Garage Sales...not the final frontier....but certainly a frontier....

Ever go to a Garage Sale or have had one at your place? Of course you have...where else could you buy some persons extra collected stuff? We went out on the town over the weekend in the hunt for particular stuff, camping gear. Why camping gear? Well first off most stuff new is pretty expensive and secondly, if I can score some outdoor items on the cheap, big props to this guy.

I think we went to maybe 7 garages sales and you either run into one of two scenarios...

Scenario 1.

There maybe a few people there, but the people who are selling sit in their lawn chairs and stare you down as you enter, browse, and exit their driveway like your on americas most wanted. Seriously...you can't say hello or be a bit more cheerful then give us the look? And yes, most of your stuff does appear to be before 1978 and no, I don't want it. Next!

Scenario 2.

You enter the garage sale, and the seller is nice, cheerful, says hello, gives you distance, then says goodbye and thanks you for coming. Wow, just like a TV neighborhood, when people were friendly...ah the good old days.

Out of the 6 or 7 places, all but 2 were Scenario 1.

Now maybe, they were ticked that I didn't buy anything...but I certainly gave them my reason for going to their garage sale, I would ask..."hello...do you have any camping items for sale?" All responses were no, except the last place....

The last place, appeared was closing (at 2 pm?, seriously shutting down at 2? missing out on the afternoon matinee perhaps?). I saw their ad online, and knew they had camping gear...I asked, and they had a few items left. I bought a Cooking Shelter for 10 bucks and a Privacy Shelter for 5 bucks. Seriously, what a deal. If I were to go to REI or an online store, those two items alone would of cost me over 120 bucks easy.

Morale of the story..ok maybe not a morale, but if you arrive to a garage sale when they are closing, the sellers are more than happy to drop the price on their items to pass the savings on to you.

Awesomeness.

Big Ten Expansion

This is my dream expansion to the Big Ten.

Add: Kentucky (Basketball and Football are legit)

Add: Tennessee (Basketball and Football are legit)

Add: Missouri (Basketball and Football are legit)

Add: Notre Dame (Basketball and Football are legit)

Add: Nebraska (Basketball must improve, Great Football Program)

Add: Syracuse (Great Basketball Program, Football must improve)

Add: Connecticut (Great Basketball Program, Rising Football)

I never have heard any speculation of the Big Ten going after any SEC teams, but UofK, and Tenn would be stunning additions.

Park Revisited: Closeup Labradoodle

You asked for it, where is the Labradoodle? Well here he is!

Dogs in the Park

2010 Park Tour: Site 1. Hillsdale State Park

Hillsdale State Park is a large property has several groups of campsites on the north side of the lake. On the south side of the lake, along the bordering road, model airplanes were taking off and cruising the sky. The park has up several pavilions that are along the western and northern rim of the lake. We decided to have lunch at the pavilion that was near the dock/marina.

Our initial thoughts of the park was:

1. The trails were not graded too well. Much of the trails we walked had started to rut and appeared to be pumping due to the previous rain 48 hours earlier.

2. The trails were mostly flat, with no inclines.

3. The swimming portion of the lake did not appear to be very large, but it did have public bathhouse/restrooms near.

4. As for wildlife, some Canadian Geese, ducks, falcons, and long tailed birds were found.

5. I think we would only return to the park if we had a Kayak, Canoe, or boat to fully enjoy the park. Otherwise, there is not much to look at from the shore.

Landscaping: 3 of 5 Stars

Location: 4 of 5 Stars

Overall Approval: 3 of 5 Stars

M&H