Perfect weather for taking the 'big boat' out on the 'big lake' (Lake Superior), which is exactly what we did on Saturday. Paul's (DH) cousin and husband (Kylie and Jeff) decided to venture to the northern end of the state this weekend (they live in Madison, 6 hours away from Ashland). Jeff has finished up his EIGHTH year of med-school/internships/etc recently; he is a pathologist (microscope-guy). Neither of them have been up to Ashland, so DH gave him the grand-tour of some of Lake Superior's sights...
The Captain, himself....
The "unfathomable" hind-sight feeling upon seeing a picture of this map: AWESTRUCK! We started just to the south of what this map shows (where it points south "to Ashland"), and our tour took us up-n-around Madeline Island, around Michigan Island, and then back around between Madeline and Stockton, then back "home." The tour took us FOUR HOURS, and we really didn't stop to sight-see in anyone location all that long. The waters seemed "endless" once we circled around Michigan Island...yet, looking at this map, we only touched on PART of this small section of Lake Superior.
There are still barges and ships that come in to the Ashland area, delivering something-er-another (most likely coal) to the PowerPlant. There were three lighthouses we saw during our small journey; this is probably the most "Grand" of all of them, just to the NE of Ashland.
Pictured (coutesy of Cassie) is the only remaining oredock in the Ashland (Chequamegon bay) area. Rail cars would roll in along the top of the dock and drop their lot into the chutes (pictured folded up) and into awaiting ships. The massive size of this dock can not be captured on film...
The day was very beautiful, but when we jetted past Madeline island and started hitting more of the 'big-open-waters', temps dropped a bit. It also didn't help that we were jettin' along at 35 MPH in an open boat, too. A few of us found ourselves bundling up with some beach towels until stopping at the next 'sight-seeing' location...
This was Cassie's first time out on the Big waters ... she had only been on the boat one other time last summer for a short trip.....
Upon returning and driving along the marina, I saw my next vehicle!!! Again, pictures can't really show the massiveness of this truck!!! But it appears to have an extended extended cab, and you might be able to see part of the trailer in the picture; also yellow and LONG! We tried to imagine the boat that belonged with the rig!!! Gotta love the color!!!!
Back at the farmstead, Cassie (and all the girls) were in 7th heaven! Watson is Jeff and Kylie's 2 year old golden retriever / cocker spaniel mix. (Yeah, I know...imagine THAT pairing!) He was just the darn-tootin' CUTEST thing ever! He is such a lover! I kept joking with Kylie that he is the perfect size to stash into Cassie's duffle bag AND that I would be willing to make a trade: Watson for one of the girls! :0)Maddie is DH's sister's chocolate lab; also a lover and VERY well behaved dog. Neither "parents" had to worry about keeping their dog entertained with the girls around!
On the quilting front: VERY little done. I took some fabric up with us and traced/cut out some pieces for a little sampler I'm attempting ALL BY HAND (hand piecing, hand quilting). I can't go into too much more detail because it's a final PIF gift for one of my lovely recipients.
On the running front: I had a lovely run Saturday morning, and sadly, that's it. My sister's city's 5K is coming up this weekend, any chance of a PR is 100% out the window, but it'll still be a fun day with sister and Cassie both taking part in running events as well.
On the gardening front: exciting! GPa and Gma surprised both DH and I with a little C'mas in July present and we are now proud owners of a 17" rear-tine tiller. We arrived home last night at 5:30, and by 6:00 it was motoring away in the garden, and will be motoring away for most of the day today (once the girls wake up and I get outside). Weeds had definitely taken over one of our strawberry patches and one of our corn patches. Today, I will take on the BIG corn patch and the medium corn patch, as well as the potato area of the garden. We were asked this weekend if we had a large garden (by the lady salesman when we went to pick up the tiller); we chuckled and said "No, we have three." I never really sat back to think about how much "garden" we really have.... we have the main garden (~30' x 90'), then we have a LARGE area that is only corn (~100' x 120') and then one smaller patch of strawberries and corn (~10' x 30'). Dad (DH's dad) knows we have broadened our "gardening areas," so when we asked to borrow his tiller a couple of weeks back (to make our job easier), he and Mom went lookin'. DH and I were quite shocked and DID NOT expect this at all.
Okay---time to get my day going while awaiting the girls to wake.
Happy Monday
It sounds like the perfect weekend, something of everything that you love. And what a great present. I'd love to see some pictures of your gardens.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous way to spend a holiday weekend! Having friends with boats is so much better than having to take care of one yourself. We had a sailboat before we had quite so many children. The first time we took Anna out on it, she threw up all over us. We never took her out again and then sold the boat when Kurt got tired of taking it out alone.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing with all of that garden space, you will be doing some serious canning in a few months. I'm sure that new tiller will make things much easier for you.
My great grandmother was raised in Ashland Wisconsin! I always meant to get there one weekend when their historical society was open to research things..I think they had a farm..last name Gullingsrud. This would have been early 1900's I guess, she died in 1991--small world!
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