Backpacking with G

We did it! All three kids got their "alone-time-with-Dad-backpacking-super-adventure" (or "ATWDSA") done. Garrett rounded out the field Tuesday to Wednesday. We went once again to Bowman Lake. The weather was not quite as cooperative this time. We ran through a quick shower on the way up. I thought we still might be okay, and I reasoned that if we were wet, it wasn't too far out to walk back and hit plan B. Plan B was never officially thought of, but I do my best work under pressure. We walked in, set up camp, and just as I was popping the tent up, the skies opened up. Whew, what timing. We dove into the tent, set up our beds and waited the storm out. And waited. I finally cooked supper by reaching out into the rain to fire up my stove (which was acting very cranky) and boiling water to make "special noodles." Special Noodles are just any packet of Lipton Noodles & Sauce; cheap, easy, and actually not too bad. Well, actually not too good, but the kids eat them, and you can get full on them. Perfect. The stove being cranky doesn't sound horrible until you realize that cranky means going full bore with 2 ft. of flame jetting out of it, to needing to be pumped up again to continue the 2 ft. of flame. Simmer, I had not. This is the same stove that almost burned our tent down in Canada. This is the same stove that almost burned our tent down in Bowman Lake now too. I would have killed for an Optimus Nova Plus at that moment.

The rain quit. We went fishing, and caught quite a few nice 'gills and one bass. We caught frogs. We had the mother of all light saber battles (yes, we carried in light sabers.) And we slept like babies. Only to awake to a huge rainstorm again. Thank you Lord for seam sealing.

Proud papa.

Garrett shaking water off of hands (just missed a frog I think.)

The sugar maples are just starting to turn color.

Isn't he handsome? Looks like someone I know...

I wish this could have been a nicer looking boat, but I did like the composition.

Backpacking with Bella

Bella and I went backpacking to Bowman Lake, the same place Amelia and I went. Once again we had great weather and a wonderful time. We brought the fishing poles this time and Bella caught some bluegills and quite a few bass. I was glad to get out with her before school started. She is so excited to get outside. She loves to "start the fire," fish, catch frogs, color, and take pictures. In other words, she was in paradise. I hope this is a tradition that we keep doing. Someday I hope to take the kids (maybe the whole family, Jen?) on a longer trip such as Isle Royal, or parts of the Appalachian Trail (AT.) I remember my dad having one of the old Colin Fletcher "Complete Walker" books, and being absolutely amazed by that. That book really opened up new adventures for me. I hope it does for my kids too.

M

Catching frogs

Foggy morning on North Country Trail

I think this has been here a while

LOVES fishing (I wonder who she gets that from?)

All ready to go. She carried her own pack the whole way! Way to go Bella!

Mackinaw

I'm not sure how many times we've been camping this year. It's been quite a few, and every time is so different from the last. We went to the Mackinaw area for four days, visited the island, and went to the fort on the mainland. We had a blast. Literally. I've never heard so many cannons and muskets firing. Garrett was in heaven, especially with the toy cannon at Fort Michilimackinac. I think he wore the button out to make the cannon "fire." The girls got to be part of the "Arrival of the Voyageurs" and trade a doeskin for some ear bobs. Garrett and I danced the "paddle dance" as part of a French Traders wedding ceremony. It wasn't so much a dance as a game. What a hoot! I wanted to whip out my patented "white tornado" but this was only 1775 and so disco had yet to be invented and as such, was frowned upon. The ferry ride to the island was fun, we took the special Bridge Edition tour where we detoured a little to drive under the bridge and get to see it up close. Wow is that impressive! So, overall, great trip. We were a little disappointed in Wilderness State Park, it is VERY congested. If we go back it will be for one of the cabins out by themselves on the lakeshore. The campsites were right on top of each other, but most everyone behaved and was fairly quiet. We've been spoiled by the State and National Forest campgrounds with their rustic solitude. There were so many highlights to this trip. One of the best was this: On the way home we stopped at McD's. Booh! But it's a treat for the kids. There is a big Ronald McDonald statue sitting on a bench when you walk in. Garrett says "look at the clown!" "I'm going to punch him!" Jen and I looked at each other and started giggling. Perfect.

M

Our little clown puncher, firing the cannon

Backpacking With Mazers

Wednesday I took Amelia backpacking. We got in some awesome daddy-daughter time, and the site was perfect! The trail was around a quarter mile long, going through a field, a patch of woods, and ending up on the lakeshore. She was so proud that she carried her pack the entire way. We camped at Bowman Lake, West of Baldwin. This is off of a small spur of the North Country Trail. Great place to take the kids.

Amelia looks at the lake for the first time.

Here we are eating mac-n-cheese. She dipped her spork in for the first spoonful, ate it, closed her eyes and said "Mmmm." Like mac-n-cheese can feed the soul. It was Kraft Deluxe Sharp Cheddar, so maybe it's true.

Fun, red mushrooms on trail around lake. A leopard frog, I think. Mazers enjoying the lake on the "slip and slide bench." The bench is the standard park service bench, but the posts are starting to be forced out of plumb by the hill sliding into the lake. The bench is angled toward the ground and her tiny butt didn't have enough traction to stay on for long. My butt didn't suffer the same issue.

Smug smile after enjoying "Astronaut Ice Cream."

Our humble abode. We woke up to beautiful mist shrouding the lake.

I can't recommend this place enough. We're taking the fishing poles along next time...

M

See saws

My saws are finished, and I have to say that I am pleased with the results. I built them from a kit (blade already cut, but that's about it) from Tools for Working Wood. One is sharpened for rip, one for crosscut. I used some of the maple left over from the girls' bed for the handles, and finished them with oil and wax. Now I need a new project to use them on. Maybe a boat?

Some favorite photos

Move Over Eddie Merckx, There's a New Show In Town

She did it. Amelia now rides a "two-wheeler." She took to it amazingly fast, probably from the excellent teaching she received. We use a European method our neighbor turned us on to: low seat, take off the pedals, balance first, then put the pedals back on. Works brilliantly. Just look how excited she is!