Since the State Fair life has been one big letdown. No cheese curds, no corn dogs, no mini-donuts, nothing. We did hang out with friends, go boating at my dad’s house, and spend a long weekend at the lake with Ali’s family—all of which was nice too, I guess. But it was no state fair.
Our niece, Lea, turned eighteen. Lea was still in her mom’s belly at our wedding, so seeing her become an adult has come as a bit of a shock. I mean, she was six when we kissed her goodbye to go sail around the world. We used to spend a dollar a minute on phones in the Bahamas so that I could talk to her in my Grinch voice and call her Lea-Lou-Who.
I’ve gotten old without even realizing it was happening.
Aside from all that mumbo-jumbo, I have Porsche news to report. The engine was running, but not running good. Long-time readers will remember me—and many others—constantly tinkering with it during the Great Race. Well, all these years later my Porsche woes have been put to bed. I replaced the distributor with an electric ignition distributor, and the very old coil with a new one as well. The difference is startling. It is essentially a new car to me. Like I can’t stop smiling because it is so awesome.
The other reason I can’t stop smiling is because tomorrow we load ourselves into said car and head off across the country once again. I do love a good road trip. We’re bound for Portland with an ETA of a couple of weeks from now.
Lastly, for anyone who hasn’t been with us for the last decade, it might seem like this 1965 Porsche just appeared out of thin air. It didn’t. It’s been in the family since 1972 and became mine eight years ago now. My mom brought me home from the hospital in it, so as far as sentimental items go, this is it.
Going full redneck.
Ouest was so excited to give Lea her gift. Last month in some beach town she picked out a hand-carved hand-painted snail for her. She then talked about it for weeks. “Do you think Lea is going to like the gift I picked out?” She is so sweet, and man does she love her big cousin, Lea.
Ali made the cupcakes, the kids decorated them, and then we adults all shared the kids’ germs.
In case you’re wondering what the family dynamic is like.
13 Comments on “A Minnesota Send-Off”
If you’re going to be nostalgic about just one thing, it might as well be a nice 356. Good year and good colour (I was born in 65 and my bug is the same colour).
I can feel with you. I had an electronic ignition in my airplane, and it purred!!!! It also gave me about 15 extra HP! I lake all your pictures, but especially the bridge.
Wonderful fun times. But, man, where are the life jackets when you’re out on the water?
I was noticing the lack of lifejackets and felt the freedom. I haven’t lived in the States for twenty years and did everyone forget how to swim. To see your kid NOT in a scratchy confining life jacket looked so good.
Yes, I know skiers and Towin surfers wear life jackets but Sunday on the lake? Have you ever tried to swim in one? Kinda makes self-rescue much harder. I’m going back to your blog to find out what happened to corn dogs and cheese curds at the State Fair.
Driving from Minnesota to Oregon, in a classic Porsche, as the leaves are beginning to change, two kids, two adults, minimal luggage (I know you well enough to know that you pack light), what an adventure. Don’t need to tell you to have fun . . . it’s the Bumfuzzle mantra! ?
Did Ouest know she had a ladybug on her arm while she was fishing?
Yes. She has mad skills, keeping the fish on the line and the ladybug on her arm.
Hard core, but not quite as hard core as her “tough-farm-girl look”. Enjoy the road trip.
Another 10 on the fun scale! Looking forward to the roadie stories.
BTW – as a follow-up to my comment on an earlier post – sounds like you’ll miss the WA State Fair too, maybe. It starts this Friday, the 11th and runs through the 27th so you do a a long window of opportunity! I’ve been following you guys since the beginning so I get how significant Lea turning 18 must have been. I remember her as “that sweet little niece of Ali’s” in our earliest Bumfuzzle pics/adventures. Happy 18th Lea-lou-who.
Great! We might have to talk our cousins into taking us out there for the day. Emailing them now! Thanks Gayle.
The picture of Ouest laying in the grass is precious. And the tummy tattoo on Lowe gives him that manly man look.
Right? His choice and location. I think he nailed it!