For three years, we've been trying to decide whether to buy a boat or camper...in April this year, we finally made a decision.  Here's how we've been spending most weekends this summer: 

[OOPS: Broken image link here, sorry.]

As always, we have exceptional timing.  This happens to be the year that gas/oil prices have tripled and continue to climb almost daily.  That makes towing hurt the wallet, but at least we're comfortable when we finally 'get there'. 

If I get the time, I'd like to blog some of the trips we've taken...we've learned a few lessons in a short time that might help someone else...

If anyone cares for details:  The camper is a Cougar 301 BHS Travel Trailer by Keystone Corporation (link). 

Congratulations to Kerri and Chris!  Olivia Kristine Bowen was born Saturday (June 18) afternoon.  I'll update this post (soon) with a couple pictures from the big day.

Our Governor has declared May 5th as state employee recognition day, and as a small token of appreciation, has granted those employees 'free' use of all the Michigan State Parks for the week of May 2-8. 

At first blush, that's a pretty nice gesture...there are some really great State Parks in Michigan (2 within 5 miles of my home).  On second glance, however, it's not that great of a deal, and is really pretty laughable. 

• Consider that the average temperatures for May run between 39 and 67 degrees Farenheit...a bit chilly for most 'park' activities.
• The state parks don't even open until May 1st.  Now that they're open, the first few weeks are spent cleaning up a winter's worth of yuck.
• The employee 'appreciation' doesn't waive camping or other fees...just the $6 admission to the park...where I guess you could swim in 38 degree water (or, to be fair, launch your boat and go fishing - or waterskiing :) )
• For the past two years, most state employees have been forced to give up 4 hours of pay for every 80 they work, to help cure the state's whopping debt.  Can you feel the love?

Congrats to Shane Haskin, who won his political bid for Clare County Drain Commissioner last week! 

Some good friends of ours (to protect the guilty, we'll call them...“Steve” and “Julie“) were recently traveling with their 4 and 6 year olds by vehicle, and the kids were watching a DVD in the back seat.  When they got home (after dark), the kids ignored multiple parental requests to “shut it off”, “go inside”, etc., so our friends shut off the car and left the kids in it. 

“Steve” and “Julie” live in a pretty remote area, so when the lights are off...it's really dark.  Anyway, they shut lights off, went inside, and shut the garage door.  About 20 minutes later, the phone (in the house) rang.  When they answered, they found it was their six-year-old, calling from the cell phone...from the car in the driveway. 

He asked them to turn on the lights because it was too dark outside. 

It's been about 15 years since I was involved in the Boy Scouts, and frankly I haven't thought about it much during that time.  Now that we have a son old enough to be a Tiger Cub, he and I have both joined Cub Scout Pack 3944 in Roscommon. 

I'm impressed with the number and apparent dedication of the adult leaders in the pack.  It's great to see how the whole Scouting program has grown (and, apparently, how strong it is in our own hometown) while I was away from it all. 

Probably the best laugh I've had in a long time. 

Don't miss this: 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63851&item=4146756343

Our vacation stay at Villa Poincianna in the Abacos was really terrific.  The house was amazing...remote and quiet, but a short boat ride from everything we wanted. 

We got to see a good mix of sea critters (sharks, turtles, 'cudas, rays, and plenty of other fish) while snorkeling.  Also, I was surprised at how 'un-touristy' the whole area was...no one bothered us to buy trinkets or bracelets (yes, that's what I expected) and local people were genuinely interested in helping us. 

The stay wasn't perfect.  Weather in the Abacos is apparently as uncontrollable as weather here in Michigan, and we ended up with high winds (and seas) the whole time.  No matter, we were snorkeling and boating in it every day.  The ride to Pete's Pub was especially interesting. 

Tomorrow afternoon, we're heading out for Lubber's Cay in the Abacos for our first no-kids vacation since our honeymoon (in spring 1997).  Seeya in a week or so! 

After yesterday's whining about how bad things were...

We actually were able to catch the guy who stole my wife's rings...and convince him to give them back...all in about 1/2 hour's time. 

It turns out my inability to delete dasBlog entries was a 'permissions' problem...it seems pretty obvious (now) that the worker processes used by the application would need 'delete' permissions on the file system before I can delete entries. 

Today sucks.  Any code that I've touched is broken; I still can't access eXist with SOAP via .NET, or find any hints anywhere that might point out the problem. 

I also can't seem to get rid of two pesky blog entries (probably right below this one) because deleting entries is somehow not allowed in my configuration.  They were tests of the emailToBlog feature of dasBlog, but they didn't import properly in the first place anyway. 

We also just learned that someone stole my wife's rings...wedding band, engagement ring, and a wrap for the engagement ring. 

WTF, I give up.