Gallery
- Papillion-La Vista South HS (Papillion, NE)
- Grand Rapids HS (Grand Rapids, MN)
- Farmington HS (Farmington, MN)
- Irondale HS (New Brighton, MN)
- Marshall HS (Marshall, MN)
- Millard West HS (Omaha, NE)
- Brandon Valley HS (Brandon, SD)
- Millard North HS (Omaha, NE)
- Sioux Falls Lincoln HS (Sioux Falls SD)
- Eden Prairie HS (Eden Prairie, MN)
- Eastview HS (Apple Valley, MN)
- Rosemount HS (Rosemount , MN)
- There is a 568 foot elevation change as the canal goes from Lake Erie to New York Harbor.
- The original canal was 4’ deep, 40’ wide and 363 miles long. The canal has been lengthened and widened three times.
- Doors to the locks weigh 40 tons!
Tammy and I went to the newly opened Dario for dinner tonight. The meal, wine, ambiance, and service were fantastic. We had the Gem Lettuces followed by the Fall Vegetable Salad and the Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka for pasta. Dessert was Cake & Ice Cream. The pasta blew me away with the flavors!
Tubing Minnehaha Creek
It was a nice hot day to enjoy a float down Minnehaha Creek today. Tiffany and Andrew were visiting so we got the tubes inflated, drove to Utley Park in Edina to put in and floated right back to our house taking out in Minnehaha Creek Park. This was the furthest we’ve gone on the tubes going 3.7 miles and took just over 2 hours. 💦
Youth in Music 2023
We went to the 2023 Youth in Music Show at US Bank Stadium today to see my nephew perform in the Marching Band competition for Grand Rapids High School. We saw all the AAA and AAAA performances.
The performances were impressive and each one is like a 10 minute show. For the finale, Iowa State University MB (Ames, IA) gave an exhibition performance with a Metallica theme that was incredible.
Renaissance Festival 2023
We made our regular visit to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival today! We hit all of our favorites. Both kids made their regular attempts at Jacob’s Ladder but it still eludes them. Cheese curds, Turtles on a stick, and a Beef Stick for me.
Family selfie at the King’s Gate.
Knights Guard.
There was a race up the climbing wall, and then Mazie and Tyler both did it again.
Tyler trying out the archery.
Tyler likes to whip tomatoes while being insulted.
It is a tradition that I have to do the sledge hammer each year. I dinged it!
Both kids love the trampoline jumping.
We see Tuey everytime we go to the RenFest. He’s been performing at the RenFest for 42 years! (He’s 61 years old!)
Hike to Soglio
Our sixth and final day of hiking into the beautiful town of Soglio.
Part of Switzerland & Italy 2023 collection. Also see Casaccia to Soglio from Europe 2004 Collection collection.
Sils Maria - Maloja Loop
Today’s hike left right from the front steps of the Hotel Edelweiss and walked out of Sils Maria to a ascent above the tree line. The ascent was a bit more gradual which I was very appreciated of. We had a great time experiencing Grevasalvas on the trail, a wonderful rest at the top, and a nice hike back along the lack. A bit over 9.5 miles today.
Part of Switzerland & Italy 2023 collection. Also see Piz Lunghin Summit from Europe 2004 Collection collection.
Hike Pontresina to Sils Maria
I didn’t join the hike today and instead ran my wallet recovery mission. However, I asked that the family take a lot of pictures and here is there journey to the amazing Lake Hahnensee from Pontresina and ending in Silvaplana.
Part of Switzerland & Italy 2023 collection. Also see Pontresina to Sils Maria from Europe 2004 Collection collection.
Hike to Segantini Hütte and Pontresina
Another day of great hiking. Started with train ride to funicular and then a big hike up to the amazing hut followed by a traverse on the mountain and a cold, rainy, stormy descent on a chair lift.
Part of Switzerland & Italy 2023 collection. Also see Zuoz to Pontresina from Europe 2004 Collection collection.
Hiking Guarda Out-n-Back to Chamonna Tuoi
Day 2 of our Engadine Hiking adventure and today we hiked up the valley toward Piz Buin ending at Chamonna Tuoi for a delicious lunch of rösti and grilled cheese. The day started with a serious uphill section right away, climbing about 1,600 feet over the first 90 minutes. We stayed at a steady elevation with a little descent, and then finished with a more gradual ascent up to the hut. This route was totally new, and part of the trip spending two nights in Guarda.
Part of Switzerland & Italy 2023 collection. Also see Zuoz to Chamanna Des-Cha Hut and back from Europe 2004 Collection collection.
Hiking Scuol to Guarda
We got into Guarda this afternoon just before 4pm. We made our way through the town to the Messier Lodge and unlacing the hiking boots felt so unbelievably good. We hiked 10.7 miles over 5h 25m. It was a long day and the last couple of miles my feet and legs were feeling it. It was a great accomplishment and I’m going to rest the legs and body for tomorrow!
Part of Switzerland & Italy 2023 collection. Also see Scuol to Guarda from Europe 2004 Collection collection.
TeamSPS 5th Floor Remodel
The remodel of #TeamSPS 5th floor is nearly done and we were able to move this week. It is great to be back on our “home” floor with a so many improvements!
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
We went to the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory today. Learned that it takes 47 seconds for a computer to lathe a professional bat. And the many batters have custom specifications that their bats are made to. Very cool place.
Churchill Downs Tour
We visited Churchill Downs today and took the Superstars & Spires Tour. The history of the race, the venue, and the horses. It made me want to go to the Kentucky Derby someday! 🏇
Gooseberry Falls
We visited Gooseberry Falls today. We have had extreme draught conditions and the falls have been greatly impacted. The Lower Falls are completely dry. It was rather shocking to see. I renamed it Mini Gooseberry Falls this year.
Sam Patch on the Erie Canal
We took a 90-minute river Erie Canal cruise today on the Sam Patch. We got to go to Lock 32 and experience that and then went back the other way to see where the canal is actaully 70’ higher than the houses in the area.
Some fun stats:
Enjoy some photos.
Sam Patch at dock before we take off.
Family selfie inside the Sam Patch.
Approaching Lock 32 in preparation to go up.
Lock doors closing behind us.
Lock doors closed and the water going up. It takes 9 minutes for the lock to fill on the way up.
Lock is at height and we are released.
Coming back the other way with the lock doors open.
Preparing for the lock to go down. Watch my time-lapse video of the lock lowering.
Cruising along the Erie Canal and this sailboat wants to pass.
One of many maintenance stations along the canal. Each section is maintaied from a station like this.
Boats docked in the canal in Pittsford.
Canal shoreline in Pittsford. I also got this same view from shore.
Canal approaching an emergency damn location where the canal is higher than the neighborhoods around it.
Family selfie on the canal.
Bridge over the Erie Canal.
Kayaking Pokegama and the Mississippi
We spent the morning kayaking down the Mississippi. We put in at Tioga Beach on Pokegama Lake, then Big Jay Goulde Lake, then Little Jay Goulde Lake into the Mississippi River. Portage around the Corps of Engineers Pokegama Dam and out at Paddle Hoppers. 2h 35m paddle time. We saw nice Lily Pads and huge swaths of Wild Rice along with gorgeous scenery.
Our newest floor opened up in SPS Tower today! Great setup to enable #TeamSPS to continue winning. I love the conference room names from Women Who Code. The text on the quiet room desks? EDI. The team moves in soon! 🤩🙌
