Adventures in the North Woods

Well, boy did we have adventures today. We fished at a couple of spots, then Mom got her line wrapped around the propeller of the little motor. She was helping me with a fish and Dad was watching us and not the lines still in the water. We were near the dock where the bears got into the cabin alot. So we went over to the dock, backed the boat in and Dad went to work. He took the propeller apart and got all the line out. Never did find the hook and sinker. So off we went south on the lake looking for another hole with fish. Mom decided to show me the falls at the end of Junction Bay. Two cute little falls. We watched an otter playing in the water and I got a really good picture of him. Then we went cabin exploring. The cabins in the park are having their leases expire. It looks like most of them lost their lease last year. There are allot of abandoned cabins on the lake. Some have been cleaned out very well. Others are full of junk and trashed from the bears and vandels. I found a neat old egg beater and some skeleton keys in one. We went on to another cabin and there we had our BIG adventure of the day. We came in on a sandy beach and Dad decided that the boat did not need to be tied, just left sitting on the beach. We went looking at the cabins and sure felt sorry for the people having to give up the cabins. They had running water, in-door plumbing, oak flooring, pine on the walls and electricity from a generator. I would have just been sick to have to give all that up because the Forest Service said it is now a national park and you have to leave. Even though you have owned the island for (in some cases) generations. While we were exploring, I happend to look over at the bay and the boat had floated off the shore and was headed out of the bay! Boat I yelled and we all ran down to the beach! Mom said she would go in and swim out to it, but I knew that there was no way she could get up into the boat. So I shucked off my pants and shoes and in I went. AS I was getting my jeans off Mom asked me if I could swim. Nah, I was getting ready to go out into the water and sink! Oh boy! Was it ever cold! took your breath right out of you. I made it to the boat just as it swung into the shore line. In the mean time Dad had climbed around on the rocks and was there to meet me and the boat. Luckily I had brought shorts and a t-shirt along with me so I had dry clothes to change into. We decided that we had had enough adventure and came in. Dinner was in Little Fork (Home of Pinejack Savage)at DJ's I had the walley dinner which was OK, the breading was a little much. We drove around Little Fork It is a neat little town with lots of old houses.

Playing Tourist in International Falls

A work day. Dad wanted to mown the lawn so while he did that Mom and I did some laundry and pick up in the flower beds. I got some good shots of their house, yard and inside Dad's fish house. Then off to International Falls and shopping. Rainners had great t-shirts and clothing. I also found the bear I wanted there. We walked across the street to a little pharmacy and found the neatest coffe cups with horses on them, they came with boxes printed with the same picture. I bought one for a christmas gift for Marti and Mom bought one for me. But Border Bob's had the little loon that I was looking for.  I also found a RMCP bear for Ryan. We did some of Mom's chores and drove over to Canada to shop somemore and have dinner. We at at a hotel restaurant called the Rendevous. I had a wonderful walley dinner. From there we drove around the lake a bit and came back to International Falls. The customs agent got confused and could not figure out why we would drive from Colorado to Ft Francis for dinner! Dad straightened him out and he let us come home. We did mothers grocery shopping and came home.

Kettle Falls MN

The trolling motor lift is due to be fixed on Monday am. It is supposed to be a nice day so Mom wants to go Kettle Falls.
We rode up to Kettle Falls fished some on the way. At Kettle Falls is one of 3 places where you can look south into Canada from the US. I have on picture where I am standing on top of a peg where my left leg is in Canada and my right leg is in the USA. The pictures of the Dam did not turn out, but the view from the walkway is up to Rainy Lake.
We had lunch at the Kettle Falls Hotel, very good. Then back out onto the water and more fishing. I caught a keeper (walleye) and Mom and Dad each caught one also. Had a windy (rough) ride back to the cabin and went out to the Bait and Bite for salads for dinner. Stopped by Jennie and Al's for a visit. They have a doe and fawn in the woods around thier place. Saw it twice while we were sitting at Jennie and Al's kitchen table, but couldn't get a picture.

Down to Crane Lake

Will try to run up to Crane Lake today. Looking foreward to that 35 miles on the lake with lunch at one of the resorts. The trolling motor lift will not get fixed till Monday morning so no fishing today.
We made it down to Crane Lake. It was smooth all the way down. What a beautiful day. The lakes were pretty smooth all morning. We went to the bluffs, pretty impressive if you put them into context with the flat lands around. They are about as high as the cliffs at the entrance to Big Thompson Canyon. Then we went by "The Face on the Wall" it is really neat. We stopped at Canadian Customs and on to the gift store on the Canadian side. I bought a sweatshirt and t-shirt. Then on to the gorge (between Crane Lake and Lake Vermillion) It does not have as much water coming through now as it did early in the year (according to Mom) Then on to the resorts. We had lunch at Voyageurs, then hit the gift stores. We went to Scotts and watched the float planes come in, it was neat to see them come in on the water. The gift store had some really neat china, made by Fetzer. The china had hummingbirds on the pitcher and the pitcher's handle was made to look like corn leaves. I bought magnets for Marti and Kayla. Then on to Nelson's Resort. It is really a big neat resort, with a very big lodge. I found another hat for Terry there. We then turned around and headed for home. It was rough coming home, but we made it in good time. Dinner was pizza at the Bait and Bite. We then went visiting at Rusty and Patty's. Then on to Dean and Carolines and home.

Fishing on Lake Kabetogama

We tried to fish again, But the fish are not cooperating! I did catch another sogger so am 3 for 3 days of fishing. It is really cold in the lake yet so it is more like early spring fishing not mid summer! I took pictures of Tuck Hammond for Mom, it is his last summer on the lake. He had a heart attack and just cannot handle the boat anymore. I got some good ones to print out for him. We then went to Ellsworth Rock Gardens. I have a scanned image of the history of the gardens. There are many neat rock sculptures. Mom has some pictures that I scanned in of the gardens in their hayday, they must have been beautiful with all the statues, flowers and ponds. Dad tried to coax a deer up to him, but she didn't smell any food so left for greener pastures. Had lunch at Frontier Resort along Ash River, then up to the Ash River Falls. They are pretty now but with lots more water in the spring they would be spectacular! It was a neat run up there. We tried to fish on the way back but the lift on the trolling motor is leaking hydralic oil so we came on in. Dinner was mothers usual fabulous meal, steak with shrimp and creamed corn with a salad, yum, no loosing weight on this trip. Rocky and Patty came over for the evening and Mom showed them all the pictures I had taken so far, about 200 to date.

Gambling Today

Today started out with nice weather but we were out long enough for me to catch one slogger and it started to rain. We decided that this would be good time to go hit some of the gift stores in the area. We went to the Voyagers Park Visitors Center where I picked up some maps of the area. Then to some of the gift stores where I picked up some souvenirs and a hat for Terry. The weather would not clear so we drove down to the casino at Lake Vermilion. I got my picture take with the perch at Orr MN. We spent most of the day at the casino, I won the 240 quarters on one machine 9 times! Enough to keep me gambling next to Mom all day. My total for the day was down only $25.00 for 8 hours of fun!

My IFrst day in MN

We went up to the Bait and Bite for breakfast and to get our minnows for fishing. Out on the lake first thing. I got a tour of the fishing spots as the Walleye were not biting too good. I did catch 2 big walleye right away at the first hole. But, unfortunatly there were not in the range to keep. You have to catch them between 13 and 19 inches to keep them. Mine were 21 and 22 inches. You can keep one over 23 inches. I want to catch one of those! We saw the birds on what Dad calls Gull Island. Pelicans, Komerands, Gulls, etc. Watched 2 deer playing on one of the many islands in Kabetogama. Drove by 2 huge eagle nests, they were made out of branches some of which were 2 inches around. Big birds to carry that large a stick up that tree. Came back in and had pork chops for dinner and to bed. Long day in the boat.

Traveling to MN

I left for the airport at 1:45 via taxi. The pickup service was $5.00 that I was not informed of. But it was a good ride to the airport. I amused my self at the ariport after breezing thru the security checks with no problems. I flew into Minniapolis/St Paul First class. Nice trip, wide seats and no kids whining! We arrive at the airport 10 min early and I needed that 10 min. We came in on concourse F not C. So I had to walk clear across the airport to get to consourse A where the puddle jumper was taking off from. A smooth flight into International Falls where Mom and Dad were waiting. We got home at around 1am, no talking right to bed.

Sonny on the Trail

Tuesday June 22nd
Sonny and my first ride outside the arena
The day started off pretty badly. I got half way to Longmont before I realized that I had forgotten the keys to the trailer. I had wanted to take the other saddle in to try on Sonny. But with no keys that was going to be impossible. The day proceded downhill from there. When I arrived at Marti's not only was the wireless card in her laptop not being seen, it was not showing any power going to the card. I was able to correct both problems by enabling the card in device manager. This allowed the laptop to see the card and the driver to load. Then she could not print thru the network. I could print from the other computer so just deleted the printer from her laptop and reconnected and all was well.
I got out to Lisa's and she had a saddle for Sonny and I. He did not try any of the evasions with her saddle, so I will start to look for a new saddle when I get back from my vacation. Sonny and I did our first ride on the road and he did great. We rode for about an hour and a half and I had to leave.

Summer Musings

It is late at night and I am watching the local news. Iraq is, of course the lead story, but the next is another dog atack. 2 mixes (commonly called Pit Bulls) attacked a little boy and the grandparents and a neighbor had to fight the dogs with shovels and a ladder till the police got there and shot the dogs. If this irresponsible breeding and agressive training is not stopped, all dogs will end up being banned. I cannot imagine not being able to have a dog in my life. My horse is a companion, but not a friend the way a dog is.

My day has been pretty good. Terry got off early, so he came by and helped me finish up my chores, I "rewarded" him by lunch. He has decided that the salmon burgers I fed him last Sat are really very good. They were the request today, "even better than hamburgers!" this from a cattleman! High praise indeed.

Carol and I planned to got for a walk and dinner and a movie. The walk was canceled by the rain, dinner - well the restraurant was closed on Mondays and the movie was good, the kid grabbing my hair and screaming in my ear I could have done without. We saw Shrek 2 - I really enjoyed the movie and will have to buy it when it comes out. It is a story about accepting who you are, I can get into that.

I am still into Margaret Thatcher's Statecraft. I find her conclusions fasinating. Her opinion of the former USSR republics scary. I do agree with most of the opinions that she expresses, especially the ones about the International Monetary Fund (IMF) it has been one of the worst inventions of the west, it is far to interested in politics of the countries it professes to help, instead of making sure there are good fiscal policies being followed. The fund is just a drain on the west and certainly has made far more bad loans than good. If it were a realy bank, it would be out of business.

I am going to go ride Sonny tomorrow and will start packing for my vacation in MN. I am looking forward to visiting with Mom and Dad for 10 days. No worries! Yeah!

Weekends June 11th and 12th

Why oh why are the weekends so busy? They go past so very fast that you do not have time to savor them. I had a very busy time this weekend, but it was a whole lotta fun!

Saturday wasdown to my friends to install a new hard drive in an old desktop that they wanted to setup for Rick. He has decided that it is time for the ol' cowboy to join the information age. I was glad to oblige! But as one problem flowed into the next it started to become clear that I had not only a hard drive going bad, but possibly CD/RW that was bad. So had to call it a day there.

Next up on the schedule was a trip to see the "World Famous Lippizaner Stallions" Not the originals from the Spanish Riding School, but imported from there to Florida. They then travel the US putting on a 2 hour show in small arenas and large convention centers. I had seen the show in previous years and was not impressed, but a girlfriend wanted to go so we went. I was surprised, instead of only 3 or 4 Lippizaners and lots of Andulusians and arabians. The whole show (outside of one) consisted of Lippizaners. I even saw 3 or 4 with the brand indicating that they had been foaled in Piber, Austria. The riding had also improved dramatically. It was a good chance to see how my new camera did (or how well I had read the manual) The pictures were indicative of the photographer, good and bad. Will post some up on my web site later today. . After the show I was bushed so headed home to do some more research on the CD/RW that I suspected was bad.

Sunday was every bit as busy. I read the sunday paper before getting started on my day. More on Iraq, some human interest stories and lots of comics. A good lazy way to start a Sunday. Then on down to Marti's to try and finish up that &#$^ computer. I took down an old CD player and after putting it in the computer and reading a few of the cd's that would not work in the CD/RW came to the definate conclusion that the CD/RW was indeed bad. So off to the store for a new one. Had a pleasent shock, they have really come down in price on the retail level. So a quick shopping trip and back to the install. Having had so many errors on Saturday, I decided to just start over and do a fresh install. So by 9pm was sitting there with the wireless network up and running, applications installed on the dekstop, and WAH....cannot connect from the laptop to the desktop via the XP Remote Desktop Connection. It was late, I was tired and flustrated, time to head for home and bed.

But wait, my weekend was not yet over. My boyfirend called to tell me that they were taking his mother to the hospital. Seems she fainted and fell in her kitchen at some time during the evening. Her daughter who lives next door happened to come over to check on her and found her lying there. She called the ambulance and started calling her brothers and sisters. Myrna Loy is in the hospital undergoing more tests to try and find out why she fainted.

I end with this. I am sitting on my patio typing away with a squirrel not 6 feet away eating the sunflowers I provide for the birds! Here he has come up on the patio and clibed up the pole where the seeds used to be, now there are 2 of them on the patio, what fun to sit quiet and watch them.

The weeks fly

I just realized that I had not wrote anything in a week. It has been very busy. My girlfriend got a new laptop, so I moved all the documents and settings from the desktop to the laptop. XP's transfer of files and setting leaves a bit to be desired. It did not transfer the Outlook e-mail address's or the outlook mail folders, so I had to do all that manually. I used a USB cable and program to link the two computers and transfer data between the 2 computers. It worked great. So now it is just a wait and see for a few days to see if I got all the data transfered. I will be low level formating the current hard drive (in the desktop) and do a reload of the OS. Her husband wants to learn about computers, so it will become his computer and I get to become a teacher again.

I took my gelding over to a trainers on Friday. She is going to take him out on the trails and introduce him to the baby carriages, kids on roller skates, dogs, and all the "boogie men" that a good trail horse needs to know about. Her training stable is right off of a very popular trail head in Longmont, so he will get to see lots of "scary" things. I will be taking lessons with her twice a week for a month to get Sony and I both on the same track. I am looking foreward to it.