Superior

 We had our 40th wedding anniversary in June, but we chose to wait until September to take a trip to celebrate it.  The first week of September we headed north to a favorite area, the north shore of Minnesota along Lake Superior.  Since we've been here several times before, we know our favorite spots, but still manage to find new ones.  We spent the first day and a half in Duluth, hiking, shopping, and sightseeing.  My favorite stores there are Duluth Pack, Duluth Trading, and new this year was Frost River Pack.  We hiked the Lakewalk to the old Fitger's brewery, which is now shops (bookstore!), restaurants, and hotel. We enjoy hanging out in Canal Park watching for big ships entering and exiting the harbor.

As we head north along North Shore Drive, our first stop is usually at Russ Kendall's smoke house for smoked fish.  We spent some time in Two Harbors before reaching Grand Superior Lodge, where we stayed while up north.  One of the things I like so much about that area, is the variety of activities.  There are numerous State Parks, Light houses, water falls, and beaches along the North Shore.  I did a lot of hiking, including short stretches of the Superior Hiking Trail.  It was unusually warm for the area, so there were lots of people swimming in the rivers and lake.  I thought the water was still a little cold for swimming!

The scenery is beautiful up there, and fall was just around the corner.

The view of the Lake from our balcony.

We had a very nice, relaxing trip, and we laughed at ourselves a lot.  I am always impressed with the variety, beauty, and power of God's creation.  Our children even financed much of the trip as an anniversary gift.

The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters.               Psalm 29:3

Burlington

 We made our now annual trek to Burlington for a granddaughter's birthday party/family picnic on the last Saturday of August.  This year we were in the historic downtown area.  We had our picnic in High Hill Park with its stately old trees and a view of the Great River Bridge and the Mississippi River.  After the picnic we took some grandkid pictures, as all 14 of them were present.

We lined up all the kids here except the two babies.

  We then strolled through the streets of stately old houses to Snake Alley, the crookedest street in America.  After walking down it and then back up, we went back to our cars and drove down it.  I have been down Lombard Street in San Francisco twice,  and this one is tighter and all brick.  I can't believe that this is the first time I've been here after all the times I've been in B-town over the years.

We then visited the Des Moines County Heritage Museum (the old library), and enjoyed the exhibits.  The children especially enjoyed the play room with its log cabins, riverboat, animal pen, corn field, river, and toys to play with in all of the above.

The stained glass window in the old library.

We headed to Mepo for the birthday party and supper.  The rest of the family headed back home in the evening, but we stayed overnight with Jake and Rachel and went to church in B-town on Sunday.  Dave and Charlene had us for breakfast Sunday morning, and we enjoyed our day of worship with them, our children, and grandchildren in church.  It was a very nice weekend.

My tractor and planter spent a couple weeks in the Bottomline Solutions shop.  We worked together and installed Delta Force.  It saved me money to work with them, and I had access to their experience and expertise.  There shop is close, and much roomier than mine, and I decided to get it installed now rather than wait until winter.  I'm looking forward to planting with it next spring.

  I also traded my old platform for a used draper head.  We are in the process of preparing the equipment for harvest.

And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.                                                                 Luke 23:54