A Mini Lesson in Maple Syrup Making

With the hubby gone all day today, I wanted to do something and I didn't know what. I really didn't want to go to New Dublin nor did I want to do something by myself. Tara texted me asking if I wanted to go to a craft show. While I was searching for more information about the craft show, I stumbled upon several maple syrup hike/pancake breakfasts. The one at 1000 Islands Environmental Center in Kaukauna offered a free hike and was even on way to the craft show. I made the suggestion and Tara agreed.

It turns it out it was a self-guided hike.

When we got to 1000 Oaks, we headed for the sugar shack where they were making "maple syrup". It turns out that the maple syrup season was very short this year and they only harvested 1/3 of what they normally do. To demonstrate the process, they were boiling water instead of maple sap. They explained how to make maple syrup from the sap. It was very smoky in the sugar house and we didn't stay very long.

A short ways down the path from the sugar shack was another lesson in making maple syrup. This technically was the first step in the process. They showed us how to tap a tree for sap. It was quite easy. You take a hand drill, drill a hole 2-3 inches deep (or to the yellow on the drill), tap in the spigot, and hang a milk gallon on the spigot. I tapped my first maple tree. Too bad the sap season was over. Maybe next year, we'll tap Tara's maple tree.

Tapping a Maple Tree

We continued our hike through 1000 Islands. We did not find anymore maple syrup lessons but did enjoy a few ducks and geese along the raging Fox River.

I was disappointed that the maple syrup hike was just 2 stops and we really didn't learn much or see much of the process. I did enjoy tapping a tree. I have a feeling the mild winter and early spring played a role in the maple syrup process and if the trees were still producing sap, we would have had a more in depth experience. Next year, maybe we can see the whole maple syrup process.

I ran the Great Milwaukee Pi Run

Last year, I saw on the news that there was a Pi Run in honor of Pi Day (3/14). I decided that I wanted to do the Pi Run this year. The problem is that Pi Day and St. Patrick's Day fall 3 days apart and there are 5Ks for both. I can only run 1 race a day. I had to make a choice Pi or Shamrocks. Because of other factors, I decided to do the Great Milwaukee Pi Run at the Botanical Gardens.

It sounded like a fun run. You get pie at the end. You run through a park. They say " This road course has winding curves and minor rolling hills." Apparently I missed that part... or their definition of minor rolling hills and my definition of rolling hills are two different things. The minor rolling hills were actually kinda of steep rolling hills. I got my first taste of the driving into the park and I immediately regretted my decision to do this race. I should have stayed home and done the Shamrock Shuffle.

Their idea of minor rolling hills

The directions said there were only 300 parking spots at the Botanical Gardens otherwise you can park at the golf course 1/2 mi or more away. Packet pick up started at 8 with the race at 9. You had to pick up your pie before the race. Let's do the math... I don't get there early enough to get one of those 300 parking spots so I have to walk 1/2 mile to the building get my packet and pie, walk 1/2 mile back to the car to drop everything off, walk 1/2 mile back to the starting line, do the 3.1 mile race, and then walk 1/2 mile back my car.. that's at least 4.5 miles. Yup I was getting there at 8:00. I am not walking any more than I have to. And that is what I did. I got there shortly after 8, picked up my stuff, and sat in the car for about a half hour before heading inside. There were still parking spots available at 8:30 but it was better to be safe than sorry.

Not sure why I couldn't get my pie at the finish line

While waiting for the race to begin, I really began to regret my decision to do the Pi Run. Everywhere I looked runners were stretching and getting ready to actually RUN the entire thing. I saw no one just that might be a walker. I honestly thought I must have misread that this was a Run/Walk. I was afraid I would actually be last. It turned out there were plenty of walkers behind me. Even with the "minor rolling hills" I finished in 40:50 which is about 30 seconds off my best time. I was happy with that. I was 19th out 23 of my age group. 

Maybe I am used to how races work up here or something. I am used to a National Anthem and actual gun start. We had a count down and go. There were no mile markers letting you know where you are on the course. I really like those mile markers especially when I don't have my buds in. It lets know how much farther to go. At the finish we got cups of water and most of the water was gone by the time I finished. There were no post race nourishment. I really was hoping for a banana or a half a bagel. The movie theater was giving away boxes of popcorn. Needless to say I was disappointed about everything especially the poor road conditions. The road especially at the beginning had pot holes and you had to be careful not to twist an ankle.

Next year I'm sticking with the Shamrock Shuffle but if Pi Day falls on a weekend I may consider doing another Pi Run.

#752 See an Indian Pow Wow

A couple of weeks ago, I got a random text from Stacy asking if I was interested in going to a pow-wow. I asked when it was and in the mean time I found what she was referring to on Facebook... The Winter Pow-Wow at State Fair Park the weekend I was going to be down in Milwaukee. We decided that's what we would do when we met up for the afternoon.

The Winter Pow Wow is an annual festival that takes place the 2nd weekend in March at State Fair Park. It is put on by Indian Summer Festival Inc. There is a marketplace and traditional foods not mention dancing and drums. On Sunday there is a prayer service. All events are open to the public.

When mentioning that we were going to the Pow-Wow to the hubby, he looked at me and asked if I have ever been to a Pow-Wow. I said no. He was like not even at the Packer game? I guess if the pre-game entertainment at Family Night is considered a Pow-Wow, then yes I guess I've been to a Pow-Wow. To me, it is pregame festivities.

The Winter Pow-Wow was not what I expected. Honestly I was disappointed. It was in an expo building with a concrete floor. There was a small area for the dancing and drums with very little seating. The acoustics weren't very good. The marketplace was set up around that. Unless you were lucky to get a seat, it was hard to see. We got there during the grand entrance and I could barely see what was going on. We wandered around a little bit after the grand entrance and found a better spot by the camera people.  It seemed to me that they were just dancing the same thing over and over and any one that wanted to dance could. Maybe that is what it is all about but to me it seemed disorganized.

The traditional dress was cool. Stacy made the comment about the neon colors of some of the girls' dresses. We found the brightness a bit odd but I do know that there Mexican dancers there which could be wearing the bright colors. I do not know much about Native Dress and am not one to ask so I could be off the mark. Whatever the reason for the bright colors, they were still very beautiful.

I may have found this disorganized but I have limited knowledge to base it on. I would love to see another Pow-Wow to see how it compares. It is important to broaden my horizons and partake in these cultural experiences because it is part of our history just like seeing Civil War Reenactments and visiting historical sites.

I Will Run for Wine

I saw on Facebook that a friend was interested in a beer run type event. After looking at the event, I discovered that not only was there a FREE beer run in April but a FREE wine run in March that started near the apartment. It turns out that Pacesetters of the Fox Cities offers monthly Fun Runs throughout the Fox Cities for Free. From what I can tell there is a theme, wine, soup, beer. There are 3 mile and 6 mile routes. You can run or walk. 

Even though I could find anyone that wanted to do this with me, I decided to do it anyways. I drove over to Red and Wine. I figured I'd go for a 3 mile walk, enjoy a glass of wine, and be back home before the hubby gets home from basketball. It was a great plan. I signed in, grabbed a map, and started out. I realize now that I could have waited until 6 for the official start but it was crowded inside and I rather get this done.

I started out on my walk trying to follow the directions by street lights. I left my glasses in the car. After about a mile, I looked at the directions and realized I didn't grab the 3 mile route, I took the 6 mile route. At first I figured it might be a misprint. However the more I read the directions, I realized I really did take the 6 mile route. I REALLY didn't want to go for a 6 mile walk. Once I realized my mistake, I figured I would just head back to Red and Wine. I cut the route short and when all was said and done I still walked almost 5 miles. 

The route maps... see it was easy to mix the up when you're blind

I thought about skipping the wine since I got back so late but since others were finishing at the same time, I figured I earned my glass of wine. After navigating through the crowd, I made my way to the back room and poured myself a glass of a decent Moscato. I found a place to drink my glass and went home.

I will try to do more of these Fun Runs in the future but will definitely make sure I take the 3 mile route. After looking at the website, I learned there are Saturday morning walks too. Hmmm something else to check out. I may even join the Pacesetters one day.  But first I need to get some reflective gear.