Produce in our back yard -----and the eclipse.

Well ----- this update started with our peach tree.  This was the first year it had peaches on it......it had SO many on it that we had to do the much hated thing........picked half of them off when they were just starting out.   OUCH!!!!   All that good fruit gone......but it does make things better in the long run.

This tree ended up with 75 peaches on it (after the plucking).  What fun to have a peach tree in our own back yard --- and look at the yummy peaches we will enjoy this winter.......these jars are AFTER the ones that went in the mouth --- YUM!!!   We have another variety of peach tree......it is just starting to get ripe (have to watch it close - don't want to lose any!!)  That one only has 25 peaches on it ---they are quite a bit bigger -- and we decided they have a sweeter taste.

Our apple tree is FULL --- had to put a brace under one of it's branches.  Gary enjoys them already --- way to sour for my taste ----- and I will wait until they are red to make any applesauce with them.  Yes---- I see the one with the bad spot on it too.........Maybe it will just fall off.....

And then the Wild Plums.....we have never had so many plums in Grandpas tree line!!!  We are watching those also!!   We had feared the frost had finished them off --- but not so.  They make good jam --- and I'm thinking about some syrup!!!

And the Corn ------ these first rows that Gary is standing in should be as tall as those behind him.   The deer have been fattening up on corn --- should be rather tasty venison.......and some big bucks have been spotted.  The deer pull out the middle piece .....  enjoy....    and move on.

And lastly --- the eclipse.    Not much to talk about in the Lakeview Area.  We had pondered on driving about 2 hours south of us and experiencing the total eclipse......but Valentine was a zoo the day before and the thought of  the crowded roads.....we stayed home.  Dan T. gave us some glasses --- so we were all set.   Mostly there were clouds.....but it did open up enough to get a few looks and pictures.     As far as getting dark ?!?!?!    NOPE!   Guess it was pretty neat if you were in the right place at the right time.  Saw a video of my brother Bill in Illinois --- after experiencing the eclipse one of his airplane friends said " now if we can fly 2000 mph -- we can get another look at it."

Hope you are enjoying the fall ----  It has greened up so nicely.  I just mowed the lawn and marvel at how nice it looks!!

Gary and Barb

Boundary Waters and.... Lutsen Resort

Mike and Julie and all the kids invited us along on a Boundary Waters Adventure.   However,   Gary and I knew the rules that the BW has ---- nine to a group!!!  Nine - not ten!!  Mike and Julie have six kids..... that makes 8 total......  dad would be #9 --- I would be #10.   Can't work.   Nope, someone has to miss out.     Maybe it just wouldn't come about --- summer was moving right along and no plans had been laid out.   But then Mike called and said --- "August 2 - 5......wanna go yet?"     Well - yes - of course we wanted to go....but this was supposed to be a "family vacation".......can't be together if 10 of us go,......... we would have to split up - and no one wants that!!!!

So --- I didn't want Gary to drive the 12 hours all by himself.    He did that earlier this summer and I didn't want to make him do that again.   So I would stay in a hotel in Grand Marais for the duration.   Turned out to be the busiest week in town.  Fishermans Picnic!!  Everything was booked solid.   So I found a spot about 20 miles south --- the Lutsen Resort - on Lake Superior.      Should be nice and should be safe.   It was about an hours drive from the Clearwater Lake Outfitters.

We left for Northern Minnesota on Monday afternoon - July 31.  Spent the night at the Historic Calumet Hotel (on the register of Historic Places) -- in Pipestone, MN.

 We met Mike and Julie and family, the next day in Grand Marais at a Subway  - and then headed down the Gunflint Trail to Clearwater Lake Lodge.  Arriving about 6:00 that evening, there was some packing that needed to happen before morning.

Packing happened in the Bunkhouse, where we would all sleep -- all 10 of us.  There were only 9 beds so Trenton offered to sleep on the floor.  With 10 bodies in this little room it got rather warm...hot even.    There was a fan sitting outside --- why not get some cool air blowing in thru the window.........  When packing was finally finished --- we all hit the bunks.  Some had a sleeping bag but most were confident they would be plenty warm -- so just a light blanket --- or some just a "towel".     The fan continued to blow.  About midway thru the night people started getting cold.  Trenton - down there on the floor - was cold too!!  But did anyone get up and shut off the fan --- nope.   I was totally comfy -- had a real good sleeping bag...... so I figured everyone was OK.   You should have heard them the next morning...... COLD COLD COLD!!!  We laughed and laughed about the fact that they were all so cold -- but NO ONE got up and shut off the fan!!!     Oh Well --- Let's go for breakfast!!  

Breakfast was served in the dining room in the lodge --- scrambled eggs, bacon, and a pastry (that I can't pronounce)...Very Good!!   And then they were ready to head out.

They had to watch a  video about the do's and don'ts.........

 This is all the gear that has to go in the 4 canoes.

 And this is Mike, Julie, Trenton, Austin, Sidney, Colton, Brennan, Halle and Grandpa....ready for an adventure.

I watched them leave with a lump in my throat --- this was Wednesday -- they would be back Saturday morning sometime.   I sure wished I was going along -- I really enjoy canoeing and camping!!! (except for the sleeping on the hard ground --- and the mosquitos)

I would be heading to the Lutsen Resort...

This was my first stop on the way ------ The harbor in Grand Marais..... I walked out to the Lighthouse.......  it was a beautiful day......

 Yes ---- It was very nice.   But solitude is nice, really,  only for a short time.    I did go kayaking -- not in Lake Superior though because of the weather---- but in a lovely little lake not far from the resort.  A mother with her 2 teenagers were the only ones also going --- so I kayaked with Jodi and had a very nice time......even in the rain.    I also went in to Grand Marais and walked around the shops and vendors that were there for the Fishermans' Picnic.  Rain drove me back to the resort.    Finally Saturday morning came...........

What a beautiful day.......

 They were all smiles......

And the returning group ---- after a good (and much needed) shower.....  And cool shirts for them all....... which said:   "Snaccident": when you ate all the bacon by mistake.   Nice looking family- - - don't you think?!

They really had a great time.  The bugs were almost non- existent and there wasn't much for rain.   According to Gary --- No hardships....which is always nice!!!   They had plenty of food.....but also a couple of eye openers.  The ground IS hard....... and  Mike must have watched Gary take off with the 60 lb. canoe and thought -- hhhmmm   I can do this.......      A few portages later -- he said his thought was    "good grief !!!!  He's 70 years old --- what's the matter with me?!?!   The whole group made a decision --- if and when we go again......  no aluminum canoes --- only the lighter weight kevalar canoes..... which weigh 40 lbs.....it will be worth the extra $$.

It was a lot of fun just listening to them talk about their adventure........next time --- we gotta find a way to get this Grandma along!!!

Barb and Gary  ---- glad we all made it back home safe and sound!!