On the lookout

I was filling up my wife's car with gas at the local Holiday gas station when I spotted this topless blond! We had perfect weather to drive around town topless on Monday! 

Better brown barn

Finally Casper's renovated "Cherokee Restaurant" has reopened after suffering a major fire in 2011. The main barn structure is now a dark brown and wonderfully restored.  See other Barn Charm participants here.

Buddhas & tuk tuks

After 5 days in Japan, Eagan Rotarian Michael Proebstle and I traveled to Thailand to attend the annual Rotary International convention.  Thailand is a vastly Buddhist country with elaborate temples. 

So many Buddhas lined up - it made for an artsy photo. 

A cool tuk tuk driver waiting for a customer!

We saw Wat Arun temple on our river boat cruise.

Just outside the Golden Buddha temple...

Eagan Rotarian friend Michael with a Buddhist monk. 

Riding the quick river boat taxi.... exciting & efficient!

Exploring the Flower Market....

We were right behind them, strolling along!

East of Eagan

Asauksa Temple in Tokyo, Japan 

Arrival in Gero City, Gifu Prefecture > I was a Mombusho English teacher for two years from 1989 - 1991! Yoko Mizuguchi and Hiroko Imai, former English students, picked us up. 

Kuniko, a former English student, performed the Japanese Tea Ceremony for my Eagan Rotarian friend Michael and me. 

Yuko played her Okoto instrument for us.  "Sakura" (Cherry Blossoms) is one of the most famous Japanese songs...

Michael and I stayed at Yoko's traditional Japanese house complete with a beautifully groomed garden!

The train station ladies greeted us in Hida-Hagiwara.  Such beautiful uniforms!

Hiroko posed on an old bridge in the old town of Takayama. 

One of the temples we visited in Takayama.

Yatai (wooden float) museum in Takayama City. These are used annually during the spring and fall festivals. 

Final dinner at Yasuko Kondo's house.  (Left to right: Kuniko, Leif, Yasuko & Yoko) Yasuko arranged for me to run weekly English classes in the second floor of her husband's medical clinic back in 1989. 

*** Tune in tomorrow to see the second half of my trip in another country in Asia! 

Back to familiar

I've been away for 12 days, out of the country. On Friday afternoon, my plane flew us over Thomson Reuters, then I knew I was back in Eagan. Tune in tomorrow for foreign travel photos....

All stacked up

Sometimes it feels like everything is piling up and it's difficult to keep up with the pace.  Do you ever feel that way?

Ready for bedtime

These big toys were parked along Covington Lane by 6 pm; they were waiting to work the next morning on Johnny Cake Ridge Road. 

"Unwelcome" message received

See other Wordless Wednesday meme contributors here.

Shop for summer

If you need some fun clothes for summer for yourself or your kids, why not head over to Old Navy to pick up a few extras!

My 3 year blog anniversary!

Since May 7, 2009, I have been running the Eagan Daily Photo blog.  I've met many nice local people and also City Daily Photo bloggers from around the globe.  Here are some of my blog statistics:
Over 73,000 unique visitors from 164 countries with 291 blog followers and an average of 3,500 hits per month.  (This yummy ice cream pie was bought at Ring Mountain Creamery & Cafe') 

Who's in charge?

Our 6 year old's stuffed horse, Blueberry, sometimes likes to dry our Hagen Wagon.  Is that so wrong?

Suburban Decay VII

Deflated. Dejected. Decommissioned. Deprived. Defiled.

Lunching at Byerly's

People were enjoying their lunches out in front of the Byerly's grocery store on a warm Wednesday. 

Bath-time

Our Hagen Wagon needed a bath so off to Paradise Car Wash we drove... Do you wash your car by hand?

Off & running

Running enthusiast and new store manager, Brandon Fox, is racing to get the new Eagan location ready for its May 9th grand opening at 3344 Promenade Ave - Suite 102 (near Old Navy) just off Yankee Doodle Rd. Running Room is a 27 years old, Edmonton, Canada based company with this as its 10th US location.  Run over if you're looking for shoes, apparel, accessories, nutritional items and electronics - all geared for casual and competitive runners. Get running with their free running clubs: Wednesdays, 6 pm and Sundays, 8:30 am. 

Cupcakes, tarts, cakes, oh my!

May's City Daily Photo blog theme day is: Bakeries! BYERLY'S has the biggest, best bakery in Eagan. We love to buy treats and breads there.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Mr. Yellow Shoes

Scott Needham, the owner of 2 Snap Fitness gyms in Eagan, 1 in Inver Grove Heights and another in Prior Lake, stopped running just long enough for a pose in front of this school sign. He's training for the Texas Ironman on May 19th! Go Scott go - good luck! If that's not enough, he also owns a window treatment company that sells and installs blinds, shades and shutters. 

Tree Envy #2

This tree greets me on my daily drive to work; yep, I like it! 

4 Gobblers

These 4 male, wild turkeys were waiting for cute chicks to strut by on Sherwood Way; it's that time of year!

la parisienne

Isabelle returned to the Twin Cities for a quick, 2 weeks visit. She sped around town in a cute, red Fiat. She and her family lived in Minnesota for many years before moving back to Paris. We enjoyed a long lunch together at Pardon My French cafe'. Merci beaucoup mon amie!