LAKE SUPERIOR

I pulled in to Tettegouch tuesday July 22 of '08 about 6:30 and of course the campground was full. Yes all 28 sites. Reality check to DNR, you've invested millions of dollars in trails, campground, visitor center, staffing, how about taking a bulldozer and create a loop and plop down a table and fire ring and in a week you could have 50 more sites. 28 sites, are you kidding me! That park is over 10,000 acres, about the size of Oklahoma. It is 5 times Whitewater or Kipp. They bury the sites a couple miles back in the woods anyway. Hello, I came up to Lake Superior to be near the Lake not in some mosquito infested woods, if I wanted that I'd go out on my deck at home.

LAMBS
At any rate, I'm glad they were full as I motored 20 miles upshore to Lambs resort where I snared one of several open campsites right on the lake. I am down with this resort, even met Mr. Lam, a gentle man with black hoofs. It is a huge resort with a lot of lakeshore, a couple big beaches, the Cross river flows through it (it is located in Schroeder, just past Taconite Harbor). They have about 16 log cabins beach side, then a section with electricity and water for the RV's and then a good 60 campsites, many right on the lake.

The capper is the newly opened Schroeder Baking Company, a log cabin bakery right off Hwy 61 and located on the property. This is some dynamite home cooked chow, I'm talking home made carmel rolls, cherry croissants, maple-pecan rolls, calzone, pizza, P cubed (Personal Pan Pizza), homemade malts, salads, subs, latte's, Kenyon coffee, newspaper, all the necessities of life, the calzone is great. I burned a lot of wood laying by the fire listening to the calm lake lap at the rock beach, watching satellites and meteors cross the sky. I brought back a goodly amount of rocks for the waterfall I'm making. It was like being in the mountains, cool lake breeze and warm sun. Temperance river state park did have a couple openings when I went the 2 miles up the road to check them out the next day.
I hiked up the river and through the woods to Minnesota's 2nd highest peak at 1,550 feet - Carlton Peak, a round trip distance of 7 miles (thought it turned into 8 as I was engaged in thought processes and missed a turn and got onto the Superior Hiking Trail). It lightly rained as I approached the peak so the view wasn't that great, and it rained the way back but it felt good.

I cooked up some blueberry pancakes (wish I remembered the real maple syrup), hashbrowns, and an omellete with fire brewed coffee. Walk the beaches, watch the cumulous storm cells move over Superior, soak in the cool crisp air and warm sun. I came back friday as they were totally full for the weekend. I stopped at Tettegouch to scope the cart in sites, very nice, secluded sites along the red rhyolite cliffs with steep bowl shaped coves and gravel beaches. Bearbox included. Great spot, think I'll head back in fall.

Tribute to my Mom

Family Tribute to Doris

Mom, you allowed us to enjoy carefree childhoods; to just have fun and be kids. A constant among the fun was life lessons that we learned by observing how you and Dad lived your own lives. We learned the value of setting goals and working hard. You were always positive and optimistic, we learned to enjoy the little things that occur each and every day.

We learned the value of honor, dignity, and self respect. You taught us to care and to nuture, to be tolerant and principaled; to hold our head high and persevere in the face of adversity. Mom and Dad are the best parents one could ever hope for; we are very fortunate and thankful.

Mom, you were always thinking of others, making sure everyone else was happy and had what they needed. You passed your fine qualities onto us 7 kids and 11 grandkids. You dedicated your life to your family, you church, and your community.

Mom stands across a green pasture with a powder blue summer sky dotted with white cumulous clouds. A small creek cascades through the farm with the rich black soil set off by a red barn with a yellow limestone foundation. We call to her, she comes to us and looks us in the eye and gives us her love as we clutch her hand and stroke her hair and tell her we love her.

The sun’s light ebbs as dark thunderous clouds march across the June landscape. The sky opens and rain pours onto the surrounding forest, displaying the power of nature and God.
Mom stands in the green pasture on this dark stormy night. We call to her but she does not answer. She turns away and walks across the pasture to a light in the sky. The Lord has called her away.

Mom, you were selfless and courageous and battled to the end. Your strong faith allowed you to put your life in the Lords’ hands. You knew he would take care of you, just as you took care of your family.

Lord, take our Mother into your loving arms. Fill us with peace and understanding to quench the pain of our loss.