It's Been A While Since I Posted

Me showing one of the beers taste tested earlier in July when camping (see earlier posts South Shoto Group)

Saturday July 16 I went outside and heard airplanes flying overhead, looked up and 3 planes flew over. A few seconds after they were out of sight 3 more planes flew over. This went on 16 more times before I decided to go in the house. I should mention that this is a yearly happening as the planes head for the Experimental Airplanes Assn in Oshkosh. I believe they meet somewhere near our area and then head for the meet. The meet did not start til Monday so I imagine they went up to help set up. Our next door neighbor is now working on his 3rd plane that he builds.

Weather has been hot this summer. Had a few days of rain last week so I finally mowed the lawn. Sort of nice not having to mow each week. It was a month since I had last mowed. After the rain the lawn turned green again and now rain is predicted for Tuesday evening.

Went to Madison to celebrate our youngest granddaughters 3rd birthday. It was a nice day enjoyed a beer and cake as well as the company of our daughter and son-in-law. Later our oldest granddaughter came over with her finance and a friend of theirs and took our combination bookshelf-TV cabinet. Granddaughter and fella will be married September 10th, her mothers (our daughter) birthday and our 56th anniversary. Lots to look forward too.

lucky 13

South Shoto Group--Part Five

We all departed the campground Sunday morning and headed for Manitowoc. The Ennajeans and the Bill W's packing up their belongings and ending their camping for this trip. Mary and I also left for Manty but to attend a family reunion on her family side. We enjoyed the get together with many family members that attended. After an early supper we departed to travel the 120 miles back to the campground. The other two couples left some firewood for us and we enjoyed a fire into the darkness of the evening. Monday we got up early and packed up to leave. The weather forecast was again for a hot hot day.

When we arrived home about 4:00 p.m. we uncoupled the trailer and did some unpacking. We left a little of the work for Wednesday. All-in-all it was another pleasant camping experience and then the added ingredient of the family reunion on Sunday afternoon.

lucky 13 Could not upload pictures again this evening.

South Shoto Group--Part Four

Saturday July 16, 2011. Another warm, warm day (HOT). Pleasant breeze blowing thru the campground once again to make it a bearable day. Took a short walk to the boat launch as I did each day, usually a few times each day. Afternoon Bill and I resumed our taste tests. A list of some of the brews that I brought follows: Select 55, Coronita Extra, Steel Reserve, Jupiler, Westmalle Trappist, Leffe, LeTrappe, Dos Equis, Mared sous, Hertog Jan Dubel. Also had MGD, Leinenkugel and Stevens Point special. I believe Bill brought along 14 various brews, chances are we would not run out. We don't do a real write down on a taste test form, our comments are more like, "Not Bad" "Pretty Good" "Needs a Boost" "I Like This". Comments from the women were more like, "Ugh, How Can You Drink This" "This Is Crap" "This Is O.K.". Didn't include the four brews that my daughter brewed in the brews that I took with me. Had 4 ales that she brewed. Only got to officially taste one of those a blond IPA. This brew of hers took top honors even the gals said that it was the best.

Tried to post more pictures but no luck, will post pics from this outing in future posts if I can.

lucky 13

South Shoto Group--Part Three

Day 3-Friday July 15, 2011. Another very warm (hot) day. Thank you Mother Nature for the wind blowing across this camping park. Early in the afternoon Bill and I starting our taste testing. I brought out the first sample pictured above. Anyone familiar with us would recognize why that was my first choice. (Note the name) Yes it was a Weissbier. It was a quality product, then Bill brought out a beer that was brewed only a few miles from my house. It was Bitter Woman IPA from Tyranena Brg Co. Again a good ale but not appreciated by the 3 gals who only had a sip of it. Ibelieve that we tasted about 5 more brews that day before returning to our sitting back and enjoying the others, the area and later the campfire meals.

I have tried to add more pictures but I have had no luck. I'm glad I got the one pic to load. More info to follow in the next few days.

Should also add Bill and Joans granddaughter made a collage of beer labels for her brothers college room. We have saved many labels from these summer outings.

lucky 13

South Shoto Group--Part Two

Day 2 and Bill and Joan arrived Thursday afternoon. They got the trailer all set and they joined us in a can of liquid refreshment. Bill just retired 2 weeks ago so they are ready to party. They purchased a new trailer and plan to use it often this summer. Their old trailer was 10 years old so they have to get used to the refinements of this home away from home. Bill took us on a tour of the trailer and it is quite the unit. Very, very comfortable inside, a real home away from home.

We did not have any beer tasting this day just enjoyed the beers and sodas that we normally drink. I had a Mountain Creek lager from Minhaus Brewery. This is brewed in Monroe, Wisconsin. The old Huber Brewery was purchased by a Canadian Brewery and this is a fairly good inexpensive beer.

I had hoped to post a few pictures but again as happened my dial up does not seem to want to cooperate. Will try to post pictures again tomorrow.

lucky 13

South Shoto Group Camping--Part One

Returned from a six day camping trip. Our South Shoto Group has been camping together every July for quite a few years. It consists of 6 members, myself (lucky 13 aka don) my wife (Mary) sister Anne and her hubby Dick plus our friends Bill and Joan. We arrived at the park Wed. afternoon about 2:30 pm, sis Anne and hubby were already set up and enjoying a beverage. We got our site set up and then joined them for some hearty chatter and of course a cool beverage. Our friends were to join us the next day. We enjoyed a meal around the fire pit and sat around the campfire until it was time to hit the sack (sleep). It would be a very busy day tomorrow as Bill W. and I prepare to taste many varied beers. I have a few beers from overseas (The Netherlands, Beligium and Germany) and Bill picked up the USA brews. The girls often join in for a quick taste if we give the beers a high number. Sometimes their opinion varies from Bill and mine expert opinions. B-I-L Dick just enjoys his Miller Lite and offers a few comments but does not partake of the taste tests. The gals opinions are not taken as official as Bill and I are the official group tasters. More to follow. Please remember that no notes were taken so this is all from memory. Pictures of the brews will follow in future posts as well as a beer label collage that Bill and Joans granddaughter made for her brothers dorm room at college. We had a surprise winner this year.

lucky 13

Waiting for some photos to download but they are not coming hope I can get some tomorrow.

Been Ignoring This Blog

Deerfield downtown

Cottage Grove, WI.

Yes, just a few notes to catch up on my posting. Nothing much exciting since the last post except for the storm that passed thru a few days ago. We had no real bad damage in our yard except for a multiple branches in our yard from the neighbors trees and lots of new roofing sand in our eaves troughs. Our neighbor up the block had a very large branch ripped from a tree in his front yard and it ended up laying on his roof. Not sure how much damage resulted in that instance.

We will be camping soon and I have a good supply of both domestic and foreign beers to evaluate. I will have help in this endeavor with a friend. We have researched tasting various beers on this annual trip for many many years now. Will have a full report on thie results in future postings.

lucky 13