Ely, MN bound!

On Saturday the 21st after the Parade of Nations, we noted lotsa packing going on and then the dog truck was being loaded. Could we really be heading up to Ely, MN!?

Yes we will stay close by and remain ready to get in.
You won't leave us!

We stopped in Ashland to get a motel and found a
fellow there from Gay, MI.  That's very near us!

This is the motel owner who was very friendly.

After leaving Ashland, we went for a short hike on the
North Country Trail near Iron River.

We really need to get out and run fast.

We stop for snacks.

Lotsa pretty mushrooms to be found this time of year.

We made it to Gramma and Grampa's! Neighbor mutt Holly was out.

Oh ya, I get her to tussle.

I don't mind getting pinned. I'll chase her later!

Older mutts are content with some good ear scratching.

Ya Danny that's what I like.

Holly! Let's tussle some more.

They had soup n grilled cheese for supper and
Grampa saved some just for us.

Ya we love cheese!

The next day, we went to Hidden Valley for a romp.
We checked out the new mountain bike skills trail.

We spied a pileated up in this dead popple.

Later, we got Gramma and Grampa out to bask in the warm sun.

We recommend it!

This was at Fall Lake, where we had a picnic with the
whole Vesel gang this summer.

We seen a friendly Norwegian out swimming, so I joined him.

Grampa! Got something for me?

Oh, just some Anniversary gifts. What, no chew bones?

Old dogs, getting older.

Folks, sorry to say that Gromit is getting older.  At 12 and a 1/2, she's still her jubilant-and-needs-to-be-touched self, but her arthritis is getting worse and she sometimes struggles to even get into the truck.  We stopped mountain biking with her 3 years ago, when she couldn't manage those speeds any more. Of course we get the dogs out for a romp daily and soon we'll be tapering back on them for her.   She's getting slower and very elderly much sooner than we thought she would.  She's been on arthritis med's for over 4 years now.  Hopefully she'll still enjoy the upcoming ski season as this always has been her best time of year.

After a busy day on the trail.

Parade of Nations!

In the fall when the MI Tech school year has started, because of all the people who attend from all over the world, they have a Parade of Nations.  This year we were in it!

Hey! There's kids here!

The Saudi group likes dogs.
 We met them on the sledding hill before.

Hope we see you again!

Oh ya, we found the group we'll be walking with
- Keweenaw Faiths United.

Ya that's what I like.

We're finally off.

We love parades and being in them.  Maybe we'll see more kids?

I don't know what to think of this white fluffy fellow.
He was friendly.

Oh good.  We made our rounds to kids and Grammas.

And everyone in-between.

We like to be touched by moms and kids.

Oh good, another friendly guy.

I can be aloof.

Ya snooze,  ya lose.
The older mutts know where to hang out.

We know this girl's mother.

They are Nepalese and mom works at a gas station.

We do like the kids, even the really small ones.

We're crossing the lift bridge and will be in Houghton shortly.

Oh good, kids on this side as well!

You must work fast with puppies.

We do like little girls.

We hardly ever get any kid time like this.

Everyone came out to wave hi to us 4- leggeds.

Hey whatcha got there?

I smiled nice when he took my picture.

We liked her shirt.  That's what I do!

Pet me! No, me!!

It's the Handler's!
They live right behind us and we play with Daisy,
every chance we get.

Cass Tech High School marching band was here today.
They are great!

The parade is nearing the end.
Let's get a bit more socializing in.

We had so much fun today.

Bye-bye.

I'll walk with you any time.

Special notice: we are packing right now and heading to northern MN this afternoon for more adventures up there.