Sniffing out the perfect campsite.

April 2010
Duluth, MN

Amanda and I knew that picking out a site for this years CIGNA camping trip could not be done without help.

We turned to Lily, the campsite sniffer, for the job.

She was up for it.

We checked out several campsites.

These rated a "no bones" from Lily

Not impressed by the KOA's combo hoop/pet walk.



The crime scene tape and laundry was all we needed to see. So long "Knife" Island.

While somewhat intrigued by the combo camping, RV, and Buffalo House Bar,

we decided to pose like da buffalo and move on.

A decision was made! Jay Cooke State Park was the winner.

It was a great decision. I approved.

After a quick drink and much needed potty break, we headed home.

Stay tuned for the June 12th edition of another CIGNA-riffic camp out.

3rd Annual CIGNA camping trip

I have a outlook folder at work that makes me happy. I look through it when I am frustrated with the cubicle world I find myself in. It's my favorite folder, followed by folders "I am a star" and "warm fuzzies".

We are Abby, Sara, Amanda, Stephanie, Shannon, Rachel, Lindsay, and Kate. We work together. We camp together. We began camping in 2008; we played ladder golf, we ate cookies made over the fire, and hunkered down in one tent to play games during a pretty wet rainstorm. The following year, 2009, began with tracking down lost GPS guided fellow campers and ended with tye-dying CIGNA-riffic t-shirts.

I am very excited for 2010's trip. April 16th came and the trip is already planned and reservations made! Duluth is the destination. I have sworn to make cookies, we will do some rock collecting, some birthday celebrating and exploring of Duluth.

Good times.

the infamous SPAM cook-off

I am laying on my side, my top leg at an angle, my arms all tangle in wierd configurations.
I look over and say, "oh hey, I haven't seen you in a while"
"Hey, How are you! Any plans for your spam campout this year", the response.
"oh!", says the deep voice from above, "take a deep breath in now, and ouuuut." craaack. "that's a good one. So you're the one with the spam and camping?!"

Yes, Hulking Riley the chiropractic intern, I am the one.
and Yes, Dr. Brad, there are plans for this year.

Last September, there was a Howk/Dauer/Ingvaldson camping trip. The mission, to bring spam to a new level. There was a competition. Entries for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack.

One of my favorite parts of the whole experience was the complete committment that Barrett put into developing a meal entry for the weekend. It involved time, recipes, trips to the hardware store, intestines and grilling.