My parents came to visit during the most wonderful time of the year - summer! No apologies were necessary like, "Sorry the snow is up to your elbows." or "Don't forget to pack extra pairs of long underwear." Instead, we were treated to record highs (much to their chagrin) and a little more humidity than we would have liked, but at least rain didn't dampen any of the many outdoor activities we had planned. Actually, the entire staycation was one big outdoor activity... from sight seeing in downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul to walking the rocky coast in Duluth or kayaking on Lake of the Isles. What fun laughing and sharing life together we had!
The lake was filled with these beauties.
Gavin taking it easy for a spell.
The kids being overly dramatic about how hot
they are and how done they are shopping.
The ruins of the old Gold Medal Flour factory looking out
onto an old stone arch bridge crossing the Mississippi River.
The grapes from a winery tour we took in Stillwater.
A gorgeous view of Gooseberry River leading out to
Lake Superior from the trails around Gooseberry State Park.
Mom and Dad at one of the trail heads in Gooseberry State Park.
They just liked the name Gitchi-Gami (what the Native Americans used
to call Lake Superior) and wanted a picture to remind them of it.
Dad (deathly afraid of heights) perched precariously close
to the edge of the cliff where the falls begin. Making sure
he has a firm grip on Mom so he doesn't have to jump over
the edge to rescue her, not because he's afraid or anything.
The falls. You never tire of looking at them.
Dad braved the cold water, big waves and slippery rocks
to make his way out to this lone rock and conquer it!
The kids examining the waves and what was being washed ashore.
There was lots of debris from the recent flooding Duluth experienced.
Praying he doesn't drop me in the cold water.
Sunset at the lake.
