Fly Little Hawkeye

Last weekend, Tanner made the trip to the Great Plains Conference water ski tourney (also the last one of these tourneys) and skied two events on the "A" team for Iowa (trick and jump). 

We were so excited to chat with him on Sunday morning as he recounted his jump experience to us! He was the 2nd men's skier to jump on Sunday so had to be up early to and he landed not one, not two, but ALL three of his jumps (34, 36 and 37 feet)!! Quite the feat considering he had been on water skis twice in his life before skiing for Iowa. I love how one of his teammates yells, "Fly little Hawkeye" as he is attempting the jump. 💛 And really, isn't that what we want for our kids? Fly. And Learn. And Stumble. And Grow.

Tanner's 37 foot jump! 

Unfortunately, Iowa finished last in the conference tourney and did not make it to the regional tournament in Decatur - how amazing would it have been to have him here with us this weekend. We can't wait to see him tomorrow! 

Digital Nomad Life Part 2

It certainly felt like a short week for our 2nd week in Hamilton after getting in late on Sunday evening. On Monday, I picked Drake up after work, and he stayed with us at the AirBnB. We played some Yahtzee, had take out Indian and played some foosball in the attic game room that was part of our place. What a treat to have Drake come stay with us. 

On Tuesday morning, I took Drake to the lake to get in some practice. That night, Marshall and I drove into Cincinnati to watch a Reds game on 3-2-1 night ($3/beers; $2/hot dogs; $1/ice cream). It was a warm fall evening and fun to check out a new stadium (unfortunately, the Reds lost 4-2, but are still in the running for the Wild Card!). We had a low key evening on Wednesday night with a trip to Flub's (local ice cream shop) for a post dinner treat. We are definitely working to extend the feeling of summer with these warm, long days (sun didn't set in Hamilton until after 7:30). 

On Thursday, we were able to get a late checkout which was great and then Drake got us a study room at Farmer to finish out our workday. We were able to get in a little walk around campus and then catch the homecoming parade - BONUS! Some Skyline chili prior to our departure to Decatur, Illinois with Drake in tow and we departed Oxford around 7:00. With a stop at Portillo's in Indy, we got to Decatur around 11:30 (thanks to the time change). 

The Fairfield Inn served as a fine place for our us to finish out our working week (and our Friday calls worked to be at different times which was key). 

walk around Hamilton - LOTS of fall/Halloween decor about 

our "home" for 2 weeks 

my workstation

foosball battles 

Miami's practice lake 

didn't know they were the "Redstockings" originally

nice ball park along the river and right downtown

Flub's with delicious cyclone ice cream treats

Marshall's workspace

our "office" at Farmer's 

on campus - beautiful!

homecoming parade - I loved it (of course!) 

Our working space at the Fairfield Inn

Century Club!

We spent our second weekend in Ohio at Pleasant Shores again in Van Wert, Ohio for the Great Lakes Conference Tourney (the last one ever!).  Fortunately for us (maybe unfortunately for Drake), Drake rode with us again as everyone else headed up early. Marshall and I headed up to Oxford in the afternoon after finishing the work day and we headed uptown for "Beat the Clock" at Brick (where we played some Euchre), a stop at the Little Clinic for pink eye drops and to eat at Steinkeller's for German food and beer.

It was another beautiful day in the midwest on Saturday. We went for a little hike at a nature preserve before heading to the "B lake" and watching Drake do trick. We spent the some time on at the lake (where Drake watched Miami lose via my phone) and then came back to the hotel room to watch Nebraska (and the Cougs) lose..... Marshall and I went to the local sports bar for pizza and beer before calling it a night. 

On Sunday, the skiing was delayed due to rain so we busied ourselves with shopping at Walmart, grabbing coffee at the health store in town (all the regular coffee houses were closed on Sunday). And then we enjoyed a day at the lake after the storms passed. 

The wait was definitely worth it as we saw Drake jump 100 feet and join the century club! He (once again) skied away on one ski after a crazy landing. I'm so glad that we have been here to witness all of his personal bests - peaking after a great deal of hard work and perseverance. We stayed for the awards where Drake was 4th in jump and Miami placed 2nd as a team. How great it has been to be here to cheer him on during his senior year. 

Beat the Clock 

Steinkeller's

uptown

hike

"B lake" for trick 

yes - that is the bathroom at the "B lake" 

lake party 

getting ready 

Personal Best Tackle 

the escort after his jump 

two jumpers over 100 for Miami! 

4th place! 

jumped his best - pink eye, cold and all! 

 

Digital Nomad Life

 Our AirBnB in Hamilton is an older home on the Heritage Park Neighborhood. We have plenty of space and the space is really well appointed. We picked up groceries when we got to town so we were ready for the week. 

There are desks in two of the bedrooms upstairs so we each have our own space. I'm missing my standing desk, but taking breaks to walk around the neighborhood. 

We've enjoyed exploring the little town - sitting outside at a local brewery for music bingo, exploring Jungle Jim's grocery store - a local institution- and walking downtown for steak sandwiches from Richard's (recommendation from  our host) with a stop for margs and a taco. Looking forward to more adventures next week! 

Taco spot 

Since 1955

"World-famous" steak sandwich

Quite the place! 

Hot sauces

Singo at Municipal Brew Co

No winners here, but beautiful night out

Sunset over Hamilton 

96 Feet!

Marshall and I made it to Ohio early on Friday morning and thankfully, we had Drake to pick us up. We worked from Oxford in various locations which worked out. While Drake had happy hour for his Master's program, Marshall and I walked around Uptown. We then ate at Mac & Joe's for dinner with Drake and then drove up to Van Wert. 

We were able to cheer on Miami Redhawks and Drake to a 1st place tourney finish over the weekend. We explored downtown Van Wert (with stops for coffee and doughnuts), watched a lot of skiing, got to spend some good time with Drake and ate at a local Mexican place. Drake had two personal bests and placed 2nd behind his teammate. I am so glad that we were there to witness these jumps! 

We took off after the A team jumped and stopped by to see the Sasquatch in Celina on the way to our AirBnB in Hamilton. A great start to our adventures. 

Drake's jump >> https://youtu.be/X-6GU2qVQ6Q

Great job Drake! 

PB tackle 

Getting ready

Detour to Smiley Park So we could send to the Smileys 

Didn't capture the B events.....