Monthly Archives: July 2011

jenny & i took our second vacation camping out on the dunes of lake michigan. this time we took the advice of our friend, jim huber, and drove to silver lake. that’s where i discovered why dune buggies are actually called dune buggies. we rented a red one and spent an hour and a half driving like crazed lunatics… and we weren’t the only ones. i can’t wait to go back.

my last name changes around this time every year to my wife’s maiden name: herman. every fourth of july weekend (since 1972) the hermans come from all over the country to gather on the fairgrounds in marengo, iowa for the family reunion. when i first started coming in 1986 they were meeting at the american legion hall, but when the numbers kept increasing they moved to a bigger location. when someone starts chanting, “we are hermans, couldn’t be prouder, if you can’t hear us we’ll yell a little louder!” this continues until lunch is ready or until the authorities arrive.