Here I am, in rural Tower, blogging from the old homestead. The temperature right now is a balmy 57.5 degrees (that's an official Weather Service reading) and I don't think I've ever been happier to be here. Dad and I took the fourwheelers out to the shack today and I found myself appreciating the area, and the season, more than I ever have before. I didn't realize how much I needed this break from city life until I actually arrived.

I spent the day in Duluth yesterday, and I found an apartment while I was there! I was starting to have doubts when no (and I mean NO) property managers would answer their phones or return my calls. I only looked at two places and the decision was not a difficult one. Oh, the lake view. I won't even need a tv!

Wednesday night was more fun than anybody should be allowed to have on a weeknight. Gretchen and I had a few beers together as planned, but to make things a million times better, all of the neighbors showed up. Every last Riverwood resident that I've enjoyed hanging out with over these past 11 months made an extended appearance. Though we really hadn't planned anything, it felt like one hell of a last hoorah. I didn't make it to bed until 3:30 Thursday morning. It seemed like the right thing to do considering I had four whole days off ahead of me. I still had to wake up at 6:30 though...stupid! The four hours I spent driving yesterday were extra challenging and I've spent more time asleep than awake since arriving in Tower.

Speaking of stupid, I let Ross take our garbage and recycling out for me on Wednesday night, just because he's such a freaking good American. He didn't put it where we usually do (I know...gasp!) and I never bother to look out the rearview mirror when I back of the garage. So, I'm pretty sure I woke up everyone on the street who was still sleeping when I backed into the receptacle on Thursday morning at 7:30. Most of the contents were not bagged, so there was a huge mess of stray beer bottles and cans all over the street. I giggled and whispered profanity as I fought through my hangover to get it all cleaned up.

I think the old guy across the street is going to throw a party of his own when we leave for good. I know I would.