Every once in awhile, Julia and I come across a brewery that truly rises head and shoulders above the crowd. Earth Rider in Superior, Wisconsin is special in all of the ways that matter to us. 

Earth Rider logo

Located amongst a dense population of working class bars on the western edge of Superior, Wisconsin, Earth Rider’s taphouse is in an old brick building. The inside is a bit dark. There is no food to speak of here. Earth Rider is where you go if you want to drink really good beer in just about every beer style that we like.

I started with their 2018 World Beer Cup bronze medal winner in the oatmeal stout category, North Tower Stout, while Julia enjoyed their hazy IPA.

After sampling the Raspbecrush Tart, I then opted for a perfectly-styled Vienna Lager, which was dispensed side-pull, something the server described as a method to bring out a more creamy head. 

We adjourned to the outdoor beer garden, which had a mural that I loved.

For dinner, we went a couple of blocks down the street to the Anchor Bar with prices from yesterday. Huge, well-prepared burgers were $6.50. It was Monday Philosophy night with $3 pitchers of Grain Belt Beer. With an hour drive ahead, I went with a Diet Pepsi.

My father’s Celebration of Life took place last Saturday in an African-American Church that he attended from time to time in his childhood home of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. My dad loved traditional gospel music, and he would have loved the musical performance. 

After we made it home to Wisconsin, we packed up a few days later, hitched up the Scamp, and drove north. 

Tonight, we are driveway camping at Julia’s brother’s cabin on Long Lake, which is near Gleason, Wisconsin. It’s a small place, started by Scott himself and then finished by his friends and family after Scott had a brain aneurysm at age 30. Scott nearly died after that incident and lost the use of his dominant right hand. This year Scott celebrated a life equally as long after his aneurysm as before. 

We grilled brats for dinner, served alongside baked beans and a salad. Scott and his friend Rick went fishing for crappies after dinner; Julia went along for the ride. I’m enjoying the view of the lake from the cabin’s spacious deck with Callie literally laying on my feet to keep track of my movements. 

Julia, Scott and Rick

We will stay here through the holiday weekend and then continue further north. We aren’t sure where we will stop next but have a couple of ideas in mind.

I am between Celebrations of Life:  Justin's and my Dad's.

More than 125 people came over the course of two hours to a local park shelter for Justin's celebration.  I'm not terribly comfortable being one of the focal people at large gatherings, so the whole thing was a blur to me.  Julia and her pickleball friends organized it. We ran out of beds and couches at our house.  Julia and I slept in the Scamp.

A soul food catering place from Madison brought in Justin's favorite foods: fried chicken, ribs, macaroni and cheese, and cornbread muffins.  A large assortment of Justin's Asian snacks was also put out for people to try.  The dried seafood was tried by many but liked by few.

Many tears were shed, but it was also a time for shared memories and laughs.  I'm finally sleeping better after almost six months of broken sleep patterns.

We gave away most of Justin's furnishings and valuable personal possessions.  One of those included the wheelchair van, which we planned to donate to someone in a need of a vehicle at Justin's church.  

Unfortunately, two days after the man (my age) received the vehicle and before he could get the title changed, he died after suffering a stroke.  It's just been that kind of year.  His surviving brothers and sister want the van to go to the church, and that's the tentative plan for now.  

My Dad's Celebration of Life will take place this Saturday in Iowa.  I expect a much smaller gathering as my Dad outlived most of his friends and family.  After that, I think Julia and I will head up north in the Scamp.