Time flies when you're having...

It's funny how something you look forward to for so long just flies by and then it is over.  The summer three weeks with our family certainly did just that.

Time for "plus-plus" and to put all the same colors together.

Time at the lake... mostly nice days but some heat for us; but not for them so much.  Fans and AC kept it fine.

Time for a trip to Duluth.  The rocks are a big hit but scare Papa as they jump from one rock to the next.

The lift bridge with the comings and goings of the big ships is so much fun.

We had three absolutely beautiful days there.

I have always wondered what it must look like from the bridge of the ship steering it into that little channel into the harbor.

Gooseberry Falls was a fun hike again.

Notice the body language.

For our first time we visited the Split Rock Light House just north of Gooseberry Falls.

I'm not sure how they determine it, but it is supposed to be the most 
photographed lighthouse in the US.

We had a great tour of the light house and the homes of the three families who kept it going from 1910-1969.  In 1905 a severe storm sank 29 ships and the shipping companies lobbied for the lighthouse which congress agreed to, allocating $75,000 to build it.

If you have ever traveled the North Shore you know that you have to stop at Bettie's Pies.  The problem is deciding which pie to order.

Another ship draws a crowd.

Lots of sailboats one evening.  Must have been a club.

We had such a good time with our grands.  Pretty soon they will  be too busy for such trips but hopefully they will have some good memories.

Mr. Doug worked a boat ride for the kids into his busy schedule.  He is so busy this summer moving different family members and going on different trips that he said he was going to have to go back to work so that he would have more time.

Now they are back in the heat of the south country.

July at the Lake

It is amazing how quickly the summer passes in the north.  These six adult geese were letting the cousins play together at the beach one morning.

That is a favorite activity for our two kids as well.

The annual golf cart parade on the fourth is always good for a few pieces of candy thrown to the old guy with a camera.

Our favorite Grandson arrived for a few days at the lake.  He is showing his Plus-Plus toy; sort of a different version of Legos, but also from Scandinavia.

The breakfast at Itasca is a tradition we have to keep.

Our favorite Grand daughter is showing her opinion of lake life.

Can you tell they like Papa taking pictures?  

The old timer's cabin is a short hike and has to be part of photographic history.

These two are shooting up in height but still enjoy each other's company.

Families are showing up around the lake... like these Hairy Woodpeckers; Momma and  baby, who is bigger than Momma.

We had some strong storms in the past as evidenced by this giant pine still left broken at Itasca State Park.

I am finally seeing some Monarch butterflies in the area.  This one landed on cue upon a milkweed plant which is where the eggs are laid for the next generation.

Another tradition is walking across the Mississippi River Headwaters.  Only one minor scrape.

This unusual robin is in our back yard and though not a true albino; does have some unusual coloring.  No, it is not a baby robin as I see her feeding her young while hunting for worms in our yard.  Apparently, this unusual coloring is not too uncommon in robins.