tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29585149633807476272024-03-21T08:27:02.638-05:00The Intense TravelerJust a few more klicks, then we can sleep…Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-69924140464112313312014-08-17T14:59:00.001-05:002014-08-17T14:59:58.615-05:00Sacred ground: A visit to the Aldo Leopold Shack and Center in central Wisconsin<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
Visited the Aldo Leopold Foundation last fall while my sons had a few days off school. It’s an amazingly accessible place just north of I-90/94 in central Wisconsin less than four hours from the Twin Cities.</div>
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Author, academic, parent, outdoorsman, Aldo Leopold inspired a modern land ethic in generations of Americans (and beyond) via his writing, most notably in A Sand County Almanac. Those of us who believe all modern conservation highways lead to Leopold consider a pilgrimage to his famous “Shack” mandatory. I’m embarrassed to say I’d never visited before.</div>
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The Wisconsin River country northwest of Madison runs a little smaller than the Mississippi River bluff lands where I attended high school, but the rolling landscape still contains some wild, charming character. Leopold grew up in Burlington, Iowa, a Mississippi River town, so perhaps the call of the lower Wisconsin River valley held the same sway over him.</div>
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The five children of Aldo and Estella Leopold established the Aldo Leopold Foundation as a not-for-profit conservation organization in 1982. The building and displays at Foundation’s headquarters northeast of Baraboo, Wis., are simple yet informative. Opened in 2007, the Leopold Center proudly proclaims it was “built using pines the Leopold family planted in the 1930s and '40s, and implements a wide spectrum of green building techniques and technologies.” My family enjoyed the displays, including a short video interviewing environmentalists in other nations (like Russia and China) citing Leopold’s writing. Then my clan tromped around the relatively new 21/2-mile trail network surrounding the Leopold Center.</div>
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The cool, overcast October weekday kept crowds away, so we had the facility to ourselves. We then paid the $7 per adult to head back up the road a mile to see the famous Leopold Shack.<br />Leopold bought the property where the boarded-up shack still sits, a worn-out farm next to the Wisconsin River, in 1935. The shack is a re-built chicken coop where the family stayed during weekend retreats from Madison. He wasn’t kidding about the sand. It’s a short walk down to the Wisconsin River from the shack, and it leads you through some incredibly sandy soils. All that sand again reminded me of the Caledonia prairie – an old Mississippi River floodplain – in western Wisconsin where I lived in the mid-1980s.</div>
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The lousy soils didn’t stop the Leopold family from planting thousands of trees, prairie, and generally just nurturing the landscape on the property they purchased during the Great Depression. Those experiences helped spawn the collection of essays that became A Sand County Almanac, arguably the most important environmental tome ever published. Any hunter or wanna-be conservationist who hasn’t read A Sand County Almanac must do so. The Foundation says more than 2 million copies have been printed, and it has been translated into nine languages. While visiting the center I paged through a copy printed in Chinese. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GxVJZmpjaanpDcEGEdrTbAduJ2SF_j0okHMMHHCggz4wrnLXcTfcuhiy28Z2lcuJAHc45TWcpi91RC5NnoTTWxFVLIUmEERSQQTR6GtyLuKjNLSulYZ1db0rnJNWzFF6the61T_dXC4/s1600/IMG_2742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GxVJZmpjaanpDcEGEdrTbAduJ2SF_j0okHMMHHCggz4wrnLXcTfcuhiy28Z2lcuJAHc45TWcpi91RC5NnoTTWxFVLIUmEERSQQTR6GtyLuKjNLSulYZ1db0rnJNWzFF6the61T_dXC4/s1600/IMG_2742.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The author and his family at the Aldo Leopold shack <br />just a stone's throw from the Wisconsin River.</td></tr>
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(There’s something you don’t see every day.)<br />
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Near the shack, we picked up a few acorns on the property that, on our return trip in the Twin Cities, my boys planted on their grandparent’s farm in southeastern Minnesota. Maybe old Aldo himself planted some of those oak trees, and maybe someday their offspring will be producing acorns for the deer and turkeys on our hunting land.</div>
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Leopold had five children, three boys and two girls, all accomplished scientists and conservation advocates in their own right. (My wife, Annette, pointed out that we have three boys and one girl, so we’re one daughter short of the Leopold clan. I think we’ll be keeping it that way….)</div>
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Many conservationists in the Upper Midwest met or heard Leopold’s oldest daughter, Nina Leopold Bradley, speak and advocate for the Foundation’s causes untill her passing in 2011 at the age of 93. Her sister, Estelle, is the only surviving sibling. She lives in Seattle as a retired University of Washington professor emeritus of botany, forest resources and quaternary research, and she serves on the board of the Aldo Leopold Foundation as lifetime director.</div>
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Whether you consider the Leopold Shack sacred ground, or you’re just looking for a quiet piece of wild country for a peaceful hike, visit the Leopold Center the next time you’re passing through central Wisconsin.</div>
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The center holds special events and workshops throughout the year, or you can enjoy the facilities at your own pace.</div>
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For information, view the Aldo Leopold Foundation’s <a href="http://www.aldoleopold.org/">website</a>.</div>
Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-58093042473664061292012-01-13T14:00:00.002-06:002012-01-13T14:05:12.772-06:00BWCAW 2012 Reservation Changes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqmsrJGbgqHm74BhYU7OrRLBgxHCjKB_TOfDHkToVCB5OL1OatW5YHV2mxZVcRuZZX13e2Wz3vKw_JNoU3FPMC1ikmpsuFNLVCBsz4-rNox1M8qGmHla-eJbIqBWmgoEBKOYQUg0O6W8/s1600/DSC_0603.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqmsrJGbgqHm74BhYU7OrRLBgxHCjKB_TOfDHkToVCB5OL1OatW5YHV2mxZVcRuZZX13e2Wz3vKw_JNoU3FPMC1ikmpsuFNLVCBsz4-rNox1M8qGmHla-eJbIqBWmgoEBKOYQUg0O6W8/s200/DSC_0603.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697210096947303746" /></a><br /><div>The U.S. Forest Service changed its long-standing reservation system for 2012, so there’s no longer a lottery for many areas.</div><div>The lottery still exists for Fall Lake entry points D (Fall Lake and Beyond) and 24 (Fall Lake) and Moose Lake entry points F (Moose-Newfound-Sucker), G (Moose-Prairie-Basswood) and 25 (Moose Lake). People wanting day use motor, overnight motor, and overnight paddle permits for those entry points can continue to use the lottery to make their reservations.</div><div>Lottery applications began starting from 12:01 a.m. CST on Dec. 19, 2011 to 11:59 p.m. CST on Jan. 19, 2012. The lottery will run on Jan. 20.</div><div>Reservations for all other entry points can be made on a first-come, first-served basis starting </div><div>9 a.m. CST, on <b>Jan. 25</b>. Make reservations online at <a href="http://www.recreation.gov/">www.recreation.gov</a> or call (877) 444-6777.</div>Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-13068633792495396702010-11-10T21:00:00.003-06:002010-11-11T08:00:50.798-06:00Destinations on The Big Island<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2ja1XRVk9hUbsVGMQ6sShAxBJYsTpSj6-4Rm_JqS0If2RfM_CM1lWLZHGO5l4qP8Oor7wnuFLyftbvWvnb-5OwogC-PGaf2qUtTAuIx7Qyy1sUUqBHDw5lKtot_yVyRa13OfS6KfguM/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2ja1XRVk9hUbsVGMQ6sShAxBJYsTpSj6-4Rm_JqS0If2RfM_CM1lWLZHGO5l4qP8Oor7wnuFLyftbvWvnb-5OwogC-PGaf2qUtTAuIx7Qyy1sUUqBHDw5lKtot_yVyRa13OfS6KfguM/s200/photo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538126835475381698" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvd-omLZTDMgukRJs-7K-Z9XRAhqMjQ6DlDpmk8aRb1I8al3rp6vs_T2ONNSE4XsK1LM2XnXnS-XjyQBw3YGMfRNELtHivqj4NpuOW1LfT0EFpTpIgTgO-dWJcUpVG_tKGKkUPAcvPB8s/s1600/CIMG0929.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvd-omLZTDMgukRJs-7K-Z9XRAhqMjQ6DlDpmk8aRb1I8al3rp6vs_T2ONNSE4XsK1LM2XnXnS-XjyQBw3YGMfRNELtHivqj4NpuOW1LfT0EFpTpIgTgO-dWJcUpVG_tKGKkUPAcvPB8s/s200/CIMG0929.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538126824159958338" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_liwCDPi0BxMN2HaqiYM7K98hXRCDn0Dwtaprrh0mWiXR6sxs9eh3JbwIXs8Wh6QoPIjC7DA0QsY5wTF3w1afPxu2Wz6ooeQ9vm2_cEoGFQWCTaNtaV95aWJgOrr1SlfPXHdJw7BSYc/s1600/photo-55.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_liwCDPi0BxMN2HaqiYM7K98hXRCDn0Dwtaprrh0mWiXR6sxs9eh3JbwIXs8Wh6QoPIjC7DA0QsY5wTF3w1afPxu2Wz6ooeQ9vm2_cEoGFQWCTaNtaV95aWJgOrr1SlfPXHdJw7BSYc/s200/photo-55.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538126822122256626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QJFzCKqVffvCGYo5i8uxnSm8FrpVaAJg-kKoXAgmIGuWsVA-YLqWbJL4qIWDo0QE9YrUqHVmpmNxH2flq48INbRw8p05iSNcjrDquFYWd-gMOm5-ugd80J9kaUAq3_miOqJi0bGk1CQ/s1600/CIMG0901.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QJFzCKqVffvCGYo5i8uxnSm8FrpVaAJg-kKoXAgmIGuWsVA-YLqWbJL4qIWDo0QE9YrUqHVmpmNxH2flq48INbRw8p05iSNcjrDquFYWd-gMOm5-ugd80J9kaUAq3_miOqJi0bGk1CQ/s200/CIMG0901.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538126816479074578" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDnbvrr42iXGhvAwxG67Hb2mOmMB7ijPciGs_lLEIc4XHedIDCHJcC14XslzqE-lE0EM1j38ePR-OI-O1Kth0ZOm6HlfW6R1FmeaLFyBWd53q3toYOHctiwgX79AnI8aJq_dmBmOri_A/s1600/CIMG0819.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDnbvrr42iXGhvAwxG67Hb2mOmMB7ijPciGs_lLEIc4XHedIDCHJcC14XslzqE-lE0EM1j38ePR-OI-O1Kth0ZOm6HlfW6R1FmeaLFyBWd53q3toYOHctiwgX79AnI8aJq_dmBmOri_A/s200/CIMG0819.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538126809838125762" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">The Big Island’s greatest asset is its size and ample number of sights and destinations. Too much of a pulse to sit around sipping Mai Tai's? Me too. We drove around the outer edge of the entire island and saw all the major highlights, and then some. That said, I could spend another week on the Big Island to enjoy more trail hiking and off-the-beaten-path sights. Highlights started with Volcanoes National Park. The Kilauea Iki Trail is marvelous, and all three of my kids loved hiking its four-plus miles. The trail back up is no worse than your average Minnesota bluff country trail – maybe a 400-foot elevation gain through an incredible rainforest.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Oh, about that, the “rain” forest. It was remarkably dry. A park ranger said the area had three inches of rain for the year when the average is 60! I wouldn’t think of blaming it on climate change.... Other points of interest at Volcanoes include the Thurston Lava Tube and of course the always steaming Kilauea Caldera. No one else in the automobile was particularly interested in hanging around all night to see the glow from the caldera, or to try and find some actual lava, so it being six against one, we bailed. (In their defense, it was a four-hour drive roundtrip from the resort to the Park.) When I return to Big Island, I will spend a night or two near the city of Hilo, just to be closer to the volcano at night.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Word of advice: the rangers and other staff at Volcanoes are fairly worthless. I found one old guy who appeared to know more about the national park than me, and after some steady prodding I coerced some useful information out of him. The mission of most staff appeared to be to keep visitors on the pavement as long as possible, then move them out of their park. Always while admitting nothing about any flowing lava anywhere on the island.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Driving back to Waikoloa via Kona, we checked out the black sand Punaluʻu Beach, in southeast Hawai’i. Lots of people and sea turtles. (Ain’t nothing can make a Drieslein boy dirty like black sand!) Also saw macademia nut trees and coffee plantations around the southwestern corner of Hawai’i. Very slow driving on the two-lane road, so you can expect to only make about 45 mph. Makes for a long day, but kids rolled with it well.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Weather, by the way, is ridiculously marvelous everywhere. Temps probably topped out in low 80s by day and low 70s at night. Exception was walking out on lava rock, which absorbs heat like a sponge and must have been pushing three figures in the afternoon. Rooms were air conditioned, so we slept well. Length of day and night were remarkably uniform, and I understand that the time difference between summer and winter solstice is less than one hour. The tropics, go figure.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Our day trip on Wednesday, Oct. 13 was excellent. We drove over the Mountaintop Road that bisects the northwest portion of the island – the so-called Kohala Peninsula. This is the oldest portion of the island (farthest from the volcanic “hot spot”) since the Pacific Plate moves in a northwesterly direction. That means lava rock has had more time to erode into actual soil in this area. Thus more vegetation and a lusher, classic Hawaiian vibe. There was a stop in the town of Hawi along the way, complete with the senior citizen/tourism center and locals singing karoake at 10 a.m. We enjoyed learning some of the history of King Kamehameha during the trip and snapped a gratuitous tourist picture in front of his statue. A similar statue exists adjacent to the Hawaiian capitol on O’ahu, I’m told. This tough guy unified the Hawaiian Islands almost exactly 200 years ago. Read about him <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamehameha_I">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Pololu Valley (photo atop this blog) offers a spectacular vista, but the hike down was really awesome. It provided some fine exercise that morning. We returned right before a rainshower struck. I would NOT want to hike that trail when wet.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Side note to nude swimmers at Pololu: You are effectively cutting off half the beach with your decision to recreate in the buff. Yes, Americans have a ridiculous fear of bare flesh (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XXXVIII_halftime_show_controversy">example</a>), but given my courteous nature, I didn’t hike down to visit your end of the beach. Neither did the other dozen-plus people visiting that day, because we were trying to respect your privacy. Problem was, it’s a public beach, you assholes. I don’t give a flying bleep about your private parts, but clearly, given your “body language” you were uncomfortable with people coming near you. If that’s the case, keep your clothes on and don’t install a defacto “private beach” sign by stripping, then acting nervous when anyone comes with 150 yards. Idiots.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Heading back through Hawi, we hit the Tropical Dreams ice cream shoppe where the ice cream was every bit as good the guidebooks suggested. The gal behind the counter, originally from Minnesota apparently, needs to hone the customer service skills, but the ice cream was delicious. (Always irritating when someone charging $4 for a scoop of ice cream acts as though she’s doing you a favor by serving it.)<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Rounding out the day, we visited Lapakahi State Historical Park, the remnants of a Hawaiian fishing village that remained active up until just over 100 years ago, and Pu’ukohola Heiau, a temple that Kamehameha built before unifying the islands. The latter is managed by the National Park Service. (Again, featuring staffers who can’t provide a straight answer about anything, presumably because they’re in constant fear of losing their jobs, health benefits, and federal pensions.) Heiaus (ancient temples) are all over the islands, and we stopped at several during our weeklong visit.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Speaking of beaches, because of the ubiquitous rock, massive, mile-long beaches are rare on the Big Island. But there are a number of small beaches that offer marvelous white sand, light surf and everything you expect from an old-school Pacific beach. We hit several along the west coast of Hawai’i in the so-called Kohala region. My favorite was Mauna Kea Beach, which was a little more difficult to access through the adjacent resort. Hapuna Beach felt a little beat up, though it has a reputation, according to <i>Conde Nast Traveler</i> magazine, as one of the top beaches in the United States. Anaeho’omalu Bay (A-Bay) was a brief walk from our resort, and – feral cats aside – was nice, too. There are many others we didn’t visit.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">An aside: Ever wonder why Hawaiian place names are so long and use the same letters repeatedly? It’s because the Hawaiian alphabet has only 13 letters. With fewer letters to choose from, words must – by definition – be longer; sorta like binary counting. (Work with me.)<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">City of Kona had a Costco for gassing up and purchasing food and other items, but other than that, Kona will be at the bottom of my visit list when I return to the Big Island. Felt like a huge city with a busy urban center. We visited long enough on our last day to see the Palace and a couple other historic sights, including the Moku'aikaua Church, the first Christian church in the islands. By the way, did you know the Brits called these islands the Sandwich Islands? Photo above, by the way, shows Middle Boy at the finish line of the Hawaiian Iron Man. He declared that the next time he visits that site, it will be as a finisher of the granddaddy of all triathlons, which of course happens here.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Van from Alamo worked fine, and most of the staff was great, other than the obnoxious sales guy who must receive a massive commission from upselling insurance on the vehicle. Wouldn’t take no for an answer. What a jerk.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i>Hawaii: The Big Island Revealed</i> probably is the best guidebook for checking out Hawai’i. Obviously, it focuses on the Big Island, so that specificity is helpful, and the book has a no-nonsense style from author Andrew Doughty that I appreciated. I paid $16.95 for it at Barnes and Noble on the Mainland. Saw it at Kona Costco for $11. Must have a corner on the market on The Big Island, because we saw it everywhere while in Hawai’i.<o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-54717732115089471542010-11-07T07:39:00.005-06:002010-11-07T07:58:55.067-06:00Snorkeling with Seaquest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnF9GhS-xGmTmxwZRbkUHAsH01zpry__8-YzuY68O_47gDgOiPrddvQZ5aG8kzg6lg__q_nGmd3orIotSo8iaf_3R63SLk4EN1al4KWG2xgBrfVcjRlds_qMSGbwRULuvK0YJ79AF9ng/s1600/CIMG0883.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnF9GhS-xGmTmxwZRbkUHAsH01zpry__8-YzuY68O_47gDgOiPrddvQZ5aG8kzg6lg__q_nGmd3orIotSo8iaf_3R63SLk4EN1al4KWG2xgBrfVcjRlds_qMSGbwRULuvK0YJ79AF9ng/s200/CIMG0883.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536803143113663202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRs3TzwF9-alqN4qWmzAppxlotS3nNmuNJmSOpRdXVfgaqKXzJYNxS_af02nGCB9G-QIw5Vi1Uf6FxOy7NrCK94gsRuANIap1sy2wPPDe3YOcyTCQ3egX8BaPVqrJIq0He9ndgKJSDf7g/s1600/CIMG0881.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRs3TzwF9-alqN4qWmzAppxlotS3nNmuNJmSOpRdXVfgaqKXzJYNxS_af02nGCB9G-QIw5Vi1Uf6FxOy7NrCK94gsRuANIap1sy2wPPDe3YOcyTCQ3egX8BaPVqrJIq0He9ndgKJSDf7g/s200/CIMG0881.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536803135950792242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrorK6LYi5HaHUcxV4bOVsEYkyXA4HHxvF__efeueIY3aOXcAbED-Gq9dIqmM7AxBU4g62_9SZTNWCVvEJLxA2Y9czs3Jt0gbE8RqtnCZl4cx6TtTMucg_oXp066JDfWOhAerrHdOo0Xw/s1600/CIMG0874.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrorK6LYi5HaHUcxV4bOVsEYkyXA4HHxvF__efeueIY3aOXcAbED-Gq9dIqmM7AxBU4g62_9SZTNWCVvEJLxA2Y9czs3Jt0gbE8RqtnCZl4cx6TtTMucg_oXp066JDfWOhAerrHdOo0Xw/s200/CIMG0874.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536803127101847618" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">After about 20 minutes of sitting poolside (or lakeside) at any given resort, I need to explore. Hence the name of my blog. Anyway, said nervousness erupted at the Waikoloa Hilton on the Big Island of Hawai’i, and I needed to hit the ocean for some snorkeling. Annette recognized the signs and told me to hit the road and bring the big boys with me. A little snooping online produced a decent-looking operation, <a href="http://www.seaquesthawaii.com/">Seaquest</a>, snorkeling and rafting adventures out of Kona. Price was OK, especially if you booked online (like $15 off per person) so it came to about $200 for the three of us. That was for the four-hour Deluxe Morning Adventure tour. That’s steeper than I like to spend on a half-day’s entertainment, but the tour offered great access to arguably the two top snorkeling destinations on Hawai’i: Kealakekua Bay and Honaunau Bay.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Boys and I took off around 6:45 a.m. so we could reach the operation south of Kona by 7:45 for the 8 a.m. launch. (We got there early.) Parking was odd, and the whole area felt a little seedy, but it ultimately was safe. A bunch of water-access operations are clustered along the same bay, so you’ll see lots of folks getting geared up for a day on the water. We covered ourselves in sunscreen (Logan was thrilled), then loaded onto a big inflatable raft with two 150-horse Yamaha four-stroke outboards. There was the three of us, a 30-something couple from O’ahu, and about 10 aging babyboomers. Logan offered a clever nugget as we boarded: “I think we’re with a bunch of old, rich people trying to finish up their bucket list.” Cripes, who’s he been hanging around?<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Captain Steve eyed the boys somewhat warily as we exited the cove, then we cruised about a half-mile offshore and headed south along the Big Island’s west coast. Fun fact: We were immediately over deep water, like 1,000 feet plus, because there’s no continental shelf off Hawai’i. These are volcanic islands that rise off the sea floor rapidly, and the drop-off from the land is even steeper than the volcanoes on shore. Consequently, some of the greatest near-shore “deep-sea” fishing in the world exists right here off Kona. We could see several fishing boats a little father offshore.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Bouncing along, I could tell Logan was a little concerned about seasickness. He’d developed some airsickness during the five-hour flight from LAX, and this was on his mind. I encouraged both boys to monitor the horizon and breath deep, and they were fine. Calm seas didn’t hurt.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Twenty minutes later we arrived at Honaunau Bay, the so-called “Place of Refuge”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>among the Hawaiians. The history of this ancient safety zone, almost a purgatory for those who violated the Kapu laws, is fascinating. A national monument now, its history is available<a href="http://www.nps.gov/puho/"> here</a>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Captain Steve smiled as my boys were the first ones in the water and took off snorkeling without any whining or direction. He apparently deals with a lot of kids who want no part of being on the water but are pushed into the “adventure” by their parents. Not a problem with the Drieslein lads. Snorkeling was very good, though to be honest I recall seeing a wider variety of colorful coral and fish during my dives in the Bahamas. I suspect these sites in Hawaii get pounded with snorkelers and divers so they’re not in the greatest of shape. Nonetheless, we kicked around admiring the brain coral and parrotfish for 30 minutes before Alec swallowed a little too much seawater. He’d also become a little spooked at the currents that pulled us toward some rocks a couple times. I pulled him away and brought him to the boat where Captain Steve, his terribly personable first mate, and several of the boomers who’d already returned fussed over him and stuffed him full of cookies and fresh fruit. Logan and I continued snorkeling until Captain Steve called us in. A couple times we swam through a group of fish nibbling on a piece of apple someone had thrown from the boat.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Firing up the raft, Steve then headed back north along the coast, swinging the craft into sea caves and lava tubes multiple times. Most had names I can’t remember and my photos don’t do them justice (lighting was tough.) You’ll see very few seabirds along the Hawaiian coast. There are few offshore islands for nesting, and a nest has virtually no chance on the main island because of the cats, rats, and mongoose. Very odd being on the ocean and seeing no seagulls.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Our second snorkeling destination, Kealakekua Bay, also has a fascinating history. Also on the National Register of Historic Places, Kealakekua Bay has a monument commemorating this as the location where Captain James Cook of the U.K. became the first European to discover the "Sandwich Islands" on<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>January 17, 1779. Read about its history <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kealakekua_Bay">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">To Seaquest and Captain Steve’s credit, they insisted that we avoid the rocks and not climb up to the monument. Feet and snorkeling equipment destroy the coral, and – even though they’re ultimately taking care of their cash cow – I give Seaquest credit for stressing ethics. The same could not be said for people renting kayaks on the far side of the bay, then paddling over and kicking the hell out of the site.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Diving was better here. A wider variety of fish and the coral was close-up, so close that we needed to be careful not to touch or kick it. I started diving down in some areas for a better view of sea urchins and other spiny critters (don’t touch!) hiding in the crevices of the coral. Both boys soon were testing their diving skills as well. They did great, going down 8-10 feet. Logan headed back to the raft about 10 minutes before last call, and Alec and I were the last ones to load.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A few more stops at some sea caves, and we returned to our launch site four hours after we’d left. Logan couldn’t believe how quickly the time had passed. Captain Steve complimented me on having great, non-whining kids. “No one cried,” he said. “That always means we’ve had a good day.” Then he qualified, “I don’t mean to suggest just your kids didn’t cry. You’d be surprised how many adults get upset on these trips.” I can see that. If you’re inexperienced with snorkeling, swallow a little water, get seasick, or maybe the whole jumping into the cold ocean thing overwhelms you, then yeah, someone might get emotional. We had no problem, however.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’d highly recommend <a href="http://www.seaquesthawaii.com/">Seaquest</a> as an efficient way to safely see two of the top snorkeling sights in all of the Hawaiian Islands. Send Cap’n Steve my regards.</p> <!--EndFragment-->Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-40602186701626218312010-11-06T07:20:00.004-05:002010-11-06T09:02:37.255-05:00Hawai'i — The Good, Pt. 1<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqr-RREtSq6PVpaK6T7RlOLlrQwxQB6-rabXljQVjhTOuet2WQIxoyu1bITPy6OJLLmh1GFI4xrr0YwcHVYfrYMcZANwUsGvV2zi2dHX3QIh_18vlZZli7l0AY3Ks7MNoT9Z8HEhgAGw/s200/CIMG0819.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536413658114694466" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjzr1LmWtWy1OxqiXGsietd15AgHjzR2G2b2Gm7p4R5mJmbvtqEMWLYaH3tVFo1zU2_aD3wov1OI3Qs0B3xNfM5zUhdvRlFP4wz4veL1h5kV9bCQp5_yy1vYBQVvE_ccMAwhEd6ci-jw/s1600/CIMG0920.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjzr1LmWtWy1OxqiXGsietd15AgHjzR2G2b2Gm7p4R5mJmbvtqEMWLYaH3tVFo1zU2_aD3wov1OI3Qs0B3xNfM5zUhdvRlFP4wz4veL1h5kV9bCQp5_yy1vYBQVvE_ccMAwhEd6ci-jw/s200/CIMG0920.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536413676896672562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0FEG6fbjF5JVGYoIShlQX_stGGLQvt_SlXQr4WJMY8VB5Wg-JY0KtGCSCNX1GYgqtiuz3DpFvUc_uE4SqmwAxctrr3pv5Q5OqeX7Iz7DBCipCrJLjlvbDtyntCExfiPXTk4PiDfY53c/s1600/IMG_1841.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0FEG6fbjF5JVGYoIShlQX_stGGLQvt_SlXQr4WJMY8VB5Wg-JY0KtGCSCNX1GYgqtiuz3DpFvUc_uE4SqmwAxctrr3pv5Q5OqeX7Iz7DBCipCrJLjlvbDtyntCExfiPXTk4PiDfY53c/s200/IMG_1841.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536413665298747762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGD79wSr_cyLC9hOCKc-q4YPkjfb8Q5wYBxnzoQ-wBWioHEU928EAoLWmUX3E0nBSlI5fgOZApaK4YeLxG-85Y0V9tUsR1aFlIxpJVHP4au1ZzFbvIyfiJHaxHluVgN21ik0EZyvGnVwc/s1600/photo3.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGD79wSr_cyLC9hOCKc-q4YPkjfb8Q5wYBxnzoQ-wBWioHEU928EAoLWmUX3E0nBSlI5fgOZApaK4YeLxG-85Y0V9tUsR1aFlIxpJVHP4au1ZzFbvIyfiJHaxHluVgN21ik0EZyvGnVwc/s200/photo3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536413660326371778" /></a><br /><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Confusion generally dominated my psyche while considering trips to Hawaii over the years. Many islands with so many confusing names with so many letters, especially k’s. They really like k’s in Hawaii. Gradually, however, I drew a few conclusions. O’ahu – that’s the island with the big city and famous Waikiki Beach. Too urban. Lots of people. Not my bag.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Maui: That’s the place where an increasing number of people my age go for their second weddings. No plans for a trophy wife….<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ka’uai: Wet and small. Probably less kid-friendly than…<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Hawai’i: The Big Island. Twice as large as the other Hawaiian islands combined. Volcanoes, some decent beaches, coffee plantations. Plus, a number of friends had recommended it as the most family-friendly for “things to do.”<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So when, on a whim, my parents and my family decided to visit the 50th state, The Big Island came out on top.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My lovely bride cashed out all of our frequent flyer miles, so four of our five family members could fly free, and through Costco Travel she found a great room at the Waikoloa Hilton (west side of Hawai’i) for a ridiculous price. I’m not averse to bragging about numbers. Airfare, oceanview room, two breakfast buffet tickets per day, and minivan cost about $3,500 for our family of five for a week. (Little guy was free for breakfast and by skipping one other day, we all ate breakfast basically for free on the trip.) This trip obviously occurred during the off-season; the boys had the entire week off from school for MEA week. We had to pay for gas, some other meals, and incidentals, but we found ways to do that as cheap as possible. We bought every gallon of gas that flowed through the carburetor – er... fuel injection chambers – at Costco in Kona. Grabbed a few lunches and miscellaneous items there, too. No, I’m not above plugging Costco.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The flight. It’s a long damn way to Hawaii from the Mainland. (Don’t call it the States, or “Back in the U.S.” Hawaiians of all races don’t like that. You’re in the U.S.) From MSP, you’re looking at three hours-plus to LAX, then another five-plus to the surprisingly undelightful open-air airport at Kona.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">To Delta Airline’s credit, all flights took off and landed on time, and they conveyed my clan to and from the tropics safely. Those compliments behind us, the airplane was small, dirty, and had lousy airflow. There were NO overhead air vents on the flight from LAX to Kona, so it was stuffy and hot the whole flight. How is that possible in 2010? Gotta love monopolies.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The boys, age 11, 8, and 5 handled the flight better than me. Logan got airsick, but rolled with it very well. Will give my boys credit: They love to travel. They’re always pretty well behaved, but especially when they know they’re doing something special – like a trip to Hawaii. To the credit of my fellow Americans, we didn’t deal with any crabby babyboomers – or any other generations – who took offense to the mere presence of children on the aircraft. Thank you fellow travelers.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Driving from the airport to our lodging, we were surprised to see… rock.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Lava. Rock. Is. Bleeping. Everywhere. On. The. Big. Island.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Hey, you’re sitting on a still-growing island about the size of Connecticut with five volcanoes, three of them potentially active. Guess one shouldn’t be surprised to see a whole lot of rock. Still, for those who expect to view waterfalls around every corner, miles and miles of vast, black lava rock fields generated surprise.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Aside from the irritants I'll mention in separate blog, which we will pretend don’t exist here, the Waikoloa Hilton was a great place. Friendly, helpful staff, clean rooms, great pools and other amenities, and a reasonable drive to and from Kona Airport. We made lots of time for the boys to swim in the magnificent swimming pools, snorkel the lagoon, and watch the sunsets every night from the lava-rock and coral-strewn coastline.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The lagoon had surprisingly good snorkeling! We saw many species of fish, including some small baracuda, eels, parrotfish, plus sea turtles. Though the lagoon lacked coral, we arguably saw as many different fish species in its calm waters as we did while snorkeling a half-day with Seaquest Adventures in two prime spots. (See future blog specific to Seaquest.)<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Though we skipped the $90/person luau, the boys and I enjoyed watching a couple of staffers bury a pig in a fire pit. The friendly pair of Hawaiians provided ample insight into the history behind this style of cooking and their personal backgrounds. Annette and I perhaps can tackle a luau together someday when we’re paying for two.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Waikoloa resort complex contains some of the best examples of Hawaiian petroglyphs, stone carvings, in the state. The petroglyphs, I understand, are possibly the closest thing to a written language that Hawaiians used. Info from the resort website says some petroglyphs are thought to be astronomical symbols, travel markers or commemorations of historic events. What struck me was how the semi-urban resort area was simply built around them. Park near Tiffany’s, walk past the ABC store, cut through the gas station parking lot to reach the trail through the petroglyphs carved into the lava rock. (Try to ignore the clearly more recent – often phallic – graffiti.) Oh, and don’t forget to dodge the sliced golf balls bouncing through the sacred ground. Some idiot missed the fairway by 100 yards (even I’m not that bad!) and his ball came within a couple feet of me. He witnessed multiple foul gestures from yours truly. Ban golf.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">More to come…<o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-33438524899492873662010-08-30T21:25:00.003-05:002010-08-30T21:31:51.607-05:00Thriving in the BWCAW<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjm22H6tZoPQ5Z-zjmj0xukZ6eu4tLYpdlq-j54QodAoiiAVnGaH5f3ecalBqBRs8YNGEEzPi18zMGohbvaZBhZAG8f9_WX4damO-S2pBzEMXgDq9hJLbtmGyZC2v6-nhXR9IEAKRSpL4/s1600/CIMG0714.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjm22H6tZoPQ5Z-zjmj0xukZ6eu4tLYpdlq-j54QodAoiiAVnGaH5f3ecalBqBRs8YNGEEzPi18zMGohbvaZBhZAG8f9_WX4damO-S2pBzEMXgDq9hJLbtmGyZC2v6-nhXR9IEAKRSpL4/s200/CIMG0714.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511395623869847154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59P2Uga6yV0i1laxRsMInJzUzqQ3xFlAthFvt4IAl8JuXOjvTCxBKqOGnpGR7DGpHyHYwX_OPcz47FjIuhZ2KyT74etNR0ucXgEC_eik1CO4f54hquSAchX2kS3CTey6cjNAlW7i0bko/s1600/CIMG0701.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59P2Uga6yV0i1laxRsMInJzUzqQ3xFlAthFvt4IAl8JuXOjvTCxBKqOGnpGR7DGpHyHYwX_OPcz47FjIuhZ2KyT74etNR0ucXgEC_eik1CO4f54hquSAchX2kS3CTey6cjNAlW7i0bko/s200/CIMG0701.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511395611937146786" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqSGaYilEeAbt5c_kquU-6MabR41Vnc2q11lZOm9HB0E48DlRArsBqYMgs6fsNyc2blgl3fjgDr7pWw6mz9PzLuye72lgi8xjfb3hMaN28qQp1Jmpm-hT_JZbClKFOp3nojwJbSG1sGg/s1600/CIMG0672.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqSGaYilEeAbt5c_kquU-6MabR41Vnc2q11lZOm9HB0E48DlRArsBqYMgs6fsNyc2blgl3fjgDr7pWw6mz9PzLuye72lgi8xjfb3hMaN28qQp1Jmpm-hT_JZbClKFOp3nojwJbSG1sGg/s200/CIMG0672.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511395606848301330" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qtbI9pAFe287j-U6maZqDV70-setI4gE1idh53eZZojCGavNjJEmlWAbpZ_pbqXYQELSfsKmqsVlSpWajesyE4FGo1BXrLMCFYcWyi3GYM6Mh6uWyJwFJUoTUi6riIWVpYdlgSFCAyQ/s1600/CIMG0671.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qtbI9pAFe287j-U6maZqDV70-setI4gE1idh53eZZojCGavNjJEmlWAbpZ_pbqXYQELSfsKmqsVlSpWajesyE4FGo1BXrLMCFYcWyi3GYM6Mh6uWyJwFJUoTUi6riIWVpYdlgSFCAyQ/s200/CIMG0671.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511395596846403410" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85kFJezOCn9zzB_8H8EQMLvifye32El_S24T2nSf_wz5NA23EV2q04yOCKksl8fiq7wCIEsovbqt7lS2xLTExPVWHer2LTVF9A2IoAAzQbbOO81XiZJRBRKUK6wAfhnD-6PD0zANxvFI/s1600/CIMG0664.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85kFJezOCn9zzB_8H8EQMLvifye32El_S24T2nSf_wz5NA23EV2q04yOCKksl8fiq7wCIEsovbqt7lS2xLTExPVWHer2LTVF9A2IoAAzQbbOO81XiZJRBRKUK6wAfhnD-6PD0zANxvFI/s200/CIMG0664.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511395583879352098" /></a><br /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Bruises on my biceps. A spouse getting X-rays. Offspring crying from exhaustion. No, Annette and I aren’t having marital problems... we just returned from four days in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span>The bruises are from lifting and hauling a 23-foot canoe solo over nearly two miles of portages over four days. The X-rays are on Annette’s knee after she tumbled off a multi-ton granite boulder. The boys are sore and crying from days of running wild through the woods from dusk till dawn.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">As late as early last week, I seriously thought this trip wouldn’t happen. Just preparing and assembling the gear was a major undertaking. The portages were looming, daring me to stay away. Take the family to a waterpark instead. But every time I convinced myself that it wasn’t worth the time or effort, Middle Boy would sidle up to me, blink his massive blue eyes, and say, “Golly Dad, I just can’t <i>wait</i> for our trip to the Boundary Waters!”</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">So with all the equipment I could beg, borrow or steal, we loaded up to leave last Tuesday afternoon. Then that nagging problem in the working man’s life, the day job, kept me from leaving the office, and the family leaving for Ely, that afternoon. Resolute that we would hit the “trail” early, I declared that we’d load the van that evening, then awake at 2 a.m., and I could drive up while the family slept in the mini-van. My phone alarm went off at 2 a.m., and the portages taunted again. “Roll over. You delivered a 56-page newspaper last night to the printer. You deserve to sleep. You know the U.S. Forest Service doesn’t maintain these portages. They’re brutal. You’ll never make it. The dwarves dug too deep and unleashed a Balrog.” You get the point.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">I got up, my wife loyally followed. We awoke the lads, directed them into the bathroom, then seated them in the van. They slept soundly and Annette didn’t stir until the engine slowed four-and-a-quarter hours later as we rolled into a quiet Ely. 51 degrees, windy and overcast. “It’s like you’ve taken me into another world,” my lovely bride stated in a tone both flat and perplexed.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">“Looks like fall is here,” said Bob at Canoe Country Outfitters around 7 a.m. as we loaded the 23-foot We-No-Nah Minnesota IV onto my minivan – a process that went more smoothly and efficiently than I believed possible. Then we checked the weather: clear and sunny for the next three days. Highs topping out around 80. “Doesn’t get any better than that,” Bob said. I tried the same line on Annette as we cruised out of Ely. She didn’t respond.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span>I could hear what she was thinking as we drove eight miles north up the Echo Trail, then northeast on six miles of gravel U.S. Forest Service “roads” to Mudro Entry Point 23. “Where the hell is this guy taking me. I didn’t sign up for this 15 years ago.”</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The whole clan was surprised when we arrived at the entry point and saw probably 35 parked cars, and a dozen-plus people standing around. The BWCAW remains a popular destination and Mudro a popular entry point. Chainsaw Sisters saloon, however, is history. The Trust for Public Land bought out the sisters, Michelle Richards and Marlene Zorman in 2006 and demolished the building. So sad I couldn’t show the boys their sign inside their facility, “Go save the world somewhere else.” Always found that rather arrogant, taunting those irritating do-gooders who protected the environment. Those efforts, still scorned and mocked by some in northern Minnesota, provided them with a living along the wilderness for 20 years, and presumably a tidy paycheck when they sold out. But that’s intense rant fodder for another time...</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span>We unloaded, the boys scampering excitedly underfoot, then occupied the four seats – Logan up front, Annette in the second seat, two small boys side-by-side on the largest third seat, and the navigator (and major source of propulsion) in the back. We paddled, first through a long, swampy inlet then across Mudro Lake to the first of three portages.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Rock. Is. Bleeping. Everywhere. In. The. BWCAW.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I’ve spent two weeks in the BWCAW before, and a lot of time canoe camping in the Sylvania Wilderness of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Sylvania portages are wide and sandy, tame even for beginner canoe campers (and easy on scratch-prone kevlar canoes.) The rocky nature of the BWCAW augments the region’s incredible beauty, but also poses muscle-numbing challenges. Navigating a 23-foot canoe through rocky minefields, along granite shelves to unload, then climbing over all those boulders – at least with three kids in tow – burns major calories. Dozens of times over the next three days, we’d find ourselves clinging to slippery boulders, every ligament in our bodies stretching to its limit, trying to steady a watercraft to enter or exit safely. Looking for a great “core” body workout? I give you the BWCAW.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span>The second portage was particularly brutal. 140 rods one-way (20 rods short of a half mile), up and over a large, boulder-strewn hill, with tiny s-curves significantly shorter than our 23-foot canoe along the way. I tried writing a poem in my head as I walked “140 rods” but the words escape me now. With kids, it was a three-tripper. Back and forth three times, so one mile of hauling gear and one mile of walking back to retrieve it all.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Don’t cry for me. I have weight to lose.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Fourtown Lake, a body of water with a wonderful reputation for scenic beauty, greeted us after the third portage. Now, to find a campsite. Unlike Sylvania, where you reserve sites, one reserves entry point permits at the BWCA, then searches for site. This adds stress, especially with children in tow, but we kept a positive attitude, even while paddling into a north wind. Some relatives had rated a spot on the west side highly, so we headed that way. Occupied. The map showed another spot across the bay. Ten minutes of paddling across the bay. Occupied. Another spot to the west. Five minutes of paddling. Unoccupied. “I don’t know, looks like kind of a crappy spot,” I declared as we approached.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">“We’re there,” Annette replied. So we became happy campers.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">The next three days we paddled around the vicinity, tackling portages sans Duluth packs, only water bottles and granola bars. Boot Lake, a pretty little lake to the west, had several open spots, and the second campsite north from the portage along the east side is gorgeous. We attempted a long day-trip up toward Basswood Falls, but two unmarked portages (unfair!) immediately slowed our progress. Then Annette slipped on a rock and twisted her knee terribly. She wasn’t sure she could walk out of the wilderness the next day, much less haul packs. Basswood Falls was probably still 21/2 hours away, so it must wait for another day. The boys trundled around another stream and inlet instead.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Two things worked ridiculously in our favor during our trip: marvelous weather and few mosquitoes. No bears either, though hanging our food didn’t hurt. Repeatedly, I told the clan not to take this for granted, though they probably did. Annette enjoyed herself more than she expected, even declaring several times, “This isn’t horrible.”</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">The highlight of the trip occurred Thursday morning, around 1 a.m. A single wolf began howling, then at least five or six others joined in chorus. It only lasted 30 seconds, but it was an unforgettable sound, especially under a nearly full moon. Definitely different from coyotes, which I’ve heard multiple times in southeast Minnesota and -- believe it or not, folks -- Eden Prairie. A pack of coyotes sounds like a big dog party, almost cackling and hyena-like. Wolves are clear, somber and strong. Unmistakable to even the amateur ear.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">One piece of equipment has evolved since my wilderness travel days of the mid- to late-1990s: water filters. The hand-held pump varieties still exist and probably have improved. When staying at one campsite, however, the new gravity-fed versions are tough to beat. Fill the filter bag, hang in a tree, and let gravity perform its magic. Two minutes later, there’s a liter of safe water for drinking, cooking, or washing. Very slick. Tim Lesmeister also lended me a flexible two-gallon bag that lays flat without spilling. Weighs almost nothing, but insanely handy for retrieving clear, low sediment water from the middle of the lake. (Logan and I took water trips out in the canoe multiple times to avoid the silt-heavy agua near shore.)</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">We paddled away early Saturday morning into a strong south wind (no kidding, Murphy’s Law.) Three adults males in front of us left some garbage along the nasty second portage, which we picked up. A 60-something couple, also exiting, chatted with us about their trip and how they admired “young” parents for hauling kids into the B-Dub.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">“We went by your camp,” they said. “Saw your kids scurrying about like little chipmunks. So good to see a family out here.”</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I hope Annette and I are paddling through the wilderness together like that pair in 2035.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span>Three portages and an intense haul through the Mudro Inlet (water had dropped several inches in a few days), we pulled up onto the only soft-bottomed canoe launch on our trip. Annette limped up and drove the vehicle down, so I wouldn’t have to haul gear quite as far. We opened the van door, and 5-year-old Jameson immediately crawled into his car seat. Something familiar. A little piece of home. Safe.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">After loading and commiserating with some fellow Twin Citians completing their trip, I pulled off my soak-sweat T-shirt and changed quickly in the parking lot, all personal insecurities remaining somewhere back in civilization. “If anyone sees me, I’ll just speak in a German accent,” I told Annette.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Ely was not quiet when we exited Saturday. The town, quite frankly, was a zoo. We considered checking out the International Wolf Center but that, dear readers, must wait for another blog. After four days in paradise, the residential calm of Eden Prairie held more appeal than the chaos of Ely on a summer Saturday.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Reviewing our pictures that evening, we marveled at the beauty of place we’d left 10 hours earlier. Usually exhausted and stressed during the trip, we probably didn’t pause enough to appreciate our surroundings. As the pictures reveal, we slept at a beautiful campsite. That’s OK, because this trip was for the boys, and they absorbed wilderness for the first time. Some, maybe most, people never acquire a similar experience. The 11-year-old matured a little bit before our eyes those three days. When the canoe hit an unnavigable rock field, he hopped out and towed us. He watched and learned the first steps of some basic survival techniques six miles from the nearest gravel road, and he hauled packs and gear over miles of portages, I watched him study the environment around him, and admit in amused disbelief Saturday night just how much he enjoyed the experience. All three lads found out that there’s life and fun “off the grid.”</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">And Annette hasn’t ruled out a follow-up trip in 2010.</p>Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-12541467673429706252010-07-09T17:44:00.001-05:002010-07-09T17:46:21.332-05:00Looking back one year later: Greenpeace crashes family visit to Mt. Rushmore<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChYNLijZZaMYpCL8FRn5QUlXNWwhTE3YVpWyt1XyBMzt_immJYAISeJkfVnU3LULS52q5Ot7baO5y_6UZhnNwdvxTGI1q0UVguguCP3nyWs2hHcLMaNm9BSFFV9gwzStLhqALbSnv-7Y/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChYNLijZZaMYpCL8FRn5QUlXNWwhTE3YVpWyt1XyBMzt_immJYAISeJkfVnU3LULS52q5Ot7baO5y_6UZhnNwdvxTGI1q0UVguguCP3nyWs2hHcLMaNm9BSFFV9gwzStLhqALbSnv-7Y/s200/photo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492041423354562514" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">I wrote the following piece exactly one year ago during a family vacation to Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota’s Black Hills.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">My family took advantage of the Fourth of July weekend and headed west to the Black Hills. Prairie dogs, caves, Badlands, Harney Peak, buffalo, Lakota and Custer history – the works. My three boys acted like they’d died and gone to heaven. A week later, the 4-year-old still refuses to remove his new cowboy boots. Of course, no trip to the Black Hills is complete without a couple of hours at Mount Rushmore, and we picked quite a day. If you’ve followed the news, you know that Greenpeace visited the “Shrine of Democracy” last Wednesday. We saw the whole stunt unfold.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Early risers, my parents and wife and kids arrived at Rushmore at 8:30 a.m., snapped the obligatory family photos, then walked the short, highly accessible trail to the base. (En route, I chuckled at one gentleman demanding of a park official, “Where’s the escalator?!” Sadly, he wasn’t joking.…) We returned to the main observation deck, and were about to leave when we noticed people in hardhats atop the monument. Mount Rushmore of course requires routine maintenance, but the midmorning, peak visitor timing struck us as odd. Other visitors queried park staffers, but no one behaved like it was out of the ordinary. After browsing the gift shop, however, we took a last look. A massive banner – adjacent to and as large as Abe Lincoln’s head – was unfurling in high winds with a message challenging the Obama adminstration’s apparently lackadaisical approach to global warming. “America Honors Leaders, Not Politicians: Stop Global Warming.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">“Uhhh, I don’t think they have a permit for that,” I told my dad. Pretty soon news cameras arrived and hundreds, maybe a couple of thousand visitors stood around in disbelief. Many lamented the protestors ruining their photo ops and visit to Rushmore. I traded a few barbs with a highly offended gentleman ranting aloud that park officials should “Throw those protestors off the mountain!” “That’s what they’d do in China or Iran,” I quipped. (Let’s just say the gentleman didn’t like that.) As the minutes ticked by, I became increasingly amazed that Greenpeace had pulled off the stunt and the 2,275-square-foot banner remained up for more than an hour.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">It definitely was irritating, and I hope the courts don’t let the protestors off easy. After rappelling down, 11 people (including a Minnesotan) were charged with trespassing – a charge punishable by up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine. From news reports, it appears the protestors used existing maintenance anchors in the monument for rappelling. They didn’t harm the face of the monument, but they apparently damaged some security systems en route while scaling it, and that delayed rangers’ response. Park Service officials tell me they recognized the breach within minutes but aren’t revealing much else, because they fear other potential protestors could use such information for their own shenanigans.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">At a press conference last Thursday, monument officials said “all security measures functioned exactly as designed.” Uh, what exactly is happening at our national monuments when – in this era of homeland security – a dozen Greenpeace punks can have the run of the place for 90 minutes in broad daylight? During peak tourist season! What could have happened if a group with more nefarious intents had breached the monument? Here’s betting that NPS brass said a little prayer last week thanking the good lord that this incident wasn’t more serious.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">This scribe has visited Mount Rushmore four times, and my family certainly will never forget our visit on July 8, 2009. I just hope the NPS pulls its head out of the sand and ensures the monument is properly protected for future generations.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Postscript:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">The 11 Greenpeacers eventually all pleaded guilty to the charge of climbing Mt. Rushmore and received a fine of $460 each. They also had to perform some community service in the National Park system. There had been three additional charges originally brought against three of the protesters, but those were all dismissed. One protester was sentenced to two days of jail time.</span>Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-47763403508065170742010-06-19T09:13:00.004-05:002010-06-19T09:28:19.492-05:00Rob review of a national treasure: the Baseball Hall of Fame<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Ug4e2XBvzeJPhUAN_DVYiMuKOISf5LutB1dKBh1I9M7KNO-4snDQ8eo85T7L5JOtTEqH6N6-VgFtBanfBx9F18JxZlvSbIg1bLZ2OfmlKG6OA_OgCbyFbgYS_sXJsiyfEb9L46GpO0E/s1600/photo+buck.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Ug4e2XBvzeJPhUAN_DVYiMuKOISf5LutB1dKBh1I9M7KNO-4snDQ8eo85T7L5JOtTEqH6N6-VgFtBanfBx9F18JxZlvSbIg1bLZ2OfmlKG6OA_OgCbyFbgYS_sXJsiyfEb9L46GpO0E/s200/photo+buck.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484491446279703586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrybRb_O0232PGGjiXMTqGdaY6pD_PgsObXYFNyMDe7wfSJPb5-lxDxyZqnIAz3AhMSqNrUpd-klkll8CyJx2lukeviZYnY29fd_StUF_ifrLjwMLlQnXba2jpjK1XdTo8iHqgH9SbWs/s1600/photo-2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrybRb_O0232PGGjiXMTqGdaY6pD_PgsObXYFNyMDe7wfSJPb5-lxDxyZqnIAz3AhMSqNrUpd-klkll8CyJx2lukeviZYnY29fd_StUF_ifrLjwMLlQnXba2jpjK1XdTo8iHqgH9SbWs/s200/photo-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484491441014168050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cCgx5ml34QpWT27GIox3rMxvMAxpmMtgDbq2i-cg4EzZfyLuXJzPKLnojo8DzgqQtywBZ2gY-m0reAD2mwai3UCH3Ao9BsNroszGeDWoVO2ufvkk0YO2rjuZA6HdBG3BwY0etNwtOyA/s1600/photo-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cCgx5ml34QpWT27GIox3rMxvMAxpmMtgDbq2i-cg4EzZfyLuXJzPKLnojo8DzgqQtywBZ2gY-m0reAD2mwai3UCH3Ao9BsNroszGeDWoVO2ufvkk0YO2rjuZA6HdBG3BwY0etNwtOyA/s200/photo-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484491439243448418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEdEQQmFG1OzvA7L3aFF_McMbFtKP9eA70h-09NjYhAA1nSaQ2_mUMkE1K1aseP8JcGfF0xxUCEbudmFy3n7id5X_NeuTYroVjStQw3FVEVh6RbihYybeaVaQeUnDjdatshUIEGYoEjA/s1600/photo+jack.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEdEQQmFG1OzvA7L3aFF_McMbFtKP9eA70h-09NjYhAA1nSaQ2_mUMkE1K1aseP8JcGfF0xxUCEbudmFy3n7id5X_NeuTYroVjStQw3FVEVh6RbihYybeaVaQeUnDjdatshUIEGYoEjA/s200/photo+jack.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484491427336464418" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Driving northeast on I-88 yesterday evening, I saw the sign: Cooperstown Exit -- National Baseball Hall of Fame. A choice presented itself: arrive in Albany by 7:30 p.m. for a casual solo dinner, or go hungry and detour to Cooperstown. Arriving at the hotel hungry at about 10:30 p.m., this baseball fan had made the right decision: an incredible experience to knock off the life list. The National Baseball Hall of Fame isn’t huge. Though staffers had to kick me out when the doors closed at 9 p.m., I’d hit the high points (and then some) during my 21/2 hours at the “museum.” Not reading every exhibit piece thoroughly will give me an excuse to visit again. The main drag through Cooperstown has nifty gift shops and ice cream parlors that I totally ignored but would like to enjoy with Annette and the boys someday.<br /><br />There are many highlights, starting with the actual main hall containing all the plaques. I snapped pics via iPhone of some of my favorites. Former Twins and Brewers like Kirby and Robin Yount. And of course the legends, like Babe, Ty Cobb, Jackie Robinson, Teddy Baseball, Honus Wagner, and a few others. One fact that might surprise folks: There were five inductees in the inaugural class that occupy the center of the front rotunda. Ty Cobb occupies the centermost spot with Babe Ruth offset to the lower left. I doubt that’s a simple layout left to chance, since most baseball purists probably would say that Cobb was the more complete ballplayer. After viewing the life-size sculptures(?) of Ruth and Williams, I found myself alone with all 292 plaques, so I grabbed a bench and just quietly absorbed the aura. A pretty busy place, the National Baseball Hall of Fame probably doesn’t provide such moments of solitude very often, but that’s a benefit to showing up on a weekday evening, me thinks. Eventually a couple of loud kids came roaring through. This parent of three very loud, energetic boys understands that kids at times need to cut loose and be obnoxious. My boys will fully understand that if they ever enter that National Baseball Hall of Fame that they are entering sacred ground. No, it’s not a church, but it’s a special place to lifelong baseball fans, and they will remain quiet and respectful. They can run wild up and down the street upon exciting the hall.<br /><br />Heading upstairs, you’ll see one room with an interesting, and short group of displays on the history of the Hall. Well done. The 10-minute movie is forgettable, especially the faux fence and scoreboard that emerges at the end, complete with unsubtle sponsorships from the likes of several companies and sports media conglomerates that don’t deserve mention here.<br /><br />The second floor exhibits, particularly the History of the Game section, are the second-best part of the building. Abner Doubleday inventing the game is just lore, and baseball probably was a conglomeration of many stick-and-ball games that have existed for hundreds of years. Historians agree that the New York Knickerbockers wrote down the first set of rules for the game in 1845, and there is an actual photograph of two teams on a field (with bats on the ground in front of them) from 1859. Hard to believe the game truly predates the Civil War. Troops returning from the War between the States helped spread the game around the country.<br /><br />The Babe Ruth corner is incredible. To see the “Called Shot” bat or home run ball No. 714 is almost befuddling -- it’s that amazing. There are lockers from greats like Henry Aaron, Joe DiMaggio and Lou Gehrig. Normally very anti-Yankees, I didn’t feel that way while touring the BB Hall of Fame. All ballplayers are good guys, even Yankees, unless of course they’re roid-ragers or cheaters.<br /><br />Speaking of cheaters, Pete Rose doesn’t have a plaque (keep it that way) but pictures of him exist in displays of the Big Red Machine of the '70s and Phillies teams from the early '80s. That’s appropriate but he’d better never get a plaque. One small placard does mention Giamatti’s decision to ban Rose from the game.<br /><br />A section devoted to the African-American baseball story moved me the most. The story of black Americans and baseball is a microcosm, maybe a macrocosm, of the larger African-American story in this country. It’s terribly sad and unjust, yet ultimately a story of incredible achievement. A little history that most baseball fans, including this one, probably don’t know: At least a few black men played in baseball clubs in NY and elsewhere until a de facto color barrier was implemented in the 1880s. Racism eventually forced them off the teams. A few journalists endorsed and supported integration of baseball during that post-Civil War era, but Jim Crow laws and institutionalized racism nationwide ultimately repressed it for more than 60 years. The Jackie Robinson section is incredible; I actually got a little misty-eyed when I saw his jersey and jacket, bats he used. Under a steady barrage of insults and even threats on his life, that guy won rookie of the year in 1947, was N.L. MVP in 1949, achieved a .311 lifetime batting average, played in six world series, hit 137 home runs, and stole 197 bases. He excelled on the field and not only changed baseball but helped improve the entire country. What a hero. Every person in this country owes this great man a debt of gratitude.<br /><br />The final section of the second floor contains lockers for all existing major league teams with some fun recent historic treasures. Example, the locker for the Minnesota Twins contained the batting helmut and bat that Jason Kubel used to hit for the cycle during a game the squad won 11-9 early in the 2009 season. A buddy and I attended that game, and Kubel’s grand slam to complete the cycle was one of my top two live moments at a ballgame. A Christian Guzman inside-the-park home run back in 2001 is still either first of a very close second. The locker also contained several Joe Mauer bats from his batting title years. (Doesn’t look like we’ll be adding another in 2010, now does it Mr. Hometown Catcher?)<br /><br />One small beef about the Hall: the relatively clueless staff. Yes, they were friendly, but most couldn’t answer any questions, like where to find Henry Aaron’s No. 715 home run ball. Also, a nice display and life-size statute to a great baseball ambassador Buck O’Neill left me with some questions, notably why no “lifetime achievement award” in his name had been awarded since 2008 when he received it. The first two (young) people couldn’t fathom my question, and a 40-something was pretty baffled, too, but he at least searched for an answer, sought me out in the gift shop right before closing time, and explain the discrepancy. Apparently the Buck O’Neill award will only occur every three years, so the Hall will name the second recipient in 2011. They should just inducted the man, the first black minor league manager, and whose commentary was arguably the best thing about Ken Burns’ Baseball series (actually a Red Sox and Yankees lovefest) on PBS.<br /><br />Oh yeah, the giftshop. Had to buy the boys a T-shirt and some postcards showing the plaques of some legendary players. Bought a Rod Carew postcard. Maybe stand in line among the rubes for TwinsFest next winter to have him sign it. Or not.<br /><br />American tourist traps mostly embarrass me. They typically revolve around a perfectly good natural resource, say the Black Hills, Wisconsin Dells, or Grand Canyon, then drown said treasure in overpriced pap and cheesy private exhibits. The Hall is a respectfully well done operation, and the community of New England-esque Cooperstown has not been swallowed by rampant development or gaudy exhibitions. I’ll be returning with my whole family and would recommend it to anyone who cares about the game, its greatest platers, and its role in America history.</span>Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-37614684188837428792010-06-18T06:45:00.003-05:002010-06-18T06:49:33.455-05:00BBHOF review coming soon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqEeOD8wOs4XZZfBDmdNSZf7dochYtxv0v1s4d-bNwmPmP97ln8D1QQ950RcOZB5jEgBakYgDHaj8EL1zgqFHRo-hJDqv3TWTaf8IftR-f6DB6Nmbr8KcF1QByMrJhpAgEUNHhkOxRlc/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqEeOD8wOs4XZZfBDmdNSZf7dochYtxv0v1s4d-bNwmPmP97ln8D1QQ950RcOZB5jEgBakYgDHaj8EL1zgqFHRo-hJDqv3TWTaf8IftR-f6DB6Nmbr8KcF1QByMrJhpAgEUNHhkOxRlc/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484079369987240642" /></a><br />Watch for a review of my brief, albeit marvelous trip to the National Baseball Hall of Fame later today. Probably will write it while waiting for my flight out of Albany, N.Y.Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-89096516507871959512010-06-16T12:52:00.004-05:002010-06-18T06:37:28.225-05:00Ugh... my alma mater<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Reading online at Indianapolis airport and stumbled into this headline. From Minneapolis City Pages: Wisconsin high schoolers think KKK t-shirts are a big joke. And people ask why I don't attend class reunions.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;font-size:14px;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/9yIz0h" class="tweet-url web" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 132, 180); ">http://bit.ly/9yIz0h</a></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;font-size:14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px;font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-72175374554450348672010-06-15T22:18:00.001-05:002010-06-15T22:19:56.360-05:00An intense day of travel<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">Ike’s in downtown Minneapolis has been one of my favorite pre-Twins games destinations. Pricy but fantastic burgers. A California buddy who accompanied me there once declared it the best burger he’d consumed in his 40-plus years on Planet Earth. A middle-boy baseball tilt this evening forced my wife to deposit me early at MSP, which meant I had time to indulge in an burger at airport Ike’s. After clearing security, I figured there was time to see how its slab of beef compared to the downtown version.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Traveling solo, I sauntered up to the one remaining spot at the bar and pulled up a chair. Now, I wore comfortable clothes for my flight this evening: shorts, a T-shirt, and sneakers. So perhaps, I shouldn’t be offended when the bartender at airport Ike’s asked for an ID. I’m 40 years old, so it’s a compliment, right? Nonetheless, I don’t drink and told the rotund barkeep that I just wanted water and a burger. His reply at my nonalcoholic request? “I don’t care. You still need an ID to be in here.” (Keep in mind, I’ve just cleared security at an international airport and odds are pretty good that I have an ID.) Then he plodded away as I fumbled for my wallet. 90 seconds later, watching the bartender ignore me and realizing that another business might appreciate my money more, I got up and walked out.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Suduku puzzles in the in-flight magazines usually occupy a sizable chunk of my time aboard aircraft. Tragically, because it’s mid-June, the inflight mags are old, and everyone has worked the puzzles. So I succumbed to people-watching. A herd of 70-somethings was particularly fascinating on this flight to Indianapolis. They scurried around, up and down repeatedly in the row ahead of me, which is particularly irritating as they bumped the seats. Several of them traded locations with another group of proto-geriatrics four rows back. If teenagers behaved this way, the flight attendants would contact Homeland Security and divert the flight to Gitmo. And of course, these seniors would be the first folks to bleat about children speaking in any tones above a dull whisper.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Did I mentioned the hour wait on MSP tarmac before we took flight?</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Had a nice conversation with the gal next to me when we landed in Indianapolis, at least until I told her I was from Eden Prairie to which she responded that my ‘burb is too “hoity-toity” for her. Really, ma’am, and your town is too stinkin’ redneck for me, but I’m too polite to say that aloud.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Then there was the hour wait for the shuttle bus, a clueless driver who drove 10 under the speed limit, and the hotel staff who couldn’t answer yes to a single question.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">All in all, a great day to be the Intense Traveler. Tomorrow will improve I’m sure.</span></p>Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-26395550761549014202010-06-12T19:47:00.003-05:002010-06-12T20:16:38.647-05:00Outdoor Writers conference<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mW2TzuY1diJMJo7KmxXEgAvdSSQlNrru7ELZ1JrjhFCKBesxnZi9nPbI4NChAbY8PiAvFRa6BmEDl124YecgmXsvrGjk3gnGJen9WCaqaABf-uuo7tHqC484J641p8ataJqBppkPtlo/s1600/rob+firing.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mW2TzuY1diJMJo7KmxXEgAvdSSQlNrru7ELZ1JrjhFCKBesxnZi9nPbI4NChAbY8PiAvFRa6BmEDl124YecgmXsvrGjk3gnGJen9WCaqaABf-uuo7tHqC484J641p8ataJqBppkPtlo/s200/rob+firing.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482057962492609458" /></a><br />Spent Friday at the Outdoor Writers Association of America annual conference in Rochester. The four-day event travels every year, and it last visited Minnesota in 1996. (Madison hosted the conference in 2005, but I missed that one thanks to the arrival of Jameson Thomas Drieslein that exact same weekend. I had my priorities straight.)<div>In my 13 years as an OWAA member, I've attended six conferences, and they usually offer some saving grace that justifies me attending. Yesterday I drove south through a torrential downpour from the Twin Cities for the second full day of the gathering, which coincided with "breakout day" at the Gamehaven Scout Camp – about 10 minutes south of Rochester. Miserable weather en route convinced me that organizers probably would cancel any outdoor activities, but the show went on. Overturned tents and lake-sized puddles greeted attendees early, but things cleared off as the morning progressed.</div><div>I headed for the rifle shooting area immediately upon arrival, and found myself surrounded by a grand total of nine other people. Wisconsin Outdoor News Editor Dean Bortz and myself had the run of the place, firing a nifty assortment of Smith & Wesson and Browning rifles and handguns. (Thank you very much to those two manufacturers for attending with some very competent, safe, and knowledgeable staff present.) Dan Hansen, a regular shooting writer from the Outdoor News Publications also was on hand helping out.</div><div>Had a great time shooting the AR-15s, which the gun industry would like me to begin referring to as "modern sporting rifles." Whatever you call them, they're fun to shoot. I would dare even the most ardent anti-gunner not to enjoy shooting the little AR-15 .22 from S&W. No kick and empowering rapid-firing a dozen rounds in mere seconds at a target. The centerfire .223s had significantly more kick, but I fully intend to buy one of each. Never thought I'd be the kind of guy who purchased a military-style firearm, but strictly speaking, they're no different than any other semi-auto. And dang they look cool.</div><div>This morning, <i>Outdoor News</i> sponsored a breakfast for participants, and clearly a good share of the writers were up late last night enjoying the hospitality suites. I counted roughly 100 people in the room, which means a solid share of the other attendees were sleeping in. Those who listened to my brief talk about Outdoor News and its history were very attentive and complimentary. Though I scooted out for a morning of kid baseball (and moving chores) back in the Cities, I'm glad I headed south for 24 hours in Rochester and the OWAA Conference. Next year's event will happen in June in Salt Lake City (Snowbird Resort) followed by an eagerly anticipated conference in Sept. 2012 in Fairbanks, Alaska. Haven't been to Alaska in more than a decade, so OWAA 2012 might offer an obvious excuse to visit again.</div>Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-79653204956364658622010-06-10T14:43:00.001-05:002010-06-10T14:46:00.807-05:00Remembering trip to the Gulf CoastMy one and only spring break trip occurred in 1992, my senior year in college. Six buddies – all burly, loud, hard-drinking, working-class students at a state university – pooled a few bucks and borrowed a rundown van. Like many of our fellow Midwesterners, we pointed the hood south. Unlike many of our fellow students, we went … wildlife watching. No kidding. Two guys were buds from the wildlife ecology department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and along with this science-journalism major, we convinced three others to tent-camp along the Gulf of Mexico. For guys who’d grown up hunting and trapping in western Wisconsin and southeast Minnesota, it was an opportunity to view a whole different world of alligators, nutria, and saltwater marshland birds of the Louisiana and Texas Coast. OK, there was a hazy 24 hours in the Big Easy, but overall, our focus was camping and wildlife watching … with some campfire imbibing. It was a significantly more productive, and cheaper, than spring break in Mexico or Daytona.<br />Like many Minnesotans in the midst of prime fishing and kid baseball seasons, I find it easy to ignore what’s transpiring in the Gulf of Mexico. But I see the names of our incredible destinations from almost two decades ago, places like Grand Isle, La., and Sabine National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, and can’t imagine the long-term effects of the oil spill on the region and its wildlife.<br />The hyperbole from both political extremes hasn’t helped the discussion. On the right, we have congressmen like Alaska’s Don Young declaring the spill no big deal. Nevermind that there’s an oil slick the size of Iowa, and growing, waiting for waterfowl and other shorebirds this fall. (Not to mention underwater marine life and shutting down a third of the Gulf Coast fishing industry.) On the left, we’re hearing a call to end all offshore oil drilling. I’m all for finding alternative energy sources for automobile fuel, but crude oil has lots of uses beyond gasoline. Unless the hardcore environmentalists would like us rendering whale blubber again, humanity will be using bubbling crude in some capacity for a long time.<br />The oil industry has been conducting deep-water drilling for decades, but one incident like this is one too many. No matter how unlikely the odds of it happening again given existing safety standards, the industry needs to take those standards to an even higher level. My gripe: How often do you hear some right-wing TV or radio blowhard bashing unnecessary “environmental regulations?” Um, you mean like laws that might require functional emergency valves on underwater oil pipelines? You just know some congressman with Big Oil in his backpocket called in favors and proclaimed that the feds could rely on “industry recommendations” for blowout system maintenance. Why does it take a disaster like this for everyone to agree (even industry) that existing safety protocols don’t cut the mustard? The whole thing stinks worse than that van at the end of our spring break trip.<br />Dennis Anderson at the Star Tribune wrote this past weekend on the potential effects of the Gulf oil spill on waterfowl management this fall. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and flyway council completely baffle me every year on season frameworks. Doesn’t matter what water or weather conditions greet the Duck Factory, we always have a liberal season. Too much emphasis on mallards and too much influence from the Southern half of the flyway. No, many of these birds won’t use areas affected by the oil, but the nation’s duck managers had better consider the wintering grounds thoroughly when setting this fall’s season strategies. If it’s another liberal season, then something stinks about duck management, too.Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-30736535102750333162010-04-08T20:03:00.011-05:002010-04-08T20:31:18.957-05:00Loving North Carolina<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vAsmt2QaOKNXYpJ-kZesrkrVuvqibunHPl-GlPbZYTXU63IOEcUw2nASSv9wmH97fvRxQ2OC8AIms8pUfxQlwxHARcIWxII_xfnaiaUnu2VoEEnFR_6OPKWz3xzQ1cWDSEBgH81ws-4/s1600/CIMG0377.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vAsmt2QaOKNXYpJ-kZesrkrVuvqibunHPl-GlPbZYTXU63IOEcUw2nASSv9wmH97fvRxQ2OC8AIms8pUfxQlwxHARcIWxII_xfnaiaUnu2VoEEnFR_6OPKWz3xzQ1cWDSEBgH81ws-4/s200/CIMG0377.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457943996679299714" /></a><br /><br /><br />My U.S. Marine Corps brother is stationed at Camp LeJeune, N.C., so I visited him for a few days there last year before his tour of Afghanistan. Had a great time and knew my wife and kids would love the area, too, so with an extended spring break available to us, we shipped out last Wednesday, March 31. Capt. Tim and his wife, Tanya, put us up (put up with us) for a night at their place in Stella, N.C., then we traveled by mini-van and ferry to the Outer Banks. Had marvelous weather for traveling, no problem with any flights (congratulations Delta) and the boys had the time of their lives on the OBX beaches. We rented a beach house (more like a mansion) for off-season rates and enjoyed the beach for swimming and kite-flying every day.<br />Why more Midwesterners don't head to the OBX more often, I do not know. It's a two-hour flight to Raleigh, then a 3.5-hour drive to the middle portion of the Outer Banks. We had a marvelous time with family and falling asleep to the sound of ocean waves every night for a week. I think we'll probably return to the area for a week, perhaps over the so-called MEA weekend one of these years.Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-58922650654303619502010-04-08T15:35:00.001-05:002010-04-08T15:37:58.927-05:00View from OBXBoys enjoyed beach on Outer Banks last week.<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JEIfgf7pRn4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JEIfgf7pRn4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-47673907450911517302010-01-15T21:15:00.000-06:002010-01-15T21:16:34.761-06:00Canoe Country wilderness planning<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, serif; ">Eurotrek planning should ramp up again soon, but tonight – in honor of the entry point lottery deadline in two hours – let’s talk a little Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Though I’ve visited the BWCA twice and done my share of canoe country travel (and backcountry travel in general), summer 2010 will mark the first time a BWCA permit will have my name on it as group leader. Truth be told, I haven’t done any serious backcountry travel since 2000 when my youngest son was a mere year old. After traipsing through some of the continent’s roughest country (it was cheaper than European travel) during the 1990s, I spent the 20-Zeros raising toddlers into healthy young boys. Correction, I’ve mostly watched and helped prevent chaos while my wonderful wife has raised these three boys into well-adjusted human beings.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Helvetica">Annette would probably rather travel somewhere else, but she understands that solitude and adventure run in Drieslein boy blood. She’s a good sport and willing to tolerate four nights of sampling the Singing Wilderness with us sometime in late July 2010, after little league baseball season ends (it starts in a little over two months!) If we have even semi-decent weather, the boys – who will be ages 11, 8, and 5 by then – should have a great time.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Helvetica">Radio cohost Tim Lesmeister tells me the fishing generally runs a little hotter on the Ely side of the B-Dub, and the Driesleins, especially Middle Boy, want to catch some walleyes. Though it contains some rough portages, the Mudro entry point looks intriguing thanks to relatively easy access to Horse and Fourtown lakes – both good for walleyes. We’ll try the old jig-n-leech setup, or maybe jig-n-(salted) minnow, and work the rock piles on the windward sides of those lakes. A good day trip is following the Horse River down to Lower Basswood Falls. Kids will love the falls and then there are some Indian pictographs as the border waters open up into Crooked Lake.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Helvetica">The permitting procedure at <a href="http://www.recreation.gov">www.recreation.gov</a> website operates pretty efficiently, and I’m betting we’ll know our lot when first-come, first-serve permits go on sale Jan. 20. Will keep readers posted, and I promise Eurotrek updates will be forthcoming!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-58029592471932859142009-12-22T20:38:00.004-06:002009-12-22T20:57:43.761-06:00Merry Christmas to all!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJK3ZsBD2OfoPpG4zWGcf1Q045fdSeBlP5BONt_7ynj93ZlC8lGuDtQLAEyCjrieNwN0pJGySwfe3V45auXuFvyS4YmAn1hYP84netLze9pSLGVfDqbgQs5awf7vVJuT8yvkOVuKvHFv0/s1600-h/CIMG0760.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJK3ZsBD2OfoPpG4zWGcf1Q045fdSeBlP5BONt_7ynj93ZlC8lGuDtQLAEyCjrieNwN0pJGySwfe3V45auXuFvyS4YmAn1hYP84netLze9pSLGVfDqbgQs5awf7vVJuT8yvkOVuKvHFv0/s200/CIMG0760.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418260268629965538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBALvc-CPMphcoglJVazZGjdyOglHRsp6D5hVuwKmcX61xy0dDFPBbxWK6hvwZq8JeWZ3yV4XGfMNpThJ75K9EosVMuUUTY4zzWgF0aK8k4XYUpkYZhyphenhyphenmB5Cl3i_R80H9As2ibkTexmeo/s1600-h/AWD.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBALvc-CPMphcoglJVazZGjdyOglHRsp6D5hVuwKmcX61xy0dDFPBbxWK6hvwZq8JeWZ3yV4XGfMNpThJ75K9EosVMuUUTY4zzWgF0aK8k4XYUpkYZhyphenhyphenmB5Cl3i_R80H9As2ibkTexmeo/s200/AWD.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418260262900120450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBKSD3xm9VTltPi_gwjrgKflVnmZRnrqv86Bl2tOXZ4nsokV3JOI91DvmooHQ6o4h2G84ean4jT8V86xq6x0AjW5ADIQ60XY45dhTQMLzA57wdUkZZ36dengji1Dgr4tkEtiAtR6-QBw/s1600-h/photo+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBKSD3xm9VTltPi_gwjrgKflVnmZRnrqv86Bl2tOXZ4nsokV3JOI91DvmooHQ6o4h2G84ean4jT8V86xq6x0AjW5ADIQ60XY45dhTQMLzA57wdUkZZ36dengji1Dgr4tkEtiAtR6-QBw/s200/photo+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418259264521447522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXSnnS_6meOCdnq2Mdq5uVJD-WP9ZeHpnItzWtreQTARmyzdTMhSKSqn8S-fKxd18sU4bQp1teTCaqbV48Gerw3dLWvNsnAucm2ERCmCaM1xuak0NpB5DkebWuyHwJkRBGpOVhy94mTc/s1600-h/photo+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXSnnS_6meOCdnq2Mdq5uVJD-WP9ZeHpnItzWtreQTARmyzdTMhSKSqn8S-fKxd18sU4bQp1teTCaqbV48Gerw3dLWvNsnAucm2ERCmCaM1xuak0NpB5DkebWuyHwJkRBGpOVhy94mTc/s200/photo+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418259256878327154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ySVV3GDIkhwVfzVjm_GnipKwx1f1qLebTuKJ8071eY2m17oVBdFxnf8sSc-VuXltv_-rkxWnGB2XQJZZ6XcBN3VqTJgbHMvCrvE4YDfvhKZMCOcYcQzwfAzg01i4_UvEdtZdM9_MbcY/s1600-h/100_0860.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ySVV3GDIkhwVfzVjm_GnipKwx1f1qLebTuKJ8071eY2m17oVBdFxnf8sSc-VuXltv_-rkxWnGB2XQJZZ6XcBN3VqTJgbHMvCrvE4YDfvhKZMCOcYcQzwfAzg01i4_UvEdtZdM9_MbcY/s200/100_0860.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418259252239421266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmc7bUvnFE0HVh0ulG40h381eiqA1-MDF8pwGnm51z9id2Do_Zs6aivogVbmZxQMhHOtDUAAsJ41rylzUUazoW4y2g6E4gjPdlR4okEYvxSOs67ItsRHsGczNRHj88X-yF7Tgf7aVN-Uc/s1600-h/100_0849.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmc7bUvnFE0HVh0ulG40h381eiqA1-MDF8pwGnm51z9id2Do_Zs6aivogVbmZxQMhHOtDUAAsJ41rylzUUazoW4y2g6E4gjPdlR4okEYvxSOs67ItsRHsGczNRHj88X-yF7Tgf7aVN-Uc/s200/100_0849.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418259243199134818" /></a><br />Annette and I printed some Christmas cards with the above photo (fourth from top) at Costco, and in my never-very-humble opinion, they came out too dark. Nonetheless, it's the thought that counts, though I will apologize for not writing (or insisting that my wife writes) a 2009 X-mas letter. Yes, long, self-indulgent Christmas letters are irritating, but there's nothing wrong with a short-and-sweet family update with a bunch of pics. We just didn't do one. Sorry.<div>To make up for that, here are a few family photos, all involving travel from 2009. My apologies for not blogging more frequently lately. That's mostly been due to me waffling on Eurotour 2010. Still not ruling it out, and in fact, the past couple of days, inner momentum has been building. Will try to get motivated again over the holidays.</div>Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-28618174448121261122009-12-12T21:45:00.001-06:002009-12-12T21:52:55.816-06:00Great video link: Rick Steves on Martin Luther<a href="http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/History/Opening-the-Door-to-Luther.aspx">Opening the Door to Luther - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America</a>Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-20663785244576114502009-12-12T21:41:00.003-06:002009-12-12T21:50:16.876-06:00A religious pilgrimage of sorts<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Helvetica">This trip will be part religious pilgrimage for this lifelong Lutheran. I intend to visit the Vatican and all the Roman Catholic holy sites in Italy, as well as some of the major cathedrals around Europe. But I definitely intend to pay my respects at the castle church in Wittenberg, Germany, where my guy Martin Luther is buried. Not only did Luther spark Protestantism (ever notice that you can't say Protestant without saying "Protest") but he also ultimately changed the Roman Catholic Church, for the better. Some Catholics might argue that with me, but they're simply wrong. Read up on your own church's history and you'll thank Marty Luther for no longer having to pay indulgences for shorter sidetrips to Purgatory. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Helvetica">Luther would be cool today. He was quick with a quip, loved music, and liked beer – perhaps the latter helped generate his many clever quotes on the human condition. Making the case for allowing priests, or pastors, to marry, he wrote: "Marriage is a better school for the character than any monastery for it's here that your corners are rubbed off." Whoa, has anyone better characterized marriage in the 500 years since? I've always wondered how priests can give advice on marriage when they can't marry themselves. Yeah, yeah, I know: Priests are married to God. Well, I would propose that living with God is easier than living with a spouse. And I say that fully realizing that no spouse is more difficult to live with than yours truly.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Helvetica">Despite my respect and dedication to Luther and Lutheranism, my boys attend a Catholic grade school for a number of reasons. They're getting a good education with the children of other great families. Most of all, I know the Catholic Church of today is not the one that Luther challenged, and these two branches of Christianity teach the same core beliefs about the life of Jesus Christ and the religion his disciples have carried around the world. I love the history of Christianity, and that's inexorably linked to the pageantry and theology of Catholicism. I just wish Christians spent less time worrying about our differences and more time unifying to make the world a better place. Perhaps exposing my family to the Catholic Church, while attending our ELCA Lutheran Church every Sunday (in 11 hours, in fact) is my way of trying to live that belief a bit.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Helvetica">America's travel buddy Rick Steves produced this excellent <a href="http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/History/Opening-the-Door-to-Luther.aspx">video</a> for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America on the life of Luther. It provides a great description of the world where Luther grew up and eventually changed the history of Christianity forever. I'd highly recommend it for Lutherans, Catholics, and all people of faith.</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-85810616003036609412009-12-10T06:47:00.009-06:002009-12-10T08:06:17.143-06:00Hedging vs. Mr. Mojo Risin'<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;">Booking the ticket hasn’t stopped me from hedging about this trip. Just feel irresponsible even considering being away this long. My wife has her hands full with three boys when I am around to help, and I worry they’ll turn her into a shivering shell of a human while I'm away. (That's me if she's away a few hours.) The lawn will be three feet high, and a revolution will have occurred at my office. Who do I think I am just taking off? Leaning heavily toward pulling the plug and eating the frequent flyer miles.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;">Caught a few minutes of a PBS funding drive last night that included classic rock-and-roll footage from the old Ed Sullivan show. It reminded me of a reason I want to visit Europe and in particular, Paris. Annette and I visited Paris for four days back in 1997, but we didn’t visit Jim Morrison’s grave at </span><span style=";font-family:Helvetica;font-size:11;" >at <span style="color: rgb(89, 54, 150); text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C3%A8re_Lachaise_Cemetery">Père-Lachaise</a></span> Cemetery. I’ve always regretted that. Why do Americans, or frankly, young people from around the world feel the need to see the Lizard King’s finally resting place?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Helvetica;font-size:11;" >The few minutes of the Sullivan footage I viewed last night included the classic The Doors performance of Sept. 17, 1967. The story is legend. Sullivan and his producers asked the band to change the lyric “Girl, we couldn't get much higher” from <i>Light My Fire</i> to “Girl, we couldn’t get much better.” Morrison, of course, sang the song with the lyrics intact, and you can see other bandmates, particularly guitarist Robbie Krieger chuckling in the background.</span><span style="font-family:Helvetica;"> Sullivan, who apparently could hold a grudge with the best of them, banned the band from future performances to which Morrison replied, “We just did The Ed Sullivan Show.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;">The silly Sullivan censorship story aside, I remain incredibly struck by Morrison’s stage presence. He had a good voice, but by today’s musical standards, where American Idol churns out super-human falsettos on an annual basis, Morrison’s baritone doesn’t stand out. Yet has there been a more charismatic lead singer in the history of rock-and-roll? As a viewer 42 years after the Sullivan performance, you still can’t take your eyes off the man. Confident, cool, vulnerable, theatrical… a living, breathing Adonis. The Doors cranked out a lot of music before a bearded, bloated 27-year-old Morrison died in Paris in 1971, so the man didn’t exit at the peak of his career. Nonetheless, he was still too young, and his attitude and abilities as a poet and lyricist have helped generations of literary adolescents survive their teenage years.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;">Of course, sometimes we look too hard for heroes. While Morrison was strutting around the Sullivan stage and inspiring future generations of rebellious teenagers, my dad (who was born the same year as Morrison) was on an airplane to Vietnam. He and my mom, just recently married, would spend the first 13 months of their marriage apart while dad served his country in a brutal war. Four years later, when Morrison died, The Doors' lead singer reportedly had 20 paternity suits pending against him. (According to Wikipedia, none of the claims against his estate actually were successful.) Just wanted to add a little levity to this fawning review of a dead celebrity.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;">Nonetheless, I still want to see the grave of Mr. Mojo Risin (an anagram of Jim Morrison) And that’s one reason I haven’t completely nuked Eurotrek 2010. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-57230230063212786562009-12-05T06:48:00.003-06:002009-12-05T06:55:22.527-06:00First TripAdvisor review postedJust to make my TripAdvisor page legit, I wrote a review last night of Walt Disney World's Polynesian Resort. Annette and I and the boys stayed there for a week in October. Had a fine time though not so sure we'd stay at that same resort if we ever visit WDW again. Anyway, you can read all about it <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/members/IntenseTraveler">here</a>. Have not determined how to automate tweets or blog posts with new TripAdvisor reviews (which is very odd if you ask me), but the link is listed below, at right, or you can simply bookmark www.tripadvisor.com/members/IntenseTraveler. That takes you to my member profile, then click Contributions on left side for my reviews.<div><br /></div><div>As time permits this winter, perhaps Annette and I will post other reviews of past destinations on the site.</div>Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-9724654466453217982009-12-04T17:33:00.004-06:002009-12-04T20:32:39.677-06:00The TripAdvisor factor<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">Traded a few Skype messages with a college buddy now living in Vienna, Austria. Annette and I visited that fine city a decade ago so it’s unlikely my 2010 trip will swing through “Wien,” but who knows, perhaps my Madison-era acquaintance and I will rendezvous somehow.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br />Anyway, “Gracy” introduced me to TripAdvisor, a website where I launched my own <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/members/IntenseTraveler">companion page</a> to this blog tonight. It’s more review-oriented vs. the blog, which frankly is all about me. (And I’m OK with that.) Obviously, no Euro-reviews will exist until May, but when I craft one, a link will appear on this page, or via an IntenseTraveler tweet. I did write a quick review of the Polynesian Resort at Walt Disney World from our October trip, and the spontaneous lil' notes at TripAdvisor tell me that it should be posted within 48 hours. So you can read my stellar profile now, then be sure to check back for that must-read about WDW!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br />My old buddy – and I do mean “old” since he turned 40 this week – has traveled extensively. Though he doesn’t write massive “megamails” anymore about his journeys, you can see his TripAdvisor reviews <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/members/GracyInVienna">here</a>.<br /><br />Historical aside. During our conversation, Gracy reminded me that this week marks the anniversary of the so-called Black Friday birthday party on the first floor of UW-Madison’s Sullivan Hall our sophomore year. The party ultimately deteriorated into cops busting the place up, writing dozens of drinking tickets (none for me), and my acquaintenance being booted from the dormitory – hence the moniker “Black Friday.” I understand that a few other survivors are commemorating the event's 20th anniversary this evening (probably as I type this) beginning at Der Rathskellar at UW's Memorial Union. Wow, 20 years since I mouthed off to a cop busting the place up (we nicknamed him Rambo) and got my head bashed into a wall. I may have even yelled, “I’m being repressed! I’m being repressed!”</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br />No wonder I’m planning a middle-aged crisis walk-about.</span></div></div></div>Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-85987025489779201322009-12-03T19:32:00.001-06:002009-12-03T19:34:38.294-06:00It’s booked!<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, serif; ">Less than 24 hours from the point of no return. Last night, my lovely bride booked a flight across the pond, and Delta Airlines gives me until tomorrow to drop the hold on the ticket. Timing will be early to mid-day, during decent spring weather but – in theory – before the massive legions of college students and tourists descend on The Continent. To eliminate a leg of train travel, I’ve decided to land in one city but depart from another. Beginning in Amsterdam on May 7, I will work my way clockwise through Germany, Czech Republic, south to Italy, then back north for a couple days in Switzerland. Two nights in Paris with a flight departing from Chuck de Gaulle airport on Sunday, May 23, rounds it out. Leaving from Paris was a wash from a frequent-flyer-mile perspective, and it eliminates several hours of rail back to Holland, plus the flight back to the States runs an hour shorter.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, serif; ">Even though the ticket only cost $82 (taxes and surcharges) thanks to my frequent-flyer-mile collection, owning a non-refundable ticket should squelch my personal inner conflict about whether to embark at all. It took several years to build those miles, and they’re not going to waste! Railpass will be my single-largest expense of this trip, and after consulting with a travel agent friend, that’s probably my next purchase.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, serif; ">Whoa, this is really going to happen.</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-78558419561106771792009-11-30T19:33:00.002-06:002009-11-30T19:35:34.022-06:00Why would I need a daddy vacation?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7P9W-b16sFkZXLNfyF1ivKl9gtkmeQmVyrV4-EScd5NyAYd5dh3ZWrlooPDnZ7tjqYRqpxUqbqT0AlVT80K3H7U4O5r94qv_DzdmugXjyJnUL7Zcb0yrNRZsi1aZD9EqGcnrTGuMlWvQ/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7P9W-b16sFkZXLNfyF1ivKl9gtkmeQmVyrV4-EScd5NyAYd5dh3ZWrlooPDnZ7tjqYRqpxUqbqT0AlVT80K3H7U4O5r94qv_DzdmugXjyJnUL7Zcb0yrNRZsi1aZD9EqGcnrTGuMlWvQ/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410075277583609138" /></a><br />I can't imagine why I need a mancation. Any one else have any theories? Am I failing as a parent? Do healthy children do such things? I was normal once...Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958514963380747627.post-40286067028508534522009-11-29T19:52:00.007-06:002009-11-29T20:08:27.372-06:00Needing a netbook<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMEQL8IlxzCNkYDd_M7e6-4Mgns0oex8_wN0BKUawIbPIU8-wMpQsS_oabLIMlGUTQhqBQ_UVQOOrvAGSE3h2xFC4f0r-st1IVy2p27nSE-kAUqGdEthlyXalu9VohS9TJl84wY88zUY/s1600/base_media.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMEQL8IlxzCNkYDd_M7e6-4Mgns0oex8_wN0BKUawIbPIU8-wMpQsS_oabLIMlGUTQhqBQ_UVQOOrvAGSE3h2xFC4f0r-st1IVy2p27nSE-kAUqGdEthlyXalu9VohS9TJl84wY88zUY/s200/base_media.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409711005712970258" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Been checking out these netbooks at Costco the past couple of weeks. They look perfect for my style of traveling. Write on the fly (or on the tracks), then upload images, blog entries, or video at a Wi-Fi cafe or another establishment. Little keyboard still beats trying to type in blogs on iPhone, plus I can communicate back home very affordably via Skype video.<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Not sure which one to purchase. Thinking at least a gig of RAM and 160 gig of memory. Battery life seems to be the driving factor with these devices – the longer the better. Won't buy one with less than 6 hours. Hoping to get by with a good one for $350. Seems reasonable given what I'm seeing at Costco. Want to buy there since that business automatically doubles any warranty, and I like spending my money with that company. Returns and customer service so much better than at Best Buy, plus they treat their employees well compared to most retailers. Best Buy of course has a larger selection, though they keep them hidden away from larger ticket machines, go figure.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Any advice on brands out there? Will be researching them further in coming weeks. I need some sort of laptop either way. Computer industry can't be happy that netbooks are becoming so popular. Must be significantly less profit in one of these babies than a large laptop or PC. Can't believe they can sell these things so cheap. Saw a couple at Costco in $275 range, and Annette's cousin, Lindsay, tells me Dell will be introducing one in the $250 range soon.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Any advice appreciated!</div>Rob Driesleinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15496180905942046078noreply@blogger.com0