Bruce Theater

Bruce, Wisconsin has a great old one-screen theater. It's good to see that some of these are still in business.

New London Bake Shop

Even though it was closed, I could just about smell the fresh bread baking. When I was young, this is the kind of bakery we would stop for on a family vacation. We loved fresh pastries and breads.

Norwalk Creamery

The Creamery along the Elroy-Sparta bike trail is old, abandoned, and exudes character. I'm a sucker for old buildings with character. There's history lying in there just waiting to be heard.

Elroy-Sparta Trail

The Elroy-Sparta bike trail in southwest Wisconsin is peaceful, relaxing and beautiful. It is considered the first rail-to-trail project in the country. The highlights are three underground tunnels along the way - the longest more than three quarters of a mile.

The Wood Shed

On a recent vacation we toured an Amish community that thrives in and around Augusta, Wisconsin. This image is the side of The Wood Shed, a store in downtown Augusta that sells Amish goods and who arranged the tour for us. It was completely fascinating, and highly recommended. Unfortunately for me, Amish don't allow photography of themselves or their lifestyle. It took every bit of will power to not shoot a single shot, not to mention continuously.

Tall Grass and Barn

Back in Wittenberg, waves of tall grass and a lonely barn.

Stately Post Office

Rarely is a post office architecturally significant. Mostly they are functional and non-descript. But Northfield, MN, is a college town, so I wasn't completely surprised to find that one of the finer buildings in the downtown core was the post office. In character with much of Northfield, the post office has a charming presence.

Behind Froggy Bottoms

Downtown Northfield, MN, has all the right elements: pededstrian friendly,

cute shops, fun bars, moody cafes and a river running through it.

Captain Ken's Truck

The old Captain's truck sits above his warehouse at the Captain Ken's complex in St. Paul.

Wittenberg Still Life

Wittenberg House

Wittenberg Barn

I visited a farm for sale in rural Wittenberg, Wisconsin. A very peaceful place.

I'll post images the next few days.

First Time on the Freeway

"Honey, you need to speed up to get onto the freeway.

"How am I supposed to know if there are cars coming? I can't see anything!"

"Take a look. There aren't any cars in your way."

"I can't look, I need to stay on the road!"

"You'll be fine."

"Dad, I did it!. That was my first time merging onto a freeway!"

"Dad, there's a car up ahead, what do I do?"

"You're going faster than he is so you'll have to pass him."

"I can't pass him, that's too scary!"

"Just get in the left lane and go by him. When you're past, get back in the right lane."

"Dad, I forgot to SMOG!"

"Huh?"

"Signal, Mirror, Over the shoulder, Go. I changed lanes and didn't SMOG!"

"It's ok, you'll remember next time."

"Dad, I did it! That was my first time passing!"

"Honey, when you come up to a group of cars and trucks like that one ahead, you should cancel the cruise control."

"I know, dad, it's called a wolf pack. I'm supposed to avoid them."

"Dad, there's a truck up ahead going slow. What do I do?!"

"Move to the left lane and pass him."

"But then I'll be in his blind spot! What if he doesn't see me and he crashes into us!"

"You'll be fine. This kind of thing happens all day long."

"OMG I did it! That was my first time in a truck's blind spot! We're still alive!"

"I know, it's a miracle."

Early Minnesota Settlers

In the St. Mary's cemetery in New Trier, MN, Claudius Irrthum (1810-1893) lies next to Anna Irrthum (1811-1879) and John Irrthum (1844-1878). I'm not sure the relation, but Claudius and Anna appeared to have lived long lives in early Minnesota.

St. Mary's, New Trier

New Trier, Minnesota, population 116 is celebrating the 150th anniversary of St. Mary's Catholic church. Beautiful architecture and a fascinating cemetery.

Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork, Ireland

Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral is situated in the centre of Cork City, Ireland. Designed by William Burges and consecrated in 1870, the Cathedral lies on a site where Christian worship has been offered since the seventh century. Legend has it that St. Fin Barre was the son of Amergin, whose tribe was descended from Eochaidh Muidmheadoin, brother of the king of Munster. Amergin settled in the territory of Muskerry, in the county of Cork, where he obtained an inheritance and land at a place called Achaidh Durbchon, near the spot afterwards known as Gougane Barra, at the sources of the river Lee. He was chief smith to Tighernach, king of the Hy Eachach of Munster, and he married a young woman of the king's household. As this was in defiance of the king's wishes, the couple was summoned before him and he sentenced them to be burned alive. A storm of thunder and lightning, with heavy rain, prevented the decree from being carried out. This was regarded as a divine interposition and they were set free.A child was born from this union and they returned to Gougane Barra, where the boy was baptised Luan, or Lochan. When he was seven years old three clerics of Munster, returning from a pilgrimage to Leinster, happened to stop at the house of Amergin. They admired the boy for the grace of the Holy Spirit that seemed to them to shine in his face, and were allowed by his parents to take him away to be educated. He studied at a place called Sliabh Muinchill, where, as was usual at the time, he was tonsured and had his name changed. The cleric who cut his hair is said to have observed, "Fair (finn) is the hair (barra) of Luan.""Let this be his name," said another, "Barr Finn, or Finn Barr."

Perfect Day For A Parade

Pine County Dairy Ambassadors ride in the Moose Lake, MN 4th of July parade. The parade is an annual tradition for our family going back four generations. It's a quintessential small town parade with hand-made floats, fire engines, farm implements, hot rods, politicians, and princesses and ambassadors galore. The highlight for many of us is the fly-over of two air force fighter jets. When the parade ended and the jets didn’t make an appearance, we assumed they were the victim of budget cuts. But they were the perfect ending when they came screaming overhead as we walked back to our cars.