Weekend of Relentless Travel

Hey everybody! I'm taking time now before I flee the country to enjoy the companionship of friends and family who I won't see for quite some time. Friday afternoon found Perfecto (yes, that's his name) and I driving to Northwestern Wisconsin to celebrate a close friend's birthday in Eau Claire. The advent of her 21st meant an evening of adventure and quite a few memories that won't be soon forgotten. Many of my close friends from high school were in attendance, so I was able to visit them for a final time. I've really been blessed with a good group of compadres!
After a late breakfast at Perkins, Perf and I hit the road and headed back to Ripon. A Kwik Trip sign post made out of vertical semi truck distracted yours truly from taking the appropriate exit, and the high development of that area of WI meant that I had to drive 9 miles down the Interstate before I could get off and turn around. After depositing Perfecto back at Ripon, I turned right around and drove the 200 miles north to go home for my grandma's birthday party....which I missed. I still got to see my family, though, and I really value the time I spend with them.
I'm writing right now from my home in Eagle River. My bags are packed and I'm ready to make the trek back to school for another week of chemical adventures. If fate smiles on me, I may find myself rocking out in Madison tomorrow night to two of my favorite bands, As Cities Burn and Emery. Then next Friday I will be taking off for the verdant fields of Iowa to reunite with my friends at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where I did a Research Experience for Undergraduates this summer past.
So between last Friday and next Sunday, I'll have put on about 1500 miles on my car....yeah!
Bryan, my friend and roommate, heads out for Scotland day, which makes me the last in my group of friends to be left in the nation before my abroad experience. I'm wishing him a grand time and safe travels.
Oh yes, and I read today that Bonn is in the Rhineland of Germany, which means it's part of the best wine making region in the country (it's in the northernmost part of it, at least). That will give me something else to add to my list of adventures in taste!
Peace....