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.

Duluth Mornings

 The drive to the North Shore can feel long but arriving at Canal Park in Duluth feels like the doorway to the shore when we get our first peek of Lake Superior. I felt giddy being there again last week when Dale and I made an early morning stop after staying all night just south of Duluth.

 The morning light was beautiful and worth the trade off when our favorite restaurant wasn't open before we left town. The North Shore is a great destination for us and Duluth is one of the highlights every time.

As we headed south after two nights in Lutsen we took the time to stop in Duluth again. Our timing was perfect when a large ship came into the harbor to load with coal. It's always most impressive to see the bridge rise for a huge boat rather than just the sailboats that often pass through. Now I will work on the photos from our time on the North Shore. It always takes me so much longer when I take so many photos on a trip!

Growing Pains

 I am sure that I want to stop coloring my hair but I am anxious for the process to be complete. I am having flashbacks to the multiple times in elementary school that I tried growing out my bangs. The process is uncomfortable but if you break down and cut them one more time the process takes much longer. I am not considering getting out the hair color but I am very distracted by the gradient of color on my head. Dale and I took a quick trip to the North Shore in Minnesota last week. As I sort through the photos to post on my blog I see my hair first. It's coming along well. It's all part of the plan, gradually lighter and lighter then just gray but getting some of this color cut off in the coming months will be a good thing. Some say I am brave, others think it's crazy but it is time for me. For once I am wishing that my hair grew faster. Now I will get back to those photos of Lake Superior and Minnesota.

Off Road

 What fun to take Lincoln and his bike into the woods to ride on the trails this morning. Lincoln loved it and managed the rough terrain beautifully whether he was going up hill or down hill over the tree roots. I hope his mommy got better photos than I did today, but I always like to snap a few anyway.

When I'm Sixty-four

 Ten years from now I want to be able to hike up this trail to Britton Peak on the Superior Hiking Trail as easily as I did yesterday, or maybe with more ease. Dale and I just got back from a few days on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. As we hiked up this trail I thought about the fact that I want to be healthy enough to do this ten years from now, when I am sixty-four (just like the song) or even longer. It was not an easy hike but I think it was less difficult when we did it the first time several years ago. I hope this image serves as some motivation for healthier living and longer hikes. I also hope that this tree below breaks off or is hauled away by my next visit. I crawled under the fallen tree and Dale climbed around, neither was easy but it was still a great hike. There will be lots more photos to come from the last few days in Minnesota. For now it's time to get back to the real world and get ready for work tomorrow.

Friday Funday

 Lincoln and I hung out together most of the day on Friday after our overnight. We played lots and worked a little.

 Lincoln helped me pick up sticks and pine cones. He even lugged the bucket around the yard for me.

 Before nap time we mixed up a batch of our healthier version of oatmeal raisin cookies with applesauce, honey and whole wheat flour. I thought warm cookies would be a perfect after nap snack and I was right even though Lincoln never did fall asleep.

We got the marbles out several times and Lincoln loves them. He isn't napping on the marbles here but he is attempting to snuggle or hug them. He loves the colors and the feel. He is more and more often correct about the colors too. It's amazing to hear his vocabulary, counting and language skills.