Spring vacation adventures!

 The pack decided that now that all the 2-leggeds being vaccinated and spring arrived, it was time to go visit family.  Both sides! We love to visit. First, we headed to NE Minnesota to see Sandy's folks. Somehow Arly didn't get any photos of Gramma, who we got to celebrate and early Mother's Day with.

Oh ya Grampa, you're a good multi-tasker.

We helped vacuum the rug.

Me and Arly strolled down to get coffee and we met
this little gal who was walking to school.

I brought Sandy some coffee then I relaxed on Grampa's lap.
He lets me sneak up when Gramma's not looking.

Then we went for a stroll at Hidden Valley.

Trails were nice and dry.

We didn't see anyone out on the trail but some folks
were at the trail head when we were leaving.

Later, we went to Semer's Park for a short romp.

 

I jumped up here looking for kids.

We headed out to the little islands.

The Forest Service Beavers are just across the bay.

We scaled lots of dead-fall out here.

I don't mind drinking right out of Shagawa Lake!

We had such a nice romp today.

The next day, we drove out to Snowbank Lake for a hike.

We've hiked here before.

Trail was nice and dry, no bugs. Perfect!

Although, the carpenter ants have been hard at work.

I had to celebrate by taking a dip.

And shaking off!

It was rough sledding over this portage last winter... 
The plastic was scraped off of dog sled runners.

We took a break at this lovely camp site.
I voted to stay the night but the 2-leggeds chickened out.

Maybe we can camp here another time?

I recommend it!

We all had a snack.

Then it was time to head back. It sure is boreal forest here.

Ya, there's lotsa rocks to jump up on around here.
Like, everywhere!

This was along the portage, going towards Flash Lake.

Of course I took a dip here too.

Good thing the make-shift bridge is still there.

Maybe we can do a back pack trip this fall??
We'd love to come visit Gramma and Grampa more!

Back to Bob! Sunday

On Sunday morning we awoke to clear skies and low wind.

Then I heard this funny honking.

It was resident Canada geese.

Meanwhile, older mutts were enjoying
a good snout rub in the grass.

Bacon!  You know we love that.

I also smell pancakes.

And then we headed out to cut larger dead fall off.

Here's one.

I wandered over to check the pond out.

Kind of a big guy fell here over the winter.

Arly had the bar along for this job.

All better!

Sandy rakes the step and path off.
Trail's all spiffed up and ready for hikers!

Back to Bob! The NFS campground that is.

 On Friday after Sandy got away from work, we headed to Bob Lake campground.

This could be the nicest campground in the whole world.

And we were the only ones here.
Not even any bugs!

Arly got a fire going right off.

Then we had peanuts.

We even had a lake side table!

What a nice evening.

 

On Saturday after breakfast,
we got to work clearing the Beaver Lodge trail.

Arly cut down some dead fall and leaners here.

I checked for frogs.  We seen the painted turtles here.

Here's a big one we'll need to come back for.

Lunch time! MMM it smells good.

Everyone can smell Zup's polish sausage.

Young dogs with lots of energy dig for chipmunks.
Older mutts were on had to provide tips and tricks.

We clear some dead-falls in camp.

Late in the afternoon, I head some loud birds landing.
Ya our swans came back!

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They came rather close.

Later, Bubba and Dean stopped by just to see us!

Bubba asked me in and I was happy to oblige.

Then it was time for fire-roasted steak.

By evening, the day's business finally caught up to some of us.