It has been almost six weeks since I’ve updated you on our adventures! Our time at home has been all the things and I can’t believe we only have 11 days left until we leave for the next leg. As I reflected upon in my last post, the three weeks of being at the same place really did wonders for our central nervous systems and helped prepare us for the past three weeks which included a TON of family time. After we left our friend’s house in Minnetonka we went to Eau Claire for the weekend to have a family staycation with my side of the family. We golfed and pontooned and had a wonderful time with all 14 of us. From there we visited friends in Madison on our way to Oconomowoc for a week with Dave’s parents. It was a busy week reconnecting with several friends and family members in the area. We also had an overnight stay with an old friend in Milwaukee. It was fun to have a little getaway in the midst of everything and finally have a chance to check in with Dave. I know that I have felt this in past visits home but when we’re so busy I feel like I miss Dave. It makes sense because it is quite different from when it is just the two of us and I am aware that this is something I’d like to work on moving forward.
This past week we went to Marquette, Michigan with another dear friend and had an incredible time. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the beautiful views of Lake Superior that it provides is one of our favorite places in the United States. This was my sixth time being up in that area and it never disappoints. Being in nature with Dave and our friend, exploring things we haven’t done before and just going with the flow was exactly what we all needed. I’m grateful that this extended time in the Midwest provided an opportunity to go back for the first time in two years. It is where we began the US/Canada portion of our adventure and it was fun to return.
On August 30th we will begin what we’re calling the Oceania leg of our adventure. We’re still working on the correct way to pronounce it. We’re going with (ow-shee-a-nee-uh). Re: Google “owshi-aaa(long a)nia. For all the Americans out there from an Australian you pronounce it Ohshe-ai-knee-a. Oceania is a vast geographical region in the Pacific Ocean, encompassing Australia, New Zealand, and thousands of islands.” Some of the places we’ll be visiting aren’t considered part of Oceania but the majority of our time will be spent in this region. We will start with a couple days visiting Dave’s Aunt and Uncle in San Pedro, California. You may remember that we spent a couple weeks with them back in February of 2024. From there every place we’ll be visiting are ones we’ve never been to before. First we fly to Honolulu for three weeks. We’ve been to Hawaii but never to Oahu. We’re hoping we’re able to do a long weekend in Kauai as well. From there we fly to Tokyo. We’ll be in Japan for a total of seven weeks! We’re excited to explore Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. After Japan we will visit Seoul, South Korea for three weeks before we make our way to Brisbane Australia. Brisbane is technically the first city in Oceania.
With how long we are home this time and how far away we are going we will sadly miss the holidays with our family again. I know I said, if possible, I never wanted to do that again and such is the nature of the life we’ve chosen. As always, we are grateful for this time and we are excited for whatever the future has in store for us. We are confident that with a little faith and a lot of going with the flow, it is sure to be amazing!
Sending you love wherever you are!
Al and Dave ❤️
The sunset in Pepin, Wisconsin. Girls weekend. As you know I can’t get enough of the sky, wherever I am 🙂I spent the past year reading every book Sarah J. Maas wrote. I finished with the Crescent City series, which was my favorite of the three. This was a theme in those books and it spoke to me. I also have had a trend thus far getting some ink each time I come home so that’s fun too. Coupled with my close friend getting the same message tattooed on her. Good times! Ink done by @hclou @cozycampcollective who also did the cute one of Trek and Barley. Kermit the Dog. The best part about the three weeks we spent at our friend’s house. “Life goals: pet all the dogs!”Alexis Bailly Vineyard, Hastings, MN. Day trip!If you think you’re beginning to notice a trend. You’re correct. 🙂 (Kermit the Dog)When I’m home I NEED to soak up as much honorary and actual Auntie time that I can! This is heart fullness incarnate! Breakfast of champions. I missed bloody marys while traveling. Added bonus: cute dog! Food please!Our last visit to Station Pizza in Minnetonka was spent with old friends and a beautiful sunset. One of my favorite are pieces in my friend’s house. The sweetest cuckoo clock from https://www.ikookoo.com/collections/cuckoo-clocksNature during the family staycation at Lake Hallie Golf Course / Bar & Restaurant.Quintessential Midwest Summer! ❤️❤️❤️Lake Wissota State ParkWhen you ask AI to show me and my amazing sisters on the pontoon during the family staycation. The state capital of Wisconsin in Madison.Mama Rosa. Wisconsin’s first Thomas Dambo Troll located in Wauwatosa.Our first The Lake Country DockHounds minor league baseball game in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Very grateful to our friends who hooked us up with great seats.:)Wisconsin makes some of the best bloody marys! This one is from Stolley’s Hogg Alley in Oconomowoc. The view of Lake Michigan from Big Bay Park in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. Hanging around Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When you’re in WI you must get the fish fry and Lakefront has some of the best! During our time visiting Dave’s Parents in Oconomowoc we took his dad our for a round of golf at Deertrak Gold Club. Continuing my trend of petting all the dogs, I got some time with my friend’s foster puppy while in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. And my sister’s baby Yoda. I mean dog Creek 🙂My sister and I took a walk one morning and saw some beautiful wildlife along the Chippewa River. This is a picture of the imprint in the grass my friend and my bodies made when we were reunited after two weeks! Another beautiful sunset our first night in Marquette, Michigan. And the full moon that night. I feel like it had been a while since I saw one. The shores of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Cool murals on 3rd Street in Marquette, Michigan. “Lady of the Lake Memorial Statue” by Earl Senchuk located at Picnic Rocks Mark in Marquette. More views of Lake Superior’s beautiful coastline. One of the days my friend and I drove to Houghton. This is the Portage Canal Lift Bridge.The Member Mug Room at Blackrocks Brewery in Marquette. My attempt to see the Perseids Meteor Shower at 430am and realizing there is too much light pollution. 🙂A beautiful morning walk in Marquette. The old ore dock is no long functioning. The view of the ore dock never gets old. Maritime Museum The view of Lake Superior doesn’t either 🙂Breaker wall. Presque Isle Harbor Breakwater Light. View of Pictured Rocks. Miners CastleMiners FallsMiners Falls Park Taking in the beauty of Lake Superior. Such pristine water!Lake SuperiorSunset near the ore dock. My goodness we love this place!Getting one more use of the frisbee golf discs at Silver Creek Disc Golf. Little Presque Isle. The Ore DockTrying to land rocks on the old pier posts. Mine is the small one in the front on the right. 🙂Reminds me of the narrowest building in San Juan, Puerto Rico.A cool mural above the bar at Zephyr Wine Bar + Café.On our way to Blackrocks one last time. Dave finished off our time in Marquette with a gigantic cone from Frosty Treats!
