N8Zone

Camping at Pettibone

2008-08-31T09:52:00.001-05:00

Ever just NEED to get away? We did, and that hankering took us about 3.5 hours NW to LaCrosse, WI to the Pettibone Camping Resort. Yeah, I said "resort." It sctually a pretty nice little secluded spot out on a penninsula on the waters of the mighty Mississippi. Our first night we grilled chicken on the Q-Grill and ended up meeting another couple in the adjacent campsite. We had a nice chat with them after we helped each other get our wet firewood burning. It was a nice cool night and now we're refreshed and off to explore western Wisconsin. Giddyup.

A lazy day on the Lake

2008-08-24T16:10:00.002-05:00

Our buddy Kevin got the bug to go out an buy a boat, a 22 ft. Crownline cuddy to be exact, and Nikki and I got invited to spend the afternoon cruising the chain 'o lakes. It was an awesome end to the day -- water fights with other boaters, waterside bars, Baggo, and Nikki with a little Captain in her.

The "Volvette"

2008-08-24T16:02:00.005-05:00

What most purists would describe as an abomination, the owner od this creation calls the best of both worlds. This is the "Volvette," an amalgam of two donor cars, a late model Corvette and a late-60s Volvo 1800. Essentially its a Corvette subframe and drvetrain with a stretched Volvo body wrapped around it. Clearly a lot of fabrication went into this and the craftsmanship is unbelievable, even up close. Hey, if you've got a vision for your personal automotive masterpiece, who are we to judge? Fact is, this thing HAULS.

Vintage Volvo Car Show

2008-08-24T15:46:00.004-05:00

After leaving Saugatuk, we headed down to Kalamazoo, MI for a vintage Volvo car show. We spent the night there and then the following morningheaded up to Hickory Corners, MI, home of one of the best automobile attractions in the county, the Gilmore Car Museum. This was the venue for the Great Lakes chapter of the Volvo Club of America annual car show. It was a terrific day of beautiful, rare cars and hangin out with other owners. Lots of other P1800's in the field and some excellent examples. There was even a vintage PV544 race car that does road-rally duty in Mexico. Nice...

Kick'in it in Saugatuk, MI

2008-08-24T15:41:00.002-05:00

After leaving the Four Winds, Nikki and I made a spontaneous side trip to Saugatuk, MI. It's a little harbor town on Lake Michigan's eastern shore with lots of little shops and places to eat. I snapped Nikki doing her best impersonation of the statue from "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" in the this little park in the middle of town. If you're passing through the area, I'd really recommend stopping and looking around.

Who ever designed this machine had me in mind:

2008-08-24T15:39:00.002-05:00

"Winning for Dummies"

Four Winds Casino, New Buffalo, MI

2008-08-24T15:26:00.003-05:00

Nikki set us up with a night at the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, MI on our trek to South-central Michigan for a car show. The bad news is they ran out of rooms when we got there, the good news is that we got a free upgrade to a junior suite complete with 2 plasma TVs and the biggest bathroom I've ever seen in a hotel. To a seasoned gambler, casinos are all about hitting the tables and putting cash on the line, to me, it's all about The Buffet. I had to snap a pic of the entrance to the buffet -- no less than nine huge trees gave their lives for this shine to mass consumption.

Boys and their toys...

2008-08-05T21:47:00.002-05:00

Chris' Kubota is the adult incarnation of every kid's favorite sandbox toy -- Brad liked it so much, he busted out of the yard and headed down the road toward I-94. Luckily, he later returned it in one piece. Alexander, on the other hand, apparently wasn't quite ready to give up the helm. I'm thinking we should all pitch in and get Chris the only piece of equipment he doesn't already have for this thing: at tiny, orange hay bailer.

Doing it Dexter-style with the Dromazos'

2008-08-05T21:30:00.004-05:00

Nikki and I headed for Dexter, MI to visit the Dromazos' in their phat new pad. After about three previous failed attempts, due mainly to poorly-timed household pandemics, we finally found a weekend that worked. Having two boys tearing around definitely keeps Chris and Jill pretty busy -- we really just got a little taste of it. I think anyone would consider themselves lucky to have a couple great kids like these, even Nikki warmed up to the little guys (that's Alexander).

Lettuce Man

2008-08-02T22:29:00.001-05:00

Coming to an Ebay auction near you. Don't ask. Seriously.

Pit Stop at the Custard Capital

2008-07-31T18:20:00.002-05:00

Nothing satisfies like a double-scoop cookies'n cream custard cone after a long, hot day at the ballpark. Kopp's Frozen Custard is a Wisconsin favorite and a Summer of Steve tradition.

CUBS WIN!!!

2008-07-31T16:07:00.000-05:00

Get out yer brooms yo, the Cubs just swept the Brewers!

Brewer's Park!

2008-07-31T10:54:00.000-05:00

We made it! And now for 2+ hours of tailgating!

Shutbox: The Official Sport of S.O.S.

2008-07-31T09:58:00.000-05:00

On the road to Brewer's Park, Summer of Steve 2008 (S.O.S.). For those of you who don't know Steve, he's a nutty guy who enjoys getting his friends together for the occasional cross-country adventure, and Nikki and I are always along for the ride. Check out his site at: www.sumer-of-steve.com Shutbax is a favorite pastime that passes the time while we make our way across state borders.

Cubs-Brewers Game!

2008-07-31T09:24:00.000-05:00

Check out this ride... we're getting ready to beat pavement to Milwakee and watch the Cubs reign supreme over the Brewers. Let's make this thing a clean sweep!

Kim's at the BBQ!

2008-07-26T20:39:00.003-05:00

This post was really just a demo for Kim. I told her I'd delete it later, but she's just so darn photogenic I just had to leave it up!

LA to NY in 4 minutes

2008-07-26T16:53:00.001-05:00

Quite possibly the coolest roadtrip video ever:

Hootie & the Blowfish, Ravinia Festival

2008-07-25T18:44:00.001-05:00

Nikki and I are geting our picnic on here at Ravinia Festival (near Highland Park, IL). We've got our fried chicken, blanket, and the whole 9 yards. I think it's been about five years since I've heard a Hootie song on the radio, but I imagine hearing those old tunes will bring memories of the college years flooding back. Bring on the Blowfish!!!

Mmmm... airport food.

2008-07-22T13:40:00.002-05:00

Well, here I am back at my home away from home, aka O'hare International Airport. Getting ready to blast off and hit to the skies, San Fran to be exact. Gonna get my project management on, West Coast Style. Right now I've settled into my favorite little nest at the far-end of Terminal C, Goose Island Brewery. Does it get any better than a hot panini and a frosty Honker's while watching CNN tickers scroll endlessly above the bar? Not in this job my friends. Not in this job.

That's my horse!

2008-07-11T16:16:00.000-05:00

Any day at the horse track is better than a day at your desk. Arlington Park, trying to win some big money. LET'S GO NUMBER FIVE!

Sunset over Little Traverse Bay

2008-07-04T20:27:00.000-05:00

4th of july on the bay in Petoskey, waiting for the fireworks to start. Sunsets here are priceless...

4th of July in Alanson, MI

2008-07-04T10:07:00.000-05:00

Nikki and the parents getting ready for the big parade in downtown Alanson. Just got our free ice cream at Fairburn's hardware store and taking in the patriotic atmosphere. God Bless the USA!

Casino Royale, Michigan-style

2008-07-02T21:07:00.001-05:00

Turn 'n burn - that's our motto! Fresh from our trip to Boston (and subsequent roadtrip to Indianapolis) we set sail for the top 'o the mitt, aka Northern Michigan. The plan: spend approximately 4 days relaxing with the parents, golfing, boating, and apparently sampling the gambling scene at the Odawa Casino in Petoskey. Here's Nikki under the giant canopy out front that reminds me of something from Alice in Wonderland -- or the Cheesecake factory...

Where everybody knows your name

2008-06-30T23:08:00.001-05:00

Stopped by to grab a frothy brew at the most famous pub in Boston!

Salute to a forefather of beer

2008-06-30T22:36:00.002-05:00

During a recent trip to Boston

Inaugural Post!

2008-06-30T22:22:00.002-05:00

Look out Internet, Nate just entered the 21st century!

Welcome family, friends and complete strangers to my little corner of the universe. Here you will find the very latest in the Hills' lives and all the crazy adventures therein. I invite you to take a look and share in our experiences and all those random, interesting tidbits that make life fun.