Viroqua, WI.

I put on over a thousand miles and spent a small fortune on gas this week, spending over 20 hours driving in my trusty Jetta. First it was back and forth from Iowa Falls to Des Moines, all day Thursday and Friday for Iowa High School State Track at Drake University. Those two days were very stress full, filled with hot sun, rain, and a tight shooting schedule. Friday also included two, hour long delays for lighting and torrential rain. I returned home Friday evening around 10 p.m. exhausted and knowing full well I had to be up at five to leave at six to make an appointment in Wisconsin Rapids. On the road Saturday morning, I drove through what seemed to be endless gray clouds as I traveled through Iowa, Minnesota, and then finally Wisconsin. There was a stark difference between the open fields of Iowa and the forest lined impenetrable swamps and brambles of central Wisconsin. After a nice lunch and interview in Wisconsin Rapids I headed South West toward Viroqua and LAX where I planned to end my day. The wedding was held at the Viroqua Party Barn and it was exactly what you would expect. An old farmstead converted into a place to host any sort of event. There was good, dark beer, what seemed like hundreds of smiling children, and an over whelming sense that everyone in attendance was so very happy for the bubbly newlyweds, Aryn and Lucas Slack. Congratulations to you both! The wedding was topped off with a great band imported from Lincoln Nebraska. The Betties played a mix of folk music both original and crowd favorite covers. 'The Betties' had a new lineup too, including my very good friend Sam Morris on the lap guitar and Nick Svabota on a fancy stand up bass. The last time I saw Nick on a bass, the instrument consisted of three parts; broom-stick, rope, and washtub.