Lake of the Woods June 2018

This isn't the first time that I've asked myself "Why do I blog?" but it should be stated this might be the last legs of this blog. Due to changes in our online presence we now post updates, photos, and day trips on Facebook. In addition, I now post my personal thoughts and expanded bird reports on the Ruminating Birder blog. Until we figure out a different location to share them, memories from Canada and a few other topics may be shared here in the future.

Four years ago we took the girls to Lake of the Woods, Ontario, Canada for the first time. We have visited at least once a year since and you can see photos from the 2017 trip here. Below are highlights from the 2018 June Canada trip where Malcolm and Mike spent 5 days total while Cindy, Christine, Michaela, and Danielle joined them for the last three.

Smiles

Time with family and friends is easily the best source of smiles for the girls. Christine and I believe they should see different places, have the opportunity to explore different things and have time in nature.

The girls decided to ferry a Spiny Baskettail (Epitheca spinigera) from the middle of the lake to the lunch island.

Sunsets

The view from my parents' single-wide trailer is the best. It reminds most every one of the advantage associated with this location; affectionately naming it "The Deck".

(Above Top to Bottom): Sunsets views from the Deck on June 13th, June 15th, and June 17th 2018.

Below: A phone snapshot of Danielle taking the above sunset photo on June 17th, 2018.

Outdoor Activities

While sunset dominates the view, there is more. It is tough not to enjoy the rocky islands, lake, and everything else that differentiates this location from KC.

 

Kayaking (above), swimming, and hiking were all part of the last couple of days.



 

Fish

I used to think the single reason we went to Canada was to catch fish. Fortunately, I realized a while back it includes the fish but is for the memories overall. We released many nice walleyes on this trip: 27' fish for Cindy, four 26' fish split evenly between Mike and Malcolm, a 25' fish for Danielle, and another ten between 24' and 22'. We've caught larger fish before, but fishing Thursday through Sunday was really good. We ate fresh fish most of the evenings and even brought a few back to share.

 

Above (L to R): The ladies holding a regular sized fish and one of Mike's 26' Walleyes.
Bottom (L to R): One of Malcolm's 26' Walleyes and Grandma Cindy with the big fish of the trip.

 

Return to summer

At the start of July we visited Kansas City over three days and found a place to live next month and then we enjoyed the 4th holiday with friends in southern Wisconsin.  I'll get those photos and story up later, but for the time being today was a return a normal summer day after four days of working on a book project.  

The past few days ave been hot, humid, and windy.  We cleaned the house for a showing that fell through and then spent the afternoon in town.  After this move we will have moved three times in 48 months, and hopefully this time we will be able to quickly determine where boxes go when we unload.  We picked up colored tape to wrap around the top of each box, with a different color for each room in the apartment. Hopefully this will reduce the number of times Christine get asked "Where does this box go?" when we unpack.  How do you coordinate and increase efficiency when packing, moving, and unpacking?  

It is hard to believe 100 people were there from this photo shopped picture!

After the quick shopping trip we went swimming at Lacanne Park in Winona.  We've been to the park before to fly kites, bird, school gatherings, and bike rides but today was the first time swimming. Michaela likes to go underwater and pick things up, but is still working on swimming more than 5 feet without a life jacket.  Danielle is just brave enough to get her eyes wet. Here are a few photos from this afternoon, much like last summer with a new adventure every week.