Antlers, antlers and MORE ANTLERS!

Sally arrived in Yellowstone National Park late Thursday night and stayed the night in the Old Faithful Inn. She was up early the next day and ready for some touring, but the no pets allowed sign spoiled her plans. She settled for a photo in front of the park sign. She skipped down to Grand Teton National Park. Jenny Lake campground was full, so she went with plan “B” at Gros Ventre Campground between Teton and Jackson Hole.

After a quick campsite claim, Sally ventured into Jackson Hole. She passed a huge elk wildlife preserve with no elk in sight (preserving their absence?). There she saw several huge elk antler arches and had to pose for a photo near one in the town square. Maybe that’s where all those elk went! Jackson Hole is a neat city with a mix of outdoors, art and locals. The night ended early because she had to wake up at 5am to travel 13 hours to Lake Tahoe.

Yellowstone National Park, WY


Grand Teton National Park


Antler Arch, Jackson (Hole), WY


Built-in Car Seat

Black Hills and Close Encounters

There were many photo ops for Sally today, and some were risky. She had a great view of the Needles when exiting Custer State Park this morning. She had a “Shot in the Dark” (espresso in dark roast coffee) while escaping a duel with Wild Bill Hickock in Deadwood, and the hogs were scarce in the Sturgis off-season.

Sally had a “Close Encounter” of the Squirrel kind visiting Devil’s Tower. After leaving this first national monument she got to visit some of her prairie dog cousins. Then while traveling through Tensleep, a town where her mom Corey visited while in girlscouts, she came across a tavern boasting an unpleasant use of her name: Dirty Sally’s. To top that off, she drove through the town where her tormenter, Mr. Cody the dog, was named after.

The Needles, Custer State Park, SD


Final resting place of Wild Bill Hickock, Deadwood, SD


Motorcycle mania city, Sturgis, SD


Devil's Tower National Monument, SD


Prairie dogs just outside of Devil's Tower


Dirty Sally's, Tensleep, WY


Cody, WY

Long trip just to visit a drug store

Yesterday, Sally finally found that drug store she kept seeing all those signs for in Wall, SD. Shortly thereafter, she was able to see some of our finest presidents in history, all in one sitting! And after a long day of driving from the Mississippi to Custer State Park, Sally got to hit the sack in a tent on uneven ground.

Wall Drug, Wall, SD


Mt. Rushmore


Camping in Custer State Park, SD

Sally's Dream Home

Sally discovered her dream home today: The Mitchel Corn Palace! It was a mouth watering experience for her, and her comment was, "This place is so awesome I could just eat it up!"

Sally's Dream Home - Mitchel Corn Palace (Mitchel, SD)

Sally's first jump across the creek

Sally made it across the mighty Mississippi but had to sneak her way to the view due to local regulations.


Sally's roadblock to the Mississippi


A "sneak" peek of the river

Sally the Squirrel

Sally is the furry squirrel in the Squirrel Chairs Tour photos. She was a gift years ago from a family member either for Christmas or my birthday in lieu of the Squirrel Chairs I make.

I often contribute proceeds from purchases to organizations and have focused fundraising to Make-A-Wish for the Wish-A-Mile 300mi bike tour event. The IRONIC thing about Sally is her maker, Wishpets!

Squirrel Chairs on Tour!

I'm taking Squirrel Chairs and Sally (furry squirrel seated in the chairs) on tour! Watch the progress from Grass Lake, Michigan, all the way to San Francisco. There will be some interesting photo-op stops along the way.

Starting point: Home


Chicago from the car

Better late than never!

I FINALLY kicked off my bike training today. I met six other bikers at Foggy Bottom Coffee House in Dexter for a familiar bike route: Cavanaugh Lake. It is a 30-miler route leading west of Dexter through Chelsea and rounding Cavanaugh Lake before return.

Being a bit cautious and jokingly warning the others of my 20-month hiatus due to building our log home, it was just as they say, "like riding a bike." Everything went well with a few quad burn spots on hills. Then we rounded the lake and it hit us. WIND! Yes, that 10mph tail wind soon became a 10mph head/cross wind. Feel the burn! I pretty much bonked around 25 miles and my quadriceps were bricks.

It will be rocky for the first couple weeks as I get back into shape. But, heading out on a road trip to San Francisco via the Dakotas and Wyoming will sideline me for two weeks. I will need to supplement with some running.

It helps to remind myself that this is nothing compared to what the kids with terminal illness go through on a daily basis. It eclipses any soreness or fatigue I could ever imagine from a tough ride.

Mackenzie's Story

Mackenzie & her dad Jack

Mackenzie was born in October of 1998 with multiple congenital heart defects that required a three-week hospital stay and open heart surgery at just eight days old. Since then, she has had two additional surgeries - at two years of age and again at three. In July of 2007 tests showed the approaching need of a third surgery. Shortly thereafter in August she had a stent placed with the hopes of buying her a couple more years before the inevitable, a 4th open heart surgery. She is approaching the two-year mark and continues to physically do well, but tests reveal that she will probably be looking at another surgery within the next year.

On Mackenzie's fourth birthday Make-A-Wish granted her wish to go to Disney World and meet Cinderella. From the moment the limousine showed up at the house until a week later when we returned home, Mackenzie lived her dream. She was free to be far away from doctors and hospitals, loaded with fun and adventure.

As it turns out, Mackenzie's wish was just the beginning. Since her wish was granted, Make-A-Wish has done many wonderful things for Mackenzie including sending her to see the Jonas Brothers concert in 2008.

Team Living Water

On July 24, 2009, I saddle up my bike to join Team Living Water and embark on a three-day journey, covering 300 miles from Traverse City to Chelsea, Michigan. The purpose is to benefit kids like Mackenzie in granting their wishes. Mackenzie is called a “wish hero” because she helps return the favor by raising funds for other children with terminal illness. She is more than that to all of us. Her father, Jack, has been a faithful leader and member of the team.

Please consider a contribution through my Make-A-Wish WAM 300 personal page or through Team Living Water. And if you love wildlife and the outdoors, or have friends and family that do, please order one of my handmade cedar Squirrel Chair Feeders. I will contribute all proceeds to Make-A-Wish to raise funds for these kids.

Thank you,
Adrian Forbes

Submit your Squirrel Chair Feeder videos!

Do you have videos of squirrels using my Squirrel Chair Feeders? Post them on the YouTube SquirrelChairs video group. Join the group for up-to-date videos and discussion.

Submit your Squirrel Chair Feeder photos!

Do you have photos of squirrels using the feeders I've made? Send them to me and I'll post them!

All proceeds donated to Make-A-Wish

After a year off while building our new log home in Grass Lake, Michigan, I am getting back to the bicycling and running routine. I signed up for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan Wish-A-Mile 300mi bike tour. I am contributing all Squirrel Chair Feeder proceeds to raise funds so that children with terminal illness can have their wishes come true. Please visit my Make-A-Wish WAM 300 home page for more information.

SquirrelChairs.com updated

I updated the SquirrelChairs.com website, adding videos on the YouTube SquirrelChairs video group and link to follow me on Twitter.