Hilltop Wedding

Last weekend we drove two hours west to Fairfax, Minnesota. 

We saw a couple of friends get married on a beautiful hilltop. 

We camped about fifteen minutes away in a town called Sleepy Eye. And, at some point, we saw a pink barn. A pink barn!

I didn't get a picture, but among the rolling hills and fields were some of the reddest roads I've ever seen. Maybe it's because I never saw them in Michigan, but red roads seem like the strangest thing. Not strangest. Coolest, maybe? More natural? More picturesque? Something about them hints to adventure, to a trip across the country. To not knowing what your life will be like in two months. To getting in the car and not stopping until that low fuel light comes on. To maps, and an obnoxious gps lady, and candy you only allow yourself to eat on road trips, and books you never open because you can't stop staring out the window. Tomorrow we hit the road for Michigan, through northern Wisconsin, across Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and over the bridge to home.

On the Line

Grades are in, and the flowers are out.

My dad visited this weekend, and yesterday the three of us spent the afternoon on the line between Minnesota and Wisconsin.

We followed the St. Croix river.



It took us through some neat old towns, one being Osceola, Wisconsin.

We kept going until it met up with the Mississippi.

Bird Stalking

Yesterday I rode my bike down the Mississippi River Trail and found Joe at his summer office.

The park where he works has a dam, an information center, a lake, and a great looking bike trail that goes along the Mississippi. I just rode around the lake and saved the bike path for a day when we could ride it together.

I somehow spent two hours staring at all the birds.

Wait a minute...

And look at these giant nests!

Other shots from the park:

I've found several bike trails I'm looking forward to exploring. But for now, it's exam week, so it's only biking to and from school for next few days.

Crazy Bird

For the past couple of weeks, we've been visited every morning by this robin. I love birds, but this one is out of control.

First he ate all of the chokecherries off my bush, refusing to share with anyone, chasing off anyone else who came to visit. This is a problem because I had a couple chickadees taking interest in my bird house, and now they're being bullied.

Then he spent a couple days flying back and forth between the balcony railing to the top of our screen door. Back and forth. Back and forth. Like some sort of bird calisthenics.

The next morning I woke up because someone was banging on my door. Except no one was at the door. It was this bird pecking at the window, all morning. So now, in order to keep him from harassing us, we have to close our blinds at just the right angle.

Speaking of things with wings...

Joe started his new job at the county park today, and I did something I haven't done since we've moved here: ride my bike somewhere other than school. I found a trail that took me along the Rum River.

Anoka and Coon Rapids really need their leaves. Without them, their trees look like something out of a horror movie.

Here's some shots from the bike ride:

I got home just in time to beat the rain. And I noticed the big tree outside our window is flowering!

Which means that soon we'll be hearing the sound of leaves. 

Good Chi

I've still got two sets of papers to grade. Let's hope the salt lamp is soaking them with good chi. 

Grade-athon

We've been getting rain for days, and now the campus ivy is on its way! 

 I collected 125 essays this week, and I'm handing them back by Tuesday, so this weekend is going to be devoted (more than usual) to grading. I've already pre-rewarded myself with a doughnut. 

Joe was invited to be honored at a baseball game in St. Cloud this weekend! He received a letter from the coach that said he had made a difference in one of his student's lives and should come to the game to see who it is. He'll be going on Saturday. I might ride with and do some grading at a new/exciting coffee shop. 

Does anyone else get excited about new stamps? I had to decide between flowers and birds at the post office today. Adorable!

Time to start the grade-athon!