Flying Cloud

We've been cooped up in the trailer because of the rainy weather.  These pictures of Lisbon, OH are from this past Sunday.

Founded in 1803, Lisbon is the second oldest town in Ohio.  It was the northern most town penetrated by the confederate army led by General John Morgan, who was ultimately captured here.

They also claim the drinking straw was invented here, but I can't find anything to support that.

From what we can tell, observing the locals, Lisbian's don't look too happy - we think maybe they should consider an alternative lifestyle.

August 31, 2005 by in ohio | permalink | comments (1)

We woke up to rain this morning, and quickly went outside to tilt the awning.  Bob, a fellow camper (with a metal detector) in Algonquin gave us this tip to prevent rain from collecting and potentially ruining the awning.   

We're keeping an eye on the hurricane.  It looks like we'll get winds up to 20 mph tonight. 

August 30, 2005 by in ohio | permalink | comments (0)

This guy/girl has been hanging out on the dock outside of our trailer all day today. Not sure if it is a stork, a crane or what...?

August 29, 2005 by in ohio | permalink | comments (6)

Many people who have trailers that they don't move build screen porches for them.  We saw this beauty down the road from where we're staying.

August 28, 2005 by in ohio | permalink | comments (0)

Today we drove 6.5 hours and ended up in Lisbon, Ohio.  Brian's cousin Bill (pictured above) met up with us and is camping in a tent overnight.

August 27, 2005 by in ohio | permalink | comments (1)

Even though I don't feel well, at the end of work today we hiked the big dune so we could get a picture for the blog. It is 284 feet above the lake and 3 miles long.

August 26, 2005 by in michigan | permalink | comments (0)

Quite regularly, when I haven't seen Brian for about 30 minutes or so, I'll look out the window and see him with his arms crossed, staring at the trailer chatting it up with some stranger.

This morning (his birthday) he woke to some chores.  We left the inverter on overnight and the batteries got pretty low, so he had to run the generators first thing.  Pictured above is Brian marveling with our neighbor at how quiet they are.

August 26, 2005 by in michigan | permalink | comments (5)

Looks like I caught myself a sore throat in Chicago. I don't want to gross ya'll out with a big picture - it's already borderline too much information.

August 25, 2005 by in michigan | permalink | comments (0)

We're now in Michigan at the Sand Dunes in a "rustic" campsite - meaning no electric, no water, no sewer.  Pictured above is a dump station, an important stop before parking without hookups.

August 24, 2005 by in michigan | permalink | comments (2)

The last 2 mornings I've taken the train into Chicago. It's kind of fun for 2 days, but I'll be happy not to do it tomorrow!

August 23, 2005 by in illinois | permalink | comments (0)

We've noticed a fashion trend here in Chicago - men are rolling up their jeans an inch or two above their ankles.   Is he hot or not?

August 22, 2005 by in illinois | permalink | comments (7)

Last night Linda got a knock on her door from the president of her home-owner's association.  According to the revised rule book (which she never received), residents are not allowed to have trailers in their driveways.  Turns out she will receive a letter of reprimand and possibly a $25 fine for having her white trash guests.

August 21, 2005 by in illinois | permalink | comments (2)

This weekend we're working at the Paper Source warehouse.  Brian is shooting more videos, I'm doing web stuff and Curtis is taking meetings.

August 20, 2005 by in illinois | permalink | comments (2)

August 19, 2005 by in illinois | permalink | comments (0)

Today we leave Buffalo Park and are moving about 5 miles to a co-worker's driveway.  We're looking forward to long showers and a washer/dryer that doesn't take quarters.

August 18, 2005 by in illinois | permalink | comments (0)

Last night our friend Mike stopped by the trailer (I used to work with him 2000/01).  He's currently selling his childhood home and now after our visit, considering getting an entry level RV.

August 17, 2005 by in illinois | permalink | comments (1)

August 16, 2005 by in illinois | permalink | comments (2)

This sweet little grasshopper sat upside down on our ceiling for a night and then found a comfortable spot on my head.

August 15, 2005 by in illinois | permalink | comments (4)

We saw a Son World Ministries bus on our drive...are they holy or are they twisted?   Check out their puppet of the month.

August 14, 2005 by in illinois | permalink | comments (1)

• Every young girl we saw was holding a baby or pushing a stroller.
• Iowa has better grocery stores than South Dakota and Wyoming.
• People frequently laugh out loud at the movies.
• There are a LOT of crickets.

"Not a lot going on." - Brian

We're headed to Illinois tomorrow, hopefully more exciting posts to follow.

August 12, 2005 by in iowa | permalink | comments (2)

We've now done #5 and #7 on the Ottumwa Visitors Bureau list of 101 things to do.  #5: Feeding the geese wasn't much of a stretch considering they're right outside the trailer.

If Brian were more attentive, he would have noticed their green poo on my skirt before we went to Target, or maybe he's just getting used to trailer life.

August 11, 2005 by in iowa | permalink | comments (1)

Leigh's parents are right, it is "the American Gothic house that Grant Wood used as his backdrop for his world-famous portrait of two stern figures (which has been used for) thousands of parodies...over the past half century." - from the sign out front, located in Eldon, Iowa.

August 10, 2005 by in iowa | permalink | comments (6)

Anyone know why this house is famous?

August 10, 2005 by in iowa | permalink | comments (3)

We are sad about the deaths caused from life on the road.

August 9, 2005 by in iowa | permalink | comments (2)

It's going to be a slow week...

August 8, 2005 by in iowa | permalink | comments (0)

Yes, Brian had me get out of the truck on a bridge to take this picture...

We left Yankton SD at 8:30 am, arrived in Ottumwa at 4pm to find out we passed Rathburn lake. We turned around, drove 25 miles and found the state park that we had our reservation in. It was beautiful, however, they had faulty power there so we couldn't stay. We turned back around and returned to Ottumwa (7pm), where everything is working perfectly. Struggled with the internet for a bit - but knowledge of HTML got us online (too boring to explain). Glad today is over!

August 7, 2005 by in iowa | permalink | comments (2)

We drove all day today, and are driving all day tomorrow...

August 6, 2005 by in south dakota | permalink | comments (1)

We needed some cash for a sunset horse ride and the only ATM in Interior SD is at The Wagon Wheel bar. There was a bull tied up out front and I of course had to take some pictures.  The bleary eyed locals started to goad us to get on it, and Brian couldn't pass up on the photo op.

Turns out the bull's name is Radar, and he also spends time INSIDE the bar!

Our ride in the sunset was beautiful.  I rode a mare named Morgan and Brian rode a mule named Jasper.  I asked for the most mellow horse they had and got "if she were any more mellow she'd be asleep."

The land we rode on is for sale.  400 acres, $600/acre.

August 6, 2005 by in south dakota | permalink | comments (2)

August 5, 2005 by in south dakota | permalink | comments (0)

Right before the entrance to The Badlands National Park there is a place to stop and feed the prairie dogs.

August 5, 2005 by in south dakota | permalink | comments (3)

This is the kind of landscape we've been looking at since Wednesday.  The Badlands gets its name from French trappers in the early 1800's who referred to this area as a "bad land to cross" and the Dakota Indians who called it "mako sica" meaning "land bad."  The paved road makes it easier to travel through these days.

August 5, 2005 by in south dakota | permalink | comments (0)

We can now throw out that nasty flypaper, because today we bought this incredible invention.  The Racquet Zapper is Brian's new favorite toy, he's running around cooking the bugs and laughing hysterically.

August 4, 2005 by in south dakota | permalink | comments (3)

Today we moved to Interior, South Dakota.  Population 67.  When we arrived winds were blowing up to 25mph according to weather.com.  They've since died down and have left a bunch of tumbleweeds under the trailer.

Good news:  our internet is up and running again!

August 3, 2005 by in south dakota | permalink | comments (2)

We rate Deadwood as our number 1 place we've stayed in, though its number 1 drawback is the limited food.  The restaurants all serve burgers, steak and chicken fingers.  The grocery store barely had chicken - we got the 2nd to last package with a same day expiration date.  So food would be a problem if we ever decided to live here.

This is definitely a great long weekend destination for anyone who plays poker.

August 2, 2005 by in south dakota | permalink | comments (0)

Tonight Brian placed 2nd out of 40 players at the Cadillac Jack's NL Tournament. For those of you who know Brian, would you believe he actually made a *deal when it was down to 2 players?! What happened was, we found out after we paid the entry fee that it was a winner take all tournament, and with a prize pool that big and pretty much evenly stacked chips, you can't blame him for not risking it on a coin flip.

Good job GB for working it back from $1k in chips to $60k!

*deal = a split of the prize pool

August 1, 2005 by in south dakota | permalink | comments (5)