not so shabby

in oregon until thursday. thankful for a bike and best friends! molalla, portland, and mt. hood. going to ride the skate today with glen glans. probably eat some amazing meals. i am still full from our afternon eating at pambiche yesterday

all i want to do today is eat more ice cream...

motley, minn. this is a pretty great antique store. the ice cream parlor is in the silo. the porch features vintage kiddie rides. flea market on the weekends.

doppelganger days

i am seeing double, which must mean i am seeing trouble.

farms vs. farming.
design vs. writing.
beach vs. work.
time vs. sleep.
strong vs. weak.

skate vs. bike.
hate vs. like.

mustaches vs. beards.
portland vs. minneapolis.

us vs. canada.
city vs. woods.
glass candy vs. chromatics.
these guys "make music and films from a shack in the woods"


day vs. night.
alone vs. together.

guilt vs. pleasure.

i love you, summertime.

URGENTLY : Noma Lake Campground Activists needed

PLEASE WRITE TO THE CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST, the feds are trying to cut 4 amazing, rural campgrounds in the northwoods! refer to my posting a few spots below for my recent family trip there.
WRITE TO: shoie@fs.fed.us by today, or at least by monday. i promise to take you there if they save it!! thanks.

I am writing in regard to the threat of the county's decision to close down 4 excellent Chippewa National Forest campgrounds, including the Noma Lake Campground, which is very sentimental to my family.
The Elhard family has been enthusiastic visitors and dedicated campers there for 40 years. We have enjoyed the campground for its location, grounds development, and pleasant memories. Being close to our Northome, and deep within the most stunning and serene woods of Northern Minnesota are qualities that can never replaced. I am a college student, who has had the great fortune of living on stoic Mt. Hood in Oregon during the summers. I have always appreciated our annual family camping trips to Noma Lake, but it wasnt until our recent trip, only 3 weeks ago, that I realized the majesty of the Wirt area was special beyond compare! I had visions of continuing our camping ritual for years to come, declaring that I would bring my own future family to this beautiful place, even if it might involve traveling from a distance as far as Oregon. I remember in my youth, the epitome of a small community was replicated in the campground. The grounds keeper and the DNR would be regular friendly visitors, and I admired their hard work at making us feel comfortable. The recent installation of the fishing pier and set of stairs was an exciting formality that was properly introduced to this campsite that welcomes all generations of outdoor enthusiasts. My family and I would spend long hours fishing, reading, drawing and playing on the new fishing platform. The versatility of this camping facility has always amazed me. My favorite memories now include an adventure taken place three weeks ago. The campgrounds held more happy families (community members) than I had ever seen there. The Elhard family congregated in record numbers (now including the tiny members of our 4th generation) and we gathered in our usual feasting, laughing and fishing in an atmosphere that enhanced our collective family history. On our first morning, my sister and I awoke and immediately ventured out into Noma Lake in our canoe. We slowly paddled around the entire perimeter, circling a family of Loons at the center of the lake, next to the boat in which my uncle and cousins were fishing. Our excursion introduced us to the startling realization that the lake held dozens of old cans, many of which were over 20 years old. We amused ourselves with the duty of Noma Lake conservationists, as we collected every speck of trash we encountered in the lake's pristine edge. We shared our collection, memories, and stories with a sense of pride about returning the favor to a place we hold so dear to us. We will continue to honor Noma Lake Campground and all those who share its endearment. It is our responsibility to provide our future families with not only shared memories, but experience of the greatest campground in the North Woods. Please do not close Noma Lake Campground, and keep its brother and sister campgrounds in mind, too.
Thank You,


*******or at least copy and paste this message and sign it with your name so they know you are backing me!!******

cheap grand liberty

this fourth of july was a happy beginning to my summer!

we'll be back here soon.
totally best rooftop view of the fireworks in all of minneapolis.

thanks eric carroll for getting us up there!

This last weekend was the first Elhard Famly camping outing in the last 14 years. We went to Wirt, MN and we tried. We were rained out on the first full day. Thankfully, when Mattea and I awoke, we immediately took the opportunity to commence in our favorite activity of canoeing. It started out as a fun game, but we soon became Canoeing Conservationists on Noma Lake. We collected all these vintage cans. Most of them over 20 years old! My favorite is the Hamms can.
It was so sad to leave my family of commedians, conservationsists, and campers for the high and dry roads.
Back to Bemidji...

When we arrived, no joke, Antique Roadshow was airing a segment about vintage can collecting. This first image features the early pop-tops (my Hamm's can has the same top). On my way back to Minneapolis I stopped at this tourist attraction that I had never been to in all my years living in Bemidji. Spectacular collectibles in every corner! I picked up a few new/old touristy tees and browsed the Northern Minnesotan Zine selection on my way out...

OR

i never ever want to grow up, it seems.

ready to go hide out at the oregon coast, at the goonies rock or somewhere like it. (oceanside at al's beach house)
for now, i will settle for a golden valley beach on the fourth of july! hoping to stay sane throughout the weekend.

MORE DOING LESS THINKING. should = my summer routine.