are in full bloom everywhere, mostly deep orange, but some are siren-red like this one.
TBG is always busy with projects, and his latest was to replace the bathroom sink. We thought for awhile we'd only replace the faucet, but when a mysterious rusting gouge showed up in the sink -- seriously, nothing ever smashed into it there -- we knew a whole new set-up was needed. He did a great job, don't you agree?
I must say I'm in love with the new drain stopper thingie. All you have to do is push on it to make it be a plug and push again to release it. No rubber stoppers! No annoying pull-up deal behind the faucet! So smooth!
Back in the state from whence we hailed, this time of year brought to market the Walla Walla Sweet Onion. TBG had a hankering, mentioned it to his Mutti, and she mailed us one. Besides being sweet and delicious, they're also huge, and it was very nice of her to spend the postage (!) for an onion.
What does one do with such an onion? Why, one makes Walla Walla Sweet Onion Sandwiches!
In case you can't read my beautiful labeling, the recipe is dense white bread (preferably potato), mayo, tomato, Havarti cheese, salt/pepper, and thick slices of Walla Walla onion. Not toasted. Not a different kind of cheese. Never some other kind of onion. If the bread doesn't stick to your teeth, you did it wrong. You can leave off the tomato, but if you're allergic to or don't like any of the other things, you'll simply have to eat something else. Don't mess with the WWSOS.
Lastly, the neighbor situation is working out splendidly. A week ahead of their arrival with the trailer, they came to scope out the site and talk over parking options with our maintenance guy and TBG. No one wanted to be squished together staring into one another's bathrooms, so this is what happened:
We can barely see each other's rigs from inside! She and our new doggie stay during the week, but are gone this (and sounds like most) weekends to their permanent residence a few hours away. We let her take our new doggie home this weekend, and I didn't get a picture before they left. Next post!
New sink and faucet look great. It was fun catching up, and we look forward to picking blueberries tomorrow. 😀
It’s so nice to have that new sink, and I also love that the faucet swivels. When space is at a premium, things that move out of the way are priceless.
Blueberry Day was super fun, and we’re looking forward to Pontoon Day!
I would not be joining you for a swim in those cold lakes. But I’m glad you proved that TBG’s skepticism was unwarranted. Other than frigid swimming, I love all the good news here. Hooray for the colts! Hooray for meetups with other friends from the road! Hooray for a new and improved sink! And hooray for a great neighbor situation!
Well luckily we chose a small clean lake which has warmed nicely from the warm days we’ve been having.
It was only cold for a few minutes, then it was perfect! Until you pointed it out, I didn’t really realize that it was a postful of good news. Thanks for seeing that and drawing attention to it — grateful every day!!
I’m glad to hear you guys got to hang out with Al and Ingrid. They were some of the first blogger friends we met when we headed out and she has always been so kind and helpful with trip and location planning. It’s great that you are so close to one another for the summer. That sandwich is intriguing, mostly because I LOVE Havarti and would happily eat any version of it on any sandwich. And someone definitely loves you if they’re willing to spend $13 to send you an onion!! Nice sink, TBG!
It was great to catch up, and now we’ve just had our second day together with a third already planned. It’s cool to have friends so close for so long. As you know, that rarely happens in Full Time RV World. I think you would like the WWSOS, so add it to the list of foods I will make you when we see YOU again!
Love the Sandhill Crane colts! They’ve grown up so fast. You have the perfect neighbor in that teeny trailer, LOL. It looks like a toy compared to your rig. That’s probably what we would look like next to you.
How fun that you got to hang out with Ingrid and Al. And what a yummy brunch spot! On our list for next year, for sure. But as delicious as that veggie hash may have been, there is no way it could compare to TBG’s Big Breakfast Special. (Nice job on the sink, TBG!)
Aren’t those Sandhill “babies” looking great?! I almost ran into them again last evening at the head of our driveway. Until we saw the photos, I didn’t realize how small the neighbor’s trailer looks next to Essie.
You should definitely put Black Cat on your list for next year. It has all the elements I know you look for, and hopefully by then personnel will be more plentiful. I thought it was odd TBG ordered a breakfast so like his own, and you’re right, it was good but nowhere near his BBS!
We are always grateful for the handyman on board, especially when he install that glistening new sink! Good Job TBG!
At first glance I thought you replaced your CRV and now pulls a trailer! Ha ha ha .
Hooray for finally meeting Al and Ingrid again, it only took you two years to plan this meet up thanks to Covid. You all looked great and need some tan!
And oh thanks for the shout out, is it a hint that i should blog again?
Doesn’t Essie look huge next to that trailer? I wish she seemed that big inside when we’re trapped by smoke and/or weather! Now that we’re able to visit, we’re definitely making up for lost time. We might be playing outside next week, but no tanning shall be done 😆 And, yes, you should blog!
I can’t believe you had someone send you a Walla Walla sweet. I graduated from high school in the Tri-Cities. I have eaten them many times (of course) but, I don’t have cravings for them.
YAAH! for the bathroom mods. We actually replaced the whole counter top and sink. It only involved Jerry moving the front of the vanity forward 3″ by unscrewing about 2,300 fasteners. Seriously, we think Winnebago has an interest in some fasteners manufacturer. We both worked at JSC. Fewer fasteners are used in items that go into space. The new faucet set makes me so happy.
She wanted to mail it, honestly! 😀 Next you’re going to tell me you don’t like cherries, apples, salmon, or coffee. Sheesh!
Nothing is easy in an RV, is it? We’ve talked many times with other full-timers about random screws that appear from nowhere occasionally. I think you’re right, the RV manufacturers are in cahoots with the fastener-makers!