Storm Clouds Massing © 2008 Bo Mackison

First there were the storm clouds. For most of our five hour Friday afternoon trip, the skies were bright blue and the sun was dazzly bright. Then as we approached our weekend camping destination, clouds started massing on the horizon. An ominous start to the weekend we thought. If we had only known. . .

Deer-Struck Truck © 2008 Bo Mackison

Twenty miles from the campground I spied a doe and fawn at the side of the road. I said, “Look at the two deer”, and the doe ran across the road and smacked into the car as I said the word “deer”. We were lucky – we were towing our mini trailer and so we were driving the bigger towing vehicle which withstood the impact – actually very well. If we had been in our little Subaru, we would have been thrown into the ditch.

The deer didn’t fare so well – I’ll pass on those photos – and the fawn ran into the woods without its mama. We’re figuring a good 6 or 7 thousand dollars in car repairs. Front fender, hood, electrical repairs, on and on. With a sizable deductible to pay, our anticipated October trip to the Southwest looks pretty doubtful. We were already concerned with the price of gas, but looks like this might be the kiss of death – so to speak.

But today it is a sunny Saturday. The prairie wildflowers are blooming and I have an itchy shutter finger. And the only living things that surrender their existence to me today will be mosquitoes – which happen to be as big as wildebeests.

Looks like a good morning to head into Sister Bay and grab some Swedish pancakes at Al Johnson’s after I shoot for awhile. Those pancakes there are heavenly – paper thin and cut in long rectangles, swimming in lingonberries and butter. Yum!