Author: sistertex

This last weekend we mostly ran errands and spent some time with our kids. One errand was getting over to Costco to get a few things. When we pulled into the parking lot we ran into this:

Vintage cars towing vintage campers.  We were very intrigued and wished we  could have looked at them a bit closer.  The station wagon on the left is a old Chevrolet and we ‘think’ the one on the right is a Cadillac. The owners must have been in Costco, we didn’t get to speak with them. Wish I could have seen inside the campers too.

And speaking of campers, as you know, we are currently living in ours while our house is being built.

You can see our Retired Racing Greyhound, Mandy, lounging outside…on her ‘outside’ bed.  We are sitting at the fire ring enjoying a fire in the evening. Mandy also often joins us around the fire.

SOOOO we do bring her nice bed out next to our chairs to lay on when ever we sit around the fire now because she seems to want to be with us, but as you can see, chooses ‘her’ way to lay on it.  To her it is more like a large pillow.

Our camper is pretty large and has slides going out from the left and the right side to make our living room pretty spacious..  However, a lot of the inside belongs to Mandy. She has three beds and, when we aren’t using it, the couch is hers as well.  She generally won’t get up on the couch while we are present in the camper unless we are in bed sleeping.  These are rules she has imposed on herself, as we have never really made her stay off the couch in the camper.

Here is a photo taken of her early in the morning when I came out from the bedroom.

She also lays here in front of the fireplace:

There is also a bed for her in at the foot of our bed and right beside the couch where I sit.

But she also sprawls out in front of the sink and the fridge. She is pretty comfortable everywhere.

When the RV is in travel mode and we are moving along she also has a variety of places she sleeps.  I really like her to lay on the floor, she makes me nervous laying on the couch. And she does mostly stay down on the floor on her bed – or behind her bed.  But occasionally decides to ride up on the couch.

And this is how she rides with us the most:

Behind the bed – can’t believe it is more comfortable but whatever makes her happy!

Happy Monday!

So every year for the last several years we go camping up in Two Harbors, MN for the 4th of July. This year the weather was all over the board, foggy, cool, rain, sun, warm….  but it just wasn’t as hot as down in the Twin Cities area so we were glad to be there.  The weather was pretty quick moving, changed a few times daily.  So you just stayed pretty much ready for whatever Mother Nature was going to throw at you.

Though throughout the week we were up there we wandered all around the North Shore area, however, on the 4th we stuck around the Two Harbor area where we attend the fireworks show.

The kids bring their own fireworks to shoot off while we are waiting for the show to start and for after the show while the traffic and the crowds diminish.

Photos: The kids shooting off fireworks before the show.

Then we saw a ship coming into the harbor:

The fog was rolling in and out pretty quickly at this time, it is amazing how quickly the weather can change on Lake Superior.  It was a slow process for the ship to finally doc so the sun began setting which allowed me to get some nice photos with the sunset, fog and docs in the background while the kids did sparklers on the shore.

Then at the end of the night the wind was pretty high so we went back to the beach by our campers to send off the Chinese Lanterns.  I like to do this and dedicate one to my Mom that passed away a few years ago, and recently my husband’s Dad passed away, so this year we dedicated one to him as well. Hoping they will touch the sky and sending our love to both of our love ones at the same time.  We also make wishes as they leave us and fly across the sky.  This year we lit 5 of them.  One per person.

 

Not the easiest photos to see I know.

While up north during the week of July 4th one of the places we stopped at on a rainy day was the Old Firehouse & Police Museum. Though it was not all that large of a museum it had a lot of interesting things, upstairs and down.  Lots of photos to come, not much chat.

402 23rd. Ave. East, Superior, WI
Always FREE admission at the last of Superior’s 1890 Fire Halls. It is last of Superior’s 19th Century Fire Halls.

Whoa…what’s with Clifford the Big Red Dog?

Grandson in chair made of old Hoses.

Old Fire Extinguishers

Asbestos Suit worn by Firefighters.

Control Center in the upstairs portion of the station.

Pole, hose upstairs in the Station.

Lockers for Firemen and Police.

Gear

Quarters

Police Gear

Awww – someone was not behaving!! Grandson Locked Up!

We left the Saturday before and came back the Saturday after the 4th.  We went up to Two Harbors, MN and visited Grand Marais, Duluth and all points in between with our kids. 

Photo: Looking over Lake Superior from our campsite on the hill

This is something we do every 4th of July with our kids, well with my oldest daughter, son-in-law and grandson.  My youngest daughter and her family is still in Chicago and generally go elsewhere for the holiday.

Photo: Son-in-law and oldest Daughter around the campfire.

Photo:  Grandson Kee sitting by fire listening to audio book.

The weather up north was really pretty good, while it was high 80s and 90s in the Twin Cities, it was in the 70’s and cooler up where we were in Burlington Bay. There was some rain, but over the week it really was pretty nice weather.  No rain for July 4th fireworks, which is pretty nice.  Rain was a little worse in the Duluth area – south of where we were, so they changed their 4th of July Fireworks to the 5th.  We were down in Duluth that day but decided not to stay late for their fireworks since we’d seen them the night before.

Photo: Two Harbors Fireworks began before it was completely dark…still beautiful.

We went to a Firehouse/Police museum over in Superior, WI as well as Fairlawn Mansion. We went over to Wisconsin on a rainy day to get more fireworks to light on the 4th, along with Lanterns to light and let float up into the night skies after the main fireworks were completed. Saw these couple of inside attractions and decided to do them since the weather wasn’t good for outside activities.

I will share photos of the things we did that week in separate posts so this won’t be too long.

My daughter has fiends that often join us for some of our activities together. Their daughter is just SO cute we love getting to be with them too.

Photo: Here everyone is cooling it by the lake!

All in all everyone had a nice time.

Hope your 4th of July Holiday was a great one!

It has been a while since I was last here. I will see if I can update you on things as I get time.

I haven’t been seen around on the blog for quite a long time, but I’m still here!

I turned 9 years old the 1st of January 2017 and am still going strong. This photo is of me listening because I really only ever listen with one ear at a time. I still run like the wind, especially when there is a turkey in my yard…or even an imaginary turkey. One time a turkey was waaayyy at the back of the yard and I ran to catch it. It flew off before I could get there but the smells were still fresh. So now it is the first thing I do…as the door opens I bolt out to get that turkey whether it is there or not! I run around a little and then sniff a little. I don’t usually run again until Mom says ‘Mandy Come…Mandy Come…Mandy Treat (I know if I wait until the third time she will use ‘treat’ as a bribe…and Mom never lies to me so I know there will be a treat).  If she wants me right away in a hurry she just says ‘Mandy Treat’ and I am there in a shot!  So I have trained her pretty well I think.

Well I just wanted to let everyone know I am still very well, happy and just as sassy as those two kitties that still live here – Fidget and Lemme. ’Mom, Lemme is on the counter again!’ I’ll show those two cats who the boss is around here….’Get ‘em Mom!’

Yours furever,

Mandy

The RV we currently have is a 2016 Newmar Ventana Diesel pusher. Purchased it a year ago and love it.

There are two more slides on the side below that are not open.

A full slide going down the entire side on the driver’s side.

This is the inside with only one side of slides out. When we extend both sides it is even wider which is pretty nice. In the photo below we are getting set up to travel so things are sitting in position for moving. I will have to add photos later with all slides extended and the furniture set in place to show how it looks when we are actually staying in it. Right now we are packed up and loading it for spending some time in it. When we pull all the sides in there is not a lot of room to walk in it though we can down until the area where the fridge is – it is about one person wide when closed.

Yes, we are waiting for April in two ways around here …Spring is, of course very welcome in Minnesota so there is waiting for April in *that* way. But then what I’m really talking about is April the Giraffe!

 

She has been ready to burst for quite sometime and there is a live feed so people who are interested can see what she and her mate are doing and when her little one finally appears.

Any day now!

Below is the link if you’d like to visit the sweet girl!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClnQCgFa9lCBL-KXZMOoO9Q/live

Happy Birthday Mandy!  A big 6 years old today!

We also want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy 2014!

Is coming soon – she’s a New Year’s Baby.

Have a safe and satisfying Thanksgiving everyone!  Those of you who have visited me from way back will perhaps recognize Renner!  What a sweet boy he was.  I made this back when he was still with us. Sure do miss him. 

Of course it is Miss Mandy (aka Miss Pants as in Mandy Pants) who is still here to snuggle up with this year! Maybe she will get *a little* turkey. All things in moderation when it comes to the holidays and all the goodies that go with them.

This girl was one of the sweetest I have ever had the pleasure of loving. Ruby belonged to my daughter, son-in-law and little guy. We will miss our grand Greyhound. She is at the Rainbow Bridge now.

My most heart felt sympathies go out to my oldest Daughter and her family as they have lost such a beautiful, gentle girl today. (tons of hugs to you guys!) She will be greatly missed.  Run free Ruby, without pain and may you have every large, fluffy stuffy at your feet that your heart desires. We love you. Always in our hearts.

There is always a lot to do and see when we go to this Festival! We have a great time. Even more interesting are the people who attend. My own family along with others are among the ‘interesting’ looking folks.

 

Tis the King himself out and about with the commoners.

 

Odd Character who popped in and out of our day the entire time we were there.

 

Little guy busy striking a deal with the local Blacksmiths.

 

The Father & Son catapult team working out a master plan to bring down yonder castle! 

 

A local Celeb doing his job. Meet Angus.

 

Angus has quite a following including Little Guy.

 

The Queen makes an appearance!

 

And what the heck is going on here?

 

Whew!!!!  And whalah… a new belly dancer is born!

Annnnnddd she’s a lot braver than I am, then again she is also nearly 25 years younger. Lookin’ good. I’m guessing she won’t be wearing it to any parent/teacher conferences, but excellent for the Ren. Fest!

 

AND some other interesting people!

 

 

What kind of hat is that? LIttle Guy experiments… he totally decided against it.

It was a fun day, lots of good food, and “Huzahs, lots of $20.00 for the King.”

 

THE WORLD’S ONLY ARTICLES ANTHOLOGY FOR GREYHOUND LOVERS

http://greytarticles.wordpress.com/

This is a site put into motion by an old friend of mine. She began the ‘Celebrating Greyhound’ magazine back in the day. I have contributed to the site myself and just came across it again. Filled with information, knowledge and inspiration it is worth a visit.

Hi Marcia! Keep it going…I hope all is well with you and yours. Hugs to you!

Fidget decided to force his way into my lap, figured I’d been on my computer long enough. After being proud of himself he looked over at my laptop only to find the laptop was not real happy about being replaced by a kitty.

He stared back at those Owl eyes looking at him for sometime, before dozing off. But I have to wonder just a little bit about the inner workings of his mind while he was staring at the screen.

This is how Mandy has decided she likes riding in our camper. This started recently. Matter of fact, it started on the way home from our last camping trip.

 

 

I don’t necessarily feel this is the safest way for her to ride and am not even sure why she suddenly decided to do it as she has soft dog beds, yes more than one, strewn about the aisle of the camper to lay on.

But if she is happy, I am happy.

My Dad sent this to me via email and it was pretty cute. Thought I’d share it. Kind of fun! Have a great weekend!

A co-worker of mine mentioned a Cup Cake shop in town that had gluten free cup cakes. Matter of fact, for fans of Cup Cake Wars on the Food Channel, these women actually won their challenge on the show doing gluten free cup cakes.  So, being that I am a Celiac we went on over to this shop and had a couple of scrumptious cup cakes.  I should have taken photos of those, but we ate them so quickly it didn’t occur to me.

However this was one of the cakes they had displayed there and I don’t think it was gluten free as they sell regular cup cakes and cakes there as well. 

This is a Nightmare Before Christmas Cake.  Very cool!

 

 

You set them up!

 

You light them!

 

AND RUN!

And POOF!  They’re gone!

Mandy: “They are loud and obnoxious so I stay at home while they go shoot them off elsewhere!”

 

 

 

 

Humm…..not sure who won this match up.

This tiny little girl is my new grand kitty!  Her name is Cheza. My oldest daughter, SIL and Little Guy adopted her recently.  She is more than adorable! What a little sweetie.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday!

While on our last camping trip we decided to go and explore Niagara Caves in Southern Minnesota.  It is said to be the largest cave in the Midwest and is located in Harmony Minnesota.

So down we went.

 

Many of the pathways were very narrow and/or very low.

 

There is a falls inside the cave, so water rushed through in various areas.

 

Beauty every where around us.

 

Looking straight up.

 

New formations – it is a live cave, or active.

 

The falls inside the cave.

 

Though not the best photo, I will post it anyway because regardless of quality it is a very cool  formation.

 

Outside the cave we found a flower garden with these vibrant beauties in bloom!

The cave was worth exploring if you are in the area!

Weekend before last we went camping at Lake Louise State Park, MN. The weather was variable the terrain muddy and wet.  Bug report – no problem…no ticks or other pest-ies really bothered us. The wood was wet so it was tough to get in a campfire but we tried. Biking, hiking and sight-seeing were all part of the fun.

Following are random photos from our trip.

If you have been a regular on this blog over the years you will recognize this stance, it is the ‘Navigator’ stance often done at several points throughout our hike. Most usually done when Geo-caching. “Ummm – where are we?”  “What does your phone say, mine says …”

 

Little Guy and Ruby finally decided this navigation stuff was for sissies and just decided to lead the way.

 

 

A live demonstration of what will happen if you fall into the swirling waters of the dam.

 

Yup…the dam. Right there (point point).

 

Mandy was all… uh close enough folks!!

 

But some people just *have* to get a closer look!

Gotta’ go right now – but this will do for Part 1 of Camping at Lake Louise! More to come!

There were Monkeys in the park!

 

 

 

 

And cows painted on houses!

 

Spring flowers, of course!

 

 

 

We also explored a cave – but then that’s for the next entry!

Tug boat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was windy so I only listened with my right ear and kept the left ear (toward the wind) close to my head! I am a ‘right ear’ kind of gal anyway.

 

 

Sunrise, sunrise….gotta’ open up your eyes!

We also went to a lighthouse and I will try and get that into the next post.