The first item on the agenda Friday morning was to change this tire!

July 8, 2017 - Saturday

45 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I still can't figure out what happened to the tire on the Blazer Thursday night, but in a matter of seconds, the thing sure ripped apart.

Changing the tire wasn't a huge chore, but removing it from under the chassis of the Blazer was another story.

You have to wonder who the idiot engineers were that decided a spare tire should be hung underneath a vehicle. Obviously, if one owned such a truck, it was obvious he never had to actually change his own tire. 

I had all the tools I needed along with a can of WD 40. Lying on my back, working overhead, things were progressing well until the bracket broke causing the tire to fall onto my face. Other than a swollen lip and sore nose, the only thing hurt was my delicate ego.

The spare was of the donut variety. I can't say anything bad about the thing. It worked good enough to get me the ten miles into Iron Mountain.

I can't say enough good about the folks who own and run the Chuckwagon Restaurant in Spread Eagle, Wisconsin.

They not only allowed me to park the Blazer in their parking lot overnight, but went out of their way to make me as comfortable as possible.

Abe set me up with free Cokes Thursday night while I was waiting for Sargie. Rick, the owner, visited with me first thing and though he had to leave, offered to leave his tool box should I need anything.

I was a perfect stranger. A truly good Samaritan, Rick's just a good and kind person who trusted me unconditionally with his tools.

Carrie, another employee, came to work after Rick left and said should I need anything, the restroom, something to drink, use of the phone, etc. to knock on the door and she'd let me in though it was several hours before they opened for business.

The people who work at the Chuckwagon are just another reason why we live in this area. Common courtesy, trust in one's fellow man, and the willingness to help are traits that are still alive and well with many who live in northern Wisconsin and the UP. 

The new tire mounted and on the Blazer, I made a quick stop to see Sargie before returning home. 

I was shocked to see all the damage from Thursday night's storm in Alpha.

This is the second sign blown over this spring in front of the Old School Cafe.

A huge tree was toppled onto the Mastodon Township antique firetruck used in local parades.

Fallen trees and branches were everywhere.

I'm unsure how many feet of rain we've received this year, but the lake has risen enough to cover the dock.

Generally, the end of the dock is four feet above the water. 

Other than weeding in the garden, the rest of the day was spent in the shop. I finished cutting out the letters that will be used as patterns for the cut/carved names.

It took quite a while, but they will be much easier to use and last much longer than inexpensive cardboard stencils.

Sargie was home early last night. I fixed hamburgers on the grill, corn on the cob, and winter squash from last summer's garden, for supper. We both agreed that all we needed were some fresh ripe garden tomatoes to complete a perfect summer meal.

Sargie opens today, but thankfully, has Sunday off. I'm going to walk my usual three miles then work in the shop after. There's a design for a bowl running through my head and I think I have the perfect piece of birch to work with. Never thought I'd see the day when a piece of dry, ugly, firewood could excite me so much. Rather than potential warmth, I now see bowls. Is that sick or what?

There are cans and bottles left from Mom's party that need to be sorted through and recycled. Some stores sell one brand, but not another and if a store doesn't sell that particular beverage, it can't be recycled there. I'll end up going to two or three places to cash in the cans and bottles.

It's time to strap on my hiking shoes and get this show on the road.

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...