3M Chemist

Today was career day at school today. She chose to be a 3M chemist!

Back Bend!

Laura has been working really hard on this for the last 4-5 days. I remember working on a back bend at her age, especially the part where you fall over on a couch cushion 50 times before you get strong enough to catch yourself. Great job Laura!

The Mighty Mississip

On our list of things to do before we move (move maybe? Have you heard it is on hold?) was to visit the headwaters of the Mississippi in Itasca State Park. This weekend was the perfect weekend all around - lodging, weather, health, family, etc.

Our beloved Cabin #12 at Bert's Cabins

Just down the hill from our cabin was a marshy area, full of ticks and adventure!

Largest White Pine in MN

The site of an 8500 year old bison hunt

Fire tower. Can you see the kids and Jim about 1/3 of the way up? We all made it up to the top!

The view was worth it

"Hello down there, tiny Dad and Laura"

An Andy Griffith Moment

This was probably our favorite part of the short trip. We were the only visitors at the cabins, so the entire area was ours for the exploring. We spent at least a few hours riding bikes around the dirt roads, trails, grass, and weaving in and out of trees. 

An attempt at a nice family picture

A more-realistic family picture

Socks

We saw several red squirrels and they fought a lot. Laura thinks they are cute when they aren't being naughty.

(picture by Laura)

Bike view 1

(picture by Laura)

Bike view 2

(picture by Laura)

Bike view 3

(picture by Laura)

And the whole reason for the trip - the headwaters! I didn't realize it flows out of a lake - Lake Itasca. 

Some events without photographic evidence:

Jim walked across the rocks too

Jim waded across farther downstream

Jenny and the kids waded down the middle of the Mississippi for about 1/4 mile to a bridge where we met Jim

The water was COLD

Froggy

(picture by Jim)

This kept the kids busy for a good long while :)

They were building a tent to hide under when the rain came. Unfortunately, it didn't rain until after bedtime :( But the design was surprisingly awesome!

We spied a hawk's nest on the way home. It was HUGE