A new day is begun

My job affords me the opportunity to see some of the most amazing vistas this side of the Mississippi. This is no exception. On a warm summer day back in July I took this photo as the sun was rising and I was headed up to Crandon for a youth training. I had never seen the sky in that shade of pink before, so I quickly grabbed my camera and took this photograph.

What's really important

"You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down." Know what movie that's from? It's probably right on the tip of your tongue. Click here for the answer.

I remember seeing that movie in 6th grade during an all school assembly on the last day before our class would go on break for the holidays. At the time, the meaning of the movie wasn't clear. To be honest with you, I saw the movie as an excuse to break from the monotony of 8 hour lesson in focus called school.

Fast forward to my adult years and this movie reentered my life in the form of a holiday tradition in Laura's family. Her family would assemble up in the north woods for a weekend of cheer. It was a time to eat delectables only prepared once a year. It was also a time to get caught up on relative gossip, marvel at the growth of the little tykes and just "be together."

Every year, like clock-work, after the dishes were done and those under 4 years old were in bed, Laura's Dad, Dave, would reach for the VHS copy of It's a Wonderful Life. For the next 3 hours we'd watch the adventures of George Bailey as he would figure out what really mattered in life. For those three hours and the days that past, our lives would be filled with the hope that we could see through all of the fuzz that cloud our minds and truly live for what's really important...friends and family.

Back up north...Turtle Lake

Work took me back up to Northwest Wisconsin earlier this week. I stayed at Canyon Road Inn, a wonderful Bed and Breakfast in Turtle Lake. I'd highly recommend you staying there if you find yourself in the area. The innkeepers, Judy and Ken will treat you like family. The rooms are uniquely themed, clean and spacious. While I didn't take any pictures of the B&B I did take a few pictures facing the lake it sits on.

Sun, sweat and satisfaction

Meet Pat and Michelle...they just completed the 140.6 mile Ironman Wisconsin on Sunday, September 7th. Amazing, right? Well, that's not the whole story. Both Pat and Michelle couldn't swim more than a length in a pool a year ago. After a year of training, they both made it and now are Ironmen. How'd they do it, you might ask? First and foremost it was because of their unbreakable spirit and motivation to finish this race of endurance.

Secondly, it was because of the Endurance House's Becoming An Ironman Team. Endurance House is where I work part-time to earn a few more bucks to afford my triathlon/endurance lifestyle. Last year, Endurance House formed a team of like minded individuals who wanted the guidance and support to successfully finish an Ironman. Following a training plan, provided by the team coach, these athletes trained day in and day out to improve their swimming, biking and running.

This story has a happening ending as each of the team members who started the race finished it. I was out on the course the entire day cheering all of them to the finish line. My camera followed me and I took these pictures. Enjoy!!

The day of the race also marked the three year anniversary of this moment. I remember it like it was yesterday.

Congratulations to all of the Endurance House Team Members on their Ironman finish! You truly are an inspiration.

Here's Michelle starting her second loop of the 26.2 mile run portion of the Ironman

With a look of determination, Pat runs by at mile 6 of his marathon
It is the Iron-Man after all!

Sunrise over Lake Monona just before the canon started the race at 7am

What's commonly referred to as the Ironman washing machine...you can see why

This sign got the most looks as athletes went by...I wonder why

It wouldn't be the Ironman if there wasn't a little perspiration

To see the rest of the photos I took that magical day check out this link.

Smoke on the water...

Fire in the sky!

Somewhere over the rainbow

It's been a long time since I've seen one of Mother Nature's wonders. I was driving through Hazelhurst on my way to Lac du Flambeau for a training when I look out the passenger window and see this...

Cycropia Aerial Dance

On a muggy Friday in August, while standing on a folding chair, I was entertained by Cycropia Aerial Dance. Orton Park hosted their annual neighborhood festival. I went for the food and music but stayed because of these aerial dance performers. It was an all ages show with hundreds of others, sitting on the ground, circling the performer's stage. The show as a combination of juggling, joke telling and aerial dance. For having a much smaller budget than Cirque du Soleil, they had a charming way about them. Rather than putting on a show in a controlled theater, Cycropia performed right in the park. Their equipment fashioned to a large tree and the performers using the park as their stage. I was entertained but the beauty of the aerial dance and the overwhelming sense of community that I felt in this near east side Madison community.