SquirrelyGrl Tales

Adventures int'l, domestic & close by

DEN > CHA > MSP

The Goal


Courtesy of #3* sunset over the lake

*Of note – I refer to my nieces & nephews as #’s

Getting there…

While I was flying – Brian was driving – Muki & Lunchie tolerating the ride.

Not many photos were taken in CHA – too much work to do, but lots of family time was coordinated. The Asheville trip was best canceled – I’ll catch them next time hopefully. A round of Disc Golf was squeezed in at Shepherd Community Recreation Park with a nephew.

I’m always caught by surprise seeing the significant changes throughout CHA. While working at the store being so familiar, it is easy to forget how much time has passed. Working with nieces though, reinstates the passing of time.

Current Shop resident – Momma Kitty – Can only be caught when it’s feeding time.

Courtesy of #3 – being in the window seat.

CHA to MSP – #3 & I flew from CHA, one of my favorite small airports, expensive though it is. We arrived at MSP around 5pm to Brian’s supposedly surprised niece.

Muki conserving energy until she gets to the lake.
#3’s photo inside MOA

Monday I took the girls to the Mall of America & then headed up to the lake house with Lunchie in tow. It was getting late when we got there – but plenty of time to cruise around the lake.

Courtesy of Brian
Another of Brian’s steady shots

I logged several runs during the week – since Brian was laid up. The flies were atrocious – Muki gave me concerning looks when I was flinging her leash around me, like a religious zealot. I got a few photos while out on the trots.

I was saddened to see the massacre of these caterpillars all over the road.
It is a Green Striped Mapleworm – I took the time to help as many as I saw tossing them back in the woods away from the road.
The Mapleworm turns into a Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda) – Courtesy of Wisconsin DNR.

Most of the week was windy, cool, cloudy & provided showers throughout the days. I whined insisted on renting a canoe & Brian indulged me. Renting from Pardun’s Canoe Rental – the only canoe rental near us, charged $50 a day for a sad, beat up, decades old canoe – Muki never once got in with me – nor did anyone else during our 3 day rental. I did get several solo kayaking in & even a hubby paddle around the lake.

One of the misty morns – notice the bat house on the right.

Mom & Dad made it up to the Lake late on Wednesday – Dad paddled with me down to a Bald Eagles nest towards the south end of the lake. During the evening cruises, coyotes were calling – a first for Brian’s family to hear them in the area. The bat house – no residents yet, but the potential is there – I’ll be excited to see a family move in. I hope to have one soon in our yard.

Frankoma enjoying a kayak paddle.
One of many lilypads in bloom on the lake.
Resident Bald Eagle, I believe his name is Roderick.
Garter Snake with places to be & being hindered by a gaggle of humans.

A few fish were caught during the week – Muki’s favorite activity while in Wisconsin.

There is a Muki nose in this photo.

The girls & I spent a day galavanting with my parents on the way to Superior. We only hit a couple yard sales & a few shops. We had lunch at Twisted Pastries super delicious panini’s & lemonade.

Comic shopping in Superior –
Lunchbox made several public appearances throughout the week.
Muki recovering from vaca with Frankoma

A great time – mostly b/c I finally got to spend some time with my parents & Brians’ parents of course. But being in CHA I usually don’t to spend that much time with them. The girls had a good time. Traveling to & from for everyone was uneventful. The Subbie did get a brand new wheel bearing replaced in WI, but the air conditioner was intermittent on the last 3 hours left of our journey back to DEN – still need that looked at.

SquirrelyGrl

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