Our "Welcome Home" to Lower-48

Hi all!

As promised, I'm updating my blog this week although I don't have much to tell. We sort of rushed down from Canada, stopping in Jasper (where Elk were literally 10 feet from us eating out of the median in the road across from our hotel room) and some other not-so-interesting towns making our way back to good ole Minnesota. We must have looked suspicious at the Canada-North Dakota border as they searched our entire truck. For some reason they couldn't figure out how we could take off 8 months to travel the United States.... hmmmmm.... Anyway, we passed the "border test" as we weren't carrying anything illegal - whoofta! NOT a very good "welcome home"!!! An hour later we were on our way through the uneventful trip through North Dakota to Minnesota.




Matt was able to spend time with Ben for his birthday on October 2nd - HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN! Other birthdays this month are - HUNTER, MELISSA, ERIC & JEANNE! Happy Happy Birthday to all of you!!!! :)


Then we drove over to Frederic, Wisconsin to pick up our trailer on Friday. I couldn't believe how happy I was to see it again. I had missed it. We spent one night at Uncle Larry's. Thanks again to Larry, Elvis, Bandit, and Lucy for taking such good care of our little home. We appreciate you letting it sit there, even though you say it was easy to babysit, you still had to mow around it, so you'll have to admit it perhaps made your lawn work more tedious.



On Saturday, Matt changed a bald tire on the trailer. Here is a bit of how it's done so you'll be able to do it if need be. Remember, it's a good thing I had little to do with this entire process (Refer to my notes next to pictures as they are not even close to accurate). Thanks to Matt and his extensive training in malehood as he easily accomplished this chore in less than 30 minutes.


Step 1: Lift back wheel with wood. Take "t"-looking thingy and take off front wheel (bald one).



Step 2: Rolly-roll off tire that is busted.


Step 3: Admire the fact that you were able to do it up to this point.


Step 4: Put on new tire. Fasten bolt things (righty tighty, lefty loosy) so tire doesn't fall off. You did it!



We then drove out to Birchwood to spend time with the Schultze's. It was a nice relaxing evening. On Sunday, I went back to Minnesota with Shelia and Harry and Matt stayed back to do some fishing with Ben.





I was lucky enough to be able to spend time with my Grandpa Earle, Aunt Judy, Carol, and Dad on Sunday night. We all played some wicked games of poker and although I lost about $2.00 I learned how to play about 10 different poker games and had a hilariously enjoyable time. It took me a few hands to figure out that even though you may have 7 cards, only 5 count, so my 3 pairs was worth a big whoppin' nothin'. Gramps and Judy were in town as they are road-tripping it back to Arizona/California this week. Safe travels to both of you!



Matt will be in Birchwood with Ben until tomorrow. Today he had to fix another flat tire on the trailer as it seems we picked up a nail or something, but got that done today. He'll be in Maple Grove tomorrow sometime and we'll stay another day or two and then start heading back to Oregon. Not sure the route we'll be taking yet so make sure to check the blog for updates!