Little House in the Woods

I feel like Laura Ingalls.  Our hot water heater is broken so we have been heating water on the stove.  I have mastered the mix of hot water from the stove and cold water from the facet to make a shallow bath. When the new part didn't arrive as promised, a phone call to the company made us realize that they "forgot" to send it.  It is on its way now, thankfully.  I don't know how good a pioneer I would have been. 

Arby's- good karma

On the way to the wedding we stopped at an Arby's/gasoline combo place for gas and something quick to eat and get back on the road.  Case went to the restroom while I ordered.  The fresh-faced kid behind the counter asked if I would like a free promotional turkey sandwich. (I had yet to see the TV commercials about them.)  To which I replied, "What?"  He repeated his spiel.  By that time I looked around to notice everyone in the place was watching me and what I was going to do.  So I go over the "I am getting a free turkey sandwich - no strings" deal with him.  Everyone is laughing by now. Several people had set up spots just to watch the new customers' reactions to the free food.  I order may free sandwich.  By now Case is at the counter.  I say, "We are the millionth customers and get a free turkey sandwich."  More laughter.  Case orders his free food.  We sit down to eat and watch the next customers when they are given the free sandwich deal. 

Case predicted that our free food  was a good omen for a wonderful wedding weekend.  It did turn out to be a good weekend.  Of course, months of planning may have had something to do with it.  Or perhaps the stop before Arbys - a church to pray - was helpful as well.  Although, I won't turn  down free food. 

Case recommends the hot turkey with bacon.  I plan to stay with the Arby roast beef classic. 

ELF

I lead the hiking group this morning in the misting rain.  We walked a paved forest road in the national park system.  It is the only paved forest road in the United States.  This 3 mile road leads to the former Naval Facility that used Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) to communicate with submarines running at full speed deep under the polar ice cap.  It was in operation from 1985 to 2002.  In fact only one building with no windows and one door remains.  Currently it is used for storage by the National Park Service. Check out ELF Line, Clam Lake, WI on google.  Also, the next time you watch the movie, The Hunt for Red October, it mentions waiting for communication from this facility.

In this group of 22 walkers today, three had a connection to this ELF facility.  One woman lived her entire adult life here.  When the Navy moved in, they asked for volunteers to be given a 2 day physical every year to monitor if the large antenna caused any health problems.  She volunteered for 5 years - no health problems.  A second woman was in the Navy in communications and was familiar this facility.  A third woman had a husband who was an engineer with a Chicago company that worked on part of the facility design.

For lunch we stopped in downtown Clam Lake (unincorporated) at the Elkhorn Restaurant.  I had made arrangements ahead of time for them to set up tables and lay out a taco bar.   Sign on the front door:  Concealed weapons are not allowed. 

Fun in the Northwoods!

Swing State

Oh, to live in a swing state in an election year!  Illinois always goes democratic so we never got any political phone calls or political survey calls.  In Wisconsin we have received as many as 4 calls in one day!  I have gotten so that I just answer, "Romney" and hang up.