Quote of the Day

Posted by C.J.

“Strong women and strong men use strong words.”

–D.J. Stevenson (age 4)

Change of Camping Plans

Posted by C.J.

Okay, plans have changed. N. received a call on Friday from Devil’s Lake State Park’s reservation service that the park is officially closed due to flooding.

David and I had to find another park for camping this week.

Initially, I looked at Lake Kegonsa State Park, but I want our trip to be full of activities and Kegonsa doesn’t offer many, especially since the trails are mucky from the rain.  

Governor Dodge State Park, on the other hand, has a lot to offer. Since it’s set up high on a hill, the excessive rainfall hasn’t had much of an effect on the park. The lakes are a bit high, but the trails are usable. There are a waterfall and spring house to explore, and canoe rental. It’s a nearly perfect alternative to Devil’s Lake. Fortunately, there were a few campsites available for tent camping and I was able to reserve a site close to restrooms and showers. (That’s important when camping with a four-year old.)

The camping trip is back on!  

Raining on Our Camping Parade

Posted by C.J.

[Note: This post was written on June 12, but not published until June 15, two days after we received word that Devil's Lake State Park is closed due to flooding.]

I’ve been looking forward to camping with my son, David, for weeks. I made reservations at Devil’s Lake State Park last week and then started mapping out our activities in my mind: set up camp, take a short hike, climb on boulders, walk through Parfrey’s Glen, return to camp site and start a fire, eat hot dogs, roast marshmallows, and so on. As it turns out, though, Wisconsin has been slammed with rain. Lake Delton in Wisconsin Dells (about 20 minutes from the park) broke its banks and drained into the Wisconsin River; flooding is rampant; and parts of Devil’s Lake State Park are under water.

And on top of it all, the rain just keeps on coming down. We’re expected to get more storms today and tomorrow. None of this bodes well for a positive camping experience. Nevertheless, we’re going. Here’s why:

1. David and I have been looking forward to this trip for a month. We almost never have time alone as daddy and son.
2. Our camp site is far enough away from the lake that it should be dry, even if it’s mucky in other parts of the park.
3. Our most important plans include climbing on boulders and sitting around the campfire; neither activity should be affected too much by rising waters.
4. I have my own fantasies about sitting around a campfire with a book, headlamp, and a beer.

 Potential challenges:

1. Mud
2. Mosquitoes
3. Rain

Potential solutions:

1. Rain gear.
2. Bug spray.
3. Rain gear.

If it gets really messy out there, we can go into town to eat and carouse.

Our trip is still going to be a winner.

How Do I Get a Job Title Like That?

Posted by C.J.

I spend much of my time in my day job looking for professional speakers for my company’s events, which means I get to peruse speaker bureau Web sites and read bios and watch videos of speakers in action. In my quest for speakers, I’ve come across two job titles that I’ve longed to have: futurist and adventurer.

The job of futurist seemed intriguing at first. It’s very Asimov. I could imagine the conversations.

Guest at a cocktail party: “What do you do for a living?”  

Me (with hands on hips and head held high): “I’m a futurist. I predict the future!”

Then I heard some futurists speak. It’s not for me. For having such an exciting job title, a futurist’s job is pretty bland–too much research and statistics.

 Ah, but there is still the path to being an adventurer.

I can’t see a downside to being an adventurer. There are excitement, athletecism, exotic destinations, and fame. The problem is, as an out of shape 38-year old man with a desk job, I’m not sure what path to follow to achieve the title “adventurer.” I mean, futurists at least have college degrees that match their vocation. Heck, some futurists I know majored in “future studies.” There’s no “adventure studies” major that I know of. I have a B.S. in English and will soon have an M.B.A; those won’t cut it. What do I have to do to be called an adventurer? I camp and love to bike and fish. I’ve traveled across Europe in a train’s sleeper car with a motion sick companion. What does it take!?!

Ultimately, it doesn’t really matter; my name plate at work isn’t large enough to say “Christopher Stevenson, Professional Development Manager and Adventurer.”

So much for the dream.

 

Back from Chicago

We’ve returned from Chicago. We had a great time, but I didn’t realize that none of my kids remember staying in a hotel before. Turned out that watching them jump on the bed, open and close drawers, shut themselves in the closet, and swim in the pool was the best part of the weekend. Nevermind the wedding we attended or the time we spent in downtown Chicago, my kids’ excitement about the hotel room made the weekend.

We did, however, have a great time at Navy Pier. We rode the giant ferris wheel–modeled after the original Chicago ferris wheel from the 1893 World’s Fair–and people-watched. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day either, mid-60s and a cloudless sky.

The drive home was a breeze. Traffic was light and the kids, even though they were exhausted, were content to ride and play in the back seat. We made it back home by about 9:30pm and unloaded everything by 10:00. It was practically an ideal weekend from my standpoint.

Of course, such a great weekend wouldn’t be complete without a few crises. For us, it was dog diarhea in our bedroom when we returned and our ten-year old vomiting in her bed just as N. and I were getting ready for bed tonight. It’s now 12:11am, I’ve cleaned the carpet and washed the bed linens. I’m tired, but not frustrated. I still loved my weekend with N. and the kids. How could a little diarhea or vomit blow it for me? That won’t happen (at least not this weekend).