Just giving this grill a test for next year since we had a failure with the one we used this year.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAWN

It was fun seeing you with your little family a few months back. Thank you for the work that you do for our COUNTRY.

This pair has been hanging out here for about a week, and probably want to get about the business of raising another brood.

This is NOT a dock.... We now have our own B-T-N and we are a long way from Alaska.

Long Winter

We went to visit this little guy a couple weeks ago in NC. Jake is 14 months and can get around like nobodys business!!

I think this was STORY (confession) night. These two daughters aren't so innocent after all...

Steph never let us get hungry

A favorite time for both these guys

Jake and Grampa B... together at last, and we made up for lost time!

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...