Wednesday, May 30, 2012

2012 Memorial Day Weekend


Mary and I beat the traffic north by heading to the cabin Thursday afternoon. We enjoyed stunning weather the entire weekend. I rescued two turtles that we noticed in the gravel road. I always usher them off the road when we encounter them on a roadway. The first was a softball-sized painted turtle and then we came across the snapping, basketball-sized monster you see here. She did not want to take direction from me. At this time of year females are out laying eggs and many wander onto gravel roads, believing it’s much like a gravel riverbank or lakeshore.


Glenn and Peggy Hojem were up as well. We took two bike rides with them. The first on the St. Germaine to Sayner trail and then on the trail out of Land O’ Lakes to the Forest Lake Country Store and back.

It’s a green wonderland. The hosta garden is in full bloom, the hummingbirds are back, and the black oak by the deck is wrapping us in its canopy.




I got the sailboat out and went sailing 5 times over the weekend. In the sailing picture, I am leaning well over the edge of the boat (this is called hiking) to oppose the heeling force of the wind as it pushes sideways against the sail.




Tuesday, May 15, 2012

11 – 13 May 2012, Mother’s Day Weekend


Mary, Linds and I went up Friday about mid-day for a nice weekend at the cabin. Dano came up later Friday. Both girls surprised Mary by taking Friday off so they could spend a little more time which was great.

We took a bike ride on the Three Eagle trail Saturday morning; went from the Eagle River side to Three Lakes. On the way into Three Lakes we went by the Petroleum Museum on Highway 45. From the museum we went to the Three Lakes winery, enjoyed sampling wine and bought four bottles which we had to carry back by bicycle the 8 miles to Eagle River.

It was a gorgeous weekend and we took two walks. On Saturday we walked the nature trail. On Sunday morning after breakfast we walked down Black Bear Lane and on the way spotted this woodpecker working a tree. The bird was only 10 feet or so away and it continued pecking the tree as we walked by. Usually they don’t let you get this close.



Sunday morning we dug up a couple of ferns and a princess pine and planted them at the back of our lot in Madison. We all hit the road about mid-day Sunday. Time spent with your adult children is the best gift of all.