Summers are short in northern Minnesota (for frame of reference, it’s been down to about 42F the last couple of nights). So when the weather is nice, as it has been lately, you have to get out and take advantage of it. Which is what we did, non-stop, all weekend long.
Saturday was cool, breezy, and clear. We took a morning walk, and then headed out to the Grand Portage reservation around lunchtime to catch the grand entry of their dancers at the annual pow-wow. We’ve been for the last several years and the children really enjoy looking at the elaborate costumes and head dresses and watching them dance to their traditional drumming. It is a striking display.
After the dancing and a look at all the sales tables – my daughter bought herself and her brother each a buffalo tooth, because hey, it was there – my dad and step-mother and I took the children to a beach along Lake Superior. It was windy enough that the waves were pretty high but that didn’t put the children off at all, nor did the fact that the water couldn’t have been more than 40F – they both stripped down to their underwear and dove in! What doesn’t kill them…
Sunday was another gorgeous day. We packed a picnic lunch, the canoe, and off we went to the Swamp River. First we had lunch – bratwurst cooked over a campfire, cheetos, and smores – and then we got in the canoe. I’m surprised we didn’t sink it as much as we all ate! The river was tranquil and lovely as always – so calm in places it was like a mirror.
After our big lunch and our canoe trip, we went blueberry picking. That makes it sound easy – before we found any blueberries we first had to climb a small mountain along a trail that was a tad overgrown. I really should have brought along a machete. I had on jeans and insect repellent, but someone needs to write to the makers of Off! and tell them that the Minnesota mosquitoes and black flies laugh in the face of their floral fresh spray. They bit me through my shirt so thoroughly I look like I have measles on my back! (we won’t talk about my face!)
We were at least rewarded at the top with a bumper crop of blueberries.
So my city children learned a thing or two this weekend: 1) don’t rock the boat – particularly if you are in a canoe, 2) always wear jeans when going hiking with grandpa, 3) don’t beat on rotten logs unless you want to stir up the ants, 4) it’s a good idea to pee downhill if you want to keep your shoes clean.
Less than a week left now. Time flies when you’re having fun…
Those are all excellent things to learn… I think I’m jealous of the blueberries!
by anny cook August 13th, 2008 at 10:59 amThe berries have been spectacular this year – it’s a good year to be a bear!
by Jenyfer August 13th, 2008 at 1:59 pm