Czech Out the New Windy City

Move over, Chicago. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, might have you beat as the Windy City!

We both took the day off and got down there in mid-afternoon. It was so windy we could actually hear it in our 4th-floor hotel room. If you closed your eyes, it sounded like ocean waves almost. All flags were definitely flying all of their colors.

We had only a few objectives to our trip. Meet up with Carter and Mamie for dinner, then all go to see Colin race at the historic Hawkeye Downs on Friday then check out the National Czech-Slovac Museum and GENEALOGY Library on Saturday. It turned into so much more.

We met up with the kids at Up in Smoke BBQ, which had a very similar (and delicious) vibe as the new place we checked out in Waupaca a few weeks ago. But they had some good, spicy sauces like Blueberry Habernaro and Chipotle BBQ. So tasty!

And by strange coincidence, the restaurant was located in the "Czech Village" which included the museum and genealogy library Jim (my partially Bohemian hubby) had already planned to visit Saturday. And lo and behold, there was a big Boho festival going on! So we were already excited to (accidentally) be here for this particular weekend.

From there, it was off to Hawkeye Downs, celebrating its 100th year. Mamie hadn't been to a stockcar-type race before so this was her very windy and cold introduction. 

She thought it was fun – even though we couldn't stop laughing at how absurd the wind was!

Plus, we got a precipitation delay that include a rainbow at the east end of the track!

To sum up the race experience...  Colin qualified 14th, finished 3rd in the heat race, and the feature was interesting. There was an accident on Turn 1 before Colin's feature where a car had issues and flew into the turn, taking out part of the fence, wall, then there were several accidents there the rest of the night. During his feature, Colin got hung in a wreck with 4 trucks on that same turn. Colin had to leave to the pits but got his truck literally taped up while they were cleaning up the mess. And got back to the race and even though he was in the back of the pack, he fought his way up to a 5th-place finish! It was pretty fun to watch!!

By the way, this was the temperature and "feels like" temp about an hour before Colin's race ended. Uff da!

This morning, we got down to the Czech Village so Jim could do some family tree research at the museum and I could watch the festival parade and shop all the vendors. Perfect situation!

Parade with lots of Bohemians in full costume.

Oh and the wind? Still here today obviously!

There was also chalk art going on. Very impressive.

When Jim was done, Carter met us so we could cross the river and head into New Bohemia.

Upon a museum worker recommendation to Jim, we went to the Little Bohemia restaurant.

After all, they have perfect Robyn-approved pun in "Czech us out."

My partially Bohemian husband and son ordered the ghoulash. They said it was very delicious!!

My Boho Boys before we left town.

We got home around 6:30 tonight and we're a bit exhausted. Lots of driving for Jim and lots of windy fresh air for us both! Too bad we both have to sing in our church choirs in the morning and can't sleep in. Guess that means I need to turn on my electric mattress pad and hit the hay soon! 

A Bit of Corny Fun

There's this unincorporated wide spot in the road that we call Kellner. I didn't know it was so popular until I attended my first Kellner Corn Fest Parade yesterday!

There were people lining both sides of 80th Street/Country Trunk W for the half-mile-ish parade route.

It was fun to see our neighborhood farm and "pumpkin shed" have float. The theme this year was something about the wild west.

Got to see our friend Bob (aka Jingles) – the clown in the middle.

I had to laugh a skeletons representing the beauty of the House of Glam!

Our nephew Colin had his race car in the parade too! His wife and kiddos were throwing the candy.

Colin also delivered a few toy cars to kids in the crowd. That's pretty cool!

On the way home, we just happened to follow our neighbor's float! I don't think seat belts were invented in the old west, so Trevor here is perfectly legal, right?

That was pretty much our excitement for the weekend. Worked on some raffle basket things yesterday. We both had church. I had a senior photo shoot tonight for a boy named Carter – so you have to love him!!

He didn't necessarily love to smile. But I loved the challenge of trying to get him there! I might have used up all my CORNY (to stick with the theme) charming material for the week! Good thing I've got love-to-smile girls in my foreseeable future. 

Though I'm sure Carter had the super model vibe down by the end of our session. Just don't tell his friends!

Country Christmas

The locals know there's a big rock outside of Rudolph that gets painted and repainted for every new important event – from weddings to memorials to parties. Pretty much the rule is if it's on the rock it must be important. And today's Rudolph Country Christmas is all of that!

We've been there a few times but this year we were going to be part of the parade, riding in the wagon with the rest of the guitar choir, singing Christmas carols. 

But first we had to check out the marketplace they set up on Main Street. Which might not actually be called Main Street now that I think about it.

Our friends the Fullers were the entertainment for the afternoon.

I spied two elves that I happen to know from school. I usually see them dressed in basketball gear, but the elf costumes were cute.

There was a pair of reindeer there. This guy is questioning why everyone loves Rudolph and not him.

Rudolph says: "Because this town is named after me!" 

Lots of pretty decorations set up, including this tree from our friends at Moccasin Creek.

I managed to get a minute with Santa to plead my case and he was thankfully all about mercy and grace. Ha.

I got back to the entertainment tent and my hubby was already on stage, so to speak, singing some Eagles song!

I'm thankful that by the time the parade started, they could transfer that magical fire pit onto our float. Because it was non-stop snow/rainy stuff. And windy. There were at least 20 of us on the float singing so we were squished together and it didn't feel that cold.

But when the parade was done, I was freezing. And it didn't help that I sat on a wet bench for the parade and my pants and long underwear were wet. And somewhat frozen. I was so cold. We just headed straight home afterwards with the heat blaring. 

Got home and got dry clothes on. Got part of a Hallmark movie in but I really need to get into my heated side of the bed pronto. 

Country Christmases aren't for sissies, that's for sure! Hope you got a chance to check it out!

Happy Father's Day Weekend

Happy Father's Day to all of you dads and father figures! Although I was striving to make this a "Father's Day" weekend, I sure enjoyed it, too. It was sort of a whirlwind. But fun! 

Saturday morning, hubby golfed and I decided to take control of my life and go for a walk around Lake Wazeecha. Haven't done that this year and it's already summer. Something is definitely wrong with that.

How could I forget the calming effect of a quiet walk around the lake on a summer morning? Much needed.

In the early afternooon, we went to a grad party for one of our baseball players, then... yep, went to the ballfield.

Caught some Friday night action with the Legion team and wanted to see some in the daylight – less hazy. In the 80+-degree heat, our Rangers stayed hot and pulled off a 12-run victory – and I got a few decent pictures in the process. We stopped home to cool off for a bit and then headed over the Ridges patio to hear our friend Pam sing with The Antonettes.

Simply gorgeous evening for that! Good meal, great music, and a nice time running into several friends.

Today, Jim got to open up his gift from Carter since mine hasn't arrived yet...

Hurray for new WORK shoes for Dad!

After church, we headed over to our friend Glenn's for the annual Cranberry Blossom Fest Parade. Our tradition of watching the parade pass by his garage has ended because the parade now starts at the former mall and end at about 9th and Grand Avenue.

A handful of us walked a block and a half down the street the watch. I wanted candy to fill my candy dish at work but didn't feel the need to tackle little kids for the last lollipop. So I ended up with one. Stinkin'. Tootsie Roll. Sorry, co-workers.

After a fun time visiting and eating, we headed over to Jim's dad's so we could take him to dinner at the Halder Bridge Bar. Oh come on, you've heard of Halder, haven't you? It's that corner of Marathon County where Johnny grew up and what Jim fondly calls "God's Country." 

The family enjoyed their famous chicken dinner and it was heartwarming to see Dad joke around after so many months of grief. We're just going to keep treasuring the one dad we have left between the two of us. Hope you were able to do the same!

Now it's off to the recliner to watch the end of the U.S. Open with the current favorite dad in my life! 💜

Catching Waves Mindset

Had a host of errands on my to-do list since it's my last day off... until my vacation next week, I mean. I think everyone had the same idea. 

Either that or it was National Wait in Line Day. 'Cuz I certainly did that. ATM, Kwik Trip, pharmacy, oil change place and later, my hair artist. Well, that's obvious from the photo. I had to take one. It's like she styled those beach waves right into my hair. And I can never do that on my own so I'll just "sleep carefully" so I don't completely ruin it before work tomorrow.

The only stylin' I did do on my own was getting my fingernails cruise ready.

Of all those stops today, you know who noticed them and complimented me on them? The oil change dude. Glad he didn't ask to see my toenails since Rayna and I are waiting to get our pedicures together before we ship out.

When I wasn't running errands today I watched some of the Rose Bowl parade to see if I could spot a friend's son in the Northwoods Marching Band or see my sister in the crowd. Nope on both of those. 

I also got some work done and wonder if I'll physically return to the office in the morning. Ice warnings are the worst for commuters. We'll see how things develop overnight. Be careful out there!

Dad's Day

Happy Father's Day to all you dads, stepdads, granddads, special uncles and those serving as a father figure. You're all very much appreciated! And special hugs to those of you who don't have a dad to give hugs to in person. It's always tough!

I'm pretty sure hubby had a pretty decent day. After church, we met up with son #2 for golfing at TriCity.

Let's just say Clay and I let him win. Because, well, it's Father's Day and all. Was great weather and we had fun!

After golf, Jim and I headed over to a friend's house for the post-parade party. Yup, we completely missed the Cranberry Blossom Fest parade and, frankly, everything about the festival this weekend. Just too busy. But is was fun hanging with the Grand Avenue garage gang and talking stupid for a few hours. Seeing the parade first was not a requirement!

After that, we headed over to Jim's parents so I could give my father-in-law a Dad's Day hug. Then it was home to grill brats for dinner. And sons 1 and 3 called. All 3C's so a pretty complete day.

Hope you and/or the dad in your life had a great day, too!