Here in northwest Washington state in the summer, my buddies and I, as it stays light late, like to grab a bunch of beer and head for the hills. There are hundreds of miles of logging roads and finding one you have never been on is great. We try to find ones with great views of Mount. Baker, the ocean or both. Some of the hills are 5000 feet or more high. An old logging landing supplies all the firewood needed. Finding your way down in the dark can be the best part of the trip.

HAVE FUN AT THE OPENER DRIFTER.

ARE WE THE ONLY ONE'S LEFT IN HERE THIS WEEK?

My girlfriend and I both bought new bikes last weekend. We plan on spending those sunny summer days pedaling around Lake Nokomis and Lake Calhoun. I also plan on golfing quite a bit this year. I'm not as good as Tiger, but I'll be up at the Agate City Classic this August. Here's to sucking back some suds up in the Big Two.

NO PLACE TO RIDE BIKES WERE I LIVE. I WISH THERE WERE BECAUSE I LIKE TO ROLLER-BLADE. USE TO ROLLER BLADE AROUND LAKE CALHOUN WHEN I LIVED IN THE CITIES.

I haven't been around the lakes for a while. Last summer I didn't have either a bike or rollerblades...but this year I'll enjoy the summer just that much more.

I missed before if you told, but where do you live now Two-Z?

But now I can barely finish the 18 holes. I don't know what needs more practice, my golf game or my drinking stamina!

But I do enjoy it. It's a different challenge every day you play!

I HAVE FREINDS IN ALASKA. DID YOU HAVE THE PLEASURE OF SEEING ANYBODY THERE FROM TWO HARBORS?

I hear Spooner is opening tomorrow.

POURING OUT HERE RIGHT NOW. NOT THAT WE NEED IT.

Some of the courses are opening up down here on Thursday Fred. Where did you go in Arizona? Phoenix or Tucson?

Did Curt "Crusty" Wilson graduate in 1982? Is he the anonymous slicer?

I don't talk to The Slicer much Drifter--he doesn't make the deer hunting trek up to Camp Virgin very often. I mostly hear tales of him, from those who do see him.

Arizona and all of those hot places are nice for short visits, but they are so brown and barren. I would take a green rolling hill or a boat on a small inland lake or a tent next to a rock filled bubbleing stream like the Knife anyday.

When does the bus trip to BN:TNG leave town?

WISH I WAS GOING TO INDIAN LAKE WITH YOU ALL. I'VE BEEN KNOWN TO RATTLE THE SPOONS PRETTY GOOD. I'M ONLY GOOD FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES THOUGH. DO YOU GUYS KNOW ANY 2 MINUTE JAMMERS?

I'd like to tell you that a lot of exciting stuff happened, but it didn't, largely because I spent most of my time taking my mom on various errands or visiting my dad in the nursing home. I will share a few observations.

1. Just for the hell of it, I drove up to the future site of BNTNG, and I just bust out laughing. Maybe, our future developers should just leave it the wa it is - the idea of a half-fallen down, open air bar is appealing.

2. I see that the Dixie Star is now called Dixie's Saloon and Deli. DELI? I hate to be a skeptic, but I'll wager that the only thing deli about that place is that the price of beef jerky has been jacked up.

3. I saw just about every teacher I ever had in high school while eating breakfast in Judy's for 3 straight days. What a time warp. I had a nice conversation with Mr. Sorensen and Mr. Battaglia one day, and I also saw Krause and Fitzpatrick in there. I was fine with it, but my mom shot spitballs at them all morning.

1. There's another school plan being floated. I won't give you the details here, but the Duluth News-Tribune Web site should have a story that appeared in (I think) the Wednesday edition.

2. The rivers are pretty high here, although not at flood stage. I went up to Gooseberry Falls briefly at midweek, and the volume of water was incredible. The falls were almost vicious, looking nothing like the place where tourists hang out in July.