Wisconsin Is So Chill

Wow, after another 12-hour travel day, landing in Wisconsin tonight took my breath away. Not the normal beauty of the Dairy State – but the quite chilly temperature! And it's going to get down into the 30s tonight? Can I go back??

Actually, I'm good not going back. Ever probably. I mean I saw and did the 3 things I really wanted to if free time allowed – ride a street car, see the Golden Gate Bridge, and tour Alcatraz. Beyond that, had a fact-filled and fun-filled conference (with personal appearances by SNL comedians Colin Jost and Amy Poehler). People will be jealous they aren't in marketing! 

I have so many pictures to get through, but I'll share a few from our after-conference trip to see the Golden Gate Bridge. It worked out perfectly because the other days of the week it was foggy or cloudy and we couldn't see the whole bridge.

It turned out to be a great view. I liked this view better than a straight-on end-to-end because that would be a long, skinny picture. This way we were up close and could see the actual orange color too. But wait, could we get closer?

Like ON it? Oh yes, it's a thing! For pedestrians and cyclists.

And yes, I faced my fear of heights (and sharks below) and walked out far enough I was definitely above ocean waters only – not land. Uff da! The trick? Look out, not down!

But yes it was cool to see it, experience it, and marvel at the construction of what is close to a 90-year-old structure. Just glad I didn't feel any swaying in the suspension bridge!

From there, we grabbed early dinner yesterday since our alarms were going off at 3:15 a.m. today for a 3:50 Uber ride to the airport for a 6 a.m. flight.

So long day, glad to be home, and especially glad hubby turned on my electric mattress pad hours ago! So good to home again.

Holy Ship!

One of my highlights this weekend was seeing the famous Duluth Lift Bridge in action. It happened that on Friday while we were sightseeing around Two Harbors, we saw this ship heading toward the Duluth Canal.

I wondered out loud about what it was doing and my sister RoAnn rattled off all kinds of information about it. Of course, I thought she was having one of the LeRoy moments and pretending to know, but she really did. She showed me the website where all the incoming and outgoing ships are listed. And as it turned out, one was set to dock on Saturday morning.

I knew right away I wanted to see how a thousand-foot ship could gracefully glide into that canal. My sister Renell wanted to see it, too, so we woke up early and headed down to the harbor at 8 a.m. 

Later, after waiting and freezing with the windchill (not kidding), we realized it was coming in 49 minutes late. But it was worth wait.

I have only seen draw bridges in action, so was curious to see the difference with this one.

Basically the whole bottom zooms straight up so the ship can come on in, barely glide under and pass through.

Here she comes! Barreling in at 9 mph.

Even getting closer, it was hard to tell that it was as long as a train. 

Then you started to see more of it and it was like, wow! How long is this thing?! Yes, I asked myself that even though I new it was 1,000 feet by 100 feet.

Entering the canal.

Holy ship, Batman!

That is lo-o-o-o-ong!

And it looked like it just sneaked under!

And then had to make a sharp left turn. What?

The lift goes back down.

One more tiny boat goes practically unnoticed under it! Such a contrast!

So glad we went down to see that! Definitely worth checking out if you're ever in that northern neck of the woods!

Walking Tour

As promised, here are some pictures from the Dubuque river walk and some of the amazing and unique murals you may see while walking around town. Oh there's a ton more I missed, I'm sure. But we had ice cream and it was melting! Enjoy!

Julien Dubuque sounds like a French name but no France cities here??

No filter!

TV cameras. But we don't know why. Probably some Discover Iowa show. Ha.

And my favorite non-mural signs, of course...

It says "Field of Creams." We were in Iowa, after all!

Water Under the Bridge

water under the bridge: Something in the past that cannot be controlled or undone, but must be accepted, forgiven, or forgotten.

If you want a true visual of what "water under the bridge" means, you merely have to look at any moving body of water in the area and see how the rain has pushed the flow into high gear.

The origin of the phrase actually comes from the ancient Greek Heraclitus, who said, "You could not step twice into the same river." The river is ever changing because of the flow of the water, the river is never the same a second later. In other words, what happened in the past should stay in the past. People can change and become better persons.

Forgive and forget. That's water under the bridge.

Or is it?

After church today I went to my nephew Tony, who is eyeing up his release next month after serving time in prison and participating in a correctional facility guided treatment program of sorts. With each visit over the past 2 years, he has been more positive, more honest, more goal-driven, more like his true self. He is so close to being done with this stage, but there is a long road (or river) ahead.

Freedom comes with many strings attached. Rules to follow. And a general re-entry into society. That may be the hardest part.

While we can't entirely dismiss the seriousness of some of his actions, I sure hope people recognize how serious he is about learning from those, moving forward and not repeating them.

His focus right now is inspiring. It has been a privilege to have been a part of his journey and a witness to his transformation. We realized today that it was probably going to be our last visit in a setting where we sit with a table between us, under the watchful eye of security guards. That's OK. We know our paths going forward will be intertwined.

Thankfully, the water he was treading in the past has moved under the bridge and down river and been replaced by water flowing in a new direction.

I pray it is mostly smooth sailing.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Even in our darkest hours -- which these days happens to be on our commute to work in the morning -- we can still find light at the end of the tunnel.

I realize it is only Tuesday, but is has a been a stressful week! Personally, I've had a few surprises to deal with and I've also had loved ones coping with some pretty serious challenges. When all seems dark, we wonder if there is a light at the end of the tunnel and, if so, how long is this tunnel.

It reminds me of some of the covered bridges we saw out East. They are single lane. So not only are you going through it in the dark, you know that between you and that light at the end, you run the risk of hitting something head-on. A very low risk, but nonetheless, it takes some guts and some faith.

When we focus on the light -- sometimes a happy outcome, the support of family and friends or new direction in life -- the journey is not so scary.

We get through it, turn around and look back and think, "Wow, that wasn't as bad as I thought." Or "Look what I just survived! I made it through OK!"

Our journey doesn't always have to be in darkness.

 Sometimes there are windows to shed a little light... a respite from the fear, pain or sadness.

That relief can come in the form of people who love us and support us...

Or from a brief bout of self courage. Faith in our own abilities.

Sometimes we just need to stop, take a look out that window and remember all the blessings God has bestowed upon us.

What I've learned in the last 24 hours is that most things have a way of working out. I've received some positive news about a cancer operation, a missing child and word that McDonald's already has their eggnog shakes and Holiday Mint McFlurries.

Yes, God gives us what we need, alright. And if we don't know what that is, He'll find a way to lead us in the right direction.

That's so much easier than doing it on our own, isn't it?