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| Winston before camp, already looking nut brown |
I am less anxious about his absence than son number one, who is backpacking in the Rockies through Camp Widjiwagan.
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| Absaroka Range (a potential backpacking location for Simon's group) |
Although I know intellectually that Simon is in Montana (I am assuming he has arrived by now), I have no idea of his precise location. There are two possible locations in the Gallatin National Park where his group might spend their two weeks on trail--the Absaroka Range or the Spanish Peaks. Both are gateways to Yellowstone, and all the pictures I have seen online are stunning.
Yet, the uncertainty has kept me up at night on more than one occasion over the past week. The Gallatin National Park website has two announcements that I find disconcerting, though not surprising: 1. grizzly and black bears are found throughout GNP, and 2. dry conditions mean forest fire alerts. Naturally, my anxiety is on overdrive. John keeps reminding me that no news is good news, which is some small comfort. It's all I have. Well, that and the knowledge that Simon was excited for this adventure. I hope he is safe and having a fun time.
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| Simon, 15 |
John had work off on Friday for the observed July 4th holiday. We took Winston to the American Swedish Institute with us.
We enjoyed an exquisitely delicious lunch at Fika. John commented that he could eat like this everyday. Honestly, so could I. Fika's menu features a midwestern interpretation of Scandinavian fare with fresh, bright flavors, such as these salt cod-potato fritters and baby arugula salad with roasted tomatoes and bacon.
Then, we toured the Hagstrom guitar exhibit. Although Hagstrom guitars are currently manufactured in China, it is one of two Swedish guitar makers. Founder Albin Hagstrom was an accordian manufacturer. After his son's trip to the U.S. in the 1950s, where he experienced rock 'n' roll, Hagstrom began making guitars with the pearluloid that was used in accordian production. Hagstrom guitars always had a bit of a cult cache, but David Bowie, Frank Zappa, Elvis Presley, Kurt Cobain, and Pat Smear all played them.
Yesterday was the 4th of July. We were here in the Twin Cities where we kept a low profile. Someone was craving bahn mi, the Vietnamese sandwich, so we ventured to ipho on University Avenue. There were very few cars on city streets or on the freeway, and I was once again reminded of how MSP clears out on summer holidays with citizens fleeing to their cabins. The paucity of automobiles is almost alarming and feels as if we are just coming out of an apocalyptic event. I was also reminded of how the only place to be on the 4th of July is Watertown, SoDak.
Then, we toured the Hagstrom guitar exhibit. Although Hagstrom guitars are currently manufactured in China, it is one of two Swedish guitar makers. Founder Albin Hagstrom was an accordian manufacturer. After his son's trip to the U.S. in the 1950s, where he experienced rock 'n' roll, Hagstrom began making guitars with the pearluloid that was used in accordian production. Hagstrom guitars always had a bit of a cult cache, but David Bowie, Frank Zappa, Elvis Presley, Kurt Cobain, and Pat Smear all played them.
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| Bowie played the Kent |
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| clear-fronted guitar cases hold each guitar |
Yesterday was the 4th of July. We were here in the Twin Cities where we kept a low profile. Someone was craving bahn mi, the Vietnamese sandwich, so we ventured to ipho on University Avenue. There were very few cars on city streets or on the freeway, and I was once again reminded of how MSP clears out on summer holidays with citizens fleeing to their cabins. The paucity of automobiles is almost alarming and feels as if we are just coming out of an apocalyptic event. I was also reminded of how the only place to be on the 4th of July is Watertown, SoDak.
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| July 4, 2014 at Sunset Drive, Lake Kampeska |
Seriously. You cannot beat Lake Kampeska for R&R on a summer holiday, especially once dusk hits and the fireworks displays around the lake start.
I spent a lot of this holiday weekend reading Andy Weir's The Martian. This book had not been on my TBR list, but so many readers whose opinions I value recommended it. That, and a few weeks ago, I took the boys to see the Space exhibit at the Minnesota Science Museum.
I spent a lot of this holiday weekend reading Andy Weir's The Martian. This book had not been on my TBR list, but so many readers whose opinions I value recommended it. That, and a few weeks ago, I took the boys to see the Space exhibit at the Minnesota Science Museum.
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| Neil Armstrong's gloves from Apollo mission |
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| My Martian |
It left a big impression on me, especially all the parts about living on a space station. The book is super page-turning, despite some really technical parts, which, fortunately, I don't feel are essential to understand. But I like the author's castaway story for the 21st century, alternating the stranded astronaut's log entries with a rescue attempt.
For the first time in at least a month, John's band is practicing. August and I are holed up in the den. The U.S. team won the Women's World Cup against Japan. The victory was spectacular. Such a good game and a beautiful way to head into a new week.
For the first time in at least a month, John's band is practicing. August and I are holed up in the den. The U.S. team won the Women's World Cup against Japan. The victory was spectacular. Such a good game and a beautiful way to head into a new week.
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