He is only a few months older than Seesta, so they have had a great time playing & wrestling. Guido is happy for the break!
I worked my usual stint at the Region 10 Arabian Championship Show in the middle of June. Then we headed up to Madeline Island in northern Wisconsin. Last summer, we helped our friend, Noah Falconer, do some "home improvements" at his farm/arena/apartment. His parents were so kind as to give us the opportunity to use their beautiful home on Madeline Island. We drove into Bayfield and on to the ferry to the island.
It was quite an experience!
Everything has to go over on the ferry - even the semi's.
The Falconer's lake home is lovely! It is surrounded by trees, blueberries in the front yard and Lake Superior out the back.
We had a wonderful time. My brother, Jeff and his wife, Kathy, and their friends Jeff & Terri Sanford met us. They had driven their motorhomes onto the ferry and were staying in the campground on the island. We decided to go over to Bayfield and take a Sunken Ship tour on a glass bottomed boat.
The water was calm enough to see some of the wrecks from the deck.
Look close!
This one was really close to the surface.
There are also some beautiful light houses on a few of the Apostle Islands. I would love to take that tour too and go through some of them.
After Jeff & Kathy left, Ron & I explored the island. This is the northern shore. It is beautiful.
These are part of a native American ceremony.
Huge bunches of lupine blooming along the roads.
This was a walking/biking trail along one of the bays.
We had a great time on Madeline Island and hope to go back next summer.
Our other big outing this summer was a trip back in time! We went up to my dad's birthplace and childhood home, Blackduck, which is where we spent many summers as kids. Both of my brothers, Jeff & Jim, their wives, Kathy & Sukey, and Jim's son, Will, came along. We stayed at Tomahawk Lodge (& RV park), where we had stayed as kids, but most everything had changed except for the lake!
The reason we had chosen to go all the way to Blackduck was so that we could inter our parents ashes at the Brooks' family farm. The farm has been passed down to the youngest child, so my dad inherited it and now it is owned by my brother, Jim, and will go to Will.
Jeff walking the fields.
Lots of pretty scenery.
Deep in the woods.
This is the old gravel pit that has completely grown over.
Our goal was to see if we could find the old foundation of the house. None of the buildings are standing, but Jim and his family were able to find foundations and remnants when they were last there about 8 years ago. We searched & searched. Just when we were going to give up, Will said he thought it was in the next grove of trees.
There it was!
The old milk can
It is hard to see, but more of the basement.
We marked the grave with the old milk jug until we can get a marker made.
Jim, Jari & Jeff
Notice Jim's anti-tick wear (LOL)!
Will, Jim, Jari & Jeff Brooks at "our" road.
We spent the next day exploring the Historical Society. Sorry for no pictures, but my computer is still acting up. We did find some fun family history & some old pictures of our relatives. It was great fun to spend time together!
We've also gone to a few wineries, art fests and family events. Trying to see friends and family as summer is flying by and we will soon be headed south.
