Tunnel Parking

The hill at Tunnel Park is an attraction for visitors to the Tulip Capitol of Michigan. Here we have UH and KS, along with the SLO's, running up the hill, in a display of youthful vigor. The county keeps this part of the dune as sand so that when we visit there is a place for the crazies among us to have some fun. It's a great event. I claim the record for the oldest downhill runner at this venue, unofficially, of course. I haven't run uphill in years.


An old photo from about 1949 - just guessing from the apparent age of Gino. I don't remember the car, nor do I know the location of the shot, but I know the people involved - Santini, the father, Gino, TT, and GPa. I scanned it in early in August and used iPhoto to fix it up some. Does anyone know where it was taken? And is that the family car that is serving as a bench? Santini says she was noted for her lack of modesty at that age, but who really remembers? She and Gino are wearing shoes.


This afternoon I found the picnic table at Como Park where I had sushi on Tuesday with Kagami Sensei. The City of St Paul workers were busily loading the oak trees and branches into trucks to be transported elsewhere for chipping. The place smelled of oak kindling.

The West Coast Eagles are the defending champions of Australian Rules Football.

Japan's Gain

The trip to Michigan and the summer fun that goes with it are done for another August. This is the last photo from our stay at Santini's B&B. It is fitting that KS is waving, and that she is in the water with the SLO's (upgraded by TJ to BLO's). She spent a considerable time in the big water, swimming, body surfing, and playing kid-eating shark with the kids. She's now back in Japan, having arrived there at about 4 a.m. our time today.


Tonight was a big night for geezer tennis. We had eight players: seven men and one quite good woman. It was mix and match, using Bill's card system to begin and then winners against winners. After that, Tennis Dennis and I played Dennis Tennis against Jerry and Becky to finish out the night. Two hours plus on a humid afternoon and evening added up to a strong thirst and thus I'm hydrating as I type. Cold water tastes very good.

I had another tour around Como's tree carnage this afternoon. It's an amazing sight. The damage to trees was localized and areas just a hundred yards from downed trees were spared the loss of limbs. There are a lot of trees gone - many of them ash trees - but quite a few strong oaks remain.

The championship tournament of Australian Rules Football is in August down under. I used to watch it on cable, but their time has been usurped by garbage "extreme" sports manufactured for the American taste. They should televise real team sports like the AFL, rugby, and cricket. People in the rest of the world get pretty emotional about these sports. Are you listening ESPN?