The Winter Palace

I have spent four amazing days in Northern Wisconsin near Upper Michigan and Lake Superior. Heidi & Bob picked me up at the O'hare airport and drove us many many hours to Heidi's family's house. We arrived around 3:30am. I slept most of the way and felt extra spoiled because Heidi & Bob also delivered me to my mother's doorstep at the end of the trip (4+ hours out of their way).

I slept and read _The Last Days of Dogtown_ by Anita Diamant. We canoed at night and at sunset and during the day. It was very relaxing and rejuvenating. There is a nice beach there and many gorgeous trees. I can now recognize a loon's call. We saw cranes perched in pine trees; it resembled a traditional Chinese watercolor.

Heidi fattened me up with many delicious carrot spelt muffins, brown rice, soft tacos with cactus and mushrooms, black beans, white bean Israeli salad, soy ice cream, chocolate tofu pie, brown rice pilaf with pistachios and currants, bbq tempeh sandwiches, sprouts, salad, root beer floats, red wine and beer.