Join the Northstar Nerd for the Rice River Ramble. Deep in the Northwoods of Minnesota accompany me on my solo 3 mile run followed by a 6 mile kayak trip down the Rice River. I parked my van downstream and ran back upstream to where I had left my kayak. Enjoy part of what makes America beautiful! (video link for RSS feed). Happy 4th of July … using the Frontier Bait "hot spot" in the Edge of the Wilderness.
Rice River Ramble on PhotoPeach
Last Fall my daughter Karen married a great young man, Matt. She decided to follow the family tradition of visiting the local DQ for ice cream between the wedding and reception … just like her parents had 25+ years earlier (i.e. Molly and me). Apparently someone in the Dairy Queen marketing department got wind of Karen and Matt's trip to the DQ … and they posted (with the family's permission) a story and photos of each generations trip to the DQ. After all, there are no problems in life that ice cream can not solve!
I may be biased, but this is a good use of social media by a company! The Facebook post appears to be much more active. Here are the two couples … like Mother and Father … like Daughter and Son-in-Law!:
We had a citizenship celebration last night, which actually began years ago with peaceful democratic protests in Togo. Unfortunately, the ruling junta thought otherwise and imprisoned Yawo. After torture and worse … and with a little bit of luck Yawo escaped to the United States. Yesterday Yawo received notification that he will take the oath of citizenship on June 3rd! Thus on the first warm sunny evening of the Minnesota spring we celebrated with our house guest. Our evening finished at the local ice cream parlor. What could be better! (my choice … a scoop each of double chocolate and blueberry ice cream)
Earlier in the day I gave Yawo the American flag first given to me as a child. We discussed that for all the problems the United States of America has, we have one HUGE asset … freedom. I also told Yawo that if he ever sees someone desecrating the US flag, don't take offense … take pride in your new country! The right of peaceful protest and to "think differently" is what makes America great.
If you are so inclined, please give Yawo your congratulations and advice via the comments field! For my readers of this blog from other countries, I understand there are other great nations in the world, but grant me this moment of celebration. Thank you. (click to expand either photo to full size)
Post Update: There will be an open house celebration in Yawo's honor on Wednesday, June 3rd at 6:30 p.m. in New Hope, Minnesota (Rich and Molly Hoeg's home). All are welcome.
Molly and I are on vacation. We flew down to Branson on the very first commercial flight into a brand new airport … and attended Branson's first ever airshow. Enjoy!
(my other Branson vacation posts: Grist Mill | Jed Clampett)
Branson Air Show on PhotoPeach
For years I have tried to make education (science and engineering) a bit more fun via my work with Lego League. Well, these folks from Ely, Minnesota … make the Northstar Nerd proud. Read, watch (video link) and learn about Project Polar Bear (Hundred mile journey by dogsled and ski to Hudson Bay and Churchill … but linked to the classroom):
Project Polar Bear on PhotoPeach