Football: a reflection

I've never been a huge (or even tiny) football fan. It was one of those sports I couldn't grasp the rules of as a kid, and no one in my house watched it religiously. So I didn't give it much thought, and those of you who know me know I'm a much more-devoted hockey fan.

But I think my horizons are broadening and I'm becoming a more open-minded individual; and my recent acquisition of football "interest" is an indication of that growth.

The gyst of it is, I've been watching NFL football this season. I've latched onto the Green Bay Packers because Doug would kick my butt if I didn't like the team. (I kid, of course.) But even after the Packers game is over, the TV is still on, playing the next game. Granted, it's a beautious thing to watch football in HD, and this is the first year I've had that option. However, I could easily poo-poo the idea of watching football at all, and I haven't done that. Why?

Because I'm finding that it's actually fun to experience something I didn't think twice about before. Perhaps I was a snob and refused to try something different -- the way I thumb my nose at food I don't like. But just as I've built up the gall to eat sushi, I've dived head first into a great American pasttime, and even driven to a divey little bar in east St. Paul to watch the Packers games -- add to that feasting on pizza and beer. Oh my.

I'm enjoying this new concept of "eh, what the hell -- it can't hurt to try it," although you won't catch me eating mayonnaise on anything anytime soon.

North Shore Travels Sept 18-22

We survived the great wet north, after braving the rain for three days. We did have a break from it on Wednesday; but we huddled in the tent two out of the three nights in Tettegouche State Park, listening to the rain beat down on the tent. On Wednesday we hiked the park trails during the day while the weather was decent, and that night saw lows in the low 40s, the coldest night we spent in the park. Of course, the weather cleared on our departure day, only after pouring while we packed up the gear to cart it a half mile back to the car.

The trek was well worth it -- our site was right on Lake Superior, with a short slope to climb down to the shore, so we had our own little beach (or stretch of rocky shore, if you will). No nearby sites to speak of either. Jasper had a great time, too, getting spoiled with people food and cuddling in the sleeping bag with us.

On Thursday we drove up to Grand Portage, which is the last town before the Canadian border, and continued up to Thunder Bay, Ontario, to have prime rib at the Prospector Steak House in downtown. We then departed for Duluth on Friday to stay in Canal Park overnight for some well deserved showers and a bed. We spent Saturday on the Lake Superior shore somewhere just north of town on the scenic route of 61, before heading home the scenic way on Wisconsin state route 35.

My 30th birthday came and went quietly, and I don't feel any older or depressed about being older. I think the time away from civilization helped.

Here's a photojournal of the trip.



And the higher-quality photos are here. The slideshow option is there, just no Bobby D. to serenade you while you watch.