The End.

All good things come to an end, don't they? Yeah. I don't like that saying and I think the idea of an endless summer is a better idea. Oh well. Sometimes we make up sayings just to make us feel better. Like pain is just weakness leaving the body. Um yeah.

Jane has been in town the past week and we have done some fun things and most importantly, we have eaten tasty foods. Here are some pics that prove these points:






We went bike riding at my favorite trail. Jane is a beast. Not really. An we didn't see any beasts either. That is okay in my book.






We went geocaching. I think I am hooked and will need to buy a gps to start playing. Toys are important in life. This deer head has nothing to do with geocaching except that we saw it while geocaching.






Jane in the woods.






Found one.












Eating at Cross Country. I had the grilled salmon and a side of sweet potato fries. I like to sing this line sometimes: "sweet potato fries and I don't care!"






We brought my sister, mom and niece just for fun and because we are nice gals!






We also ate tacos at the patio at Pat's.






We brought Mom, Elijah and Dad because we are nice and for fun!












Divot, my sister's dog, has been with us this week too! He is a horrible dog and nobody likes him. We just lock him up in the back room an ignore him.













We went to Eagle River because the Vilas County Fair started there yesterday and where there is a fair there is cheesecurds.












We also found a really cool 50s themed diner called Soda Pops.











It was amazingly delicious. I chose the Concord Grape Goose soda. It tasted a wee bit like heaven and grape soda.






Don't let this photo fool you. I really enjoyed this place. Even if I felt ill from over eating and vowed I'd never eat again. I had popcorn and cotton candy after playing the last softball game of the summer, so I am a liar! We lost the game, which is typical of my coed team, but I never felt like I lost this whole summer because I was playing a game I love and playing that game with amazing people!






The is only pic from Thursday night at the ballpark. Elijah is in there somewhere!

As summer closes, my heart is full of love for the land I was born and raised in, and where many of my best memories have been made. I do mourn leaving because that is only normal when you leave behind both an amazingly beautiful place and people who are amazing.

I am so grateful that I am blessed enough to fill my summers with memories of my favorite place on the planet. Wisconsin is always on my mind and in my heart. I miss this place already. Good thing there are never goodbyes only see ya laters!

See ya later Wisconsin. Jane and I will start our road trip to Utah today. The first stops are Bayfield, WI and Thunder Bay Canada! Hasta la Pasta Wisconsin.

Things I will miss about Wisconsin...

1. My mommy and Dad
2. Perch Lake
3. The smell of the woods
4. Softball
5. Amazing friends
6. Hodags everywhere
7. The small town feel
8. My lighthouse room especially the light up lighthouse!
9. My family. MIss Grandma already.
10. The clouds and blue sky
11. Cool summer nights with crickets chirping.
12. Lightning bugs
13. Briqs ice cream treats
14. Tacos on the patio
15. My three favorite running routes
16. The hummingbirds fighting over the feeder
17. My dad garden and moving gnomes
18. Time to read and read and read
19. Seeing a gazillian stars
20. Free food and the bank of Sue
21. The Rhinelander Ward(silly how it has taken a few years for me to get to know everybody!)
22. The courthouse and its copper roof.
23. Lakes everywhere
24. Cross Country Burger Fridays
25. Gunkel's Bakery and their wonderful pizza dough, bagels, and seasoned mini-subs(oh and their wonderful cookies)
26. Rootbeer on tap
27. Brats
28. Watching Netflix all. the. time.
29. Gary the mountain bike
30. Sam's Pizza
31. Philly's Subs
32. Seeing deer while walking/running.
33. Hodag Park and the river/ski shows
34. Summer in general.

I decided to stop at 34. That's my age and all. Man, I sure do love this place!

Entering the Final Countdown

This is the last week home officially. Tomorrow I am going to make a list of the things I will miss about Wisconsin. It is probably too long for this post.

This past week was filled with fishing, talking to the nephews on Skype(it was Spencer's 4th birthday and I got to see him open my presents), eating out with my parents on Wednesday, winning another softball game on Tuesday, much reading, and going to Green Bay with my mom this weekend. It was a blast. Here are some pictures:



My beautiful bass!


Skype with the boys. Oliver is often close to the screen and saying "Hey, Alice" over and over. He also said the cutest thing while opening a present from me:"Alice so nice!" It melted my heart. Love these boys. Hard to believe my Spencer buddy is four already!





We went to Titletown in Green Bay on Friday for dinner. It's in the old train depot where my Grandpa, Aunt Linda and Mom had at one time worked. Lots of family history stories over dinner. Loved it!


A train coming by and the famous Packer statue.


Sno-Cap rootbeer. Wonderful! That Grandma is pretty wonderful too!!


Grandma and Linda


Me and Mom


I liked this sign.


We went swimming at my Aunt Cindy's on Saturday.


I like this sign too!


My silly grandma told me she couldn't fit in her suit anymore and then surprised me. She is so cute!


Mom and I have done lots of traveling in storms this summer. It makes for pretty clouds and sunsets.





And rainbows.

My friend, Jane will get here tonight. Gotta think up some great Wisconsin adventures to show her. Any ideas?

Post Two of the Day.

*I posted another post below this one. Do not miss it. It is fantastic. I think posting twice in one day makes up for not posting in over a week, right?




The Clydesdales were in Rhinelander to deliver beer. I like the horses at least.



My cousin and her cute and funny kiddos came to visit!



My Aunt Linda also came. My mom Sue even stuck around for the get together! :)



I love the dalmatian.



Thomas loves to read. I had to take this picture because he looked like an old man reading the daily paper in the right chair for it. (sorry dad!)



I make a mean pizza. Delish.



Sunset at Hodag Park.



There was a ski show that night. I like watching them jump!



I went disc golfing Monday at the new course in Rhinelander. It is fabulous!



Marla and I enjoyed Briq's after my game last night. I am so glad the will put half coconut and half sprinkles so I can get the best of both worlds.

I am making sure I cram as much fun as I can in the next 10 days. Time had gone fast. I will miss this place!

Slack Post

Here are some pictures from the past week that have not made it on here yet. I think I have been off having fun so I missed some stuff and haven't been writing regularly.




Kurt and I went canoeing. It was gorgeous. I definitely love my Perch Lake(I am planning on fishing there this afternoon.)



It was worth the 35 dollars to rent this canoe for the day!



I took Kurt to the world famous(or at least Wausau famous!) Wausau Mine Company.



It was delicious. Good thing I don't live in Wausau because these buggers are part of the reason I gained four pounds this week(it may have been worth it!)



We also went to The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. It was Hippotastic!



My favorite statue in the garden!



My nephew's band's cd was released nation-wide. It's in Hot Topic stores. Go Serianna!(you would like it if you like scream metal!)



Kurt at The Logging Museum in Rhinelander. We went there the last day he was in Wisconsin.



With The Hodag!

I am going to post another post with more pics. There are a lot for one post.