Waterford Hot Air balloon Festival 2014

stoneyp (Tony Plewa) shared his Flickr album with you. Waterford Hot Air Balloon Festival 2014 An album by stoneyp » You can also view all 49 items as a slideshow Images from the festival Jul 18th & 19th 2014

This post is a combination of both days. Rick Hansen and I went on the 18th and met Pat & Jerry Jozwiak.
The following morning I met with Art's FOCUS Group @ 6:00am! It was one of the largest outings I've been on with this group. This was the fourth festival, I don't think I've missed any of em. Looking forward to next year.

Glacier National Park Intro

Last year I was lucky to join a group of travelers with University Of Wisconsin Waukesha.

We travelled via AMTRAK to Glacier National Park. This is a playlist of commercial videos I found on You Tube that tells the story very well. If you have been there before, reminisce. If you haven't, I hope this makes you consider going.  The playlist consists of 27 short videos. The first is a good intro, if you have time view them all . Go to Full screen. You won't be disappointed.

 

Fathers Day Rendezvous

This year Tim invited me to a Fathers Day weekend Camp out. The pic to the left is NOT us camping.

Instead we went to Tim and Christine's property on Stoney Point road just outside of Seneca WI. Rebel and I got there on Friday afternoon. First time out this year with the camper took a lil longer to get hooked up then I planned.

Tim was already there and directed us to the perfect parking spot. Mainly cause he still had mowing to do. While he finished , Rebel N I set up the camper. Once the mowing and set up was done we commenced the relaxing. Seneca is in Wisconsin's apple country and consists mostly of orchards and farms. Very conducive to kickin back. After all that's what this weekend was all about.

 Tim took care of his old Dad just fine. He fired up the grill and the brats and beer were just what we needed.  By then it was time for a campfire.  Meanwhile Rebel had discovered activity in the lil woodpile and had to investigate. The evening gave Tim and I a chance to reconnect and discuss the problems of the world prior to turning in.. Campfires tend to do that.

Saturday morning came and we decided on breakfast in town. Tim let me pick the place and I suggested a little place in Prairie Du Chien known as "The Hungry House Café". Perhaps you might remember this place from a line in the song by the Oak Ridge Boys - Elvira  It goes something like..."Tonight I'm gonna meet her, at the Hungry House Café Giddy up, oom poppa, omm poppa, mow mow" ...

Well anyway from there we went to the campers favorite --WALMART. Once we got the required battery and sleeping bag, I forgot mine, we moved on to St. Feriole Island and the Rendezvous. That's where the images are from. Participants come from around the country and there are demonstrations at individual camps all during the event such as blacksmithing, pottery, weaving, storytelling,  etc. Additionally, there is a large Flea Market. Probably larger than the Rendezvous itself. Thousands of things to see and buy.

Pets are allowed and Rebel enjoyed the walk with us. Although at one point he got thirsty and started looking into any and all pans for a drink. A kind lady found a bowl and gave him a drink.

After walking till we tired out, we decided it was time for dinner. We took a short drive north along the Mississippi to Ferryville and the Sportsman's bar. Burger n Fries for each of us and I sampled a side salad. Washed it down with a adult beverage and passed on the dessert. We saved our spare fries for Rebel who waited patiently for us. 

Back to Stoney Point road for the evening campfire and more adult beverages and camp fire conversations. Meanwhile, Rebel was back to the wood pile to keep a watch for the unknown critter. As the evening wore on to late night the clouds darkened and a storm threatened. Tim checked the weather on his phone and we were aware of a major storm coming in from the west. we battened down and eventually turned in expecting to pack up wet in the morning.

Sunday morning awaked us early, the sleeping bag worked fine, and we found the rain had held off. We quickly broke camp and hooked up the camper. All the while Rebel kept an eagle eye on the infamous wood pile. back to the "Café" for a good breakfast and we gassed up and hit the road. Thanks Tim for a great Fathers Day. I enjoyed our time together.

PS: Rebel never did tell us what he found in that wood pile!

 

Too Cute not to post....

Your gonna love this...

While taking an evening stroll through the house, a kitten encounters a scary thing.
Being a brave little guy, he cautiously investigates all by himself

VIDEO: http://www.wimp.com/scarything/

Road to the Sun

Road to the Sun, a group on Flickr.

Wonderful vacation with wonderful friends at Glacier National Park, MT

Rebel on cruelty to Animals....

I know I’ve posted here about how my dog, Rebel , likes to watch TV. (especially  ”Animal Planet”.)

Thought this was due to the animals on the screen and the noises they make.

So it’s not unusual for him to respond to something on TV. 

 

Today we were in the family room and I was watching the News at 11:00 on Channel 6.

 

Rebel is stretched on the floor with his back to the TV playing with his “Kong”.  

When the news reporter starts to comment on a story of a Racine man being sentenced today for cruelty to animals. Apparently, his neighbors witnessed him bashing the dog’s head to the floor.

At this point they show the man’s picture.

Rebel stops playing, turns to the TV and starts barking.  

There were no animal pictures or sounds. Just this guy’s picture.

Rebel wouldn’t stop until they took the picture down. 

He never ceases to amaze!

BIG Cats....in Wisconsin???

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Months ago I joined a photography group sponsored by Art's Cameras. The short name for it is the FOCUS group. (Pretty catchy, Huh!)

I finally had the opportunity to participate in one of their outings. (scheduling conflicts). Imagine that, retired and I still have scheduling conflicts. Ha, Life is Good!

Back to the  Big Cats.
The FOCUS group worked with WISCONSIN BIG CAT RESCUE and EDUCATIONAL CENTER in Rock Springs WI. They arranged for two groups of photographers (about twenty folks each) to get access to photo the cats and each group received a personal tour by the staff. The tours are interesting in that they provide an explanation of each group of animals. Such as specific type of cat, what they eat, where the came from, their natural history and an example of how each interacts with their handlers.
 

 

The photographers gathered at Art's Waukesha store at about 8:00am. We formed our carpools and headed out for the Baraboo area. I was fortunate to have 3 great companions. Linda, Kelly and Gina.

 

We opted for the scenic route and enjoyed Lodi and the Merrimac ferry across the Wisconsin River. Then a short drive thru Devils lake State Park along the south shore of the lake and on toward Rock Springs. It should be noted that this intrepid crew had only one reroute along our whole route. That was in Rock Springs itself. Seems yours truly couldn't find Ash Street. We made it to the Center just on the outskirts of town. Elapsed drive time including reroute was about an hour and a half.

 

 

I believe this is "Ozzie". His pose seemed to describe the weather for the day. It was sunny and warm with just a tad too much humidity. Jeff and Jenny (The founders of Big Cat Rescue) were excellent hosts and even better tour guides. We borrowed lens and tripods (supplied by Art's staff) and off we went in search of perfect images.

 

After some  hours of fantastic photography and the tour that highlighted our afternoon, our lil group decided we were ready to head home. Actually, we were ready to get a bite to eat then head out.  We had an uneventful ride back to Waukesha. That is if you don't consider the blinding rain and 60mph winds just outside of Madison.

 

The FOCUS group is a free service of ART'S CAMERAS  and is open to all photographers.

For more images from other members of the group check out the photos on Arts facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/artscameras

 

Wisconsin Big Cats Rescue and Educational Center can be found at:  WWW.WISCONSINBIGCATS.ORG

 

Finally, I want to add a humungous THANK YOU to ART's staff and BIG CAT RESCUE for putting together a great event, I look forward to the next FOCUS GROUP outing.

 

Barring Schedule conflicts that is. ;)