Ely, MN day II and home

More fun in Ely, MN!  And the trip home.

We enjoyed the new bike trail at Hidden Valley
so much, we returned on Sunday.

The 2-leggeds say they are being prompted to 
resume mountain biking. I wonder what that's like?

We spied remains of a very old tree stand on this
large, old white pine.

Lotsa rocks up north!

Gramma and Grampa took us out for a picnic lunch!

We like sandwiches too ya know.

On Monday morning we headed home. We stopped for a break here
at the After Hours trail head. We met this friendly family!

Lunch from the Chequamagon Co-op
at the Ashland pocket park.

We even met some folks from Houghton there!
What a small world.

 

Off to Ely, MN for a long weekend!

 The pack took Friday and Monday off from work so we could all head north west to visit "Gramma and Grampa" up in Ely MN. We love to visit!

We stop at Laurentian Divide rest area to stretch our legs.
From this divide, water on the north side of
the hill flows to Hudson Bay CA, water on the east
side to Lake Superior, and water to the south/west to the
Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico.

We're so glad to be here!

Gramma joined us on the porch.

Who are you! Oh ya, it's friendly neighbor Mike.

It's been pretty dry up here. Note the pale grass.

What a pleasant evening.

Then, Danny and Holley came to see us!

This is SO fun!

Holley gave Grampa some kisses.

This is the best neighborhood around.

Saturday morning. What are we having?

I'll be on my best behavior, I promise.

Hey! I like cinnamon toast too ya know.

Ya Grampa I'll cozy up to you.

MMM, toast is ready!

I know that chipmunk is coming out again.

Later, we went for a romp at Hidden Valley and
found the trail crew camped there!

We love trail builders.

We checked out their work. Oh this is nice.

We checked out the end of the trail,
where the 2 mini excavators were parked.

The end. Gives a good perspective of the amount
of brush they need to clear away to build the trail!

Back at Gramma n Grampa's.
They were telling tall tales!

We had more outdoor relaxation time.

We kept our eyes peeled for vermin.

I see him up there.

After supper we relaxed and lounged inside.
We had such a nice Saturday!

More Chassell trails clean up.

 On Monday afternoon, Amanda, Arly and me (Wally) headed to Chassell trails for more clean up.

Amanda can haul it out!

This is where we left it for the township guys to grab.

Back out for more.

Old car parts galore.

Kelpies get hot and take a dip.

The junk we moved out today.

 

Weekend update!

We had a fairly social weekend. On Friday Larry come over for a picnic supper before he and the pack headed over to a real, in-person concert at The Orpheum! They said it was great to get out again, and the music was super to boot. Saturday had the pack working on (boring) house projects, but on Sunday we all got to go to the outdoor service at Good Shepherd Church!

We were so glad to see Larry again! They grilled burgers,
can you believe we didn't get any? Gyp!

 

On Sunday, the rain held off so we could have outdoor church.

I was on my best behavior and made my social rounds.

Oh good, they can scratch me on both ends.

Glad to meet you! I hope to see you again soon.

Oh ya Lisa, I do like hugs.

Ya I do like that ear scratching.

Next you can touch me!

Ya, we do like to meeting everyone and getting touched.

Keith we're always glad to see you!

I supervised the set up.

I hope we have outdoor church until winter!