A and I braved the backwoods of Indian Cave State Park this weekend. If we haven't told you already, the two of us will be driving up to and around in Alaska for 5 weeks this summer, hiking and tenting. We wanted to try out some of the new equipment we got for it. Turns out Indian Cave doesn't have any water, so we still don't know how to work the water filter.

Julie's beautiful photographs make me happy. They are of an alternate memory I have. Check out the whole lot.

Today is the day I grade final portfolios until my arms fall off. So I don't have a lot to say, or time to say it. If I can get them done, A, G, and I will go camping this weekend and I will tell you about that. It will be fun. But while you wait, maybe you should watch my new favorite music video. It is Dokken's Into the Fire. I want you to notice the seemingly random, but highly maintained and controlled pockets of fire, the fake snow coming down in a single stream, the seamless integration of helicopters and speedboats, and the spinning decent into Hell, where a giant 12 fingered Satan hand prop awaits all members of Dokken while they never stop shredding a very complex solo on their axes.

I found my skeleton gloves!

Gina reviewed Renaissance Sheet by Lily Brown.

The first issue of Saltgrass is ready to get sent to you. I have some poems in it that are pretty good.

Thank you Nathan B. Thank you Jacob. Thank you John. Thank you Kris. Thank you Merci. Thank you Carrie. Thank you Michael. Thank you Joe. Thank you Paula. Thank you Amanda. Thank you Riley. Thank you Jill. Thank you Nathan S. Thank you Heather. Special thank you Julie. Thank you blood brothers of the road, Subaru warriors, furry two-headed Francois, Joshua and Mathias. May this always be only our first trip together.

More pics. More pics.

Svalina, Schomburg, Wilkinson (& Doxsee) Tour 07: A photo-diary

Day 1. Lincoln to North Newton




































Day 2. North Newton to Maryville

Day 3. Maryville to Chicago

Day 4. Chicago to Minneapolis

Day 5. Minneapolis to Lincoln