Mississippi River Challenge

Begins at 9am. 400 boats or people, I'm not exactly clear on that number yet, hit the river! Wooo hooo! We leave the house in less than an hour. Exciting stuff! Here is more info about the event.

New Exploration Homebase

I feel terrible about not updating for awhile. Sorry!!!

I've been on vacation, exploring the ancient leftovers of human civilization in Utah and south eastern Colorado and we moved to a new part of the city. Settling in has been eating up any away from work time I've had.

The new house is basically across the street from Lake Nokomis, which has made getting out for a daily bike ride much much easier (not being afraid of getting jumped or being out after dark helps too). The house we're in now is much "newer" than our previous abode, as it was built in 1948, rather than 1926. There are holdovers from the style we had in the previous house--a coved doorway, the pink tile. . . but the forties were a much more freewheeling place it appears. They had a need for closets, bigger rooms and more bathrooms. For a few years, there was no houses near it, then in 1951, our lovely neighbors Al and June, built on the lot just South of ours and a family they can't remember the name of, built on the lot to the East of ours. I'm looking forward to learning more about the history of the house as we get to know it better.

Besides the awesome house, yard and really kind neighbors that had a BBQ to welcome us, we're very excited about the lake. It has been a long time since I've lived this close to a body of water and had it not be temporarily as a result of being in one of my parent's homes.

Post card of park by house circa 1915.
and in 1930
the pic that proves it really looked that pretty

There are all sorts of interesting stories from the lake's history, including submarine testing and glow in the dark fish which you can read here.

I wish they'd bring back Lake Tobogganing! How cool would that be? Sweeeeet! My guess is that it would not pass muster with the lawyers for the city, but someday, when we've gotten over being such a litigious society, I'd like to see this fun contraption brought back!

Lake Tobogganing!