New Beginnings

As I sit watching the sun rise over the smoke from the neighbor's, what I assume is, wood burning stove all is quiet and right with the world. It's been a while since I posted, again. This doesn't mean that we haven't traveled. We went to Door County last September and again in January with friends, as well as Las Vegas in October. While I'm all for traveling in the winter, I'd rather travel somewhere warm. Door County is great but the weekend we were there is was 40 degrees and all the snow melted. Hence, carriage ride instead of sleigh ride. But, the wineries were still highly enjoyable!!

This year I'm getting MARRIED. Wowza. This cuts travel funds back severely and makes me wonder how we're going to go to the places that I/we want to:

Noah's Ark, River Floating, Texas, Florida (Orlando), California (Sonoma County), Tennessee, Arkansas, Yellowstone (Camping), Chicago (Art Museum, Bike or Architectural tour), Milwaukee Brewers games/Art Museum, Michigan, Abroad

Most of these trips are to with or to see close friends who live far away, but some of them are not and that doesn't make them ANY. LESS. DESIRABLE. The one thing with us is that we love to go and do.

I think that this year will be a conglomerate of camping, day trips, and road trips. I know my friend Anna and I want to hit the open road and with or without our men it's going to happen. It'll be great no matter what.

So I sit on the couch planning and organizing and scheming with my trusty pile of stuff, it'll all work out.






Brett and I regularly use the app "Out of Milk", it's a free app that you can upgrade if you want to pay for it. We personally are good with the free version. What we love about it is that we can sync it; he can add something or I can add something to one of our synced lists and boom, we both have it. It does shopping lists, to do lists, pantry list, and even has a sale price area now too. I love it.

I also use the app "Color Note". It's similar to the "notes" that I keep in my Outlook at work, I love it.

Tis the Season

Tis the season for busyness and travel! It's been to long since I've posted and I've got a couple trips to catch up on in the new year!

Door County 9/12
Las Vegas 10/12

In January we're going to Door County again for a couples weekend which is said to include a sleigh ride and wineries! That's about all that I know about that one.

We won't be making any big trips in 2013 due to the wedding and saving for that. There is a road trip to Arkansas to visit a friend in late April or May though.

Happy Travels and we'll see you in the new year!

Merry Christmas from Lora, Brett, Baxter the dog, and Fred the Fish!

Off to the races...

This last weekend was my first trip to Madison International Speedway. As you may or may not know Brett and his family are BIG into racing. Complete with pools and fantasy leagues. This is not something that I'm overly accustomed to, the racing of cars in circles.

I went prepared with my ear plugs as I don't like loud noises and we made it just in time to catch the end of the time trials. There are two short 8 lap races, then a 50 lap, 40 lap and another 50 lap. I've gotten used to observing the races on TV but in person there is so much more to absorb. There's the noise and the smells and the crews working around the track.

We had fun with it and the night ended with fireworks and a trip to the pits. Let me tell you some of these crews have quite the trailers. I'm told that when they travel as much as they do they have to have a home away from home. Next time we go I'll get the real ear protectors (similar to those used in gun ranges) and perhaps a headset so you can hear what's going on over all the noise. The ear plugs block out the announcers voice.

We've got a trip to Door County coming up in two weeks with a group of friends, more blogging to come at that time!

Galena, IL

Ah finally a three day weekend! We've been on the go go go so while we had initially planned a three day trip (2 nights camping) we decided a day trip and then two days at home would be grand!

Friday Morning:
We slept in! After a couple cups of coffee we hit the road in the orange mobile, using the Garmin to take us on the shortest (and more scenic) route to Galena, IL. I often use this when not in a hurry and wanting to check out the road less travel. From Stoughton it took us about 1 hour and 50 minutes. While, I've been to Galena several times Brett has never been and so before we left we decided that we were going to take a tour of Galena. We arrived at about 12:30 to get tickets for Galena Trolley tour at 2:00 pm. We gave ourselves a little time to wander. We also considered a carriage ride tour.

Lunch: Benjamin's right on the main drag. Brett went with the Echo Burger (1/3 lb burger with sliced ham, Dijon/ranch sauce and raw onions) while I went with the Pita-Q (BBQ shredded pork and American cheese between pita bread) both served with thin homemade French fries. Delicious.

Tour: After lunch we took the tour with our Guide Joe. Joe was great, he gives you a overview of the history while taking you around the East Side, West Side and then downtown area. (we then went back to the car to move it, there are 3 hr parking limits from 9a-5p) and proceeded with a little shopping and wine tasting. The most enjoyable for me was just learning the history of the town and why it is what it is today. The most enjoyable for Brett was the older homes and churches that over looked the downtown, especially the high school and the stairs that the kids had to go up everyday to get to school (over 175 stairs).

Wine tastings! We sampled Massbach Ridge Winery (Elizabeth, IL)  and Galena Cellars Winery (Galena, IL) both have store fronts in downtown Galena. Each of us sampled 6 wines for $5 (total $20 between the two wineries) and found our favorites. At Massbach we tried: St Pepin, Seyval, Sunrise Red, Cool Breeze, Daffodil White, Berry Sweet, Windsong White, Vignoles, Massbach Reserve, and Ridge Red. At Galena we tried: Bubblin Blanc, Proprietor's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, General's Reserve Red, Country Red, 2011 Seyval Blanc, Illinois Traminette, Senorita Sangria, Marechal Foch/Eric the Red, Vineyard Red/St. Croix, Daffodil/LaCrosse, Oktoberfest, Vineyard Rose, and Senor Sangria. Our winery of choice? Galena Cellars. We took home the Bubblin' Blanc (dry with tiny bubbles), Proprietor's Reserve Cabernet (yum), Vineyard Rose (tasty), and the Senorita Sangria (white sangria).

After all that wine we decided to take a walking tour of our own (and walk up the crazy flights of stairs in town). After wandering and walking, and saying "Hello" to the town folk sitting on their porches we settled on Vinny Vanucchi's. Not being overly starving we split a lasagna (which was big enough for the two of us), added on an extra salad (it was already family style), add in garlic bread and Tiramisu (of course) and we were stuffed. A little walk across the river to the park and back and we hit the road. A good day all in all. The best part? The walk together around town and a slow lazy dinner.

Next time: Hoping to camp at Palace Campground, ride the bikes into town, Kayak the River and visit The Belvedere Mansion and maybe a river cruise on the Mighty Mississippi.

Movin'

I don't get to travel as much as I would love to BUT I'm always moving and going places. This weekend is Syttende Mai in my new town, Stoughton (WI). The house is a disaster as I just moved three weeks ago on the tail end of a kitchen renovation that also involved part of the living room wall. A new ceiling in the kitchen caused us to also paint the living room ceiling as well. Lots of painting and let me tell you, I'm not a fan of ceiling painting, give me a wall any day. I am however new to living in a house that you actually have to do upkeep in. Sigh. As soon as the house is a bit more put together I'll paint one of the walls in the spare bedroom/office. Trainwreck Teal. Not going to lie, a little excited. The painting itself has been an experience along with realizing what goes into a home remodel and starting from the studs up.

I've been neglecting the blog as I've been busy and so has Brett. If I'm not gone, he is doing something with his Hometown Talent baseball team. Just last weekend we were in Milwaukee for a 13 inning Brewers game (They beat the Cubs). This weekend we're staying around home to experience actual "home life" - we'll check out the Paddle and Portage tonight, while tomorrow I'll check out the Art Fair and he'll playing baseball. If you're going to be around on Sunday bring your lawn chair for the parade that starts at 1:30!

Next weekend I head north to Tomah for a high school graduation and then on to Minocqua for a girls cabin retreat. I'm looking forward to the fresh air and lake of internet. My brain could use a little less stimulation for a while. Until then...

Alaska - Part 4

My friend is doing a triathlon today! Up at 7:45 am to head to Chugiak High School in Eagle to cheer him on. Afterwards we went to his in laws house to hang with the family and enjoy food from the grill. Later that evening it's off to Girdwood to have dinner at the Double Musky!! No wait for dinner on a Sunday, a nice surprise indeed. I had the Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya with a jalapeno roll and salad with a sweet vinaigrette dressing. The Marilyn Monroe martini was OK, but not the best that I have had.

Alaska - Part 3

Day 3 - June 4, 2011
Woke up and went to the "weekly market". This market is mostly local food and a flea market type scene. I got a "pinotchky" or something spelled like that. It's basically a sweet dough filled with ground beef and cheese. Also picked up an Alaska dish towel, and raspberry rhubarb syrup. Afterwards we headed back to the house for a bit before Chris and headed out to Symphony Lake. One four hour hike and about 9 miles later we got back to the truck! It was awesome! Take bear spray if you go, always a good thing to have. We didn't see any bears (thankfully) but we did see a silver fox on the way home, he was a bit fast for my camera though. Back home we went to order a pizza and watch Gran Torino.