Life in the Biosphere

Last weekend was Girl's Adventure Weekend. The theme this year (our 8th, and counting, by the way) was Land, Sea and Air. We had activities planned that would encompass all three; biking, canoeing and kite flying. (Don't think Kite flying would be an adventure? You've never been camping with us....) But sadly, we were rained out- I mean really rained out- so it was more like a weekend of Land, Rain and Pitas!
It rained while we slept Friday night and we woke up to a Saturday that was overcast and drizzly. But there was nothing on the radar, so we thought we could put up with a little drizzle and headed out on the bikes anyway. By the time we biked the 5 minutes to the park entrance, the rain had picked up and we were soaked. Well, we were already wet, so why not bike around a little more? We were out for maybe an hour or so, but it was pretty miserable. It was raining, and cold, and windy and between the rain and the foggy glasses we couldn't see a thing. So we called it a day and headed back to camp where we tried to dry off and made a lunch of jerky,pita chips, natural Cheetos and some trail mix. Kashka and I took my rented bike back to town and we picked up some beverages while we were there. (Note to tourist town bike rental place; since it's your policy to have bikes returned :30 min. before you close, it's stupid of you to close at 3pm on Saturdays and not be open at all on Sundays. Live dangerously, take Mondays and Tuesdays off in the summertime, you would make more money if you were open during touristy hours. /free advice.)
We whiled away the rest of the afternoon chatting and playing cards in the new tent (R.I.P, BFT) which has been christened the "Biosphere"- even though it is not a sphere at all. It's also not bear country worthy because now the whole thing smells like jerky. It rained all day and all night and so we did get pretty damp - and poor Kashka and Pusher got downright wet.
"Two words; Comfort fucking Inn!
Um kashka? I think that is 3 words...
Shut it, it can be one word if she wants it to be...
No, it's two words; Comfort fucking Inn."

The highlight by far was the discovery of Cafe Persepolis in Willmar. It's a Greek/Persian/Italian restaurant that was so so yummy and delicious. With fresh homemade pita bread and stuffed eggplant and moussaka and good tiramisu as well. And the most darling Greek man owns the place. He even waited on our table! He was just adorable and we all wanted to take him home with us. I wasn't there on Friday, but apparently he charmed the pants off of Pusher, Kashka and the sexy Blonde at lunch that day and they insisted that we also go there for Sat dinner. They were so right. He was just adorable. I got the impression he was the kind of man that truly enjoys running a restaurant and having people eat his food. Remember when we discovered the CoHo pizza? It was a find like that- but better, and in Willmar. If you are ever in the area, you must go there. Believe me now, you will thank me later.

So, I say the biking can be added back to the list if we want to try it again another year (like how we tried to do a make-good for the sea caves, which we still haven't seen!) and we tossed around the idea of planning/saving for a larger trip for our 10 year anniversary, which is already coming up in 2009! (can you believe it?!? I never dreamed) So the table is open for suggestions, both for next year and for '09.

Oh the new girl (does she have an alias I should be using?) passed her initiation with flying colors. There were totems that she had built (carved? crafted?) posted around the campsite when I arrived. We donned the robes and held the fire ceremony and everything so she is now permitted to attend all annual events. She even knows the secret password.

I do have one lonely picture of the weekend- Did I mention how much it rained? It was taken just as we got back from our ride. We are soaked. Not one of us looks happy. I will e-mail the participants so they can have it for themselves, but sorry, I will not be posting it here. Just picture us as drowned rats standing next to bicycles and you've got it.

One last p.s. to Ms Huis, Because of the rain, we didn't get the chance to make the boozy campfire brie, so next year you bring all the fixins, ok? Mmmmm... melty.

Also? I think I was talked into NaNo.