Sunday
Sep052010

Ed's Museum • Wykoff, Minnesota

For five decades, two fundamental forces of the universe squared off against each other in the tiny town of Wykoff, MN, and few have known about it.

The first of those forces: Messiness. Its champion: Edwin Julius Krueger. A lifelong Wykoff resident, proprietor of the Jack Sprat Food Store, carefree spirit, and a man who never threw anything away.

The opposing force: Tidiness. Its champion: The ladies of the Wykoff Progress Club. Lovers of order, neatness, and no-nonsense adult responsibility.

For almost 50 of his 91 years, Ed lived like a slob and got away with it. He moved into the small Jack Sprat Food Store in 1933 and otherwise did nothing particularly important in his life. He was beloved as Wykoff's most colorful character, but after 1940, after his wife died, he became a very, very, very messy man.

The women of Wykoff bided their time. When Ed died in 1989 he left his store, and its decades of accumulated debris, to the town with the stipulation that it be turned into a museum. Perhaps he thought his messiness would outlive him? But the women of Wykoff, mostly German-American and all very tidy, had other plans.

Connie, a proud member of the Wykoff Progress Club, gave the tour. "His dream was to have a museum. He kept everything." Although the place is ostensibly a showcase of a half-century of stuff that most people threw away, Connie shares his story and describes all of his "trash" with pride. ;)

THIS IS ED'S DEAD CAT, SAMMY! YES HE IS IN THE BOX!!!

CONNIE & SAMMY


Saturday
Sep042010

"Come out, come out where ever you are pretty lady!"

I have the tiniest signal so I'm just doing a brief little update!! I have A LOT to catch up on but I need to wait until I settle somewhere that has a strong signal!! 

At this particular moment I'm being stalked by some hillbilly children of the corn (they look like hillbillies and we're surrounded by corn – you get the idea). Two boys are outside right now on their bikes circling my camper. One boy, wearing fishing waders five sizes too big, is yelling "come out, come out where ever you are pretty lady"! Seriously, I can't make this stuff up!! I need to snap a picture just because I can hardly even believe it myself. Right now they're harmless, but I think the boy wearing the waders is going to grow up to be dangerous someday. I'm heading out of here momentarily!! Thank goodness!!

I'm going to put together a list rating campgrounds and this is place is dead last right now. 

Here's where I am and I'm leaving in minutes! I'm heading to Minneapolis, then ultimately making my way to South Dakota! Dying to see Mt. Rushmore, Bad lands and Crazy Horse. Monday night is the biannual "night blast" at Crazy Horse!! 

Saturday
Sep042010

No mister beaver, you can not have any of my cheese!

little beaver and his buddy came sniffing around my campsite for some cheese!!

Wyalusing State Park, Wisconsin (where the Mississippi & Wisconsin Rivers meet)

Saturday
Sep042010

camping : wyalusing state park!

I bought my new cheesehead hat so I felt compelled to wear it – and if I'm gonna wear a cheesehead, I might as well BE a cheesehead! I'm surprised my camping neighbors didn't call the police. It really was funny, but I guess you had to be there!! haha :) 

By the way, I'm on a bluff (Wyalusing State Park) 500 feet above where the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers meet! Breathtaking!

oh no, my cheesehead is falling

oh well, my cheesehead fell. 

My new "cheesehead" works as a great pillow for headstands!!
 

 

Saturday
Sep042010

Welcome to Wisconsin: Camper upgrades, a Harley ride and target practice!

My first stop in Wisconsin was the Camp-Inn factory where my teardrop was born. I went there for a Yakima roof rack, and left with everything but the rack! I was like a kid in a candy store. Thank goodness I don't own a credit card because I'd probably be in trouble!!

What's new you ask? My new ride is pimped out with a new electronic ventilation ceiling fan, fancy interior lights, cup holders (which also serve as wine bottle holders), new undercarriage storage bins, two new tables, black alcan cover to protect the front end, and a new mattress! LOVE IT! 

The guys at the shop were absolutely amazing, especially my new friend Marty. Marty understood my journey as he himself embarked on a similar life-changing odessey about ten years ago. The work on my camper wasn't complete, so I'd be spending the night. As the day came to a close, Marty climbed onto his Harley ready to ride into the sunset. Next thing I know, he glances over and asks if I'd like to go for a ride! I must have looked like a dear caught in headlights. I've never been on a Harley before?! Heck, I've never been on anything but the back of my brother's dirt bike when I was very young. I'm scared to death, but I want to go, I think! The ride was incredible, but I know I must have left nail marks in Marty's leather jacket from holding on for dear life. Sorry Marty. 

Day 2: Finish upgrades and target practice out back! (Mom, relax. I was safe. I swear). My dad and brother, Michael, are both hunters so I've grown up around guns but I've never fired one! It's one of those things that scares me to death, but I've still been curious for some reason. I have no idea why. 

New lights and new cup/wine bottle holder! 

I discovered my inner outlaw. First time firing a gun. I fired a 9mm, revolver and a 357 magnum!

 

Saturday
Sep042010

PLEASE VOTE! PLEASE VOTE! PLEASE VOTE! PLEASE VOTE!

I have so much to catch up on, but first and foremost I need to plea for some votes!! My most amazing friend Diana entered her chubby cheeked, beautiful son Tommy into a Gerber Baby contest! 

Please take a minute and vote for him! And for those of you that don't know... Diana is amazing (click here to read about her and her inspiring journey to bring Tommy into this world). :)

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VOTE FOR TOMMY CASEY!!
 

Saturday
Sep042010

Nothing to see here. MOOOOOve along. 

Some farm in Wisconsin. The cows have an attitude problem. They're all "mad" about something! hahaha

 

Wednesday
Sep012010

This is a first! Slept at a camper factory! Camp-Inn factory!

I arrived at the teardrop factory yesterday for some upgrades. Work wasn't quite complete last night so I slept over in one of their deluxe pimped out teardrops! Need to go shower quick before the crew gets here!!

Yes, I slept in a factory! (It's really nice though :)  Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Monday
Aug302010

BYE Michigan! I'll miss you... HELLO Wisconsin!

That's our little car crossing into WI!! Too bad my gps doesn't have the option to show a little camper behind the car - that would be hilariousSent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Monday
Aug302010

drinking gives you the same benefits as yoga

Savasana
Position of total relaxation


Balasana
Position that brings the sensation of peace and calmness

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