Books and Backwaters

Gray skies and old boat houses, stirs the imagination and congers up the past.

To a kid, this door is the portal to great adventure. How many times has this door been raised to open the mind to great experiences like fishing boating canoeing? How many father's and grandfather's have taken their children / grandchildren from this very boathouse over the years... Why does it lay tattered and empty when it's true value is unmeasurable?

To a kid, these are the high seas. What adventure lies ahead. Pirates whales and possibly an education? We'll see if we allow ourselves to.

I'm pitching an adventure program to an alternative school for three boys I've observed this past month. The classroom ain't doing it for them. AARC lives...

He that knew all that learning ever writ, knew only this--that he knew nothing yet. -Aphra Behn

Image - ination

Boo and I hit the water early Saturday morning. We paddled just north of the confluence of the Rock and Crawfish rivers, which found us smack dab in the middle of duck hunters in camouflaged blinds and Jon boats. (this seems to happen to me every year).

I was quite pleased that they didn't express themselves verbally in front of Boo. Glass like conditions, outstanding. Yes that's Boo in her new Birthday fleece.


The afternoon found us in Madison enjoying the sites and sounds of the city. With camera in hand Emily captures the moment. In the words of Ansel Adams; "You don't take a photograph, you make it."

It is very exciting to be apart of your children's passions. Watching them grow following along as their dreams and aspirations are realized.

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More photos on The Adventures of Super Boo Blog. My favorite is the man in the orange jump suit. Not for it's artistic value, for the fact that Boo felt compelled to give him some of her birthday money. Emily and I supported her in her decision. Her face beamed.

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In less then five minutes walking the square after her good deed, Boo looked down and found a twenty blowing in the wind. She just doubled her money. Imagine that.

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Imagination is the air of mind - Philip James Bailey

Challenges

Another great morning for a paddle. This actually from Thursday (Boo's Birthday, my youngest turned 12). Exciting time for a girl of twelve. Oh what adventure lies ahead for those who are up for the challenge.

One of Boo's birthday presents was a new black North Face fleece that is articulated for better freedom and movement. We are paddling this morning before the dawn breaks. I think she is ready. She is sleeping in her paddling clothes and fleece. Wakey wakey...

Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.- Joshua J. Marine

The Journey

The trail systems in the Southern Kettle Moraine offer great views, babbling brooks and unique bridges. Hiking around in the woods this time a year can be a little worrisome with hunting season in full swing. Though life... like adventure, is not with out risk. Ah, the journey and the bridges we cross.

I love it when the trail system follows the natural line of a river. Cris-crossing its way to its origin. The harmonic sounds of nature, the crunching of dry twigs and stones below your feet, the cooling temperatures the lack of those pesky bugs. Could it be... perfection?

The initial mystery that attends each journey is: how did the traveller reach his starting point in the first place? - Louise Bogan

Vision - ness

What a great weekend to be outdoors. Hiking paddling boating cocktails... horseback riding? Well if you call be walked around the yard bareback clinging to a horses mane, well then horseback riding. Like a turd in the hot tub... not so good.

Finally got my sister and her bow Ben out for a paddle. Liz and I took the Bell Mystic and Ben and Jenny were in their Tandem Old Town. We paddled the reeds of lower Namahbin Lake and down the Bark River a short bit. We ended up at an old school lake side tavern for cocktails and were entertained by a weekend warrior at the boat launch, who pieced together this 1940's pontoon boat with a dentist chair and duct tape. Where's the camera when you need it! Priceless!!

Great morning sunrises too...

When it is dark enough, you can see the stars. - Charles A. Beard

Take the helm

Emily and Dad - The summer of 2008

We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Celebration of Life

Family gathering, a celebration of life

Krueger, Grant W. Of Oconomowoc. September 14, 2008, age 83. Grant was a well known musician in the Milwaukee area. Grant was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Marion, his beloved second wife Marjorie, and by his nephew Todd. He is survived by his special friend Sue Stuve; his children, David (Amy) Krueger, Jamie (Tim) Dopp and Patricia (Robert) Depta; stepdaughters, Dr. Christine (Dr. Ed Kehrwald) Kuchler and Dr. Karol (Bill) Bayley; his grandchildren, Sam and Grace Krueger and Annie and John Dopp; step-grandchildren, Adam(Nikki) and Emily Kehrwald. Also survived by his nephew Greg and great-niece Christine Wolfersheim.

Friends may visit Thursday from 10AM until time of service at 12 noon, all at The Chapel of the Chimes Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield. Memorials in Grant's name can be made to Dr. Martin Luther Church in Oconomowoc, your local Humane Society or to the charity of your choice.

My Uncle Grant will be missed and remembered for his contibution to family friends and his music. - The Capt'n

Racing the sun...

A blast around the lake tonight found me racing the sun. She sets quickly this time of year.

(Look on my face) Not sure if it was determination or constipation, but just beat it in before dark. Simply gorgeous out tonight, simply gorgeous.

These are the days

Reflections

Late bloomer

A soggy bee a drift... rescued

These are the days... - The Capt'n

Paddling the water of the Aztalan

With the fall colors arriving and crisp mornings upon us we are enjoying yet another season of paddling here in the Midwest. The upper and lower Rock Basins offer some great opportunities to get out on the water. Autumn is my favorite time of year.

I ventured out of Aztalan onto the Crawfish River today. Aztalan is a ceremonial center for the Mississippian era Indians that inhabited this area some 2000 years ago.

The Crawfish River meets up with the Rock River and flows south to the Mississippi River. This was extremely important to the area as it created a trade route to the distant Mississippian Complex of Cahokia to the south.

The first signs of change. The colors to come should be amazing with the dry conditions we have had the past 2 months. It is my understanding that the sugar concentrate offers a great apple crop and brilliant colors in our leaves with restricted moisture. I'm lov'n it.

Hard to believe this past June with all the flooding we had that I-94 was closed do to the high water. The most Northern section of the freeway was underwater in June making the commute a nightmare for those needing to venture West.

Not a soul on the water, quiet as a lark, felt like I had stepped back in time. When Aztalan flourished, the Crawfish River was much clear and deeper and the shallow banks where lined with wild rice, rushes and other aquatic plants making this an outstanding place to live. The Crawfish river served as an important resource with a variety of fish, turtles, fresh water mussel, mammals, waterfowl and edible plants as well.

Keep your paddle in the water - The Capt'n