A Tuesday

 Usually Tuesday is a "no mail" day but hey we got a new phone book! 

We had no place we had to be so we could do whatever we wanted all day long.  Far Guy woodcarved, watched birds and held down the fort for a delivery.   I had an adventure spraying Thistle and Poison Ivy and tried a new ant bait....by 3 PM I was tired and hungry...had lunch followed by a nap.   Far Guy cooked supper...I woke up from my nap before he could wake me up and say "Supper is ready sweetheart."   I told him he could say it anyway. 

After supper we sat outside watching a mama bird feed her noisy babies.   In the afternoon Far Guy witnessed a Hummingbird chase a Robin and the Robin had something in its mouth.  Not sure what it was...but it was a strange interaction.  

We went for a ride.  We met a very friendly Labradoodle named Louie....he wanted to go for a ride with us!

The potato field is in bloom.   The air smells so fresh and clean after the last rain we got...not many skeeters yet.

We had a really nice Tuesday.

Far Side

Great Minnesota Get Together

That is what they call the Minnesota State Fair.  We went years ago with my sister and her husband before food on a stick was a Fair Time competition.  If they can put it on a stick they do I heard that  tacos on a stick and cookie dough on a stick were new this year.   I also heard about bacon on a stick but that one maybe a year old already.

Far Guy went one year on the Community Education Bus with a bunch of old duffers.  He came back with some shopping bags and pens we are still using and he was real tired of walking! .

This quilt was at the Hubbard County Fair...I love all the bright colors on the black.

We had a quiet Sunday...we ran some errands and had lunch with my other baby brother and his wife. We have nothing planned for Labor Day, the weather is cool... high of 69 F or 20 C eh! and it might rain ...so maybe a movie and a nap. 

Far Side

Looking Ahead

This year I am looking forward to:

Maddie’s Wedding in July

A few trips that may or may not happen; 

Searching for Native Orchids in Central and Northern Minnesota.

Going someplace warm in the winter.

I found out the dates that The Tall Ships would be in Duluth Minnesota.  So I booked a motel room.  I have always wanted to go…and never found a motel with openings as they fill up really fast.  It is a waterfront motel so I (we) can watch the ships all day…admire the rose gardens…walk to supper at Grandmas…visit all the waterfront shops.  In essence “be all touristy” not far from home.

Fields

Last evening we took a ride around “the block” to see what was happening in the fields.

We had a late afternoon nap because of the rain…yet another inch plus that will make our grass grow.  Soon we should be coming into the dry part of summer.

 

A bean field…two deer were way way out there feasting.

Irrigators working real hard even though it just rained and low areas of the field are filled with water which become mosquito breeding areas.

Hay field with deer and no irrigation.

Corn field no irrigation.

Irrigation again on a small grain of some sort field.   The grain looks like it is getting close to harvest.

We saw seven deer on our little trip around the block.  Chance enjoyed the outing. During the summer he rarely goes with us during the day because it is too warm.  Evening rides are his outing.

Logging Camp

We have not been to the Logging Camp for supper in years.  My other baby brother called and said “Let’s go check it out.”  So we did.  It hasn’t changed at all in twenty some years.

Tin plates and checkered oil cloth and family style service…we all had ribs piled high on an oval serving plate…sides were buns, corn bread, coleslaw, macaroni salad, baked beans and mashed potatoes. It was all topped off with a Lumberjack Doughnut.  We all ate too much.  There are many kinds of meats…you can have meat with your meat…roast pork, roast beef, baked chicken, ham or ribs….they will bring you as much meat as you can eat.

Everyone sits at long tables on simple long benches…there are various cast iron cooking vessels on the wall and misc logging equipment. The wood floor has seen lots of traffic over the years.

There are chickens, turkeys and ducks running around free range outside…eating bugs and most likely ticks as The Rapid River Logging Camp is located in the deep woods.

The food was excellent, and the sevice was great.  It is a family dining destination open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.  They also serve breakfasts…pancakes, eggs, ham, sausages and hashbrowns…and stewed prunes.  After all you have to keep the lumberjacks regular.

Paws and Claws Adventure

Jen and I headed North.  We met up  in Bemidji, where I found out where we were going. It was a 200 mile trip for me and 276 miles for Jen to one of the coldest places in Minnesota. The top three coldest places in Minnesota are International Falls, Embarras and Ely.

Ely is a small town abot 3,900 people and real touristy.  Ely is the gateway to BWCA  (Boundary Waters Canoe Area).  It is similar in size to Park Rapids but it is a hilly area.  I pictured it as being quite flat. Ely is also known as “The end of the road.” To go further North in this part of Minnesota you need a canoe.

We stayed in a small Inn.  An older home converted into an Inn.  The rooms were comforatable and clean, hot water took awhile to come upstairs in the attic room.

What brings us to Ely?

Jen would say “Because we can.” Jen likes adventures and going places she has never been.

Paws and claws.

It was an amazing experience!  More tomorrow!

We both arrived safely back home last night…me with 394 photographs to sift through.  Jen may have more than that as she carries two cameras.

Far Guy and Chance did just fine in their 28 hours all alone. 

Sky Blue Waters

Minnesota is well known for being the Land of Sky Blue Waters.  Possibly by the singing bear in the Hamm’s Beer Commercial.  Back when commercials were fun to watch instead of irritating.

From the Land of Sky Blue Waters [(Echo) Waters]
Comes the water best for brewing,
Hamm's the Beer Refreshing,
Hamm's the Beer Refreshing,
Hamm's!

I am not much of a beer drinker but that bear sure was cute.

I took this photo over on the OtterTail River in Tamarac Wildlife Refuge.  That is a Trumpeter Swan way out there.

1929 Mercedes

Now this would be a great parade car!

I would get a large brimmed fancy hat one of those huge elephant ear ones…tie that hat on with a red flowing scarf, put on my leather driving gloves and take this baby for a spin!

This 1929 Mercedes is for sale. ($4,000)  I wandered by and had to take a photograph.

Can you hear the horn?  I wonder if it runs?  If it does I wonder how much it costs to rent it for a day. 

Lush Lolas

We went out for supper at Lush Lolas.  It is a BBQ place that has relocated to The Smokey Hills Wilderness Retreat.
 
This parcel of land used to be The Village of The Smokey Hills.  It was started by a dozen area women who mortgaged every thing they had to form an artisan community.  The long and short of it is they got too big too fast and decided to charge admission because locals were coming out to have pie and coffee all the time.  It was a wonderful place.  I consigned crafts with them for a number of years.  After they decided to charge admission the tour buses stopped coming and the locals stopped buying pie and coffee and they fizzled out.  It has been vacant from time to time…always under new management…a conference center/retreat of sorts and cottages to rent. 

Anyways Jim and his family had a catering business and his approved kitchen was in a building that burned down…so he has leased this property for three years.

It is a beautiful woodland setting.

The woods, pools and waterfall are surrounded by boardwalks.

Here is Jim the cook.  We got a warm greeting and went inside for the Wednesday Night Buffet.  BBQ Ribs, BBQ Chicken, Smashed Potatoes (Red potatoes with peeling on and cheese), cornbread, baked beans, some kind of macaroni and cheese and a salad bar. Dessert was peach cobbler.  The ribs were great as were the smashed potatoes then again I have never met a potato I didn’t like.  I make baked beans and cornbread that knocks your socks off…so they were not a hit with me…they were just okay. It was still a nice night out.

Hydrangeas

The inside of the restaurant hasn’t changed in years, still knotty pine and the message board that use to sport the daily specials now just welcomes you to Lush Lolas. There were a few locals dining, but most were touristy types.  The booth and tables are heavy pine furniture that sure has stood the test of time.  The traffic flow to the buffet is a little crowded, but I looked around and couldn’t see a better option unless it was built into a wall that separates two dining areas.

I think they are worried about how to make it through the winter but with some well placed advertising and continued good food I think the people will come.  It is the only place to eat in many miles…30 miles to Detroit Lakes and 12 miles to Park Rapids. Right now they are open Wednesday Nights for BBQ, Thursday or Friday (They haven’t decided yet) for a Shrimp Boil, breakfasts on Friday and Saturday and a breakfast buffet on Sunday.

Dead of Winter

Not sure where I heard the saying “We are in the dead of winter.”

It must be that part of winter that is coldest, windiest most miserable time that makes you want to hibernate and not wake up until spring.  We have been way, way below zero, too cold to talk about… and the wind is raw and goes right through you.  One night we had windchill warnings…the kind that said “Cover all exposed skin, exposed skin can freeze in just minutes.”  I wonder if eyeballs  can freeze too?

Chance lifts up his paws trying to warm them… in a dogs mind I suppose that works.  

We got all bundled up one day for Dental Appointments, afternoon appointments.  I never try and schedule anything for morning in the winter.  By afternoon our weather usually warms up and roads are better to travel.  Far Guy did great, I had xrays that revealed one small cavity and I need a repair of one of my fillings.

Far Guy took the refresher class for Defensive Driving yesterday.  A program in Minnesota for drivers over 55 years old, if you take the class you get 10% off your Automobile Insurance.  So he is done for another three years.  He said he picked a non perfumy corner to sit in and in walked three retired teachers that were having a perfume war. 

I attended Vi’s funeral.  It was a packed church, Vi was well liked and had many friends and relatives.  After the service her Granddaughter spoke very eloquently about her Grandma.  She began with “Two weeks ago I would never have thought that we would bury Grandma today.” It was a long service…one of those High Masses…those Catholics once they get you in church they don’t want to let you back out again.  I skipped the funeral hotdish…although I bet it was good because it was one of Vi’s recipes. 

Just down the road a bit there was an accident the other night and a young person was ejected from his vehicle and killed.  I knew his Mom, she was a First Responder in an area that is adjacent to ours. His family must be incredibly sad.

Life is fleeting and in the blink of an eye it can change.

Just watching birds

I bought a new very long hooky thing to hang in a tree so I could hang another feeder for the birds.  The squirrels don’t like feeders hung this way…too bad so sad.

The long hooky thing holds the feeder in the shape of a ball that holds black sunflower seeds.  That is a Red Poll perched on the feeder.

A White Breasted Nuthatch or Assup as I call them.

Assup taking off.

 

The Red-Bellied Woodpecker showed up too.

Chance and I watched birds for quite a while Sunday afternoon…waiting for the sun to come out. It was 30 F  here yesterday or –1C eh.  I shoveled the patio and waited but the only thing showing up was birds.  The squirrels and Wild Turkeys know when I am outside waiting for them.  Far Guy spreads corn away from all the bird feeders for the squirrels, Blue Jays and turkeys…so far it is working to keep the seven squirrels we have busy and out of the bird feeders.

Minnesota Toy Store

Us old folks like to revert back to our childhood and visit toy stores.

Lark Toys has it all…a toy museum, a hand carved carousel, homemade candy, ice cream and a lunch counter.  A perfect place to wander and remember all the great toys we had when we were growing up.  I didn’t know about Lark Toys until fellow Minnesotan and blogger Nancy blogged about it.

As a woodcarver of small objects I can really appreciate all the hours that went into the carvings.

The carousel was designed by Donn Kreofsky, Tim Monson blocked up the wood (no small task) Bill Stark carved the animals and Mary Eversman hand stained them.  What a wonderful collaboration of talents.

Every animal is whimsical and candy for your eyes!

We had a wonderful time walking down their memory lane…they have quite a collection of toys displayed beautifully and behind glass.

We finally made it into the gift shop…where I was mesmerized by the marbles that you could buy by the piece…and Far Guy was busy looking at all the cars that are the right scale for his train set.  Chance ended up being the big winner with a blue Frisbee.  We had a nice visit with the lovely elderly woman in the gift shop.

We took a break and played Frisbee out by their picnic tables.

 

It is a wonderful spot to stop, if you ever get to Kellogg Minnesota I highly recommend it! 

Arago Historical Marker

Recently we had a chance to stop by the Arago corner and take a photo of the historical marker there.

Arago

In 1843,the explorer Joseph N. Nicollet named a nearby lake Arago in honor of Dominique Francois Arago, a celebrated French astronomer.  Fifty years later, the name was given to the township surrounding this area.  At the turn of the century the Fairview Hotel and Arago Post Office stood in this vicinity.  Settlers here worked in the logging camps, operated sawmills grew crops and were relatively self sufficient.  After Itasca State Park was established in 1891 a stagecoach made regular trips from Park Rapids to the Itasca Post Office, stopping to rest and change horses at Arago and the place became a stopover for travelers.

US highway 71 in this area coincides with the Jefferson Highway, dedicated in 1919.  The collection of roads and trails meandered through the land area known as “The Louisiana Purchase,” acquired when Thomas Jefferson was President.  The visionaries of 1915 who committed to building this 2,300 mile highway included a delegation from Winnipeg, Manitoba, who convinced the Americans to make their city the northern origin of the Pine To Palm Highway.  The other end and ultimate destination was New Orleans, Louisiana.

******

I think this marker is maintained by The Scenic Byways Association, there are maps of the Jefferson Highway, information and a place for comment cards.

While I was the curator at the Historical Museum there was a program about this highway.  They are having a huge “to do” in Park Rapids this spring all about the Jefferson Highway.

The Jefferson Highway is also called The Pine to Palm or the Blue Road.   It’s counterpart is the east and west Red Road or The Lincoln Highway which spans from Time’s Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco.  The Red Road was dedicated in 1913.

Some of the Jefferson Highway enthusiasts are painting JH on a white field with blue bands on power poles.  Others just did their own thing like this small wooden sign at the Arago Cemetery which is just south of the historical marker.

We like to stop at all the historical markers we come across, sometimes we don’t have time to stop, but we always enjoy a bit of history when we do.

Hackensack Minnesota

Hackensack Minnesota is home of Paul Bunyan’s sweetie.  Her name is Lucette and she guards the waterfront.

Hackensack has very little traffic unless all 300 residents are out and about at the same time, except during the Chain Saw Carving Festival when they block off downtown and you cannot find a parking spot anywhere even if it is raining.

Chain saw carvers come from far and wide to show off their work.

They carve back behind the fence, there are lots of chips flying.

I wandered around the back of the exhibit area… the area was roped off so I couldn’t get too close.

I so want this bench.  It would replace my log bench that bleeds pine sap every summer. You have to watch were you sit or grab an old towel to sit upon.  I am an expert at getting pine sap out of pants, a little skin so soft and then when the pitch has dissolved  use some dawn dish soap and very hot water to get out the skin so soft.

The lemonade gal switched to some fancy kinds of coffee, it was a cold rainy day..her lips were as blue as Lucette’s dress.  Many people were bundled up in winter outerwear.

Bears are a big thing up here in the northwoods. 

The chain saw carvers both guys and gals (there was at least one gal) are true artists.  Another lady and I decided that these bears looked too grumpy to be welcome bears…perhaps they are for people who live on the lake and have company to cook for every weekend just because they have a place on the lake:)