This Guy

This guy makes my day. 

                                                                    
                                                                   Like every day. 

Motorcycle Trip

Two weeks ago we went on my dream road trip, 5 states, 1502 miles, all on the motorcycle to visit friends and family in the upper Midwest. Below are some of the highlights... 

All packed up and ready to head out at 6am. 

Watching the sun come up from the back of a motorcycle is for sure on my top 10 most want to repeat experiences now. 

First stop, the National Motorcycle Museum. Which we didn't know existed until we saw signs for it. It was pretty amazing. We got to see Evil Kenevil's bike and Harleys back when they were bicycles.  

I got my chaps for the trip and debated a lot whether to get the ones with the 'frillies' or not. Glad I did; watching them do this all day kept me from getting bored... 

We took almost 100% highway and enjoyed gorgeous scenery. When you are not in a hurry, that is the way to go. 

First night, Milwaukee. To visit this beautiful girl and her parents.

We kind of did a number on their living room.... 

They live right on Lake Michigan. So yeah, I got to go to the beach on my upper Midwest trip too. 

Back on the road, riding across Wisconsin. You know it is Wisconsin because of the ever present silo's and red barns.

Taking highway meant going through many little towns. This building is an elementary school. My little teacher heart leapt at the thought of teaching in something this cool looking. 

Next stop, Rochester. To meet this little guy. Who is named after this awesome guy. 

And to visit his parents. I wish you guys lived closer!! 

Quaker Steak and Lube. Possibly the most amazing burger ever. I thought I was going to die before I finished it. Next time I will have to make it into two meals for sure... 

My pilot got me this journal as a present while I was at camp. Let's just say he knows how to get to my heart. Blank paper in a leather bound personalized journal? Score times three. I will say that writing from the back seat is a bit of a challenge, but also pretty fun, once you figure out how to keep the pages still. 

Stopping at a small town gas station and seeing only motorcycles. That was a first. I guess it was the taco ride of motorcycles. They all wanted to know where we were from, since we obviously had road trip gear and were super impressed we were all the way from Omaha. I was impressed they knew where Omaha was... 

Neither of us had ever been to Mall of America before, and seeing as it was right on our way, we decided to stop. 

The highlight? Taking this boy to Legoland where he has wanted to go for 20 years.. :) 

Minnesota. And a rest stop. Which we were more than happy to frequent many of for a chance to stretch our legs and look for maps. 

Our final stop was Josh's grandparent's house in the woods up north of the Twin Cities. They are retired and Grandpa Bill spends his spare time chopping and managing wood for his wood-burning stove and making amazing wood projects like these. He has shelves of them, each more intricate and amazing than the last. 

They were thrilled to have us visit, and I only wished we had more time to spend visiting and exploring the woods. 

But there was work to head back to, so we pointed our noses towards Omaha and rode. 

Riding the last hour or so into the sunset was the perfect ending to an awesome trip. 

I am officially a motorcycle chick now, just in case there was ever any doubt before. :) 

Chilling with Auntie Em

Being an Auntie is the bomb... Especially when your brother randomly calls you up to see if you want to chill with your niece for a few hours. 

We fed the ducks. And ourselves. Not sure who ate more bread, Caroline or the waterfowl... 

We danced across the wooden planks (because they make a cool noise) and looked at the river. 

We went to Red Mango and Caroline got to pick out the toppings. And yes, she used both spoons at once....

Finally, we went home, put on our pajamas and watch Tangled until Mommy and Daddy got back. Thanks for coming to visit Caroline!!