Life in the Wisconsin Desert

Wednesday July 12th - Tuesday July 18th, 2006

So, I know that my last words of my last post were "I plan to write again tomorrow", or something to that affect. Well, here I am, nearly a week later. So much has happened, I promise to do my best to cover all of it. I'm not sure how detailed it will be, but I'll be sure to hit the main points.

Nate and Cassandra are still missing in action. I now assume that they will not be returning. I am sure of two things however. They did not go to the Red Cedar Medical Center in Menomonie, and they did not go to the Dunn County jail. They've been gone quite a while (it's been nearly a week) and I'm on my own now.

Did anyone notice that my profile has changed and it now says that I live in Menomonie? This may actually need some explanation. Since I've been staying here the last two weeks, there's been a major change in my mindset. I've still no word from Mom or Dad, I've been alone for six days, and to by quite honest with you, I rather enjoy it. Why you might ask? Again, I've nobody to answer to. The world is mine. I do what I want to do and when. It's also been quite an adventure thus far.

If you couldn't figure out what I'm trying to say in the above paragraph, try this...I'm going to stay in Menomonie for as long as I can survive with what's available to me. Oh yeah, I haven't caught a fish yet (but I had a couple of bites), and I'm down to $42.44. Do you notice that I know the dollar amount right down to the penny? That's kind of funny because when I had gone out to the den my mindset was that it wasn't a big deal to tip the bartender with my change. I wish I had that change back, because I would assume things will get a little rough if I don't conserve every single penny I have.

I took a bike ride the other day to get a bit more familiar with the area. While riding, I came up on an area I had read about in a book written by an Eau Claire man named Chad Lewis. The book was titled something to the effect of "Stories of the Supernatural in Western Wisconsin" or something like that. Anyway, Chad Lewis is a "ghosthunter", and he had written a story about someone who had apparently taken a water sample from a place called the Devil's Punchbowl, and had put the water sample in the back of their car in midsummer. Hours later the water was "cold".

Being that I had read portions of the book, I remembered the name of the place as I was riding past it. I decided to stop in and enjoy the spot for a while (I needed a break anyway...I was hot and tired). The Devil's Punchbowl could best be described as a "natural amphitheater". It starts up on the road, and a path winds down into the punchbowl, which has been formed from rocks over millions of years. If you're ever in Menomonie and want to check it out, it's slightly southwest of Menomonie on The Rustic Road.

I really enjoy taking these bike rides. I'd like to explore some of the surrounding towns eventually. There's so much history here in Dunn County. I'd like to learn as much as I can about it. I guess what I'm doing is a bit like going back in time, being that I'm living a life of self-sufficiency...well, kinda. I've got a long ways to go. My biggest obstacle is to figure out how to not starve to death.

As I had noted during my explanation of the punchbowl, it's been extremely hot out. I know for a fact that it's been over 90 degrees for about a week now. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if there were a couple of days that were over 100. I can't wait for it to end because it seems that the hot weather just zaps my energy, and I'm not able to do the things I am going to have to do in order to live here longer.

It's also been extremely dry. It seems to me that it's only rained twice since I came here with Nate and Cassandra. Both times were extremely brief. It's like we're in a drought. Everything is brown, and I'm extremely concerned about the fires I cook on. I'm not so much worried about starting a fire as I am getting a ticket from the local law enforcement.

I've saved four water jugs that hold a gallon each that I fill about every other day in town. I usually use the laundromat on the corner of Broadway and Hwy 12 to fill them up. This way I don't stand out. It seems to do the trick, although the water is always warm by the time I get back to camp. It keeps me hydrated though.

Well, I think this is going to be about it for today. I'd like to tell you that I'll write again tomorrow, but I do not want to make any promises I can't keep. I'll try to write again soon, how's that?

Eli