My Minnesota Vacation (continued....)

I love the stillness of the lake.  When all is quiet and no one is awake yet.

The boy child and I took a walk this morning around the resort area.  Resort sounds so fancy, but it's mostly a bunch of RV's and campers gathered in a circle around a pond and across the street from a lake.  It's Small Town U.S.A. at it's best with good people, clear skies and a nice breeze.

This little guy came to hang out next to me today.  I wondered if he was a cousin of the twerp who stung the boy child on the eyebrow a couple nights ago.

There are manmade nests covered in chicken wire for the loons so they have safe havens to nurture their babies.  These little buoys bob up and down as reminders to not get too close.  There is a loon family on this lake, but so far I have been unable to get close enough in the boat and with my camera to show any interesting pictures.  They have a cool song that I would like to capture and share.  Crossing my fingers....

Yes, even in 85 degree weather (that's almost 30 degrees for you Celsius people) I will wear jeans and long sleeve shirts.

Their dandelions are bigger than my fist!

We drove into town this morning for groceries.  Town being Park Rapids with a handful of stop lights and old store fronts lining one street that has parking in the middle.  They have a Ben Franklin!  Who remembers those??

I like the old movie marquis.

This was on the corner with a convenience store.  Happy Birthday USA indeed!

We had some gourmet, fine dining for lunch at the local A&W yesterday.  Check out those orange fluorescent lights on the ceiling!  They had drive-in space (not drive-through!) for over a dozen cars.  I got a Coney Cheese Dog which was a hot dog smothered in chili, cheese and onions with a root beer float. Mmmmm.

Speeding to the location with all the fish...

The boy child was filled with excitement and let it out in seated dance moves.  Silly boy.

Look what I caught!  A little croppy.

Say "AHHHHHHHH"

The girl child was very interested in the whole cleaning process and watched intently.

My father-in-law fried them up and they were so delicious.  I look forward to eating his fish all year!

I had thought I would have pulled out my little hothead torch by now, but it hasn't happened.  I had planned on firing it up yesterday afternoon, but a nap snuck up on me and then the afternoon was gone.  Maybe today.  Maybe tomorrow.  But I need to do it sometime soon so I have it all figured out.  That demonstration I'm doing at the Woodstock Public Library in less than two weeks is coming up FAST!

Happy 4th of July to my fellow Americans.  I hope you enjoy wonderful displays of fireworks, delicious food and close moments with your friends and family.

To the rest of you, I hope you have a great weekend!