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babyseeester · July 10, 2005, 6:20pm

DH and I got back yesterday from a week in Minnesota with my family. My one sister lives in Ely and the rest of the family came from Ohio. It wasn't everybody, but almost. We shared a 3 bedroom/2 bath cabin at Timber Trail Lodge. It overlooked Farm Lake. We had our own fire pit and boat dock. We made a fire every night and some nights, roasted marshmallows for smores or just plain marshmallows. We also had cook outs. Other nights we made my mother's version of spaghetti sauce, which was yummy. Almost everyone took turns making breakfast. We rented paddle boats and one day, my sister rented a pontoon boat to take us around the other lakes. It is absolutely beautiful there - so quiet and serene. We loved to listen to the loons at night. My little grand niece has gotten pretty good at imitating them. We had a pretty large group of baby ducks around our dock. We also saw several deer and the last night we were there, we saw a doe with 2 babies. They were so cute! This was the first time that we all sat around the dinner table and enjoyed a meal together. When I go back to Ohio for visits, it's usually just a pot luck and we don't actually sit down to a meal. It was great. We discovered a fun game called Pocket Farkle. That provided hours of fun for adults and children alike. All of us went to tour a local mine that stopped production in the early 60's. It was fascinating. Of course, we also did a little shopping. Oh, I almost forgot, my sisters, nieces, and grand niece went to the Ely 4th of July parade. OMG, it was the most fun parade I've ever been to. They know how to have fun. The kids got a ton of candy, CD's, books, balls, etc., that were tossed out to the crowd. I even got a hug from a man dressed as a woman! LOL The weather was great, but heated up the last 2 days. We only had a couple of small showers. We took walks, ate and LAUGHED A LOT!!! I, for one, really needed that. I know that many of us said this was the best vacation we have ever had. I took a lot of pictures and am about to download them now. They only real mishap was when my sister knocked my niece's cell phone in the water and I had to fish it out with a shovel! LOL She said she needs a new one anyway. There was no TV, radio, or even cell phone reception, except in town. We also visited a goat farm that was down the road and were given a sample of goat milk. It's not bad! The goat milk is used to make goat milk soap, so we had to buy some as gifts. We even met the goat that is the 'cover girl' on the label.

MNlady13 · July 10, 2005, 6:30pm

Sounds like you had a wonderful time, Kathy. Sorry we did not connect, but maybe some other time. Glad you enjoyed your visit to the MOA. It is really something, isn't it? I don't get out there very often, but I am always amazed at the number of people there when I do go. Glad you are home again. Now it is time to catch up on the board and laundry, right? Don't over do. Try to save and savor some of the good times you had. Hugs, Lauri

"Go confidently into the direction of your dreams. Live the life you always imagined" Thoreau

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

gma · July 10, 2005, 6:36pm

Oh what a wonderful vacation! You sound so happy and relaxed and unstressed. I read in books about the call of the loons and have no idea what it sounds like. We had family vacations in NH when I was young and I still remember and relive the sights. sounds, smells and the great family times playing games. What is Pocket Farkle? Now don't try to get all the laundry done too fast and enjoy your memories. Hugs MK

babyseeester · July 10, 2005, 7:55pm

DH is the laundry king! LOL The 3rd load is in the dryer as I type. The loon call is very pretty and unique. The MOA IS amazing. If anyone goes to the Minneapolis area I highly recommend spending a week there - LOL! It seems like it would take that long to see it all. Our first experience as we walked through one of the stores was seeing a bride and groom walking through. Right next to that store is a bridal chapel! That was a first! I forgot to mention that we also went to the wolf center in Ely and saw them feed the wolves. It was a bit of a disappointment. No fighting and ravaging! LOL

L & H,

babyseeester · July 10, 2005, 7:56pm

Pocket Farkle is a dice game. There are 6 dice. Your goal is to be the first to reach 10,000. The minimum combination is 3 of a kind and 1's and 5's are the only ones that count to keep you going if you don't have 3 of a kind or something else. It's interesting. We all enjoyed it and bought our own versions to bring home.

L & H,

babyseeester · July 10, 2005, 8:03pm

Boy, I don't know where my head is. I forgot to tell you that I bought the pink rubber bracelets for BC and gave one to each of my sisters, SIL, nieces and grand niece. Every one of them wore it every day. We took a picture with us all wearing them. My grand niece, Emily, had gotten a pink ribbon pin for herself that she wanted each of us to take turns wearing, so each day we passed it along. I was the first to have the honor. She also had a BC beany bear. She is so sweet. She has been asking questions, so I took along pictures of the rads machine to explain it to her. Every one else was also interested. The adult women were amazed at my prosthesis and how heavy it is.

ardee · July 10, 2005, 11:21pm

Kathy,

I'm so glad you're home safely and that you had a good time. Pocket Farkle sounds like a cute game. I used to play stuff like that with my kids when I was teaching them to multiply. Sounds like the entire week was spectacular. I'm so glad you had a great time.

L&H,
Rita

possitive · July 11, 2005, 1:46am

Kathy it sounds like so much fun,and so nice that you spent time with your family My family doesnt get together anymore.If we did a few of them would probably argue and mess the whole event up.My dream is for my whole family to get together and have a good time,so hearing that you had a nice time makes me happy.Thank You for sharing with us. Love Tammy