The Porkies

In the 80's on Sunday so we took a trip to Porcupine Mountain State Park on Lake Superior.  This is the west end of the huge park, called the Presque Isle Wilderness.  We've hiked here a number of times in the past with the Smiths, the first time when Scott was about 2 months old.  It's a beautiful area with a board walk that follows the Presque River down to the lake.

Just beyond this outcropping the Presque River empties into Lake Superior.  Some fluff ball in the middle of the shot.

Fall Colors from the Bridge and Beach

Fall Boat Ride

We've had a beautiful stretch of Fall weather and decided to enjoy it by taking a long boat trip to Fence Lake and have lunch on the water.  Here's some shots taken on the way home from Fence Lake.   Mostly by Macy.

The channel and old bridge on the passage from Fence Lake to Big Crawling Stone.

The new bridge, Thoroughfare Road runs over it.

The passage between Fence and Crawling Stone

The bridge between Crawling Stone and Long Interlaken,  Hwy D passes overhead.

This boat was really moving on Interlaken, well over 50 mph.

In the passage between Interlaken and Flambeau lakes.

The bridge between Flambeau and Pokegama.

The old Indian School Boys Dormitory is now restored and open.  It houses a museum and the tribal archives as well as several Tribal departments.  Macy and I went to an open house there the day before this trip.  A remembrance of a time when the government decided to "Americanize" the native Americans.  The solution was to remove children from their families and keep them in school and in the dorms full time for total immersion.

Be it ever so humble!

Timber!

We are fortunate to live in the North Woods.  Unfortunately the white birch are a short lived tree and a constant maintenance issue.  8 trees near the garages, wood shed, and house needed to come down, so our good friends Custom Care took them all down and left me a new pile of logs to attack with my new chain saw.

I'm fascinated by specialized equipment.  This guy is for picking up logs and brush.  The operator stands on a small platform in the back along with about 500 pounds of lead to counter balance the load.

Ready to rumble!

You can see a log on the way to the ground here. 

Bowled Over - End of an Era

The Lac du Flambeau Indian Bowl is being torn down.  It's being replaced by a new museum, cultural center and outdoor performance arena that the tribe hopes will become a tourist destination.

The Bowl was built in 1952 and from then through the mid 90's two to three powwows a week were held.  Before the casinos entered the scene in the 80's it was the primary source of outside income for the tribe.  But times and tastes have changed, for about 10 years there was one performance a week and then none at all for the past three years.  Poor attendance.

Sad to see it go, it was a nice link to the past.  There was a final powwow on Saturday as part of the Wild Rice Festival.

Weekend Sit

Heather and Frank organized a beer and cheese hop for a group of their friends on Saturday.  They rented a party bus and left early for Madison and points south.  They had a great time.  They reported that one highlight was Frank having a limburger cheese sandwich with raw onion for dinner.  It's a meal that you don't forget...neither do your friends.  The waiter called it a widow maker.

Macy and I got to spend the day with Delaney and Beckett.  Right after the party bus departed we headed to the Elegant Farmer for apple picking, a hay ride, and lots of fun.

Here's some pics covering both events.

This crew knows how to pack for a trip

They also know how to start a trip.

The party bus, not too special on the outside

Inside was a different story.

Off they go to Madison

Lots to do at the Elegant Farmer, a fun place

On the hay wagon headed for the orchards

Delaney was a non stop apple eater

Back home we built a fort

Cruising Into Fall

Hopefully still lots of good cruising weather ahead!