Pages

8/31/11

Lake City Swimming Beach

We have spent a fair amount of time at the swimming beach this summer.

You never know what you are going to see here! These "bikes" were very unusual..
Margaret having a look inside
This one had a cover
They weren't very big!
We always wave when "The Pearl" goes by!
Sunset is beautiful here, and surprisingly, not very crowded.
Very windy this day!

8/28/11

Camping with the Girl Scouts

My co-leaders and I took our troop of Junior Girl Scouts camping last week, finally, after postponing twice due to weather. First they learned how to set up tents...we had three different kinds for them set up.


The path (cliff) down to the secret fort. Ever notice how every campsite has a secret fort?




the secret fort was pretty cool.









Scouts making lunch....we cooked every meal over the fire.




In lieu of the traditional sit-upons, my co-leader had this idea! Buckets that the girls decorated...they were great because they could store their belongings in it and not lose flashlights, bug spray, water bottles......




Hobo dinners




God's eye



The moon rise was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!






morning view from our campsite



making breakfast



Omelettes in a bag.




They turned out great! Everyone got to make their own.




We did a service project for the park; raked the beach free of debris...the girls worked so hard! This photo was also on the front page of our local paper.




glow bracelets cut open.





Glorious sunrise!!!!!!!!



8/21/11

Cicadas

It has been cicada mania around here for the last two weeks...We know a great spot to take a daily walk and collect exoskeletons and if we are lucky find a cicada or two to watch emerge.
Margaret's tummy

the girls hung these exoskeletons all over the park office window

twins!


new adult


wearing some cicada exoskeletons


emerging


the wings are all rolled up


brand new adult next to it's exoskeleton


8/16/11

Quarry Hill Nature Center Rochester, MN

We visited Quarry Hill Nature Center last week. http://qhnc.org/

Lots of trails here!


Old retaining wall


Stream trail


Family Trail

Woodland trail

Stream Trail


Margaret identified this burdock


Exploration Hall


Timber rattlesnake








Eastern Screech Owl Spiny soft shell

Common Snapping turtle


Blanding's turtle




bird observatory


this little red squirrel entertained us for a while.