Baby Bunnies

Here they are...... about 4 days old. It's hard to see them, but you can see their cute little ears. There must be at least 4 of them in there, perhaps more................time will tell.

Backyard Critters

Here's a view of our screen porch and the humming bird feeder I put outside my kitchen window. I have a perfect view of those small birds that are lightening fast.

Then a few days ago, Todd noticed there was some dirt on top of the rocks.

Then, the next day we found this...........a nest full of baby bunnies. We found the nest the same day they were born. Smart mama bunny, she dug out the rocks, lined it with soft pine needles, had her babies, then covered them with her fur. Don't know where the mother's den is, but it has to be close by. This is the second baby bunny nest we found this year.

We were concerned Misty would find them and do some damage, so Todd put this nice contraption over the nest; it has since been removed because Misty doesn't even notice the nest - strange! I check the bunnies each day; they are growing very quickly, but won't open their eyes for about 10 days or so. Haven't seen the mother rabbit feed them; she probably comes at night when we're all asleep. Bunny nest right under the humming bird feeder - perfect!

He did it - made it to the finish. Here he is with his medal and Duluth in the background.

That evening we had a pleasant dinner on the shore of Lake Nebagamon; we celebrated Todd's marathon finish and Father's Day.

26.2 Again

Last weekend we headed up north; this time to support Todd in the 34th Annual Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN. Here are mom and dad while we waited for Todd to pass by.

Misty waited patiently too.

There were over 10,000 people participating in the half and full marathon. Here comes Todd in the crowd.

We were around mile 21 watching for him and there he was.........smiling - wow! I would have collapsed back at mile 4.

And there he goes......................

Here's to Tricia!

This is my friend, Tricia; she's a wonderful lady who is currently battling cancer. During the past year she has been THE MOST POSITIVE and inspirational person I know. She continues fighting this nasty stuff with grace and humor. Friends of hers recently held a cancer benefit and one of the activities was a walk in Carson Park - it was called Molly's Mini Miracle Mile.

Tricia and I have a lot in common; we're the same age, we're huge animal lovers, and we married awesome guys! It was a great event with all the people and puppies; here's Molly and Misty.

BWCA Finale

Our last day and a half were great. After another portage we saw several bass swimming so Todd tried some new lewers and caught one. Misty had to inspect it.

Okay.......if you won't give it to me, I'll just rip the net and take it from you. This bass wasn't too big so he was returned to the lake to grow bigger.

We usually rent an aluminum canoe, this time we tried something different. It's a kevlar, much lighter to carry, but you have to be much more careful around the rocks. I found the seat to be more comfortable and I think Misty liked it too because it's not cold like the aluminum ones.

Beautiful scenery.

Misty got her daily brushing; not sure if it helped or not. Todd brushed out a lot of fur but it may have also encouraged more shedding.

Thinking abour our next trip.......................

BWCA - Day 5

After our big fishing day we found a nice camp site next to Eddy Falls; so we checked out the falls the next morning.

Misty climbed onto a fallen tree; I think she was a bit concerned about Todd (see him in the background?).

My turn for a picture.

It was another hot and humid day and this time we had a 120 rod portage. I attemped it with the large Duluth pack, both paddles, life vests, and a fishing rod. Here I am approaching the end of the portage.

I didn't think I'd make it, the pack was way too heavy, there were tons of skeeters, and I thought I just might pass out. I love this picture because Misty seems to be looking at Todd as if to say, "I'm concerned about mom, help her out."

Here's the broken lewer. If that northern pike can take off the three pronged hook that was hanging in the middle and remove one of the three hooks from the tail end........just think what it could do to your hand?

Misty catching some sun and patiently waiting for lunch.

It's cookin'.

Todd checking to see if it's done.

Delicious; can't get fresher than that! The fish was so big it provided Todd and I with two meals.

BWCA - Day 4

Day 4 was a FABULOUS day - I finally caught a fish. We were leisurely paddling, the day was sunny and not too hot, there was a nice breeze. We passed some rocky areas where we thought the fishin' might be good and low and behold it was!

After we got the fish on the stringer, Misty had to inspect it. The water was crystal clear and so beautiful.

Here she is trying to pet the fish, "I'll just pet it, really I won't hurt it." I was so happy because we'd have fish for lunch. We continued paddling and by 12:30 we figured we weren't going to catch anymore so we landed the canoe at the next campsite for lunch.

I thought to myself, "I'll just try casting a couple times, see what happens." On my second cast, I thought I snagged a branch in the water and was bummed, then I thought it was a small fish, then the "small fish" started fighting back and I yelled to Todd, "get the net, I got a big fish." I reeled it in and as it came closer I actually got scared when I saw how big it was. The net we had was way too small so Todd grabbed the line and flung it onto shore before we lost it (we've lost others). The fish flopped around violently and unhooked itself. I was afraid the fish would flop himself back in the water so Todd managed to somehow grab it and kick it further onto land.

This is no fish tale, the proof is in the pictures (ignore the fat girl, check out the fish!). This Northern Pike could literally bite off a finger or two; thankfully Todd cut through it's spinal cord so it would stop flopping all over. I had a hard time holding it up for this picture; it measured 26 inches and weighed about 15 pounds. Four guys passing in canoes heard the commotion and stopped to have a look; Misty was happy because they gave her some attention (she ate it up, as if she's so neglected, yeah, right).

It was so big, Todd had to turn the canoe over so he'd have a flat surface large enough to fillet it. Check out it's head - fierce lookin' thing but makes for some good eatin'.

Oh yeah - can anyone say "LUNCH!" And it was a VERY lucky day for the bass I caught earlier; the Northern was so huge, we released the bass back to the lake. I wonder if the bass knows how lucky it was?

Now.................you have to get rid of the evidence; anyone for a fish carcass tossing contest?

Big splash...........some critters (probably crayfish?) had a tasty meal at the bottom of the lake.

BWCA - Day 3 Con't'd

We had a great campsite on day #3 - the camp fire area was sheltered all around and you walked further up to a nice area for the tent, even the pit toilet had the nicest view. That afternoon a huge storm was blowing in so we covered everything, put on the rain gear and watched the white caps form on the lake. Even Misty was worried, but nothing came of it - thank goodness. The wind was blowing so strong I thought it would bring down a few trees on us. Here I am cooking up the northern pike Todd caught.

A nice swim, fighting the northern pike, and weathering a possible storm will make anyone tired.

View through the trees.

Peaceful end to a good day.

A cozy camp fire.

BWCA - Day 2 & 3

Since there were a couple of rain showers on the first evening, day 2 was hot and humid with no breeze. It felt like a blazing hot day in July rather than the end of May. The insects liked the rain, so they started coming out - time to get out the bug repellent.

As we were paddling, we came around a corner and I caught something out of my peripheral vision. Your brain goes a mile a minute, so at first I thought, "oh my, it's a bear swimming in the water." We've seen them do that before.

Then I saw what looked like rabbit ears, but rabbits don't go in the water.

It was a mama moose and her two calves. Upon seeing us they swam to shore and headed into the safety of the woods. Misty got really excited; don't know what she thought of them. I just knew I had to hang on to her tight so she wouldn't try to bolt and capsize the canoe in the process.

Day 2 was leisurely and uneventful because the fish weren't biting. However, on day 3, Todd caught a Northern Pike. This northern really fought and in the process, broke the lewer and almost stabbed Todd in the foot with the broken lewer. A second lewer was lost when I got it snagged on a submerged tree. Todd decided to take a swim, fully clothed, to untangle it. Misty got alarmed when he dove; so she jumped in too, to save him. She's such an awesome dog! Todd managed to take a "lake bath" and give his clothes a good rinse, all at the same time. It was another hot day so I decided to take a dip too.

As usual, Misty had to check out the catch, giving it the sniff and lick test. At the campsite where we caught it, someone had constructed a "holding pen" for fish, so we put the northern in there until dinner. Later, Todd noticed leeches around the fish; the smell of blood must have attracted them.

Misty "hunting" for fish.

Annual BWCA Trip - Day 1

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) here we come! We were dropped off at American Point, mid-day on an overcast Sunday. We paddled the Canada - US border at a leisurely pace and trolled the fishing line. A half hour later we got lucky and caught this lake trout - dinner!

Here I am, unloading the canoe.

Beautiful scenery.