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