We got wind!!!

Wind gusts up to 58mph lifted this 2200# boat off its trailer.

The mast missed the boat next to it by just inches... other wise it would have been "curtains" for something , either the mast itself or stuff on the deck boat.

Believe it or not the only thing that broke in all this is the bow eye.

Deck Pipe

This is a little tubular fitting that I made to help transfer the anchor rope from below deck to above deck when anchoring. (the white pvc looking thing ) You would think all sailboats should come with it, but not the Columbia.

Boom Tent

I had this made from boat tarp material and mounted it on a pvc tubular frame. Very easy to set up and take down on the water. The humidity at night is always high so this will keep us more comfy.

The idea is to keep the sailors dry that (draw the short stick) and have to sleep out in the cockpit. Captains never ever draw "short sticks"...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZACHERY

9 years old and traveling with his "tunes". We had a great time this summer when he and his family were in Watertown around the 4th of July.

This is the "culprit" cat Liz found exploring Devils Island. The story goes that a very rare plant was discovered here on Devils Is. and the only other place it is known to grow is in Greenland.
Then somebody remembered that the Army had shipped this from Greenland to do the initial dirt work when they built the lighthouse and keepers quarters... DON'T YOU FEEL BETTER NOW THAT THE MYSTERY HAS BEEN SOLVED???

This trolly cart was used to shuttle supplies up to the lighthouse keepers house . Some of the track it rode on is still visible near the mile long trail we hiked.

few more pics from our trip

LAKE SUPERIOR 2008

Arrived at our launching spot on the lake late in the afternoon to nothing but fog. So we had to wait till the next morning to get going. They sell T-SHIRTS here that say "THE LAKE IS THE BOSS". Spend a few days on Lake Superior and you become a believer... Eilert always has to go FIRST!!!!

Bob and Liz bringing up the rear starting out on day 1. 9am and I hope that's not a BEER in my hand!!!!

Stayed overnight on South Twin Is. after about a 15 mile sail on day 1

Cranked up some (what else) pork loin and opened a bottle (or so) of vino.

On to Devils Island for day 2. Haven't been able to get here in years past due to wind direction and weather. THE LAKE IS THE BOSS... remember???

Caves all over the north side of Devils cut in by the ice and wave action.

Tied up on the south end of Devils Is. in a small little spot with lots of wind protection.

Couple of mermaids cooling off in the shallows of our little safe harbor for the night.

Hiked to the rocky cave side of the island. It's a favorite spot for Kayakers too.

Eilert can read nautical charts like nobody's business, but can he convince Liz he can also read ROCKS??

Waiting for the sunset from out "campsite" on the dock at Devil's

Capt'n on the rocks... (Karl are you familiar with that one?)

Eilert and Mary setting sail for Stockton Is. day 3

Liz PLOTTING something... I hope it is just our COURSE!!

Saw this one probably enroute to Duluth for the TALL SHIP EVENT.

Destination Stockton Is. harbor

Are we there yet...

Liz working on getting us "home" safely day 4

RESTING BETWEEN GAMES

THE PEANUT GALLERY

Jill had SOMETHING to cheer about.... could it have been Nathan's and my big LEAD??

That be Karl and Barb at the July 4th "GAMES BY CRYSTAL"

Chloe making friends with Sydney

Ryan and Adam honoring Gramma Vivian with real tats.

4th of July

Ryan on the job. There IS LIFE after the Navy and before class starts at SDSU. Congrats Ryan on getting yourself a taste of the electrical business.

Happy Birthday Crystal

I don't think you wanted to "sit" for this picture Crystal...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAWN

Hope your BIRTHDAY is filled with lots of family and fun.

KARL JUST GOT PROMOTED

NOW he tells us there are BETTER ways to get money from the BANK!!!

Home made by Ms Liz

Sorry ------- it's gone now

If you guess what kind it WAS, maybe (?) she will send one to you!!!

(THIS MESSAGE N O T APPROVED BY LIZ)

Easter in Watertown

You guessed it.... Squash, Wild Rice, Broccoli and Pork Loin. Did I mention the VINO???

HAPPY EASTER!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAN

This is no ORDINARY woman and neither is her horse Amber. They actually work together in the PROFESSIONAL FAMILY COUNSELING ARENA (npi) or is it FIELD (still npi). Any way, one figures out your "problem" and the other hangs out waiting to give you a ride if you promise to work on "THAT PROBLEM". I'm sure I got that all wrong ... But this I know for a fact: Jan just had a birthday, and the number is big--- I'm talking BEE EYE GEE (B I G) !!!

If Jan had a blog it would probably be named HORSE BLOW.

LARRY AND SIDEKICK

Looks like they have been friends for years!

"COME ON GIRLS... LETS EAT 'EM UP"

You may as well get to the edge of your chair NOW, cause that's where you will END UP... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCYnJp7L7Es

crime scene investigation

Saw this in the snow this morning. The large OWL that hangs out around here at night must have swooped down and picked up his late night dinner. One wing hit the snow. What you can't see is the rabbit tracks leading up to the point of "impact" and then just STOP...

THANK YOU ZACH AND CHLOE

Thief in the night???

One of Liz's sisters at our Super Bowl party was surprised by this four legged guest, when she went into the garage to get some beer. This is actually a pic of the second one we had in there in less than an hour. I shot the first one, picked it up (by the tail) carried it out to the nearby field and threw it over the fence. Did the same to this one and when I got to the fence, the first one was gone... soooo... THAT'S why they call them oppossum!!!