The Sumac is beautiful, did you know that Sumac in one form or another is found in all of the lower 48? It is the only species of tree or shrub that is Native to all of them. This is Smooth Sumac or Scarlet Sumac (Rhus glabra). You can chew the berries it will quench your thirst..you can also steep the berries and make a drink.
We got lost, well not really. We knew we were still in Minnesota and still in Becker County..but when Far Guy said "I think we are headed North." And I was sure we were headed south... I began to wonder. We were on the opposite side of Pine Lake, there is a spot there overlooking the swamp and the lake where someone has built a log bench, where you can rest. The woods was quiet, there were no birds, the only sound was the wind in the trees and a few leaves falling to the ground.
We eventually found our way out, and took another road. There was a snake on that road sunning itself..I think Far Guy might have run right over it. I closed my eyes and swallowed a scream. I hope it is dead and not lurking in the undercarriage of my vehicle ready to drop onto the floor of my garage to scare me half to death. Anyway I am not going to travel that road again for awhile. We ended up at the North Side of Height of Land Lake. At the public access we allowed Chance out of the car and into the water.
Later in the day, my parents stopped by, it was too warm for them to work in the potato fields. They both drive trucks during the potato harvest. We went over to Josh and Missy's to pick some sweetcorn, Josh is my oldest Nephew, he lives next door, they have two children, Mason and Anna..they stopped to have their photo taken with their Great Grandma and Great Grandpa.
Missy has some beautiful Asters in her flower bed.. I think this one might be Aster 'Alma Potschke'. It is a stunning Aster! So there you have it, a little look into our Sunday afternoon travels:) 
I love a good sunday drive!
ReplyDeleteNice Sunday drive. I am usually the driver so when I get to be a passenger I see all kinds of stuff I wouldn't otherwise have seen. Chance appears to enjoying the outing.
ReplyDeleteYou jog such sweet memories Connie. Growing up in a small southern town, we always went for a Sunday ride. We usually ended up with an ice cream cone somewhere along the way! Nowdays, I can ask Harriet if she wants to go to ride and she starts jumping and whining to go. It's so funny, we have to hold her or she cannot even see out the windows she's so short! Very good picture of your parents and the little ones, and those asters are the prettiest color!
ReplyDeleteThat sumac made me think of my old home town in Boulder. We walked around the hills this time of year and saw sumac, but here in the Pacific Northwest I've seen lots of stuff, but not that. I didn't realize I missed it until I saw your picture. And happy birthday, Connie! May the next year bring you riches beyond measure (and I don't mean the monetary kind necessarily but that would be nice too).
ReplyDeleteVery nice photos. I love Chance's tail! Wow! Sounds like you had a nice day (well, except for the snake!) I have some news for Chance - I am getting a baby brother! Finally :)
ReplyDeleteKisses,
Emma Rose
Thanks for taking us on your beautiful Sunday drive. Hubby is too addicted to Nascar and football to go a'drivin after church on Sundays.
ReplyDeleteYour pics are gorgeous and it looks like all had a great day!
Looks like Chance took his own bath. No more groomer for him.
ReplyDeleteWe'll have to do some driving around and pic taking when I get home. Colors s/be beautiful then, or soon.
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY! What a nice thing to do...a drive (getting lost) which opens up new adventures!
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
I've been enjoying the sumac too. Never knew you could make tea out of the berries. Since it's called poison sumac, I figured it was poisonous.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the sharing of your outing. It is fall everywhere, and your sumac is redder than ours. We are cooling down and the light is changed enough that we will have leaves changing pretty soon. Your parents are lucky to have great grandchildren around. In a lot of families, that generation has moved away and they only get to see their great grandchildren via pictures.
ReplyDeletePicking sweet corn -- that happened here in late July. Always fascinated me how much later things bloom there than here. (Okay, so I'm easily entertained.)
ReplyDeleteI thought sumac was poison too. I had no idea. It's very pretty in the fall.
ReplyDeleteLoved the aster photo and the one of Chance in the pond. We go on a lot of woods drives to see what to photograph. It is like a treasure hunt, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteGreat trip you took us on. I love the pink Asters, I'd be stealing me a piece if I lived closer:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Sunday drive. I haven't done one of those in years!
ReplyDeleteI love to go for Sunday rides but not able to very often and then it seems like my husband has one speed and that is fast so you have to look quick to see anything. Glad you enjoyed your ride and hope you had wonderful birthday.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a wonderful birthday. Sounds like a good day out!
ReplyDeleteI hope that you had a great birthday. And it sounds like you did. Lost and found, but you always had Chance, so things were good.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday.
Jen