Snacktime with the coos

Continuing with the day trip to the Highlands, which was comprised of so many little parts that I keep making separate posts, but... it's better this way. All of the above photos are from Loch Katrine, a rather touristy spot (would have been nice, again, to spend more than 30 minutes walking only the very beginning of the road around it). And though I want to pronounce it Lock Katreen, it was pronounced closer to Loch Kat-rin, which is easy to remember because it's just like Katherine without the 'he.' See? I always find a way for things to be about me. ;)

And then... brace yourselves...

The Highland cows.



Seriously, if we had a) had more time, b) had more bread and therefore c) been able to keep them interested in us, I could have spent all afternoon with these sweeties. And babies too! Just adorable. They were wonderfully friendly, but one had to be really aware of their horns because they swing their heads around pretty fiercely. You just wouldn't want to get on of those things in your side. Eep! Other than that, they were so gentle. And too cute! There were two babies, only one pictured, but they were supposed to be about 5 months old or so, their horns just growing in. <3



Wrapping up a long but good weekend over here. I bought some new shoes today, which was my only real accomplishment. Well, no, that's a lie. I did meet a new person (always a good thing) and managed to read a very useful article in preparation for my architecture class tomorrow. I'm starting to think more seriously about potential essay topics, so the real work begins...

Cheers!
Kate x

Daytripping: Door County

As my departure date draws near, I find myself thinking more about spending time with those around me that I'm really going to miss when I leave. It goes without saying that one of these people is my mother. I spend a lot of time with her, not just because she's been awesome enough to let me live (almost!) rent-free to save for school, but she's just an awesome la-day. And she's my mom. Obviously. Like I said, it goes without saying. ;)

She shares similar taste in food and therefore restaurants, and also a similar philosophy when it comes to travel and day trips. We both love our cameras and don't hesitate to veer off the road (sorry, other drivers!) when a photo-op presents itself unexpected. We're also both keen to drive waaaay out of our way to chase cool storm clouds (like this one time), find cool restaurants, or see neat exhibitions, be it art or festival or music. We always want to try the more interesting things on restaurant menus (and can sometimes get carried away, just a wee bit, but really... isn't it always worth it?). She has good taste, so she never wants to go into shops that I think are stupid -- just saying. So, she's pretty much an ideal person to take day trips with.

One thing we had to cross off the Before-Kate-Leaves List is a day trip to Door County. It's a summertime place to go -- nothing is really properly open until June, and August is a fantastic time to go up there because Door County's famous cherries are ripe and ready for the eating/cooking/baking! But there are also plenty of other things to do and places to stop along the way, so we spent a few hours poking around our usual haunts like The Cookery in Fish Creek (pictured above), and visited some places that we'd passed a million times before but never actually stopped, like Wilson's Ice Cream in old-timey Ephraim.

At The Cookery, I've always had a grilled salmon sandwich, and decided to switch it up this time and tried the pulled pork. Verdict: amazing. Also, I sprung for a 22oz. bottle of Crispin Artisanal Reserve apple cider made with organic honey. Let me just say, I'm a fan of hard cider, and this was just brilliant.  I'm going to have to try to find Crispin somewhere else a little more... local. ;)

Ephraim boasts a really amazing bay and a bit more of a beachy-boardwalk feel. A few more art galleries and artist studios are prominent in the shopping areas, and it's also known for Wilson's, which has been around for basically... ever. And yet I had never been there. As you drive along the main route through town, the view looks like the photo above the whole way. Lake Michigan at its summer finest.



I spied on an old couple being really cute. And then we found these flowers outside:



What are those? They look like strings of felt. Or necklaces. Weird necklaces. Or something. I don't even know. Anyone know what they're called?

It was an absolutely goooorgeous day, and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. So thoroughly that we had double-dessert (and felt somewhat sick afterward) and were properly exhausted when we arrived back home in the evening. It was certainly nice to spend that much more time with my mom before I take off in only three weeks' time.

How the summer has simply disappeared...

Days to Edinburgh move-in: 22

A day trip to the Door

The first of two posts about a day trip I took to Door County, Wisconsin... pre-summer and just after most of the cafes and galleries opened for the season. I spent a good hour in Peninsula State Park, where I haven't been for at least ten years. The weather was fitful, so it was an abbreviated trip, but as far as Lake Michigan scenery goes, it's hard to beat.

That little bugger hanging off the leaf on the right is just one of bagillions of pesky lake flies. They were unbearable in places. The only major drawback of my visit.

This guy was absolutely enormous, and was keen to make all sorts of bizarre noises. More for his benefit than my entertainment, but it was still amusing.

And fishing. What is a Wisconsin lake without fishing?

So far, this being a newbie blog, I'm really enjoying getting into the swing of documenting my experiences and sharing them with you. That's essentially the reason for starting it up so early before departing for Scotland: if I'm in the habit, all the more to show you and keep up with. Can't wait!

Days to Edinburgh move-in: 114