Off the grid...

My temporary living arrangement means that there are several weekends that I do not get a chance to get back to Milwaukee. This has allowed some exploring around Minneapolis and Northern Wisconsin. This past weekend, another opportunity presented itself, and I was able to travel to The Lake Chippewa Flowage in Couderay, WI. A good friend called me this past Thursday evening and invited me to come up to his cabin for the weekend for his son's bachelor party. At 157 miles away, it was a tad past my 10 mile radius, but, one needs to make exceptions every now and then.

Despite living in Wisconsin for the past 15 years, I have really never been "Up North" before. This location was as secluded as I can recall ever travelling to in recent memory. Minimal cell phone coverage, no internet, no real smartphone coverage and no cable television. Just a beautiful setting, great friends, outstanding weather and The Chippewa Lake Flowage (Lake Chippewa Flowage).

Home for the weekend

Besides beer pong and keg stands, we had a great day on the water on Saturday. We even took the opportunity to complete the Alaskan Pipeline...

The Chippewa Flowage is beautiful. The weather could not have been better for boating and cooking out. We saw quite a bit of wildlife that us city folks only see in magazines, nature shows or zoos. We were up close and personal with several Bald Eagles, Blue Herons, Loons and yes, a Black Bear. I am not sure who was more afraid of whom. But, this little guy was parked in a a tree not 40 feet from our campfire for quite a while. He eventually came down and went back into the woods, but, we saw him 3-4 times over the course of the weekend.

This Bald Eagle flew out from his nest and plucked a fish out of the water, then stopped on a nearby tree branch to enjoy his breakfast.

Finally, a great big thank you to my host for the weekend, Tom Malloy. He was the host with the most and open fire cooking master. I doubt I will have a brat or a hamburger as good anytime soon!

 It was a pleasure and an honor to be invited to the Malloy bachelor weekend! I look forward to returning and showing Noreen this beautiful area of northern Wisconsin.

By the time Sunday morning came around, I was exhausted and made an early exit for home. Plenty of laundry awaited me upon my return as well as the USA - Portugal World Cup match. I cannot believe the USA came within 15 seconds of advancing to the next round! Well, now we await what happens in the USA - Germany match later this week. Meanwhile, the count down continues, 6 weeks till we close on our new home in Eden Prairie...