August 10, 2020 - Monday morning
68 degrees/cloudy/calm winds
Pentoga Road

I slept in a bit this morning and with more rain forecast to begin falling in the next hour, am in no hurry to take my morning walk. I've gotten caught in the rain more this past month than I have in the past several years combined.

Yesterday's early morning walk can only be described as beautiful. Since their vacation was over, Tim, Rose, and extended family were preparing to head south. For the first time in a week, I reverted back to my usual solitary hiking.

While here, Tim showed me a new route, four miles in length, that takes me to the edge of Pentoga Village before heading a mile east on the old railroad grade. 

After, I cut north in back of Tim and Rose's house, down a gravel lane, then two miles back home.

The "Barn." Tim and Rose's house in the distance

Three miles isn't really far enough for me, but six or more requires more time than I care to spend when there're other things waiting to be done. This new route is near perfect.

Sandhill Cranes feeding in a freshly cut hay field

I was home and getting ready to feed the piggies, aka the hummingbirds, when I noticed the stems on the hollyhocks were beginning to fall over. Some are over eight feet tall and so heavy with buds and flowers that many are unable to remain upright. 

I used green binder twine fastened on one side and run in front to the other to keep them upright. So far, so good.

I spent quite a bit of time in shop carving the four wooden names bound for Alaska. Someone asked how/why I "carve" them.

Actually, I only say carving for lack of a better word. After the name is carefully sawed from a piece of 1x4 lumber, I use a Dremel to give them depth, a 3D effect, making one letter stand out from the next. 

I'll put a coat of finish on each today and all, including Elmer's bowl, should be in tomorrow's mail heading for Kotzebue, north of the arctic circle.



Yooper Brother Mark called later Sunday morning and asked if we wanted to meet at the lake to spend an afternoon on their pontoon boat. 

Heck yeah!

There's a whole lot of gabbing going on in that back seat

 I sat in the front of the boat and talked with one of my all time favorite young people, Jerad, Mark and Sheri's son.

Jenna was at a family function in Green Bay this weekend, so Jerad found himself alone and decided to join us. An Eagle Scout, fireman, and volunteer of most anything that needs doing, Jerad also works for the city of Caspian.

Fun? We had more fun cruising, talking, and of course, what else do three hippos do on a hot day? 

Swimming!

I (back turned) was wearing swimming trunks. Evidently, they were down around my knees.

At one point, I was swimming underwater and came up beside the boat. 

.... and what to my wondering eyes did appear?

Why, it was Sargie Pants dangling her tootsies in the cool water.

As with all good things in life, the afternoon passed all too quickly.

Back home, I laid out the solar pavers around the garden pond. I wanted to see what they'd look like before each is permanently imbedded in the gravel.

I took this picture from our bedroom window last night before going to bed.




Later...

Two hours have passed since I wrote the last paragraph. A bank of strong storms came though and blocked the satellite internet connection. Ah, modern technology in the UP.

With that, I'm going to get this uploaded and go for my morning walk. I'm running a day late and a dollar short, but then, what else is new?



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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...