Applefest (October 6, 2012)

Rochelle and Jon on the Iron Bridge in Bayfield, WI

A group picture with our fabulous parents

Weber's Apple Orchard

We spent our Saturday in Bayfield, WI at their annual Applefest with our parents. We waundered the streets of Bayfield and visited 3 apple orchards in the area: Hauser's, Erickson's, and Weber's, coming home with apples for eating, apples for drying, and apples for making apple sauce. Yummy! 

First Snow! (October 5, 2012)

Wow! October 5, we had our first snow fall. This afternoon the snow was flying in Cloquet. Jon and I are back to working together. I took a long-term sub job at Jon's school, directly across the hall from him teaching 8th grade math. I started the job on Sept. 26 and will continue working up until Christmas, maybe longer. Middle school kids are still middle school kids whether you are in Minnesota or Alaska. They truly are their own breed.

Wolf Ridge Reunion (Sept. 29-30, 2012)

 Donna and Rochelle with Moose Johnson and his gal pal

Beautiful fall colors at Wolf Ridge

Beautiful maples

Rochelle and Jessie

Rochelle and Jon on the Superior View Hike

We spent a weekend up at Wolf Ridge celebrating the learning centers 40th anniversary. All former employees were invited to celebrate and give our appreciation to its founder, Jack Picotta. This also gave us an opportunity to spend time with good Wolf Ridge friends. The weather could not have been better and the colors were at their finest. 

Wildlife in Wascott (Week of Aug. 26, 2012)

Feed Your Wild Side (August 14, 2012)

Minong: Home of Jack Link's Beef Jerky. I'm sure you have all seen the commercials, "messing with Sasquatch". My parents live 10 minutes from Minong and my dad actually works for Link RV in town. The town of Minong, WI is basically a monopoly, the majority of the town owned by Jack Link and his sons. Rumor has it that the annual town festival, Minong Days, will be changed next year to Sasquatch Days. Link paid for the rights.

Day Trip to Madeline Island (August 11, 2012)

On Saturday, Mom, Dad, Luke, Cheryl, Jon, and I took a long day trip to Madeline Island, one of the 22 Apostle Islands rising up from Lake Superior off the shore from Bayfield, WI. With bikes in tote, we boarded the ferry to take us from Bayfield to Madeline Island.

We biked about 20 miles total throughout our trip, pedaling along the paved roads and one multi-use gravel trail through the woods. We spent time on Barrier Beach, located in Big Bay State Park. While there a sandcastle contest was taking place, so we signed up. Although we were quite proud of our castle, we did not stick around for the judging. Following our visit to the beach, we left the state park and rode to La Pointe, the only town on the island. We parked our bikes and walked Main Street, taking in a late lunch and a church rummage sale. Sometimes used stuff is the best stuff. 

The weather was gorgeous. The sun was shining, not too cold, not too hot, and no wind. What more could you ask for?

Jon, Cheryl, Dad, Mom, and Luke riding the ferry from Bayfield to Madeline Island 

Cheryl, Luke, Rochelle, Dad, and Mom at Barrier Beach on Madeline Island 

The Sandcastle Contest on Barrier Beach- completed by "The Sand Bandits" (Cheryl, Luke, Jon, and Rochelle)

The Sand Bandits (Cheryl, Luke, Rochelle, and Jon) next to our sandcastle. 

Biking through Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island 

Riding the Capser Trail

On the Farm (August 7, 2012)

Today we visited Grandma and Grandpa Kukacka on their farm in Hastings. This was our first visit to their farm since moving back from Alaska. Grandpa's corn is in! It is as delicious as I remember. It is still the best corn that I have ever had. We were also sent home with a lot of kahlrabi, zucchini, squash, and beans. Nothing like a summer day at Grandma and Grandpa's farm. 

After our visits and eating some of the corn, we blanched and froze about 60 cups of this sweet treat for the winter.

At the Lake with the Kiddos (August 4-5, 2012)

Our niece and nephew were up in northern Wisconsin visiting Grandma and Grandpa, so we had to get over there for a visit. They are smiles and energy wrapped up in tiny human bodies. It has been so nice spending time with them after having large periods of time not seeing them while in Alaska.

 Ty hanging out with Grandma

A relaxing afternoon with Uncle Jon

Ty, Uncle Jon, and Auntie Rochelle

The kiddos and us. 

Ty is glad we're back from Alaska! 

Ty makes Grandpa laugh. 

Grandpa, Ty, Grandma, and Myra

Go Twinkies! (Tuesday, July 31, 2012)

On Tuesday, July 31, Jon and I made our first trip to Target Field with Nate and Danielle. We had the pleasure of joining Nate and Danielle for a beautiful evening of Minnesota baseball, something we haven't done in a very long time. 

Our first glimpse of Target Field.

Nate and Danielle

The First Five Weeks

Week 1: June 25-July 2, 2012

The girls (Jessie and Abby) are so excited that Jon is home!

(Hinckley, MN)

Week 2: July 3-9, 2012

A grasshopper eating Mom's basil. It was fun to see how fast of eaters grasshoppers are.

(Wascott, WI)

Young loon being fed by its parent. The baby loon was not yet diving on its own.

(Bond Lake, Wascott, WI)

Babysitting with Mom. Our niece and nephew, Myra (2 yrs.) and Ty (6 mo.)

(Cokato, MN)

Week 3: July 10-16, 2012

Kathy and Jon picking raspberries at High Hopes Berry Farm.

(Cloverdale, MN)

More raspberry pickin' at High Hopes.

Dad, Wade, Myra, Rita, and Jon swimming on Bond Lake.

(Wascott, WI)

Rochelle and Joe at Luke and Cheryl's wedding kickball game.

(Chester Park, Duluth, MN)

The Moravec Gals: Danielle, Cheryl, Rochelle, Mom, Rita, Myra.

(St. Michael's, Duluth, MN)

The Moravec Fam

(St. Michael's)

Luke, Rochelle, Wade, Joe

(Blackwoods Restaurant, Duluth, MN)

Danielle, Jon, and Rochelle at Luke and Cheryl's reception.

(Duluth Train Depot)

Myra and Rochelle riding the North Shore Scenic Railroad for Luke and Cheryl's wedding reception.

(Duluth, MN)

Moravec fam on the North Shore Scenic Railroad.

Ty-Man visiting Grandma and Grandpa with his buddy, Uncle Jon.

(Wascott, WI)

Week 4: July 17-23, 2012

No pictures this week, but we did have a great time in Hinckley eating a lot of fresh vegetables. The fresh sweet corn and the fresh beets were my favorite. Jon was able to take in some golfing with his dad (something you don't really get to do in Alaska) and Kathy and I went to Grindstone Lake for some kayaking and swimming. We have also spent some time riding our bikes on the rural roads near Kathy and George's. 

Week 5: July 24-30, 2012

Green tree frog on Mom's basil. Animals really seem to like Mom's basil.

(Wascott, WI)

Almost there...

Our one and only vehicle hits the 100,000 mile mark.

(Somewhere between Gordon and Solon Springs, WI)

Two loons in the water and four loons on a dock. Who is loonier? You make the call.

Mom, Dad, Jon, and I watched a mama loon and baby loon as they swam closer and closer to the dock we were sitting on. The baby swam within 5 feet of us. I think the baby was curious and obviously not threatened by us. The mama let the baby approach us and then suddenly sent an eerie call into the air as if telling the baby "don't go any closer little one, or else..." A couple of days later, on a canoe ride, we were able to get close to the two of them again. This time, baby loon was diving with mama. 

(Bond Lake, Wascott, WI)