Weekend of the Fourth

This fourth deserved a four day weekend.  Plus a score of some awesome cabins in the great northwoods of Wisconsin equals a weekend of heaven.  Brace yourself for too many pictures.

First was getting there, of course.  And we stopped in Green Bay just so I could indulge in a Bacon Peanut Butter Burger.

And yes, it was good.  Plus a place that serves a side of cucumber salad with my lunch is a win.  Restaurant was Titletown Brewery.

Located in an old train depot.  Very fun place for lunch.

 

Now our little home away from home for the week.  We were located in the Nicolet National Forest near Lost Lake.  Of course, there was shared bathrooms but the cabins came with bedding, bunk beds, and electric. Oh and the bathrooms that were shared were spectacular.

Plus we had our very own in house exterminator.  No bug standing a chance against this guy.

 

Our neighbors were also very friendly especially when it came to Gardettos and wine laced blueberries.

Our little chipmunk and ground squirrel friends.  Now if there happens to be a chuirrel wandering around the woods in a few months it may or may not have had anything to do with the wine laced blueberries.  You never know what happens back in the bushes there.

 

 One of our days was also spent hiking.   The trail was listed as 3.3 miles and moderately difficult.  We took the magenta trail.  The elevation was fairly high.  Some of the area we passed thru we were contemplating if the hills would be any good for sledding, less the numerous trees we could straddle on our way down.

 Little bro decided to give his pack a test run for our future backpacking excursion.

Creepy old boards that we had to walk across.  It was a complete muddy mess under those.

 Note: Bandanas help keep the bugs out of your hair and irritating you.

 pssstt...super proud of my up close unedited butterfly picture above.

 The woods were beautiful. 

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and of course at one of the trailheads she manages to catch a toad.

 Another little ground squirrel we found on the hike.

And some creepiness...can you say Blair Witch Project.

 

Then of course the 4th is not complete without some fireworks in the evening.

The picture above was taken with the firework setting on the camera while the below was just a normal setting less flash, of course.

For a little town, they definetly put on a great display.  Plus we got to see the most awesome drunk person ever....like stumbling around while music was playing from some device in his pocket.  Later he came back in search of a flip flop or something and was completely confused on how to get into the bathroom.  Little extra comedy for the evening.

 

Our next day was all about getting/spending time in the water.

 We kayaked around the lake.  L chased/stalked/became friendly with a loon (and not the little bro).  Then it was over to the beach for some swimming, chilling and of course, frog catching.

 Now the college kids that were hanging around were super creative and started doing frog races later.

 Baby painter turtle that some of the kids on the beach found.

 Later in the evening we decided to take the kayaks out one more time.  Mother nature did not disappoint either.   The stillness and beauty of the lake cannot be put into words.

 If you look every closely, you will see a bald eagle up in the tree.  We got to watch him swoop down grab a fish and go back to the tree to eat.

 

Finally it was time for the long weekend to end and us to depart on a very very long drive home.

 

With a stop at an old school phone booth for a random picture.  People stared and we don't care jealousy. 

 

And with that we bid goodbye to a wonderful fourth in a beautiful place with our family.  Until we meet again Lost Lake....

 

 

 

Marathon Monday - Wishlist

Welcome back to the Monday marathon recap.  Last week with the holiday was a complete mess.  To ensure I got my runs in I changed my running schedule.   Ran Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.   My body seriously does not like the whole running back to back.   Needless to say Thursday's long run got shorted.  Aside from the aches the brain was not in the right place at all. 

With that being said and since shopping makes everything better.  Let me bring you my marathon wishlist:

1. Shoes - This will happen, just when.  Purely due to the number of miles put on the shoes.

Now to only pick the color...decisions, decisions.



2.  Hydration pack - And another will be happening.  Really need a better fitting hydration pack with a place for the cell phone.

 

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3.   Sports bra. - One that makes the girls happy plus looks stylish aka doesn't look like a "bra", enough that I could wear just that.  Summers are hot people.

Plus I would like a new loose fitting tank to wear over it.  Suggestions needed.

4.  Road ID - Better safe then sorry.

5.  Mid-run Tummie Yummies - Need to start prepping my tummie for the glorious feast we will be fed on the course.  Honestly I will be thinking of a cocktail and burger while eating this paste. 



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6.  Garmin Watch - Now all the prior were pretty much necessities.  This one though is pure drool.  Justa  want not a need.

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There you have my marathon wishlist.  May the package stork be gracing my doorstep soon.

 

 



June Favorites

Say what?!?  One month of summer has already past.  How can these be?  June seemed rather long but yet at the same time just too short.   Anyways, let's take a peek at my faves from the month of June.

Moment -

Favorite of the month was definetly taking these two goobers to Green Bay and see all the excitement in their eyes when we were at the amusement park.

 

Beauty Product - Hey did I memtion it is summer, so sparkly and gold eyeshadow plus some Naughty Nautical Essie nail polish for my little piggies.  Eyeshadow - is glorious by the way.  This picture does it no justice. L'Oreal Infallible.  Check it out.

Reading - Again this month have had very little time to squeeze in reading, we will  just be proud that it is July and I actually read all of my June magazines.

Watching - Nothing.  Summertime people. Ain't no one got time for the boob tube here.

Food/Drink - Aside from anything that comes off the grill....I have had a strange calling to sweets this month.  But hello what is not to love about the offerings from Ben and Jerry.

And let's not forget the best red velvet cupcake on the planet.  Flippin' hello.

Purchase - Kayak Carrier.  The perfect accessory to my craziness.

Internet Random - Check out my blog post about my fave buzzfeeds as of recent.  That sums that up.


Looking Forward to in next month...going up north on the fourth and of couse all time on the water.

Speaking of going up north on the fourth.  This girl is out people.  Until next week, have a glorious fourth!!

Summer Surprise

Surprise...um no not really.  Guess what I am going to report out?!? That after running12 miles we spent the rest of our Saturday...wait for it, wait....on the water.   Bet that one just kind of jumped up and smacked you in the face.

Saturday morning was one of my fave events in our little town.  Paddle Horicon Marsh.  This was my second time doing it.   Last year, it rained.  <insert sad face> 

Everybody puts their kayaks in at one point and then paddles down 6.5 miles to the take out area.  Along the way, they have numerous speakers talking about various aspects of the marsh.  And this whole event is free.  Thank you glorious volunteers.

The hubbie was an amazing sport and managed to suffer thru the 6.5 miles with me. The beginning was all fun and the river was flowing in a glorious manner.  The sufferage started after the river opened up and the wind started, it turned into a pretty hard paddle.   Hence no pictures of the latter portion of the trip.  I can say though as hard as it was; crashing into the waves and watching them break over the front of my kayak was pretty cool.  Crushing it people.

Try taking a selfie while floating down a river and hoping to not tip over.  

Lookie, Lookie it is me in my pink princess.  Still had the only pink kayak on the river.  Did see a purple though.

Remember when I mentioned that it was 6.5 miles down the river and at one point there was wind plus waves.  Well this guy and another girl (not shown) get the big baller sufferage award.   Stand up paddle boarding the entire 6.5 miles...insanity.  In my opinion, by the look on the guys face he had no idea what he was in for.  Kudos for making it, you rock.

Now one would think that would be enough water time for the day...but nope. Hello it was sunny.  So of course, we went out on the boat.  What made Saturday special was Forest plus K actually joined us .

 

Oh look at all that teenage puppy love going on.

 

 

Seriously way the heck out there.

 

 

And since it was K's first time, we had to hit the rope swing.  Talk about summer prefection.  Rope swinging into a river or any of body of water is a must do.

 

 

Aside from me losing my top a few times, it was awesome.  Now I just have to work on getting as brave as K to go and get the rope.  And of course, we had sandbar time..in which we owned it.

 

 

All MINE!!

 



 

Sunday (much to my dismay) was time for rest and the standard crap aka grocery shopping blah blah blah.  And that there was the weekend that was...stay tuned tomorrow for my monthly loves.