We docked near a Lake Superior tour boat at Raspberry Island. Lots of stairs to get up to the lighthouse.

This seagull was looking for handouts. He got close and we just kept "pigging out" on our porkloin. He looks plenty well fed to me anyway...

This is the Rocky Island dock where we stayed the night before. This dock was lined with sailboats that night and 4 - 5 more anchored out in the bay. We cooked out on the beach and had a nice campfire with the other sailers. They thought the PINE AND POST was great that I brought.... probably because it was FREE.

Sand Island lighthouse built in 1890 (something). The life of a lighthouse man... now that would be lonely!

Not much wind but the scenery is fantastic.

Some of the caves on Sand Island

But, Butt , Liz is still putting the sails away. Hurry up so we can open our last bottle of VINO!

We are back to our final port before leaving the lake. It took us all afternoon to sail around the island in the background.

Our last night on Lake Superior---- we will be back next year for sure!!!

We met Matt and Robin at Lake Okoboji for a few days last week. Stayed at his company's vacation home along with Lu Lu and Vivian. This lake is a couple hours east of Sioux Falls and very very populated. We had great fun sailing on our boat and touring on Matt's deck boat.

What other game is there besides CHICKEN FOOT.....

The wind was so high this day that Liz and I just took the sails down and motored around. This tour boat from Arnolds Park probably thought we were some kind of oddity.

This is the harbor view from the house we stayed at on Lake Okoboji. Not enough room for both boats in this slip so the sail boat went back on the trailer.

Have to hang on to something up on the deck..... This lake is over 100' deep in spots.

Morning sail

They are all smiles since they found the Merlot I had stashed for the trip.

Touring Lake O on Matt's boat. I like it when someone else has to drive.

Do you think we can share this space for 4 days...

We will soon find out!!!

Getting the sailboat ready for the 200 mile trip to Okaboji this Saturday.

Lou Lou and Liz finishing out the day.

Sailing into the sunset one night last week

Liz in the garden. We installed some vinyl snow fence to keep out the deer.

Good News!!! We sold the HC. Thank you CRAIGSLIST. The second guy to look at it took it home to Sioux Falls this afternoon.

We had a garage sale but the HobieCat didn't go away. Guess I will have to try to sell it the old fashioned way... Advertise. I am going to try the newspaper and thinking about putting it on Craigslist just for the fun of it. Getting too old for this type, but it is a thrill to sail. Doesn't that look like $650 bucks worth of fun??? Comes with ONE lesson--- AFTER I get the dough!

Happy Birthday Crystal - 27 big ONES !!!

End of another great day in SD

All day Friday it rained and rained, then all of a sudden the sun appeared!! (I'm thinking we need to get on the WATER--- NOW!)

This is Crystal with her early Bday cake. Liz the cake baker. Coleen and Curt Ehresmann (Karls great family). We were at Jenkins visiting Coleen to find out why she likes to break things, her bones for instance...

Got the boat on the lift and ready...

Had a campfire tonight. Not enough wind to sail so we sat around the camfiire and talked about whatever!!! It was a great time and prelude to Memorial Day. That is Rocco snozzing, and oh ya Karl and Crystal.

I wonder if she can actually tell them apart or does she just do a HEAD count every now and then???

Hen mallard and looks like 11 ducklings

The black floatation cubes on the bottom will come off once we get it in place.

Now that we have so much water, I need to get this bridge DONE!! If you click on this pic, you can see it is built "over" a 16' section of aluminum dock. Over all it will span 24' and we HOPE it is strong enough to support the mower and also stay in place when we get spring run off.

This is literally this young Black Birds first look at the world from its birthplace. It doesn't know (or care) that it was hatched in a Wood Duck house or that the guy with the camera is who its mother was warning about.

You have to make a decision, now go for it... (digital 'tricks' brought to you by Crystal)

I need your input... We are trying to rename this sailboat. Please comment for this one or the one above. Thank you

5 fuzz balls following the dad

At first glance "Mother Goose" appears to 'duck' (NPI) so as to show off her gosslings... The truth is she is very upset that I am getting so close and this is her ATTACK posture!!!

Liz did you notice the weeping willow...

Crystal, Liz, Vivian together for Mothers Day

Things are starting to come alive in the yard

Finally had a chance to try the Columbia 26 and YES on Lake Pelican. The water is up almost a foot so the time was right. Been waiting since last September. Liz knew I was determined to try it out last Saturday since I had been working on it for a few days. The conditions got perfect about 4PM and we hauled it over to the State Park landing. After putting up the mast, we backed down the ramp and I put the Tundra in the water farther than it is supposed to go. (I'm sure!!!) The boat had to be pushed off, but we were determined to sail it-- RIGHT!!! Since the wind had began to come up again (higher than I like) we motored over to a sheltered area, dropped anchor, and put up the sails. NOW I AM PUMPED!!! We sailed and sailed for almost 3 hours on Pelican, one end of the lake to the other. If I only get one chance to sail that boat, I will be totally happy.

We had one of our best times EVER sailing... right here at HOME. Trying to get off the lake was a different story. Although the wind went down, trying to get it back on the trailer was a real struggle. I had to (again) back way deep into the lake to get the trailer under the boat. We worked it out, but we will probably try Kampeska next time.

Great Egret doing some fishing in the inlet.

First goslings we have seen in the yard this year. These are probably 7 to 10 days old. I will try to keep track of them... they grow really fast ( if they aren't sleeping they are EATING)

She just can't pass up a chance to plant another TREE !!!!

Bloodroot just waking up in the AM

Bloodroot bloom in the afternoon