ZASP Party prep

I've been spending this week getting the yard ready for our annual summer party.  Deck is power washed and painted, patio table has been painted to match our new chairs, yard mowed.  Almost ready. Now I have to get the keg and food table setup outside.  That can happen Saturday though.

Paddling out Sunday

It's nice to be reminded how much I love camping.  This federal park on Minnesota is one of the most untouched areas in the country.  It's well protected too. No motors, no glass, cans or even aerosols allowed.

Sunday morning we paddle out. Takes about 3 hours if I recall. Up Hog Creek, one portage.  However we'll probably pull the canoes up with rope.  That's how we came in.  Eight guys down along the creek, spaced out at key points to keep the canoes from catching on rocks.

Hopefully I'll be home in the cities by 5pm.

Big Ed Campsite, Perent Lake, BWCA

Paddled in on Wednesday morning.  We finally cast off around 8:30am.  Beautiful weather, but a little windy when we got to the lake.  We wanted to get to the campsite the guys call Big Ed. It's a campsite with a tall pine tree on the southern point of the island.  The fire pit is on the point and you have a 200° view of the lake.  We have 8 guys, four tents,  10x10 kitchen tent and Johnny's Boom Boom room.  That's were we'll eat with inclement weather if we have too.

The first day we got through the 4.9  gal Deschuttes IPA pretty quickly. It's a penetrating beer (aka high %).  We got out for the night bite and we all caught a few decent sized walleyes.

For dinner Johnny prepared marinated pork chops, potatoes and corn.  Thursday morning we had bacon, eggs and potatoes, with Bloody Mary bar that Kraig and I brought.  Put the hurt on that.

On our way to the BWCA

Left around 3pm today. We are stopping for the night in Silver Bay.  Tomorrow early, we drive the the top of Hog Creek and paddle in to Perent Lake.  We are aiming to one of the islands on the east side.

Click here for some position updates.

And so it begins ...

Kind of a bitter sweet feeling leaving the office today.  But I got home to a wonderful wife and a drink waiting.

I've been an in independent contractor for 9 years. I have often been giddy with joy to leave a contract.  Today it was a little tougher.  I've made some great friends while at Medtronic. Some have left before me, many are still there.  For the last 9 months, these folks have been great for me to know.  Tom Soderling, Christina Kappers and Andrei Migunov. Good people I feel good with. We all support each other with the same level of intensity we give crap to each other.

Thanks for enjoying my sense of humor and allowing me to be a part of your lives.

It's been a fun 2.5 years

Medtronic has a policy that contractors have to take 60 days away from billing if they've been there for 24 months.  Well, I've been here about 30 months and the MDT contract police finally caught up with me.

My last day is May 15, 2015.  I'm hoping to come back after 60 days.  I really like the people, facility and work that is being done.  Bitter sweet on my last day here.  I've really enjoyed my time.  However, my ZCSI boss has approved me taking the time at home, making repairs around the house, going camping and taking motorcycle trips.  I'm looking forward to that.