Weekend on the North Shore

This past weekend I finally visited the North Shore of Minnesota. In fact, we hit up 7 state parks in 2 days. My favorite state park thus far in Minnesota is Cascade River - the lookout point was absolutely amazing. My least favorite was Gooseberry Falls just because there were so many people (I didn't even take any pictures). The water was crazy high which made all the water falls we hiked to a little more AMAZING! My trip was a quick tour of the highlights and my legs are still feeling a bit like jello from all the terrain but it was great to get out and about without leading 20 kids around! :)

Devils Kettle.

 Judge C.R. Magney state park is home to Devil's Kettle. Usually this is a really neat place because the waterfall splits into 2. Half continues on where its visible, the other half disappears. The water was so high that they turned into one fall. We could kinda make out the kettle but this is the one fall where the high water was a bit of  a let down.

Me at Cascade River

Lookout point from Cascade River state Park - probably the highlight of the trip for me.

 Cascade River was by far my favorite (although the waves crashing along the shore on Tettegouche came in a close second). The park had falls and amazing lookouts without many people. Defiantly would go back and explore this park more!

Waves on Lake Superior in Tettegouche.

High falls in Tettegouche State Park

Falls in Crosby Manitou

Split Rock State Park

HP!!!

Well folks, everything has to come to an end and this weekend the last Harry Potter was released. Note: If you didn't know this already, you must be living in actual woop-woop. 

 Anyways, I saw it Friday evening in 3-D. This is the second movie that I have seen in 3-D and I am still not sure that I am a fan of the technology. Yes, the new glasses make it better but still having to wear 2 pairs of glasses makes my eyes super tired. But back to the movie. The 3-D was awesome in some scenes but overall not really necessary. I thought that it was reasonably well done but of course things were altered slightly or left out from the book. And the books were FANTABULOUS! I cried several times while reading the series finale but the deaths and fight scenes left me underwhelmed in the movie. I was dried eyed! I did get a little teary eyed though when the movie ended. I have been entranced by these characters for the past 11 years so its a little sad to know that its all over. Now, how is this muggle supposed to get her Hogwarts fix?

P.S: If any of you are thinking that a certain series about vampires can replace Harry Potter you are sorely mistaken. :)

Summer Camp

What have I been up to lately and why have there been a lack of posts? First, a lightning strike killed the staff house internet. Second, and a bigger reason, is summer camp! Camp means that we work an insane amount hours and are with the kids from sun-up to sun-down. Here are a few of the highlights from last weeks forts, fires and fishing camp and this weeks ways of wildlife.

Sunset over Grindstone Lake

A dragonfly I got to stand on my hand :)

Really fun moth - again got it to stand on me!

Swimming Time!

A splash from a rock

At the vet clinic looking at heart worm

We still have a bunch of field trips for wildlife camp - including an overnight at the Great Lakes Aquarium which I am SUPER excited for. I will be sure to post after, if I survive the night ;)

Belated July 4th Weekend

Slightly late, but had a nice July 4th weekend even though I had to work Saturday and Monday.

The fun part was my parents came to watch me dive at the aquarium. Then we went to Canal Park and a state park just outside of Superior.

Mutti and I

The Parentals

On Monday, I had to work. We did a program in Moose Lake - we had a vehicle malfunction but once we got there it was smooth sailing. Afterwards, I went to fireworks in Finlayson which was a really good show considering its a town of 300! All in all, a successful weekend :)