Pinkney Outing

So, Saturday was warm, threatening to be in the mid-90s in Ann Arbor. It was time to get out of my concrete pad, out of town, and over to Pinkney! Cris Turney had sent out an e-vite, and so I met up with people I hadn't seen in a while, and people I haven't met at all. In all, I think there were over 20 people that showed up during the day. (Most didn't last until 5PM - I didn't last too much longer than 5PM.) It was good.

Apart from the requisite "lying-about-reading" and food grilling, there was also the lake swimming and lake frisbee!

Unfortunately, we learned that Pinkney has a "NO ANIMALS" and "NO BIKES" policy. The first command is a bit of a question for me, since we (humans) are animals. Of course, I'm sure the DNR were meaning the second definition: "An animal organism other than a human, especially a mammal." However, I also question if they will enforce the third definition: "A person who behaves in a bestial or brutish manner." Somehow, I think not... We were there long enough for the DNR to enforce the law upon the dogs we brought... and the bikes we brought, too.

Now, the issue with bikes I don't understand. If the statement was "NO BIKE RIDING" then I could understand the intent. However, with bikes costing up to $1,000 being ridden in from Ann Arbor, people might want to have them close-at-hand, rather than trusting to a lock, chain, and rack.

Going home, I learned that the US tied with Italy in their second game of the World Cup, and that Ghana beat (!) the Czech Republic. USA has a chance (perhaps a slim one) to get to the second round! Ahh, the wonders of World Cup Soccer. Just keep us hanging on.

Anyway, don't we SNERDs look so happy sitting out at the lake? (Don't worry, everyone in the photo had slathered on enough sun screen to keep themselves from turning lobster-red, I'm sure.)

Cutting down the old elm tree

The elm tree that stood just outside the Dana Building's Diag-side entrance is no longer there. After having one of its major branches lopped off last year, the grounds staff have decided that it could not be saved, and so toppled it this afternoon.

A tree will not be planted there until the fall. Hopefully it will not be another maple or oak (as there are plenty around the campus already). The UM forester I talked with made a mention about some disease-resistant elm trees that are being cultivated, but the Diag planting design was not his jurisdiction.

Although I am not a "plant" person, it is still sad to think that there will be a large gaping hole in the Diag's "canopy" near the Dana Building. Hopefully Prof Moore will not have too many issues with glare as the summer progresses.