Images of the Harriet Alexander Nature Center

We recently spent a couple of hours (on a hot day) at the Harriet Alexander Nature Center. Here are a few pictures I took.

Giant Wash

In case your giant gets dirty...

Cutris Photo in Question

Cutris Photo in Question
July 26, 2010
UnAssociated press

The previously released photo of Cutris, obeying the law may have been a fake! This new photo has arisen, showing Cutris disobeying the sign!

In light of his history of disobeying rules, it seems quite likely that Cutris was running 88 miles-per-hour rather than 28. But wouldn't that make Cutris the fastest land mammal on Earth? Such speed would mean Cutris can run faster than a cheetah!

Cutris' Wife Disobeys Sign!

Cutris' Wife Disobeys Sign!
UnAssociated Press
July 17, 2010

Cutris' wife was photographed riding her bicycle through a detour that had a sign that clearly said, "walk your bike." This brings up the question if she willingly disobeyed, or if Cutris is simply a bad influence. One can only guess, as Cutris was recently photographed actually obeying a sign!

Lake Phalen

We live near Lake Phalen. Often when it is mentioned in the news, it has something to do with some criminal activity. Most of the time, this is a beautiful place. Checkout the photos I took there recently.

Cutris Obeys Laws!

Cutris Obeys Laws!
UnAssociated Press
July 9, 2010

Cutris has brought to our attention, this sign that shows he is obeying the sign, and the speed limit! He is disputing the information about him from July 6th.

Wildflowers!

We hiked at the Black Dog Preserve. It was really overgrown, maybe due to all the rain we've had. The wildflowers were spectacular! Here's a tiny sample...

Accelerator Problem

There are many stories about accelerator pedal problems on automobiles these days. I actually had this happen when I was on the Gunflint Trail with my 2008 Ford Fusion. Traveling at 45mph, I had to stop and my car did not throttle down! I didn't realize what was happening at first. After I shifted it in neutral, the car worked fine, and has continued to work fine ever since. In fact, my trip to the dealer turned up nothing out-of-the-ordinary. We could not get the car to recreate the incident on the Gunflint Trail.

Perhaps we have too much automation on our vehicles. The old style cable that controlled the throttle may have been better than pressing a pedal and hoping all of the electronic components do what you want them to.

At any rate, I wanted to document this problem on my blog so I don't end up like Koua Fong Lee, who has spent three (of eight) years in prison for a crash that led to three deaths in 2006. I don't believe he was responsible. I think the car did not stop, but rather accelerated. He should be freed and given $1 million for each year he was locked up.

Cutris Climbs on Tugboat

Cutris Climbs on Tugboat
UnAssociated Press
July 6, 2010

Once again, Cutris has been photographed disobeying rules. This time he was blatantly climbing on a tugboat with a sign that says not to climb on the tugboat!

My $10 Grill

My $10 Wal*mart grill I got (about) four years ago has made so much good food! Almost immediately after buying it, one of its legs fell off, but I drilled a hole and put a small bolt and nut in and it has held together since then! I think I got my money's worth!
Here are pictures of the grill and some of what I made this past week...




My $10 Grill














Wild Caught Sockeye Salmon













BBQ Chicken

4th of July

I hope you enjoyed Independence Day! I took this video last night.