Bulldog Weekend

I planned my latest trip to Des Moines so that Dale and I could attend a Drake Bulldog football game. The game was fun and the weather was wonderful, cool enough for a sweatshirt but didn't need a jacket or a blanket. The sun was very warm and while it felt good it was the high end of fun football temperatures. Although the Bulldogs did win that was almost secondary to being back at Drake Stadium. Dale and I have attended lots of football games there so it feels like home and we know many of the characters including the mascot, Spike and the real live bulldog, Porterhouse, who seems to be everyone's favorite. We also did a little shopping and a little eating, including my favorite pumpkin frozen custard. I played assistant to Dale for an eighteen month photo shoot for his grandson, Felix and that was a very good time too. The weekend felt short but we had a good time.

Growing Boy

 Last week I needed to run to the mall and Lincoln and Ashley agreed to join me. We did make a quick stop at Old Navy and visited the ball machine with a couple of quarters in hand. It was so fun to watch Lincoln and remember our first visit there last winter, less than ten months before. The photo below shows our first visit in January and the one above is just last week. I love seeing how much he has grown!

It's October

October came very quietly with too many days near eighty degrees and continued humidity. It's still be fun to enjoy some fall activities including two trips to the pumpkin market and a couple of football games.

I am so grateful for the comfort of the uni-dome because we have not had good football weather. We have had heat and rain but been comfortable in the dome twice. This weekend we will brave the elements for some outdoor football. Sixty degrees with low humidity would be my wish!

North Shore Photos

 Sunrise on Lake Superior is spectacular.

 Sunset on the porch of our lodge was peaceful, cozy and cool. I was glad to have the quilt to bundle up as we watched day turn to night.

Gooseberry Falls is a regular stop but we found it crowded with people when we arrived on the shore on a Sunday afternoon. It was pretty as always but hard to get a photo without people.

 Split Rock Lighthouse is always a quick but beautiful stop.

 We were a week early for peak fall foliage but we did see some nice splashes of color.

 Every time I visit Lake Superior I am deeply impressed by the amazing blue! I love those crashing blue waves and the rocky shoreline. It makes me look forward to my next trip.

 We took the gondola ride up Moose Mountain again because I loved it so much last year. There was less color but it's still a great ride and a nice space.

 I go mostly for the lake, leaves and trails but I have grown to love our time in Grand Marais as well. Its our favorite stop for meals and we made time for the "World's Best Donuts" for breakfast and Sven and Ole's for dinner. Its nice to travel to the same place and create traditions there. I love our trips to explore cities and discover new highways or ballparks but I am really most thrilled out in nature with the water, woods and trails. It was another great trip to the North Shore.

Rainy Trucks and Tractors

The was my second Touch A Truck and I loved it, again! It was raining most of the time and we all went home soggy but it was still a great time. It ended up being a big family event and I love that!

 

Lincoln loves Uncle Jay and a chance to explore big John Deere Tractors together was extra fun.

Kala and her two boys joined us this year and that was great. Officially Kala may be a second cousin and the boys may be third cousins to Lincoln but its all family. Xavier and Thaxton seemed to enjoy the adventure as much as I enjoyed it.

 

It was so nice of Jay and Briana to come and brave the rain and loud beeping horns. The boys enjoyed them too. Somehow Briana ended up in the cab of the tractor for a long time with kids but it was dry up there. She is such a good sport.

"My Kids"

We really missed Brecken and Kaley this year but it was too far to drive from Ohio. There is plenty of room for Saela and Brecken next year on the bumper of the fire truck.

Some of these photos are mine and some are Ashley's. Keeping the cameras dry was a bit of a challenge but we had plenty of adults. I squatted under a flatbed during one down pour and sat in a semi with three boys another time. It really was a fun day but next year we hope for drier skies.

Post Weekend

So much fun, so much family and activity. I do love the weekends! I am behind on my blogging; North Shore, Touch A Truck and others are on the way. But for now a small glimpse into fall, pumpkin shopping, Sunday lunch and sitting around in the sunny yard with the kids watching the dogs and Lincoln run and play. Thanks for a fun unplanned Sunday afternoon, Jay and Briana! Life is so very good.

Cascade River Hikes

 Cascade River Falls was a highlight when we spent several days on the North Shore last week. Although I have visited the area four times I had not been here since my first trip. I saw much more of Cascade State Park and loved my time there.

Dale and I hiked into the park along the river on our first morning and loved watching the falls and hiking the trails on both sides of the river.

 

 Later that afternoon we hiked in from our lodge and found a more rustic trail that led us along Cascade Creek and toward the falls again. The afternoon light brought a new experience.

 I loved the hike, loved being in the woods and navigating the trails along the rivers. It sounds cliché but trails like this really do beckon me to move ahead. I don't love exercise but I find new energy when the trails are so beautiful and rustic. I do admit that I appreciate the people who have gone before me and built a few stairs and bridges to help me on my journey.

 We stayed longer than we had in the past and it gave us the luxury of lingering to rest and taking the time for more hiking and more on-foot exploration. It was a real treat especially with the perfect long sleeve temperatures.

 With all that hiking and climbing I had hoped that the vacation eating wouldn't show up on the scales but of course I was disappointed when I found five extra pounds when I returned to Iowa. I doubt that the weight is muscle so I hit the produce department this week hoping to get the scales to slide back down.