Time to Ride!

We are sore. But it was worth it! We went this past weekend with the Smiths down to southern Minnesota to a state forest that opens its trails to dirt bikers two weekends a year. Normally, it's a horse trail system, but I think they let the dirt bikers come to pack the trails down for the horseys :). We had a blast!!! The trails were different than what we are used to - lots of switchbacks and tight twisty turns - sometimes very difficult getting an ATV through! The park is on a river (they usually are here in the tundra) and it was so pretty. Most of the time, it felt like we were in a rain forest or fern gully - very lush and green. It was pretty humid on Saturday, and VERY humid on Sunday! We stayed in a hotel Saturday night and it was really nice to ride two days in a row and just get away for the weekend. It's great family & friend time and even though we are usually riding fast, it's a time to slow down and just enjoy being together.

We are all excited to go back to this park in September and I can't imagine how beautiful it will be in the fall. It had rained a little on Friday, so the trails were muddy in some places, and the word "mud" doesn't describe it. It was like oil had been poured on mud and it was so slick! The one time that Duane and Cary went on a more advanced trail, the rest of us ended up sliding down a mud-slick trail going uphill! Nicole was leading and she fought her way up the hill, but then had to come down and help Casey and Taylor - I was trying to help but was laughing so hard because you couldn't even stand up in the stuff! We finally got everyone to the top and just collapsed! When the guys met up with us, Cary had hit a tree pretty hard in a tight turn, and we think his thumb is broken. The next morning, I asked him how his hand was, and he held it up and said "well, it's OK". Um, it looked like Shrek's hand it was so swollen! But he insisted on riding again and taped it up. Needless to say, he's going to the doctor this morning.

When we were unloading at home last night, Duane said to Cary "looks like we have a few repairs to do...". Ya think? The guys will be fixing clutches, shift lever, electric starts and a few plastic pieces before our next outing. But there will be big smiles on their faces while they are fixing their kiddos' bikes :).

Cary leading the pack....

Nicole getting a few tips from daddy

Girl time!

At the overlook (notice the difference between the girls and the boys pose!)

Having fun at the campground

Beautiful Minnesota state parks

Casey & Austin

He melts my heart :)

One of the "slicks" - the kids did great going through this, but then look what happens!

Miss Casey makes it through :)

Here is Cary - there's a video at the end to let you know how that went :)

The other momma - Michelle got "slicked" sideways!

Getting a push from superman

Time to hydrate girls!

All tuckered out

and this is how they train for the big time - notice the tether and training wheels - we loved watching this little guy go around the campgrounds.

And here is a lesson on how NOT to go through mud.

A Sweet Ride

It's been a gorgeous week here so this morning, Cary and I took the first motorcycle ride of the summer. There's just something about being on a bike when winding through the backroads that is so organic and relaxing; smelling the lilacs that are in full bloom and seeing all the crops that farmers have just planted. It's a beautiful time of year here, and we appreciate it so much after a long winter. We went along the St. Croix Scenic Byway, up through Afton, Bayport and Stillwater. These are small river towns and they are so quaint and peaceful. We enjoyed breakfast at a cute little mom & pop dive called "Not Justa Cafe" and it was deelish! They had hilarious little signs hanging on the walls and it was one of those places where the regulars meet each morning.

Stillwater is known as the birthplace of Minnesota, dating back to 1850s where treaties were signed. There are gorgeous historical homes tucked in the river bluffs and I tried to get a few pics (they are blurry, but hey - I was on the back of a bike!). We always find new places to explore when we meander through this old lumber town.

The Stillwater Lift Bridge

The courthouse

Jennie, I think of you everytime I see this Bed & Breakfast....

Blurry homes :)

My self-portrait

Pond Life

Our little pond around the corner is teeming with life and babies right now. It's been so neat to visit each afternoon and feed the baby ducks and geese. Yesterday, when Nicole and I were there, the goslings (no, not the infamous parents thank goodness...) came right up and sat next to us and it was soooo sweet. Mama duck keeps her babies further away, as Mr. & Mrs. Goose have a hissy fit if they get too close to them; literally, a "hissing" fit!

Sweet Momma Duck

Mr. & Mrs. Goose - as Cary says, it must be like "herding cats"!

Apparently, we are going to have lots and lots of tadpoles this year from the recent behavior of the bullfrogs :). It's so loud when you sit at the pond, it makes you giggle! I could watch these guys all day!

If you look at the next two pictures, you'll see Mr. Bullfrog is about to make his croaking call to woo Mrs. Bullfrog; check out the water ripples in the second photo from the vibrations. Pretty cool....