LET THERE BE LIGHT ON DAVE'S BIRTHDAY

The birthday day boy at Slit Rock Lighthouse

 

The light that did its job since the early 1900's.

 

 

The houses for the workers of the lighthouse.

 

One of the bedrooms

 

Vannie and Dave had to walk down a bunch of steps to get this shot...and walk back up.  They were doing some huffin' and puffin' when they got back to the parking lot. 

 

New friends, Barbara and Al

 

A sidewalk scene in Ely, MN...really a pretty little town!

 

…and there was light on Dave’s birthday at the Split Rock Lighthouse near Silver Bay, MN.  Since it was his birthday, Dave said that I could go with them to see the lighthouse.  Of course, I had to stay in the parking lot, but I could see it out in the distance…and I got to listen to all the people as they returned to their cars talking and laughing about their experience.

This was the first time for all of us to see a real lighthouse.  It was just like we all imagined that it would be…lots of steps, big glowing light, high up, a keeper and his house, circular staircase, lots of rocks.  This one was right on Lake Superior.  Really a sight to behold!

After the light house, V and D dropped me off at our campground.  I was pooped!  They were hooking up with some friends of friends in Ely, MN.  It was about an hour drive west of where we were.  Barbara and Al were friends of Julie and Ewell Smith from Lafayette.  Julie had told Vannie if they got close to Gilbert, MN to give Barbara a call.  Vannie didn't know Barbara from Adam, but that didn't stop her from calling. Barbara was a risk taker, too, so they decided that Ely would be halfway between and a good place to meet.  V and D are always excited about meeting new people and making new friends.  They connected…toured the small town, shopped, and, of course, ate.  Barbara and Al even bought their dinner in honor of Dave’s birthday, and the waitress gave him a free dessert.  How cool is that!!!

Dave was still glowing when he walked through my door back at the campground.  Happy Birthday, my friend!

 

WE MADE IT BACK IN

USA Border...We were feeling a little nervous.

 

High Falls on the Pigeon River In MN

Vannie used to teach a Turtle Unit.  She loved this mosaic on the floor of the Nature Center.

The turtle is a very special symbol in the Ojibwe Tribe.

 

Thimble Berries...Never heard of those...Someone on the trail told V and D that they made wonderful jelly.

 

Look carefully and you can see Lake Superior between those trees.

 

A special Nook just for V and D

 

…Thank the Lord…we didn’t have too much trouble getting back in to the United States.  The grime-faced guard at the border was not impressed by Vannie and Dave’s expired passport.  There was no smiling or joking around…this was serious business.  He looked inside the truck and then came back to check inside me.  I was on my best behavior.  Sure didn’t want to tick him off.  He mostly just looked in my refrigerator.  He took stuff out and put stuff back in.  Finally, he decided to confiscate that one lone lime.  Can you make a bomb with a lime?  Probably!  Well, that was that, and he said, “Go on in and remember to renew those passports.”  I was wiping the sweat from my brow, and thanking the good Lord that we didn’t have to live in Canada.  Don’t get me wrong…it’s a great place…but I’m a citizen of the US of A, and proud of it!

We stopped at a rest stop right across the border.  V and D needed a little breathing room after the border experience.  They ate lunch and visited the tourist center.  There was a beautiful nature walk leading out to the High Falls on the Pigeon River.  Their mouths were still hanging open when they got back to me.  High Falls plummets 120 feet.  It is considered the highest falls in the states.  One of the Niagara Falls is higher, but it is in Canada. There are 3 falls at Niagara.  The other 2 are in the states and are around 70-100 high.  Remember this if you are ever on Jeopardy.

We stayed overnight at Temperance State Park right on Lake Superior.  After V and D unhooked me, they headed down to the Lake with their cup of coffee, lawn chairs, and Kennels.  When I saw the pictures, I loved the special little nook that they discovered.  It was made just for them.

Heading down to Tettegouche State Park tomorrow.  V and D have some friends of some friends that they are going to try to look up.

 

 

 

THE YEAR IS 1816

Fort Willam...Canada

 

Me perched on the hill 

 

Canadian Geese...my new friends

 

 

Ft. William was all about fur trading...Vannie loved feelin' the goods!

 

Attention!!!  Come on, Dave, get with the program!

 

 

This was used to trap the beavers for their prized fur...Can you guess?  This was placed very carefully on the trap, and when the beaver gave it a sniff...Bam...It was caught!  OK...Give up?  Beaver sex glands!

 

 

V and D said they used muscles that didn't know they had.

 

Leaving Ft. William...Nice Place

 

 

Kakabeka Falls

 

…well, not really…but we are camped at Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay, Canada.  It has a replica of the real Fort William way back when.  Fort William was considered the capital of the greatest fur trading empire on the continent.  Vannie and Dave enjoyed touring the fort and really getting the “feel” of how it was in 1816.  They got to step back in time and experience the wigwams of the local Ojibwa tribe, see birch bark canoes under construction, visit animals on the working Farm, touch the many different pelts in the fur stores, meet the doctor in the Apothecary, see how beavers were trapped (and the unusual bait used), watch the bread being made and baked, and paddle down the river in a canoe. 

As for me…I’m still riding on the awesome greeting we received upon our arrival.  Dave pulled me in my spot, unhooked me from the truck, plugged me in to water and electricity and then they came.  Geese…Canadian Geese…about 100!  They were all around me…visiting, eating, relaxing.  They were so happy to see a big shiny thing like me, and I was happy to see them, too.  I’ve never seen a Canadian goose.  I thought they would be really messy, but they were as neat as a pin.  Other birds that joined us the next day were seagulls.  Now, I know about those.  Saw plenty of those in Louisiana and when we were in Gulf Shores.  The geese and the seagulls kept me company while V and D did their touring.

After their day at the Fort, Vannie and Dave squeezed out a little more energy to visit Kakabeka Falls.  The Ojibwa Indians were one of the earliest people to see the Falls, naming it after the Ojibwa word kah-kah-pee-kah which means “sheer cliff”, “thundering waters” or “high falls”.  Don’t you just love it when I throw in a little history lesson!

Oops…almost forgot to tell you about Lake Superior.  Now, that is one big sucker!  It looks like the Gulf of Mexico…water as far as the eye can see.   It’s a beautiful sight, and I overheard Vannie and Dave say that we were going be seeing a lot more of it as we travel back down into Minnesota.

Neh-neh-tee-neh…Indian word for “Good Night”…Gotcha…I just made that up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

GYPSY DANCES UNDER THE MAPLE LEAF

The Maple Leaf, our emblem dear

City park in Fort Francis, Ontario...dancing under the Maple Leaf

 

Out my bathroom window...I'm singing now!

 

Checkpoint Charlie!  The scene of the crime...or, almost crime!

 

Tea, anyone!

 

The Maple Leaf, our emblem dear,

The Maple Leaf forever

God save our Queen and Heaven bless

The Maple Leaf forever

I feel pretty

Oh, so pretty

I feel pretty and witty and bright

I can’t stop dancing and singing right under the big red and white Canadian flag with the big red maple leaf.  We have been at the city park in Fort Francis, Ontario, Canada for 2 days.  It is a little town just across the border from International Falls, MN.  Of course, I’m feelin’ good today…but yesterday…a little nervous.

When we pulled up to the border, Dave handed the guard his and Vannie’s passports.  The guard looked at him over the tops of his glasses and said, “I’m sure you are working on renewing these.”  Dave looked back with a blank expression.  The guard motioned for us to go on through.  Dave looked at Vannie and said, “What did he say? Renew…what did he mean by that?”  Vannie looked at the passports and discovered that their passports expired in January of this year.  How could that happen?  Then the guard asked Dave if he had any guns, mace, etc.  The answer was “No, Sir."

OK…Now came the search…This time there were two guards.  They asked us to pull off to the side.  They repeated the same question as the first guard.  A light came on in Dave’s head.  He remembered the mace that was hanging on a keychain right inside me by the door.  Oops…forgot!  He told the guard, thank goodness.  The guard said if he had not told him, and he had found it during the search, there could have been a $500 fine and possible jail.  Ouch!!!!  The two guards searched the truck and me from top to bottom.  I felt a little violated, but, of course, I kept my mouth shut.  I thought we were already in hot water.  When the search was complete, we passed and were sent on our way with broad smiles.  All in all, the Canadians were very nice, considering V and D had not done their homework about crossing borders.  Just hope they let us back in the USA with those expired passports.  LOL

Today Vannie was reading the local newspaper and discovered that the Fort Francis museum was having tea and scones at 1:00 pm.  There would be an author attending the event. She would be signing her new book about a pioneer woman.  Vannie couldn’t let this go by, so off she went to have tea and scones with the ladies.  The museum was small but delightful.  The tables were set, and the scones were made, and the tea was brewing.  She sat with a little lady that was very hard of hearing, but they both enjoyed the event and each other’s company.  Afterwards they toured the museum’s special exhibit of bone china.

Tomorrow I will dance and sing my way to Thunder Bay.  More new adventures!

 

 

IN THE BEGINNING...

Vannie walking across the Mississippi.

 

Dave doing the same in a different spot.

 

One hiking trail...a very nice one, I might add.

 

Another trail...not so nice, but adventuresome.

 

oops...Vannie forgot the bug spray!

 

Charles Lindbergh's boyhood home in Little Falls, MN

 

Me taking in the sights...or is it sites!  In this instance, I think it could be either.

 

 

 

…there was a river, and God said, “It is good”. 

As you know, Vannie, Dave, and I started our lives together in Louisiana.  That is where the Mississippi River is big and muddy.  Well, when we arrived at the Itasca State Park in Minnesota, V and D could hardly wait to hike down to the headwaters of the Mississippi…that’s where it all begins.  That song, Ol Man River, kept going over and over in my head…

Ol’ man river,

Dat ol’ man river

He mus’ know sumpin’

But don’t say nuthin’;

He jes’ keeps rollin’

He keeps on rollin’ along.

Vannie gave me a long hard look as they headed on their hike.  I really think she could hear me singing.  That little smile she gave me said it all.

When they returned, they talked about the how small the river was and how clear it was.  This was way different than the one we all know and love.  It was just a baby…a little tike…a beginning.  It wasn’t sayin’ nuthin’, but it knows a lot of sumpin’, and we are proud to know that it jes’ keeps rollin’ along. 

V and D love to hike….and this park had lots of trails.  But the mosquitoes…oh, the mosquitoes…they are terrible.  One day they left without the spray, and almost got eaten alive. 

Another cool place we visited was Charles Lindbergh’s boyhood home in Little Falls, MN.  Vannie and Dave enjoyed walking around the area.  The home wasn’t open for visitors, but Vannie said it was still neat to get to walk where Lindbergh had walked.  I could even see the house from where I was parked.  I like it when that happens.

…and God said, “It is good.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

IT'S ABOUT TIME

Darlene and Vannie

The Ashley's Cabin on Clear Lake

Al and Dave cookin' burgers

The Famous Darlene Rhubarb Pie

Dave waiting for the restroom at the flea market...Look.... Silo restrooms

Cheese Curds

Fried Cheese Curds

It's about Time...Someone came to see me!!!

OK…It’s about time someone came to see me.  Darlene and Al Ashley originally from Minnesota…lived in Lafayette 30 years ago…now living back in Minnesota…came to me.  It’s been 30 years since Vannie and Dave have seen and visited with them.  They went to the same church while Darlene and Al were in Lafayette…First Methodist.

So…when Dave got their number from a friend, he gave them a call.  They live in St. Paul, but were at their camp about 30 minutes from us.  Can you believe that!!!  Vannie and Dave hightailed it over to their camp and had supper with them and took a delightful pontoon boat ride on the lake.  When Vannie was telling me about it, she got so excited, because this is the second couple they know that has a pontoon…the other being Claudia and Orville Steen in Louisiana. Al cooked hamburgers on the grille and boiled some of that good Minnesota corn.  Darlene fixed a big fruit salad with a rhubarb pie for dessert. Vannie said Dave couldn’t stop hugging himself.  She has been feeding him mostly fruits and veggies, so he thought he had died and gone to heaven.  He told me he ate 2 burgers and 2 pieces of pie. Pigged out!!!

The next day V and D met Darlene and Al at a flea market nearby.  Kettle corn, fried cheese curds (sounds terrible, but delicious), hot chocolate, stuff and more stuff, and lots of fresh veggies.  Vannie bought more corn (surprise surprise), beets, bell peppers and kohlrabi (they said it tastes like cabbage).  After the flea market, they all came to see me.  I could hardly wait to meet Darlene and Al.  They were just as nice as could be…and, of course, they loved me.

It has been wonderful at the Minnesota Airstream Park.  We have made more friends…eaten more new stuff…seen sites…rested…recouped…and enjoyed life.  We came here to stay one week, but have stayed three.  Tomorrow we are heading to where the Mississippi begins and then on into Canada from there.  One the Road Again!

PAUL DOES ST. PAUL

Dave and Vannie with "THE"

 Paul Begnaud

 

Standing by the Great and Mighty Mississippi River

Paul's Son, Blake, and his wife, Kathy

Leather Works Minnesota

Another one of Paul's Sons...Kent and his wife, Lee

Pain Perdu

Ramsey Court House with the BIG statue

Décor reminded Dave of the Empire State Building

No matter where we travel, it seems we can always find somebody we know…and that’s what happened this week.  Vannie and Dave’s good friend from Scott, LA, Paul Begnaud, spends the summers in St. Paul, MN.  He has kids that live in this area, and he, himself, lived here many years ago.  Paul is the one guy that literally taught Dave the drapery business…the ins and outs, the ups and down.  Paul is 90 years young.  You wouldn’t believe it by the way he looks and gets around.  He drives and cooks and loves life!  A lesson for us all!

We were about an hour from St. Paul in our campground in Clear Lake.  I held the fort down while V and D made the trip over to see Paul.  Vannie said the gumbo was on the stove simmering when they arrived.  Paul had brought chickens and seasonings from Early’s Grocery Store in Scott.  It was truly a taste of home.  Paul’s son, Blake, and daughter-in-law, Kathy was there, also, to give us the full Minnesota welcome.  Dave said they felt like royalty. 

After eating, Blake and Kathy drove V and D down to Stillwater, MN.  Vannie said it was a sweet little town right on the St. Croix River.  The St. Croix is the north-south boundary water that separates Minnesota from Wisconsin.  They walked around in the downtown area checking out antique shops, a German Christmas store, and along the river walk.  The river was actually lapping over the sidewalk. 

V and D spent the night with Kathy and Blake in their basement.  Being from Louisiana, basements are just something V and D have read about in books.  So to actually get to sleep in one was a treat.  They were up and at ‘um the next morning.  Paul was already calling about his “pain perdu” breakfast he was preparing for them.  He called to tell Kathy to please bring a “bucket” of milk.  Guess he thought they were going to milk the cow before coming over.

Of course, Vannie said the “pain perdu” or French toast was out-of-this-world…made from whole milk, butter, sugar, lots of vanilla, white bread (thick slices) and fried in butter.  Dave said he could feel his arteries clogging, but, at that moment, who cares!

After breakfast, Paul was ready to show V and D around St. Paul.  Although they could have had a nap after that breakfast, they piled in his car and headed out to see the sites.  The Indian mounds along the Mississippi, the Ramsey County Court House with the huge Indian statue inside, the beautiful cathedral, the gorgeous old neighborhoods, Leather Works (Kent Begnaud’s business, another son of Paul’s), and the Capital were all part of the tour.  They ended up at a cute little restaurant for a late lunch.  Paul wanted them to try the special which was a Juicy Lucy Burger.  V and D just couldn’t do it.  After eating gumbo and French toast, they just had to have a little lettuce.  I thought that sounded a little wimpy, but to each his own.

Wow…what a visit…V and D headed back to me and Clear Lake with full tummies, full hearts, and happy memories.