Black Bears

We took the kids to the zoo in Winnipeg, Canada last week.  The best display of animals we saw the whole day was on the way there, driving on a dirt road through Canada.  Rick spotted a mother Black Bear and 3 cubs.  3!  I never knew they could have that many at once.  So he stopped the car and backed up to them.  The mother bear started started to walk off, but not in a rush at all.  The cubs sort of spread out through the brush.  I wasn't able to get a picture of all of them together, sadly. I really didn't even get a good picture of a single bear. It made me think that someday we'll just be able to plug our brains in to the computer and download the images we saw that day.  You heard it here!

Best shot I have on the camera, but I'm not even sure if it's momma bear or a baby.

2 little bear cub bums, walking on a log.

Weird lines that appeared upon downloading photos.

Eventually they all wondered off into the woods.  Rick thought the momma bear would shout at them and they would head up a tree, but they never did.  It was adorable.  Plus, it was way more fun to see them from the car!  No need to see them when I'm out on the road on foot.

I didn't take many pictures at the zoo.  It's no Woodland Park Zoo and that's for sure!  Tyson took awhile to warm up to it.  He didn't care about the animals.  But we did spend $5 to rent this dolphin for him to ride in which was the hit of the day.  He was also excited to see the Crocodiles because he claims he left his backpack at a Crocodile's house and he needs to get it so he can go to school.  This is just as confusing for us as it is for you.  He has no backpack and we've been on an endless search for the Crocodile's house for a week.  Where this all came from is anybody's guess.

They are doing construction on a new Polar Bear exhibit.  He was very excited to see the diggers working. We had to sit and watch them for about 10 minutes.

Andie did not have a clue what this place was or why we went.  But she did enjoy a little ride in the stroller.  So to sum things up:

• 2 hour drive to the zoo
• Kids not excited about animals
• Tyson loved riding in a stroller and watching the diggers, both things we have at home
• We saw the most exciting animals less than an hour from home
• We paid money to do things that we could have seen at home and saved a long drive
• Tyson said he was ready to go at least 10 times through the day, yet has asked to go back to the zoo everyday since then.
• Occasional parental thoughts wondering why we left the Angle for this

A successful outing for the average American family I'd say.  Raise your hand if you've had this exact same experience before!

Operation Muskie

Operation Muskie happens once a year on Lake Of The Woods.  Recent overseas veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are selected for an all-expense paid fishing trip in our beautiful neck of the woods.  Vets put in their application for this exciting chance at catching the big fish, and 20 are selected to go.  Everything on the trip is free for them, and I use this term loosely considering what they've done for our country and that freedom is not free.  It's a gift to them and a chance for them to relax and be taken care of.

Their first day starts out with a breakfast in Warroad and then a motorcycle escort to the border.  They meet up at Young's Bay to head in boats to their lodging at Baystore, where the idea first got started.  Their mission is "Putting Thanks Into Action".   After the opening ceremony at Baystore, they head out for the fishing.

Here are the vets milling around our store, waiting to board their boats and get the party started.  Businesses all around our area provide items for their trip.  They get free bait, fishing gear, rods, maps, meals, etc.

It was really neat to see the boats heading out, all lined up.  I have no idea what these men and women see in a day in other countries.  I can't imagine what it is like to return home and see the people that take their fight for granted. I'm  proud our resort participates in this event and gives back in some way.  Maybe some day it will be 50 veterans instead of 20!

Tyson had no idea who they were or what was happening, but he smiled and waved anyway.  Our young patriot!

I'm sorry I don't have more pictures or details of Operation Muskie.  They are on Facebook and also you can look at the website for more:  operationmuskie.com   You can go to this website and see all the fish they caught and who was there.  It gives a little more detail on how it got started and who is involved.  ( I don't like to put names online for privacy reasons.)  It's a big deal for the vets who are able to participate and a great experience too!  You will notice their faces are all smiling in every photo.

Andie's New Toy

 Who needs Fisher-Price?  Our baby has giant prehistoric bugs to play with!

***Yes, some bugs were harmed in the making of this post.

Blueberry Festival

 Last weekend was the annual Blueberry Festival, which includes the Relay For Life fundraiser.  There wasn't much festival really, as far as booths or street fair or anything like that.  There was a chili cook-off, a blueberry dessert contest, a fun run that I didn't get to participate in because I had my own festival of toilet cleaning going on and then a dinner and a breakfast here and there.  Nonetheless, it was fun and we raised some money for the American Cancer Society with a yard sale at Young's Bay.  There was a bake sale at the other end of the Angle, and I'm not sure what else people had going on. I have a few ideas up my sleeve for next year.  I love a little fundraiser and bringing in the cash, especially with a cause so close to my heart.  

 Big Rick and me in our fancy shirts.  I told him he had to smile for this picture and this is how it turned out.  Hello, charming and witty daughter-in-law standing there.  What's not to smile about?  Don't answer that.

 He got to wear the purple shirt because is a survivor of 2 cancers.  Minor perk for such a battle.

 I entered the big chili cook-off hosted by Jenny.  There were 8 entries (I think?) and people bought a cup for $5 which benefited the Chamber of Commerce.  Then they went down the line and tasted all the chilies and voted for their favorite.  There was a great turnout.  There were also beer and brats for sale right next to us.  Minnesota loves its booze and I'm sure there was no shortage of funds at that booth.

 Our campers, Joe and Rhona, trying to keep their secret ingredients secret.  She is cooking in a big roaster behind him on the picnic table.  She threw in some fancy appetizers to go with her chili and I was concerned.  I didn't know we could have tantalizing treats to sweeten the pot.  Never underestimate a Canadian from Scotland.

 Here is my little set-up, third place!!!!  Won me some cash.  It was a heated race and I made it in the top 3 by one vote.

 Grammy Nancy's Utica Chili took first place.  It really was delicious too.  I've said it before, she is a fantastic cook.  I don't know why I don't show up there, unannounced, at dinnertime more often.

 My short-term assistant with his apron on.  He stirred the pot twice and left with his dad.  Not enough excitement for him.

 We also sold Luminaries to raise money.  A white bag with the name of your loved one, who had or has cancer, that went outside with a candle in them.  I was the only one that decorated mine.  Too much time on my hands I guess.  But I couldn't just write my mom's name on a bag and not give it a little effort.  Way too soon for that.

 We  lined the front of the store porch with them.  Dark is way past my bedtime, so I didn't get any good pictures.  A few resorts put them out and then people are able to take a boat ride, with the full moon, and see them all from the water.  Next year I'm going all out and selling a ton so we can light this place up.  What a pretty way to honor cancer victims, kind of like a little memorial.  There was a little speech on the radio as the sun was going down. I admit I had a hard time not shedding a tear over it, but Brian was there and he gets all uncomfortable and twitchy in situations like that.  

Hooray for fighting cancer!

The Fishfly

Flies. Oh the flies. Last year when I told people that we were moving to Northern Minnesota, it became clear that this area is known for 2 things. Cold weather and bugs. I don't even know every bug that is out here, I just know they range from teeny tiny things you can't see, all the way up to some that could be mistaken for a hummingbird. You have  May Flies, Dragon Flies, Horse Flies, Black Flies, Bull Flies, Lake Bugs and, our state bird, the Mosquito. Just to name a few.  Now some of these may be the same thing, but does it really matter? They all buzz around and bite and swarm around your head as if you haven't showered in a few days. But the friendliest and least harmful fly around is the Fish fly.

This Fish Fly is quite large and looks like a worm with wings.  They hatch from eggs buried in the mud and come out in June for a short length of time, but are huge in number.  They live in the larvae form for something like 7 years.  But their actual life--mate, lay eggs and die-- is only 24 hours. (Yes I looked that up online and didn't write down where the information came from.  Please don't turn me for Plagiarism,  I could never survive a night in the big house.)

This cabin looks like it has black flecks all over it-those are the Fish Flies.  They just stick to everything and can be riding around on your shirt without your knowledge or consent.  You can flick them off and they don't even seem offended by it.  Poor little things are alive to feed the fish and that is it.  They don't even get to attack animals or people or have an opinion on anything.

When these guys are out in full force, you can't leave lights on at night.  If you did, there would be an enormous pile of them in the morning.  And it would be smelly.  Apparently, there are car crashes on record from where a bunch have died and left a slick patch on the road and the cars slid on it.

There is a video on YouTube of a man in Michigan that is hired every summer to clean the dead Fish Flies up at night.  He has a leaf blower and is moving them into piles. BIG PILES. It's my opinion that we should figure out how to make some sort of gas or recycled containers out of these guys.  Sculptures or artwork at the very least.  So much material right there at your disposal!  Forward thinking, they call it.

Here you can see them all on the eave of the cabin.

A nice close-up.  If you want a better idea of how they look, you will either have to Google it or buy me a fancy camera that I can take better photos with.  It's up to you.