Le Camping

I had a fabulous time on vacation in the Eden of America -- by which I mean Wisconsin. In Wisconsin our lives are not dominated by Dunk Donuts.













I picked my first zucchini before I left. Here it is, in comparison to the size of my Badger Balm. I chopped it up and added it to the Black Bean Salsa/Salad I made last night (motivated by FrannyB's culinary escapades to do some chef-work of my own).









Returning to Massachusetts took a bit of adjustment. Not just because I was camping in peace and quiet (and Midwestern Friendliness) but because I had to re-adjust to the absence of parents, FrannyB, and even Jon. (Hey, when you're less than a foot away in a car or tent, the distance from Jamaica Plain to Waltham is huge.)

But little things like flower gardens help ease the transition.










Camping was divine. Better than usual, actually. The weather was miracously cooperative with lots of sunshine, deep blue sky, and fluffy clouds. The Kettle Moraine State Park area of Wisconsin is very peaceful, with rolling (glacially formed) hills, (glacial) lakes, and of course cows. I also saw pigs, sheeps, horses, and ducks.

We had a raccoon visit the site one evening. He left quickly after determining there was no food. I think all the animals come out to party on Sunday nights after most campers leave.

Sandhill cranes would fly over the site every evening. Songbirds were everywhere, and very vocal. At night, if I listedned really carefully, I could hear an owl hooting.

This is not an owl, obviously, but a very happy bee enjoying the thistles and clover near our camp site.







I think I'll wait and post more photos tomorrow. I don't want to give away all the good stuff at once.