Random Rumblings of a Middle Aged White Guy: On The Road, Day 4

Random Rumblings of a Middle Aged White Guy: On The Road, Day 4: Well we were up early on Thursday, trying to decide if we were going to head north to Glacier.  A quick look and the morning news actually m...

On The Road, Day 4

Well we were up early on Thursday, trying to decide if we were going to head north to Glacier.  A quick look and the morning news actually made the decision easy.  Cars on fire and abandoned, roads closed and campers being evacuated.  We don't need to see fire.  So we decided to head to Mt. Rainer in Washington.  Sadly, I doubt if I'll ever make it to Glacier now.  But that's the way it goes sometimes.

We were about an hour from the Idaho boarder, and headed out.   Now I do enjoy driving as many of you may know, except for a couple of things---bridges and mountains (even high hills actually).  And although Idaho is probably 60 miles across in the panhandle, it is pretty much the Bitter Root Mountains that you are dealing with.  I know the roads are much better than they used to be, but I still get a little nervous with the back and forth up in the altitudes.  The scenery was beautiful (when I took a second to look), and we drove into Washington without incident.  Later in the day I would wish I was only dealing with the Bitter Roots.

Western Washington was pretty uneventful.  We weren't interested in stopping in any of the cities or towns along the way, just heading for Mt. Rainer. Until we decided to stop and stretch at a roadside overlook. Which just happened to overlook the Columbia River.  Just gorgeous.  Washington needs to do a better job with their signage!!!

Soon enough, we were in the Yakima valley, and could see our destination in the distance.  And it was time to get off the interstate and onto the state highways, and the beginning of white knuckle time for me.  Now I don't mind the uphill so much, but I'm not wild about the 6% decline with the blind turns waiting at the bottom.  Oh yeah, and the local guy right on my tail because he knows where he is going.  Once again though, beautiful scenery....

We finally arrived at Mt. Rainer National Park about 2:30 local time.  We arrived from the east, and the first place we wanted to stop (old growth forest) was so packed we figured we'd catch it on the way out.  Didn't know we wouldn't go back that way.  We stopped at a few places along the drive, and the beauty made everything we'd seen all day pale in comparison.  We came around one corner, and there was Mt. Rainer, and a parking area to boot.  So I stopped for a quick photo, and was soon joined by quite a few other people, enjoying a glorious sight.  Which I soon learned is not really all that common.  I guess that the top of the Mountain is more often than not in the clouds, so it is a real treat to see the top. Never knew....

Well, we finally reached the visitor center, which is 5400 or 5500 feet up.  People are all wearing coats and hiking gear, I get out of the car wringing wet, just all sweated up.  Don't think I have ever been that scared driving in my life.  Twists and turns, no guard rails, zero room for error.  And Mt. Rainer is just beautiful.  Trees and flowers, even the rock and snow look amazing.  The place is just crawling with people, and I'm willing to gear up for a hike, but the Misses nixes it.  Says she doesn't want to go, but I think she knows if we go it will probably be dark when we head down the Mountain, and the going down is worse than the going up.....

Except it wasn't.  We left through the east side of the park, where the trees grow, so I couldn't see where I'd end up if I went over the edge.  And the have a new road...piece of cake.  But what a beautiful place to see and visit......

On The Road Again.....

Hey Buckaroos, I'm back to do a little blogging.  On the road again, this time to the Great Northwest.  Really can't imagine I'll ever head out this way again, so we will see how it goes.  The Misses and I really have no itinerary, which I like because I can go where  I want.  We also have no reservations, which may prove to be a problem.  We will see......

I'm calling this trip the "Practice Retirement", or "Way Out West".  We left home on Monday and headed to Minneapolis to check in with he Darlin' Daughter.  We went out to dinner at Surly Brewer with Lee and her friends Adam and MaryAnn.  Food was good and the beer was excellent.  Spent a couple of hours with the gang, dropped off some birthday presents, dropped of the kids anddayd were on our way.  Headed west, looking to get to St. Cloud.  Made it to Rogers, MN.  It's not far from Minneapolis.  We were tired......

We were up and at it early on Tuesday, headed for North Dakota.  Now I know everyone says there isn't anything to do or see in North Dakota, but they are wrong!!!  We stopped and saw the world's largest buffalo (and one of the white buffalos----one in a million ya know---drove past some interesting welding art as well as the worlds largest Holstein cow, and stopped at the Painted Canyon--beautiful. Finally, we arrived at Madora North Dakota.  Madora is where you will find the main entrance to the southern part of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  Don't imagine too many folks visit this park.  There is a nice 36 mile driving loop, as well as place to park to go for various hikes of different lengths and difficulty.  We too a few of these short hikes, and the scenery is amazing.  We were there in the early evening, and the sun and shadows only enhanced the beauty.  As we were driving around the loop, we came to the prairie dog village (blah), stumbled across a lone buffalo just laying by the side of the road, and also had a wild stallion come down the road at us. 

We were feeling pretty lucky to see what we did when we came to the turn for the last couple of miles of the loop.  Yup a whole herd of buffalo.  Big ones, little ones, huge ones.  Unbelievable!!!  I parked the car right in the middle of the road and just let them walk on by.  It was quite the experience--they were less than a foot from the car.....great pictures.....

Wednesday is day three of the trip, and we want to get up to Glacier National Park.  Montana is a heck of a big state.  We ended up putting on about 700 miles today.  Seatereatus has set in.  We did take some time out to visit Pompey's Pillar.  I've seen pictures of this since at least 8th grade, if not earlier.  It is a stone where William Clark carved his name while on the exposition.  It is the only record left that Lewis and Clark were ever anywhere.  You see, the carved their names all over the place, and we know where because they kept meticulous records.  But this is the only place they put their name that wasn't a tree.  And we know what happens to trees......

So we are hunkered down in Missoula Montana trying to plan tomorrow....Glacier National Park is having some problems with fire and is half shut down.  We are having a bit of a problem finding lodging.  We'll see what tomorrow brings.....we may be Oregon bound......

Graduation Time Again.....

Well, that time of year has rolled around again, and I'm going to write about a few things I have learned in my fifty some years on the ol' orb.  Hoping that my young friends and family will read this and talk about it and share it and maybe learn from some of my mistakes and experiences.  So here I go....

Congratulations on your recent graduation my young friends.  I am sure you are all excited about your upcoming careers.  I would also imagine that some of you may be getting nervous about finding the perfect first job.  You need to know this.  You may not land your dream job right off the bat.  Doesn't always happen.  Sometimes it never does.  Do not fret.  Stay at it, and things tend to work out.  You need to find that first job in order to get the next, "better" job.

Pay yourself first.  If you have never heard this, somebody has failed you in your education.  In about forty years or so, you will be looking to retire.  You are going to need some funds.  Social security?  Good luck, I hope it is still around.  Learn the miracle of compounding, the Rule of 72.  I am sure you all know a business major.  Ask if you don't know.

Do your best to take care of your health.  You can stay on your parents plan until you are 26 years old. Enjoy it while you can.  You will have premiums and deductibles and co-pays.  It will not be cheap.  There are some things that you can't control.  Stay fit and healthy.  You will save money and be happier.

Apologies to the marketing and advertising and salesmen/women who are my young friends out there, but you don't need everything people are trying to sell you.  Apple will come out with a new product probably every year long after you and I are both gone.  You don't need it just because somebody says you do.  Know the difference between needs and want.  You NEED food and shelter and to be clothed.  You may need a car.  You don't need a new Lexus.  Yet.

You have not won, nor will you ever win, the Nigerian lottery.  Do not be a fool.  You are educated!!  There are people out there who want your money.  They are smart---but lazy.  It is easier for them to steal from you than to earn things on their own.  They are tricky.  So guard your privacy.  Change your passwords---if you think it's a pain now, wait until you're old like me.  Don't make it easy for the leaches to take your stuff---you'll will have worked too hard.

Put the phones down once in awhile and talk to people.  Not text them or IM them.  TALK to them.  It's interesting.  You will probably learn something.  While your at it, take noet of your surroundings.  There is lots of stuff going on around you as you're walking down the street or driving  around looking at your phone.

See the world.  Whether the be your city or state or America or the world.  It is truly a wonderful thing.  Please remember in your travels that although most people are good, danger does lurk.  Know where there is unrest.  I would hate to read about a kidnapping, or worse.  And while I'm on the subject of the world, you have work to do.  The last hundred twenty five years or so, we have really screwed it up.  We have eradicated species and resources, fouled the air and water, just really messed up.  So reduce reuse recycle.  Give a hoot, don't pollute.  You all know the drill.    It's the only earth we have---hope you can save it.

On you handheld device that you use to text and IM and FB and what not, there is a little icon that looks like a handset (goggle it!).  If you punch in a series of numbers, you will be able to TALK to your parents and grandparents if you are lucky enough that they are still around.  CALL US!!  We are interested in how you are doing, if we can help you with anything, if you need anything.  We know stuff.  We won't be around forever.....

Just a couple of more things for now.  Don't compare yourself with others, for always there will be those greater and lesser than you.  Whatever career you choose, try to be the best at it that you can be, whether it be accountant or teacher or ditch digger.  Just do your best.  Have a little humility.  I know a lot of successful people, a lot of people who are good at things.  I would say one of the traits they all share is that they are at least a little humble. 

Never argue with an idiot.

On your way up the ladder, try not to forget those not as successful as you.  Most times it's not their fault.  Help when you can.  Remember, but for the grace of God, there go I......

Finally, life is meant to be LIVED!!  Be involved.  Find solutions.  Cure something.  Start something.  Watch out for each other, take care of each other.  You have already accomplished much---you have much to do.  And once again.....CONGRATULATIONS!!!

The Letter

I am a mailman, have been for a little over 25 years now.  Anyway you look at it, that's a lot of paper and ink.  When I first started the job, I was amazed at how much you can learn about a person or a family just by what they receive in the mail.  I knew when special events were happening, like weddings and birthdays and graduations.  I knew where a person banked, who there favorite sports teams were, if they had outstanding parking tickets, if the IRS was after them.  All kinds of interesting stuff.

As we all know, people don't send near as many letters as they have in the past.  Nearly everyone just drops a short note in emails, makes a quick comment on Facebook or whatever, make a quick call or text, and that's about it.  I started thinking about the last time I got a personal letter in the mail, and for the life of me I can't remember.  I know we get Christmas cards, and some have the "year in review" letter, and there are birthday and anniversary cards, but just a letter?  No clue.

It wasn't always this way of course.  I know for a fact that about thirty years or so ago, people were still sending letters, because I still have them.  Yep, I recently found an old stack of letters from the college days.  Letters from Mom telling me what the sisters were up to, from buddies who had graduated, letters from the misses before she was the Misses.  I found a letter from my Gramma (could tell her writing right away) and even a couple from folks I haven't thought about in years.  It was fun to kind of go back in time and try to remember what was going on in the world, and especially my little part of it.  I don't get that same feeling from old emails----of the few I have kept!!

I guess the personal letter truly is on it's last legs.   I know I have a few older relatives who still write, but I imagine as they get older there will be even fewer letters sent.  I know it's faster and cheaper to just drop an email.  And I know people are pressed for time---or think they are.  And I know I am as guilty as the next for not writing.  But there is just something about putting pen to paper.  And then dropping you thoughts and musings and news in a blue box for somebody else to read a couple of days later.  And then to hold them in your hands, and to keep them if desired.   So I've decided to do my little part.  So friends and relatives, don't be surprised to check the mailbox and find a letter from me.  I've decided one a week will be a good start.  First one is off to the darling daughter---page and a half long, five minutes to write......just need to find a stamp.....

Random Rumblings of a Middle Aged White Guy: Today I Painted Away Twenty Years

Random Rumblings of a Middle Aged White Guy: Today I Painted Away Twenty Years: So the Misses has been after me to paint my sons room.  I did it about eighteen years ago, but she says I need to do it again.  The fact of...

Today I Painted Away Twenty Years

So the Misses has been after me to paint my sons room.  I did it about eighteen years ago, but she says I need to do it again.  The fact of the matter is that the boy has been gone for most of the last couple of years, and the little kid sports theme had to go.  Stew was home for ten days or so, and he packed up the things he wanted in St. Louis and took them with him.  He told us what furniture he needed and the other things he needed, and we hauled them down to St. Louis for him.  It's what he left behind that got me...

There are the pennants from the Milwaukee Wave (local indoor soccer team).  In the late 90's and early 00's we were at the games a lot.  It got to the point where we were almost like season ticket holders.  We got to know the players, their wives, and watched them win championships.  There were camps and tournaments---spent lots of time with the Wave. 

There's the Packer clock, but more important the Packer stock.  Yup, Stew is a stockholder.  Reminded me of all the "Packer Sunday's", with our gear and the games on TV.  And one of my favorites quotes from Stewart after a Packer loss...."It's a good thing they win most of the time...".  He wasn't around in the 70's and 80's.

He took most of his bib numbers with him.  But he left a couple.  The one from the Samson Stomp (Zoo Fundraiser), and the 2004 Koman Race for the Cure.  I may have sighed him up for these and others, but he always was up for it when I would tell him it was for a good cause.

Then there are all the ribbons and medals from track and cross country events, from sixth grade through eight grade.  Made me think of all the kids that started running with him through fifth grade and wondered what happened to them along the way to high school and beyond. 

There is an arrow representing Stew's accomplishments during his three years of scouting.  I remember when he came home and said he wanted to be a Cub Scout.  I got to be the den mother.  We started off with Stew, Andrew, Vince, Eric and Tommy.  One by one they all moved on to other things, until Stew became a Lone Wolf.  He had to make a decision about continuing on to Boy Scouts or to keep playing soccer.  He chose soccer.  Think it was the first big decision he had to make.

He left a JV letter pinned to the wall.  I think it was from soccer when he was a freshman.  This made me think of all the sporting events in high school.  Couple of years of baseball and basketball, four years of track and soccer.  All the chasing around.  The all conference honors.....

He left his furry horned hat from his obstacle run when he was a freshman at SLU.  Seemed kind of odd to me.  From what I remember from the pictures his friends Jose and Matt and Dana were there as well.  Seeing as he lives with Jose and Matt now, looks like he found some good friends early on.  Actually reminds me of all of his friends at SLU.

Then there is the shelf that has been there forever.  There is a autographed baseball--none legible to me--but it reminds me of all the Brewer games, especially Stews first game with my Dad.  Was hoping there would have been more.  And an old Ford model car from Grampa Munger---made me thought of all the visits to Racine and later Florida.  Miss him too.  And there is Gramma Munger's "S" from Stevens Point.  I know that Stew always enjoys seeing her as well.

And there is a picture of my mom's dad with an earth moving machine.  I think she gave it to Stew when he was going through his truck stage.  And all that did was make me thing of how good she was to him and the Misses and me as far as watching the kids before they started school.  She hauled them everywhere, taught them so much, did so much with them.  Who the kids have become has a lot to do with those early years when she was watching them.

Elmo is still here.  We had Mr. Rodgers, a little Barney, Arthur, Magic School Bus, Kratt's Cratures.  But the favorite was always Sesame Street, and Elmo was always the favorite.  Elmo went everywhere with us for a while.  I miss Sesame Street sometimes....ya never knew who would show up.

Then I look out the window to this wonderful back yard.  To the corner where there was nothing but a pile of sand when we moved in, where Stew played with his trucks for hours.  Where we played catch, and swam in the family fun pool.  Where he played in the snow.  And on the jungle gym.  And all the kids who used to come over to play.  And where he and his sister sat on the deck that he helped me build  and watched the men plant the  maple.  And I look out the door and remember when he and his sister would sit at the top of the steps, waiting to see what Santa brought for Christmas.

So the pin holes are filled, the shelve is down and the walls are all painted.  The Misses says it will be a guest room.  To me it will always be Stew's room, filled with a kid's life of memories and accomplishments.  It was my pleasure to be able to share it with him.