Ranch View

A ranch view for you. Estes Park, Colorado. Again, thanks for letting us stay Paul and Katie! Enjoy, jon

My Marbled Lake

Well, I don't actually own it. And I may have better marbled pictures than this. But every time I show someone pictures of Michigan water they are in disbelief. I love our inland ocean. And so should you. Enjoy, jon

That Part of Town

Next to the tracks. Bums sleeping on the sidewalk. Stray cats. Light industrial. And classic brick building. Walker's Point Milwaukee. I enjoy wandering through here as much as possible. During the day. Enjoy, jon

A Lizard?

Yup. Our little reptilian buddy had the coolest scales. Like a finely beaded.... I don't really know what is finely beaded. Well, reptiles. Reptiles are finely beaded. Next time you need to say something is finely beaded, just say; "It's as finely beaded as a reptile." Seriously. Enjoy, jon

It'll Get Ya'

Watch out! They are dangerous. Enjoy, jon

Intensity

Eye of the tiger. Intensity. Serious. Nevermind we were not racing. Or really sailing. Well, motor sailing. Coming back from the Chicago NOODS, Paul trims the jib. Enjoy, jon

Leif

Oh, Leif. Leif the Lucky. Leif Eiriksson. Son of Erik the Red. The first European to land on the North American continent. Founder of Vinland. Why did the native Skraelingjar and the mini ice age have to force you out. Otherwise we would celebrate Leif Eiriksson day with more vigor than Colombus day. How did that Italian take your day. I blame the mob. Enjoy, jon

Random Shrine

A random Japanese shrine in Hokkaido. I'm not sure what it is for, nor was I ever told. Wish I knew. Enjoy, jon

Crab, I think not.

This little guy decided to pose for a picture while I was at the Shedd Aquarium recently. The aquarium seems to really be for kids, running around looking at the funny fish, crazy lobsters, and even cool reptiles. But, sometimes parents are a bit of a hinderance. While I was taking up space trying to take this shot a mother told her 4 year old this was a crab. Being an obnoxious elitist, it took quite a bit of effort not to correct her. Instead I just moved out of the way and let the kid tap on the glass and enjoy the wildlife. Enjoy, jon

Wooo! Fireworks!

Taking pictures at night from a boat, not so preferred.  Jumpy, grainy, and out of focus is par for the course.  Timing fireworks ain't so easy either.  Well, enough complaining, my work must stand for itself.  Or sit.  I'll help it stand better over the years.  Enjoy, jon

Lion's Den

I never found the lion's den. Though I did find it's gorge. Not here of course, this is some of the wonderful Western shore bluffs of Lake Michigan. Kat still hasn't seen the white sand and dunes of the Eastern side, perhaps next Summer. Enjoy, jon

Poor Puppy

I didn't put him there. Maybe I should have rescued the poor guy. I suppose he's allright, being inanimate and all. But, maybe he had a different life. Maybe a little girl dropped him on the way to Summerfest and some guy jammed him in the barbed wire. And there he sat. I haven't checked in on him since the then. Though I doubt he's still there. Maybe some other kind soul rescued him. I sure hope so, I hope someone washed him. Then, cuddled him. Enjoy, jon

Close up Please

Poor nose. Well, I have been writing these for an hour straight. It takes an impressive amount of effort to do this. Not really, but it makes me feel better to think that. The last two weeks were written in a day. I could have shared them all at once with y'all, but I held back. See you tomorrow, jon

Role Reversal

Not to often you see the girl having the arm around the boy. I first thought they were a cute gay couple, until the effeminate boy rose and they walked away. Otherwise, this is our lakefront urban state park once again. Enjoy, jon

Cover Art

A not to dissimilar picture was featured on an old high school economics book I spotted while judging debate. Courtesy of Grand Avenue Mall (which, yes, still does exist) downtown Milwaukee. This stoic character is one Mr. John Plankinton. Not the most amazing Wisconsinite, he is generally associated with the meat-packing industry with the Cudahay's and Layton's. Both big names around these parts still. Well, Layton is a big street. Enjoy, jon

Our New Park

The closest state park to Kat and I, it is certainly enjoyable. Fourteen acres of fun, hiking, biking, fishing, and sunset-watching. There little experimental prairie isn't doing great, but it's getting started. Enjoy, jon

Sneak Preview

The new Harley Davidson museum is only a ten minute walk from us. So, we walked. It wasn't open yet, and the freshly poured asphalt hadn't finished setting. But, the sidewalks were open and the construction fencing was removed and we went for it. The outside and property can most certainly be described as uniquely Harley, which is pretty cool. Cannot wait until it has been open a couple weeks so I can go. Enjoy, jon

Grows here too

According to my father's wildflower book this also grows in Wisconsin. This particular specimen of Spotted Coralroot was found in Colorado. Interestingly, this orchid has no leaves. It is entirely dependant on fungus decomposing other plant matter to survive. Because of this, it is discovered in shady, damp areas and is usually accompanied by fallen logs or other decaying plant matter. Enjoy, jon

Crested Butte

There it is.  See the butte?  See the crest?  On the opposite side is the ski area itself.  The little town was inundated with snow that year.  The house we stayed in had no first floor sunlight.  Enjoy, jon

Watchful Eye and Wonder

Fireworks are cool.  Even if they are just sparklers.  Daddy spent the whole time instructing proper sparkler use.  Let dad light it, only hold the cool end, and put it in the damp grass when your done.  Despite the repeating urgings, grabbing the hot end was far too tempting.  A couple of tears later it was bedtime.  Enjoy, jon

Halfway

Halfway around the world and a few years previous, I watched this sunset from a mountain ridge in Japan.  Enjoy, jon

Mystery Couples

Kat and I enjoyed a glorious sunset walk the weekend prior to the 4th.  Not surprisingly we weren't the only couple out there.  I found these two particularly classic.  Sitting on the hood of a station wagon, watching the ships steam by and sun go down.  Yelling at the dog not to wander to far and enjoying each-other's company.  Enjoy, jon

And Then There's Paris

Sadly, Paris Hotel Las Vegas, not Paris, France.  Enjoy, jon

Milkweed

Crazy stuff.  I have know about milkweed since I was a day camper in the YMCA camps and didn't notice the flower until this summer.  I remember popping those goey pods and having them leak all over, then needing to wash hands immediately.  You could never wipe all of it off in the grass, even on a dewy day.  Or you could bean your buddies with them, resulting in escalation until an adult has to step in.  Enjoy, jon

No Internet :(

My household internet hasn't been functioning for the past week.  Saddly, this means no postings this week.  Happily, it means seven postings today!

It Spins

Really.  You should check it out.  The faster the wind, the faster the spin.  Art is cool.  Enjoy, jon

Not so snowy now

Yesterday was nice and cool, otherwise it has been terribly hot today.  For a reminder of the alternative here in Wisconsin I present our building from February.  I enjoy the winter weather, and would much rather suffer through snow than hot. Though I find this is not a universally shared notion.  Enjoy, jon

Mushroom

Vroom vroom mushroom.  Ahh, you wonderful parasitic life-form that is neither plant nor animal.  In a Kingdom all your own. Go fungi go.  Enjoy, jon

Stuck

LOL, they got their drill stuck. Hahahahahahahaha!!! Ha.  Enjoy, jon