Omaha, O'Hare and Old Friends

This was a week for reminiscing! With a stop of 24 hours in Omaha, I visited Anne & Jeff, met son in law, Steve, 2 Jacks - one an aging golden retriever and the other Liz and Steve's precocious 3 year old son, walked through the fall gardens of Omaha and managed to feast on dinner, breakfast and lunch.

Then, as quickly as I had arrived, I hopped aboard a plane, traveled to the Chicago area, met Sandi at my hotel, stayed up late, rose early, looked through 4 photo albums of the old days - and some new days, and again, feasted on dinner and breakfast.







Is it memories that are larger than life? Or is it that the places to which we return look smaller than we remember?











And finally, why is it that the photos of us as coeds make us look long and lean, stylish and svelte? Oh dear, it seems as if only waistlines and appetites increase with age!

Nevertheless, I had a great time visiting with Annie and Hayes, who looked better than ever! Stay tuned for a possible winter reunion of more old friends.

Travelers return from Italian Adventure

Jet lag, laundry, bills to pay...nevertheless returning home from a great adventure still has its pleasures. After three weeks in Italy, we were happy to sleep in our own bed, thrilled to see the folks at home, and grateful for our morning coffee and newspapers.

We began our travels in Venice, arriving by waterbus to our hotel in the Dorsodura neighborhood. We walked the city from the Piazza San Marco to the neighborhoods on the west side of Venice. The highlights of Venice for us were the trip to the island of Murano, the neighborhood wine bar where we snacked on appetizers for 1 Euro and a glass of wine for 2 Euros, and the Campo Santa Margherita where we joined the Venetians for Saturday market and Friday afternoon "School's Out" time with families. We also loved learning about the gondoliers, their training, and their fabulous gondolas which are specially fitted and designed for each gondolier.







The lowlights of Venice included the crowds at St. Mark's Plaza and the pigeons, who decorated Dick's shirt as he sat on the steps of the neighborhood church savoring his gelato!





From Venice, we travelled by train to the Cinque Terre, 5 remote villages on the Ligurian coast, which boasted a beautiful hiking trail along the cliffs above the Mediterranean. We completed the hike in 6 hours...then returned by train to our starting point, the village of Monterossa. The scenery was spectacular, the hiking was rigorous and the peaceful villages were delightful.







The next stop on our journey was Siena, where we met David and Sue Tucker for two more weeks of travel and adventure.





We visited Florence and the museums, the Uffizi and the Accademia; and we witnessed the late night celebrations in Siena of the Oka Contrada (the Goose) who had recently won the annual Palio...a horse race in the town's square. Our rooms shared a small balconey, where we served appetizers and wine each night before dinner!



From Siena we travelled by train again, this time to Positano on the Amalfi Coast. Once again the scenery, the hiking and the great food reminded us that although the cities are stimulating and filled with art and architecture, we love the small town atmosphere.



Finally, our last stop was Rome. We didn't expect Rome to be our favorite city on this trip...but surprises are the best part of adventures! We toured the sites of ancient Rome, St. Peter's Basilica....and walked La Dolce Vita at sunset.






Each of these stops along our way promise a detailed and sometimes humorous story...so don't hesitate to ask one of us...unless you are a little short of time! The best part of an adventure, though, is returning home...where Rebecca picked us up at the airport and Mary brought dinner for us all....pizza! What else!


Arrivederci for now,





The Happy Travelers

Explorers from the East navigate the Mighty Mississippi

In search of greener pastures and errant golf balls, last weekend found two old scouts at the prow of a steamship, heading up the Mississippi. Instead of greener pastures, Doug & Nancy, Brenda & Dick spotted the historic Fort Snelling, Pig's Eye Parrant's cave and a soaring bald eagle.



Despite the rainy day, these explorers sailed forth, then visited the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and checked out the view from the Guthrie Theater's endless bridge.

When the MacKenzies visit from New Hampshire, a great deal of planning is in store for Dick R and Dick K. Let's see...where to play golf? Thursday? Indian Hills...Friday? Burl Oaks...Saturday...it RAINED!

Susan, Nancy & Brenda enjoyed themselves without the rules of golf... and didn't mind a bit that Saturday was a sightseeing day.














These pals will all meet up again in December...just a few months from now.

Rebecca & Manuel's wedding

Summer has flown by for the Robfam. July 7, 2007 was the highlight of our summer...wedding bells for Rebecca and Manuel. Arlington Hills Presbyterian Church was the site of the wedding ceremony; Oak Glen Country Club the scene of the reception - dinner and dancing till midnight!

The day began with hair styling, dressing and photos... 

then came the flowers, guests and wedding vows.





7/7/07 proved to be the hottest day of the summer....in terms of temperature and excitement!

From Worst to First!

(May 22, 2007 -BB)Softball fans take heart! The last place team of 2006, the Harbor Porpoises, has climbed out of the cellar as the Sneaky Rutters of 2007 and claimed first place in the St. Paul Softball League. Was it only a name change that created the winning season? Or was it a re-inspired pitching staff, a few rookies that joined the line up, or was it plain old experience that lifted the spirits and the stats of this Tuesday night co-ed team?

Perhaps it was the addition of a long time retired pitcher, Richard, who worked hard to bring a slow pitch over the plate.



More than likely the extra energy has come from the good times and laughter that the Sneaky Rutters have come to expect from their Tuesday night outings.
















Update 5/29/07! Once again the Sneaky Rutters have captured the hearts and the standings of the 2007 St. Paul slow pitch league! After a hotly contested and seriously intense game 5, the Sneaky Rutters, under the pitching of Fabulous Joe and the fielding of Jovial Jon, stand firmly in the #1 spot at 5-0! The distribution of team t shirts added to the festive mood at Gabe's in the Park as the Sneaky Rutters celebrated win number 5 and the birthday of Erin. Stay tuned to this blog for the future of the Sneaky Rutters!

Mother's Day Re-dux!

The Kruegers and Robertsons celebrated Mother's Day 2007 in grand style! For the 8th consecutive year, we gathered at the starting line of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and crossed the finish line in good time - and in good health.






The weather was perfect, the crowd was motivated. Almost 50,000 participants joined us as we celebrated 7+ years of Susan's cancer-free status.





The Marsh was the scene of our 8th annual brunch...a feast to behold! Missing this year were Ben and Caitlin, finishing out their term in Costa Rica, and Amy, who celebrated in London.



New to our team were Caitlin's mother, Pat, and her brother, Ned, as well as Manuel. All three of our rookies finished strong...both the race and the buffet!

Alleluliah!

Easter Sunday in SaddleBrooke






























Resurrection in the desert.



Amen!

Who? What?! Why?!! Only his hairdresser knows for sure!

Breaking Camp Makes for Sad Days in SaddleBrooke

Well, pardners, the time has come to round 'em up, pack 'em up, and herd 'em out from the SaddleBrooke corral. Winter's over; spring and summer promise green pastures and good grazin' in the North Country.

We said so long to the Rolfsruds, one at a time, over the last coupla weeks. Kathleen stopped for one last hand at the Lariat, and cleaned 'em out again. The Rolfsrud boys managed to trade that $4.00 golf bet back & forth with the D Squad - Dick, Dick and Doug, so that everyone came out winners, and everyone came out losers. I call that even!

It was when the MacKenzies began to saddle up and head north, that the rustlers got restless in SaddleBrooke. Those long, lazy days of making tee times, spending time at the range, teeing it up at the Ranch and stopping off for a brew at Krueger's Saloon have ended for the season. The season is over for the cowgirls as well. No more lunches at Cafe Poca Cosa for Nancy, Susan and Brenda. No more shopping till sunset, then tossing a frozen pizza on the open fire for the returning cowboys. No more canasta with the Villa gals, and no more painting mountains, trees and clouds. Nancy's oils were no sooner dry, than she packed 'em in the saddlebags and headed for the trading posts in New England.

These are desperate times. Desperate times call for desperate measures. That's what it seems like, anyhow. Take Doug, for instance. Who would have thought that he'd need to spruce up his image before heading out? Maybe he thought that Nancy, who's heading out with all those classy new clothes, would attract the attention of all those road rustlers they'll be meeting on the trail. Maybe he's got his eye on some sweet, young thing at Derryfield. Anyhow...look at him now. Some things jest don't make sense. Wouldn't ya know it, though, Dick and Dick were mighty jealous.


Don't be surprised to read about the latest cowboy fashion in all the newspapers.




Well, like I said, it's time to saddle up and head north. Time to round up the livestock, tidy up the camp site and saddle the horses.









Time to take a long look back at SaddleBrooke, stop off for a homecooked meal,
and head off into the sunset.


Hope to meet y'all by the banks of the Mississippi come August for a campfire, else see ya back at the Ranch come the new year. Happy Trails, Safe Travel.