O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

The time has come to choose a Christmas tree for 2021. This has been a yearly event for my wife and I since 1974. We were married in June that year and lived on the second floor of a two-family house on Green Bay's east side. Up until then neither one of us had much experience with fresh Christmas trees other than helping to decorate them when we were kids and hoping there would be presents with our names on them underneath them each year.

That first year we wanted to cut our own and drove thirty miles north of the city to a tree farm. We pulled up to the tree barn in our 1972 Pontiac LeMans and my first thought revolved around whether or not I would be able to get out of the so-called parking lot. There was at least a foot of snow on the ground and the plowing effort had been rather half-hearted. But we were there, so it was time to find our first tree.

The first ornament on the first tree

The owner came out in a deer hunting getup and looked unappreciatively at my car and citified clothing. After describing what kind of tree we were looking for, he handed me an old saw and, with his stub of a cigar, pointed in a general direction into the forest of would-be Christmas trees. We set off into the snow, wishing we had brought along some breadcrumbs.

After about a half hour of slogging past hundreds of unsuitable specimens, we came upon one that seemed like it would meet our needs. We circled it warily, shaking the accumulated snow off its wildly asymmetrical branches. A little trimming here, a little there, and it would look fine we agreed. I got down and, finding the thick trunk, began sawing away. Either the saw had never been sharpened or it had gotten a lot of use already that year because it turned out to be quite a chore to fell Christmas tree number one. But eventually it succumbed to my efforts and we dragged it back to the car.

I knocked on the barn door and the owner came out, this time with a huge dog. At the time I had no experience with dogs, so I quickly paid him the eight bucks for the tree and gave him his saw. He remained outside, and he and the big hound seemed disappointed when we were able to get the tree in the trunk and made it out of the lot without getting stuck.

All decorated and all smiles in 1974

Over the years these tree hunting experiences became a great trove of stories to be told over the Christmas seasons. One tree we got at the local lot and carried it home. One tree fell off the roof of our 1990 Chevy S10 Blazer several times on the way home. In recent years we bought one that was obviously too small when we got it home and it went immediately to a local shelter. The young fellows at the tree farm were surprised to see us back so soon for another tree.

We still go to a tree farm, but we pick out a precut tree instead of cutting our own. They are all perfectly shaped and we have it trimmed to the correct height. It will be shaken and wrapped before it is placed in the back of the truck for an uneventful ride home. This year we will host our 48th Christmas tree and, like every one of its predecessors, it will be the best one ever.

2018 Tree

Into December

The calendar has turned over to December and there is still no measurable snow in northeast Wisconsin. Today there have been a few flurries but with the temperature hovering several degrees above freezing there is no chance for any accumulation. Looking into the forecast for the next seven to ten days indicates that we will be near mid-December before there is a chance of any real snow in the area.

I was holding off on putting my BMW R 1250 GSA away for the winter, but finally did so a couple of days ago. It always feels like a bigger deal than it really is. After I take the big BMW aluminum panniers off I put the correct amount of Sta Bil in the tank. Then I run the motor for five minutes as the product directs.  Next I wheel it into the back corner of the garage and hoist it up on the center stand. Once the charger is hooked up and the cover put on, the job is complete. So it's more of a psychological event than a a physical one. In reality I could have the bike out next week again without a lot of effort.

October 2021

But psychologically I am facing three or four months without riding and finding other things to look forward to each day. The lack of snow and ice allows me to get out and walk, but a few nice snowfalls would give me the opportunity to get my Trek Farley 5 fat bike out on the trails. It that doesn't happen, it will be a pretty dreary winter. 

January 2021

The library has been a good source of entertainment lately. I have found some good books, both fiction and nonfiction, that have helped ease the extra hours of darkness. The weeks before Christmas are always pretty busy too, so I won't miss the snow as much this month. But come January 1st I will be looking for some snow and beautifully groomed snow bike trails.

Wisconsin: Another Ten Years of a Gerrymandered Legislature

 The Wisconsin Supreme Court, which is supposed to be non-partisan, sided with the Republican members of the state legislature in a ruling yesterday. The court decided, on a strict partisan vote, not to order the Republicans to work with their Democratic legislative colleagues to develop new and more fair legislative and congressional voting districts. 

In 2011, when the state had a Republican governor and Republican controlled legislature, the Republicans enlisted help from the likes of the Koch brothers to establish new districts throughout the state. The methods used were so devious that the maps were drawn behind closed doors. They effectively ensured that the Republicans would win enough seats in the senate and the assembly to hold a voting majority and leadership in both houses. The maps are so well gerrymandered that Republicans can do whatever they want in the legislature with no fear of losing control of either house. The only check on their power has been that wielded by Democratic Governor Tony Evers since his election in 2018. But even his ability to check the Republican empire was limited by laws rammed through the legislature and signed by the outgoing Republican governor in late 2018.

Due to the court's ruling yesterday it appears that the state will continue to be under the thumb of legislators who govern with no fear of losing their seats. This is the opposite of what the phrase, "We the people", is supposed to stand for. While the Republican party wraps itself in the American flag and blabbers on about "true patriots", they trample the right of citizens to have a fair voice in who leads the state of Wisconsin.

The Dairy State was once known as a progressive state and the Wisconsin Idea was something that was emulated by other states. Now the state ranks mid-pack in areas such as the economy, infrastructure and crime and corrections according to a US News and World Report study. It also ranks behind neighboring Minnesota in the overall rankings. It should be noted that these rankings have improved since Evers became governor. 

It will be an interesting year as the Republicans will do all they can to regain the governor's office in the 2022 election and have absolute power once again. After yesterday's court decision we know for sure that they will continue to control the legislature. 

The Winter of my Changing Neighborhood

I live near the Fox River and am just across the street from the houses and businesses that line the riverside. The view from my house to the west provides an uninterrupted view over the river and the sunsets can be breathtaking. Over the course of living here for thirty years the view has not changed much, but winds of development are blowing. 

There is a walking and bicycling trail, the Fox River Trail, along the river that bisects the properties facing the river. It is a rails-to-trails path and has been there for about 20 years. I use the trail several days a week, so I am aware of what homeowners are doing with their riverfront property. Lately, they are doing a lot.

One reason for all of the activity is that the water level in the river has risen in recent years. This has caused docks to be flooded and rendered useless in addition to the erosion of the riverbank. Another is the pandemic. Last summer people were home and either in their yards or on their decks and realized what was happening to their properties. The result was a wave of new docks and an a tsunami of landscapers installing all sorts of measures to deal with high water.  Once the other neighbors saw what was happening they jumped in and the work continued this summer.

In addition to docks and landscape improvements, the boom in housing has had an effect. Houses that have been there for decades, if not longer, have been demolished so new and bigger ones can be built. Empty lots, some seemingly too small for a house, have been filled with new structures. In the coming days a riverfront house not 100 yards from me will be picked up and moved three blocks east to be placed on a lot that has been empty for as long as I can remember. I am keeping a close eye on this as I don't want to miss seeing the house being transported.

In addition to all of this, the Village of Allouez  is considering giving a contractor a variance to build a condominium several stories higher than the current ordinance allows. This building will be a bit north of my view of the sunset, but will still be an imposing presence in the neighborhood. I spoke against it at the public hearing a few weeks ago and the business owners adjacent to the property spoke in favor of it. I believe the variance will be approved as the village leaders are looking to add more housing stock and increase the tax base. It has not been decided as of yet.

As I write this I can see the workers taking down the chimney on the house about to be moved. It won't be long now as I have already noted that the foundation for its new location has been poured. It is inevitable that change will occur, but I am holding onto hope that most of it is for the better.

Dr. Fauci and Canadian Fishing

The last time I was in Canada was in May of 2019. My fishing partners and I were returning from what had recently become a highly enjoyable week of catching fish, eating fish, and telling fish stories. We had left a deposit with our host and planned to return in May of 2020 for more of the same.

Of course, we did not return 2020 or 2021, and now this new Covid variant has me concerned about 2022. Its course seems to be the same as the original pandemic creator, Covid 19. A few cases here, a few cases there, and the next thing you know it dominates the news. The Delta variant, which fortunately seems to be vulnerable to the Covid 19 vaccines, started out much the same. The scientists are working furiously to figure out how to deal with the Omicron virus, as it's known, while the rest of us wait to find out how 2022 is going to begin.

One thing about the scientists that has me a bit concerned is this story about Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, getting into some type of talk show argument with Texas Senator and blowhard Ted Cruz. Dr. Fauci could win any argument with Ted Cruz with 90% of his brain tied behind his back, but the country needs 100% of his brain right now to solve this latest virus issue. I urge the good doctor, and everyone else, to ignore Senator Cruz and focus on things that are important, like getting my buddies and me back to our Canadian fishing camp in 2022. 

I have collected a few new lures that I am dying to try on the big lake trout, northern pike and walleye in northern Ontario. My Christmas list has a new St. Croix fishing rod on it. Our camp host has made some great improvements to the place that I have only enjoyed through photographs and a first hand report from someone who made it up there this fall. I will spend a good portion of the next few following the news reports of any virus activity and calculating how it will affect Canadian border crossings. At my age I cannot afford to miss another year of Canadian fishing.

EICMA 2021: An Alternative to Turkey and Football

As we in the United States stuff ourselves with turkey and overdose on football, the 78th edition of the biggest and most important motorcycle trade fair in the world is happening in Milan, Italy. The first EICMA event was held in 1914 and this year runs from Thursday, 25 November through Sunday, 28 November. Showrunners claim that it is the most visited event in the world based on exhibitors and attendees.

After having to cancel the event in 2020, organizers went ahead with it for 2021. Strict Covid protocols are in place to ensure the safety of everyone. Vaccinations and masking are required for all participants and visitors. 

It is unfortunate that some of the big manufacturers, BMW, KTM and Ducati, for example, decided not to send any of their motorcycles or representatives. Ducati will be particularly missed due to its being an iconic Italian motorcycle manufacturer. All three of these bike builders have decided to market their new wares through online presentations. Ducati, for one, has released a series of videos, several weeks apart, introducing their latest models. I have seen them all and they are very informative and even entertaining. 

As for the manufacturers who are there, many of the newest items are e bikes. Based on what I see on my local bicycle trails, e bikes have a future with all age groups. At first they were seen as bikes to keep people from aging out of the sport. But now I am seeing younger riders who may want to ride more challenging routes or using them to allow less hearty riders to keep up with stronger bikers. 

Harley Davidson, the biggest American motorcycle maker, showed up with its electric motorcycle, the Livewire. At one time it was seen as the future of the marque, but new leadership returned the focus to Harley's bread and butter, the big touring bikes. Harley has put its Revolution Max motor in a model called the Sportster S, while still making the traditional air cooled Sportster lineup. 

Adventure bikes continue to draw interest and even MV Agusta has come out with their version of an off road motorcycle. The Big Four Japanese manufacturers are there and the Suzuki Hayabusa's return is a highlight from the Land of the Rising Sun. All of the other major Italian bike builders appeared and are showing off their latest editions. Moto Guzzi will celebrate its 100th anniversary with introduction of its V100 Mandello, a new entry into the sport touring market. 

Much more information can be found at the EICMA website, www.eicma.it. The motorcycle press is covering the show in great detail of course, so your favorite cycle website can help to keep you up to date.

Riding Season Continues

I woke up in a Thanksgiving meal haze this morning to find snow on the ground and the thermometer hovering around twenty degrees. So even though I have been out riding my 2020 BMW R 1250 GSA twice in the last week I sense that the end of the riding season is near. Since my last post in September I have not gone on any epic rides but I have enjoyed some excellent fall riding experiences.

Most of my rides have been to the north of Green Bay. They usually included a few miles in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and a stop to eat my lunch or snack somewhere along the way. One of my favorites stops was the roadside park on US Highway 2 just east of west of Powers, MI. One day I took a side road to see Long Slide Falls County Park just north of Pembine, WI. It was a great place to enjoy lunch and there was this cool Halloween display. 

I saw a few other interesting sights during my rides, but sometimes they happened so fast there was no opportunity for a picture. On County Road W, just west of Crivitz, I witnessed a bald eagle cross right in front of me trying achieve liftoff with what appeared to be a black cat in its talons. After dragging the creature across the road, in my mirror I saw the big bird drop its prey in opposite ditch. As there was someone right behind me I could not slow down to see if the raptor went back after it. I counted one more bald eagle in a ditch and several flying overhead during my fall rides.

The highways in northern Wisconsin the Upper Peninsula allow a rider to avoid most towns, but sometimes it's interesting to stop and take a look around. One such spot was Daggett, MI. It seems like such an iconic name for a town in the north woods, so after taking a ride through the little burg I stopped for a picture. 

On the days I did not make it all the way up to the UP, I would usually ride over to the resort towns of Mountain and Townsend. That area is well connected with ATV trails and the local towns allow them to drive on the town roads. On Saturdays there are lots of them around and when they are not out raising huge clouds of dust they are gathered at local bars, restaurants and gas stations. It looks like fun, but I would not want to be eating dust, dirt and gravel all day. 

The Broadway District in west Green Bay commissioned a few artists to paint some murals. I took this picture one morning before I headed north for the day. The artist is Beau Thomas.

The weather forecasters are not predicting much snow for the next week and I see at least one day in the forties, so I am not giving up on riding a bit more this year.