Water Effect

On a recent vacation to visit family in Virginia, I had a realization.  Water brings out a special personality in my family.  While not scientifically validated, I believe there may be truth to this for not only my family but others as well.  Take a look...

It even affected the larger people.

Perhaps it's the crazy Minnesota winters that makes us, well, crazy.  But I think water has a similar, albeit happier, effect.

Let's hope this happiness last well into next year.

Measuring Stick

There is often a measuring stick in someone's home.  This particular stick, or doorway, or other marking device can be used to measure the growth of the children in the house.  This is our stick:

Almost every trip back home to Virginia is marked by a hike up to White Oak Canyon.

Looking back through the photo albums you can see the growth of the kids over the years.

And while seeing them grow so fast is mind-boggling, seeing their growth compared to slower growing, slower moving, items is even more mind-blowing.

A beautiful, cool August morning allowed us to experience this trip once more.

And allowed us another opportunity to be silly and laugh about it all - so much fun to hike with them.

Enjoying these moments while they last.

First Tri

Combining swimming, biking and running seems like a crazy idea - for adults - although I do respect triathletes and may put myself through the experience at some point. For kids, the triathlon is a brilliant idea. Kids have seemingly limitless energy, and if they are my kids, love swimming, biking and running. So when Blaine advertised their first annual kids tri, I signed up Linnea.  She was a great sport, especially since I think she was signed up before we asked her...

Overall is was a great experience.  Swimming in a lake in July? Check.

Biking around a lake? Check.

 Running around a lake? Double check.

So proud of this kid.  She did amazing!  The downside?  She decided it was super fun, and training with me was fun....so looks like I need to get in better shape to keep up.  

Can't wait until the next one.

The Battle

We enjoyed a weekend with the Minnesota state bird, or mid-west state bird, the Mosquito.  While we put up a great fight, utilizing all of the chemical weaponry available, ultimately the great bird, coupled with the "wettest June in history" thwarted our plans for a wonderful weekend of camping at Wild River State Park. So we only camped for 1 night, alas, it was a very nice 1 night, 2 day experience.

Unlike our typical "road less traveled" approach, we opted for the paved trails...to optimize our chances of defending against said Mosquito.  Actually, it's plural, mosquitoes, and then exponentially multiplied.  There were a lot of them. Ask Willow.

And so we sat by the fire. A lot. Because, Mosquitoes do not like fire and smoke. Which sparked some great conversation and silliness.

Cool finding? An old log sled. Seeing the steep cliffs down to the river, I felt for the horses or oxen that must have pulled the sled. Not enough mosquitoes to move this one.

Ultimately, we decided this was probably a great park any other time of the year.  Winter? Check. Fall? Check. Spring? Check.  Summer....not so much. As a side note, these photos were taken when it was 85 degrees.  The long sleeves and pants = mosquito battle-gear.

Despite our pests, we still had a great time and had two children with smiles on their faces, one even curious. "Mama, what good do Mosquitoes do on earth?". Hmmm, I'm still searching for the answer to that one.

Mosquitoes =1, Normans = 0....until next time.

The Dam

This post is for those interested in engineering and for an appreciation of math without calculators.  On our vacation we were educated in the art of dam construction.  An added benefit was the copious use of the word "Dam" in several contexts, courtesy of our tour guide.  You can imagine the 7 year old's reaction.

The Hoover Dam, formerly the Boulder City Dam, was built prior to the use of many modern inventions.  This feat alone is impressive. Check out the measurement technique.

Inside the dam there are several "spacious" tunnels and stairwells.

With a few air vents.

And, can you say understatement?

Especially when considering these...

We also had the privilege of marveling at the resultant man made lake, Lake Mead.

And the Tillman Bridge, which was built solely for traffic congestion purposes.  Interesting fact, the tour guides have been asked if you can fish off the bridge....hmmmm.

Another interesting fact?  The tour was interesting enough to keep both kids fully engaged...and allowed them to push the elevator buttons....which is apparently a very big deal.