Well, I am upset! I received an E-Mail from Toivo who said we could meet at Stone Mountain this morning at 10:30 A.M., but he couldn't stay long because he had to meet someone in the Carolina's.

The only problem is, I received the mail at Noon! He said he sent it last night, and that would have allowed us to get there to meet him, but something malfunctioned!

POUT POUT POUT POUT!

To Alex, there are a lot of us who are also pouting. Thanks for trying.

Is this Toivo thing for real? It is too mysterious. He's like the guy behind the fence on "Home Improvement". Has anyone ever even seen this dude? Charlie just grinned at me when I asked him about this Toivo trip one day. Hmmmm....I have to wonder.

Yep, I agree with j from Chassell, especially since Alex could not get together with Toivo, after ALL the pleading and begging Alex did. I also was disappointed. This is begining to NOT be humorous.

Anyone affiliated with Still Waters or Pasty.NET....in my opinion would not lie about Toivo. They have a name to uphold and wouldn't lie to it's customers or visitors. There would be no point to any of it. Charlie wouldn't allow it on his site...I am sure. It probably was a computer 'glitch' and if there wasn't a person named Toivo then he would have not promised to meet Alex.


Are there any calendars left for sale??

Let me just clear up one thing. I would never in a million years think Charlie is any kind of a liar. I think the world of him. I just find this Toivo thing too secretive. What is the big secret anyway? He's like some kind of midnite rider or something who disappears into thin air. Poor Alex, he's just dying to connect with someone from the U.P. and it all fell through. It's all just strange to me. Charlie, you're still the best!

I think Toivo had to make a choice.....Alex or Tina..I remember hearing about spring and a young-man's fancy...it has something to do with love.....sorry Alex......maybe next trip....

I think we need a picture of Toivo and Charlie together. We've seen everyone else, Toivo. You can't be that bad looking!

OK people. Toivo is real. I remember meeting him once in downtown Lake Wobegon, Minnesota. There's your proof.

Well... the Tina or Alex thing DOES make sense... but something is rotten in Pasty Land! It really does seem weird, but I can't believe it's a game! Hey, doesn't he own half of a Pasty Sauce?

Now gentle readers, Let's remember that Toivo is making this trip for his pleasure, not necessarily ours. He has been gracious enough to share his experiences with us, as I'm sure many of us would love to take this kind of round-the-country trip. But I'm sure he needs to make good time, meet some schedules, and still manage to enjoy some of what our states have to offer, rather than just driving through them. If he can manage to rendezvous with a few people within those criteria, that's great; if not, let's just wish him well and send him on his way instead of questioning his motives. As for being 'mysterious,' not everyone is anxious to have their name out on the Internet. It's very easy to put together a profile of someone through Internet postings and web pages if their name is attached to everything.

Happy Trails, Toivo!

Remember Toivo is supposedly from Toivola. I spent my summers (early years) very near Toivola. And when I was grown I stopped at the Toivola Lunch almost daily for a period of about twelve years. (anyone ever drink coffee there? and remember their pasties?? ((some of the best I ever ate!!!)). I don't recall a younger type "Toivo", I realize my knowledge of everyone from Toivola isn't total, but I too have wondered about Toivo's "story" for a long time. Does the ineternet reach into Toivola? If so, and are there any residents there that can add any clues?

Perhaps at his return to the UP and presumaby Toivola, Toivo will reveal his identity and perhaps be featured pictorially on the pastycam.

How 'bout it Toivo, did you get hooked on pastes at Toivola Lunch?

OK. So I'm reviewing the trip notes and I feel like a kid with a decoder ring! Hope my boss doesn't come in and wonder what the heck I'm doing!

I believe in Toivo!! I'm answering his question from April 19 when he was visiting Indiana. He asked, "Why do they call it the brickyard?" The brickyard refers to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (which is actually in Speedway, Indiana, and not in Indianapolis). When it was first built the entire track was laid bricks. Now, all but one row of bricks have been covered over, leaving just the one row visible.
Safe travels, Toivo!

Before some start laying down a whole heap 'o "serious" about Toivo's identity, those that have been here for awhile know that the gang there likes to have a bit of fun, and his trip and messages may just be part of this.

Relax, sit back, and enjoy things as they unfold, eh?

Frank C, northern Illinois:
I totally agree with you! It's been great fun to watch all this unfold, no matter who Toivo is! Either way, you have to admit it's quite a clever way to keep people's interest in coming back.....as if we needed any more reasons than we already have!! Thanks Charlie/Jonathon/Toivo!