It's All About Bella!

So this is Dirty Dancing?

We took Bella to the beach.  She loves to dance and prance in the sand but will have nothing to do with the water.  Ken tried throwing her in.  That turned out to be a major mistake.  She was on her way home in a BIG way!  Enjoy the pictures all about our Bella, who brings us such joy! 

That was pretty good, huh?

So you think this is funny?

I'm going to charge you now.  I'm done with the beach thing!

Hey, I may have gotten tired, but this sand is cool.

Ken and Jane's Wild Blueberry Cobbler!!!!

Whew!!!  360 miles from Grand Rapids, Minnesota to Marquette, Michigan in the Upper Penninsula. We were really tired when we got in.  Today we spent the day running a few errands and enjoying the park, the name of which is Gitche Gumee RV Park.  Lake Superior is right across the street and is beautiful.  There is a beach there which we will enjoy tomorrow.  At any rate, today we picked wild blueberries.  It was fun for both of us, if not a little time consuming.  We, in the end, picked about a pint.  Jane prepared a "Wild Blueberry Cobbler", which turned out pretty good, with enough blueberries left to make another one.  You can see the results of our efforts; however, sorry to say, it is only us to enjoy the fruits of our labor!!!  

Grand Rapids Minnisota Judy Garland Museum

July 26, 2010

Jane arriving at museum

Today we visited the Judy Garland Museum.  The tickets were expensive, and the museum not what you expected.  The house is very nice, the museum offering limited memorabilia.  The gift shop was way over priced.  However, Garland enthusiasts would find it rewarding.

Another view of Garland's birthplace.

The photos shown are from outside of Judy's home in which she was born.

Northern Minnesota

Mississippi River Headwaters  July 25, 2010

Walking the Wooden Log Across MS River

Jane Walking Across MS Headwaters!  Wow!

We actually walked across, stood in and just were ecstatic in the opportunity to experience the Headwaters of the Mississippi River!!!  To think this is the beginning of the Mississippi River!  Wow!  It is interesting to note that women were instrumental in the finding of and caring for the Headwaters.  We both had the best time as exemplified by the photographs.  More than anything, though, you can see the beauty of the area.  All of the people around shared with each other where they were from (and they were from everywhere--even Mississippi), and this was fun.  All seemed to enjoy themselves.  We walked up a trail and found a wooden log you could walk across the river on, as you will see in the photos.  We walked that, took photos, and enjoyed the beauty of the trail.  We would recommend this trip to anyone coming to the Itasca State Park in Northern Minnesota near Bemidji.

Ken Having a Great Time!

Wading the Mississippi!

Visit to Custer State Park

July 12, 2010

On July 12th we went to a beauty of a state park, Custer State Park, as you see to your right.  We made plenty of photos and have inserted a few here to give a sense of what the park offered.  The next pictures are along Needles Highway.  While driving through the highway we encountered buffalo which are interesting to observe. The last two pictures are of the cathedral spires.  

It was a beautiful day and we are awe struck at the very different and quite pretty formations of the rock, and (not pictured here) a great view of Mount Rushmore as you came out of a tunnel.  It is breathtaking, absolutely thrilling.  We are leaving South Dakota on the 20th of July, and will always remember how nice our stay was here.  We certainly enjoyed all of the sites and beauty of the area including the Native Indian History in this area.  We will miss the friends that we made also.  We are very blessed to have experienced the people and this area.  Please pray for our safe travel.  Blessings!

Rapid City, South Dakota

July 12, 2010

Below is the ranch we are planning to buy!  Just kidding. Doesn't Ken look the handsome cowboy? We took a drive, and this was on the way to Bare Butte, the hill (or mountain) you see above, and saw this beautiful ranch on the way, and so we stopped and took some photos.
We are having a great time; however, we are leaving the beginning of next week (Monday).  We will work our way to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan from here.  Pray for our safe travel.

Rapid City, South Dakota

July 8, 2010

At 10:40pm Ken and I witnessed the International Space Station fly over Rapid City from the west, and we could identify the solar panel wings and habitat modules.  The night sky was so clear--the International Space Station being the brightest object in the sky.  It was amazing!

Earlier today we took a trip through Spearfish Canyon and Ken and I had our picture taken in front of the Bridal Veil fall.  It was a beautiful fall, and a beautiful drive altogether.  There was a running stream, and was not only pretty but the water very cold and clear (shown above).  We both took several photos and enjoyed every minute of it.  We spent some more time there taking pictures of wildflowers and "neat" things there near the running water.  We went on to the town of Deadwood.  We again tried our hand at the penny slots, and both lost everything we played (LOL).  So much for that.

It has really been an enjoyable time while here.  The black hills are really very pretty when the clouds hang over them, or at dusk when the shadows provide the black look to them.  We marvel at them, and have taken several photographs.  The picture above is of the setting sun as night closes in.

Bella has made a new friend of a neighbor of ours--as he feeds her treats when he is outside when she is.  She looks for him every time we take her out.