Sault Sainte Marie, MI

On our way home from MN, we came home through Michigan.  It added a bit of time on, but we were ready for something different.  We drove the whole length of Lake Superior the first day.  From tip to tip takes 8-9 hrs.  I guess that's where the name "Great Lakes" comes from.  We spent the night in Sault Ste. Marie which is on the Michigan/Canadian border.  There are boat locks there known as the Soo Locks.  It was very interesting to watch a huge ocean liner loaded with iron ore come through.

This is the Lake Huron level.  These gates (wall) open, the boat enters, the gates close, and then the water fills the lock and raises the boat to the Lake Superior level.

We spent a bit of time at an old fort near the Mackinac Bridge as well.  The camera got left in the car.  We can also say we skipped rocks into Lake Michigan.

Camping at Owen Lake

While in MN, we spent parts of 3 days camping with my brother Bill, and sister Joy, and their families about a half hour north from Mom's home.  My brother, Brian, also came out the first day and Mom & Wes were there the second evening. The campground was small and remote with a pump for fresh water and a decent smelling outhouse.  Since it was a Monday & Tuesday night, we pretty much had the campground to ourselves and claimed the sites along the lake.  Everyone had tents and we took Bill's pontoon boat and kayaks along.  As always, I could have taken a lot more pictures.  We hit the nicest days of the week and enjoyed fishing, swimming, kayaking, biking, corn hole, ladder ball and cooking over the fire.  

 Gracie & Renae

 Cleaning Northern Pike & Bass

 

 The water was very cold, but the air was warm so we all got in.

The cooks

Yummm.....Grilled cheese cooked in a pie iron.

Dutch Blitz

Young kids playtime

The first night was so still and the loons made all kinds of sounds.

I think we all enjoyed the time.  Thanks, Bill & Tammi, for pulling most of the supplies together!

June 14

This was a big day for the Helmuth family.  Together we celebrated the marriage of Mom to Wesley Trout.  The ceremony was small and private followed by a reception for friends.  We pray God's blessing on their new home.

Surf tag

Some very current news is that we went to the beach today.  Unfortunately, no one had a decent camera along.  For the first time, we bought a surf tag for our yukon.  Not only does it get us into all state parks for a yr, but it also allows us to drive out on the beach in designated areas.  We do need to have a fishing pole in the water at all times so you need to watch out for lines in the water (not a big issue), but otherwise it is great.  No lugging gear for long distances across hot sand.  You can have the beach experience at your tailgate.  I wish we would have had this when the kids were young.  Several other families from church also have passes so we hope to hang out with them some this summer and maybe we will even go to the beach more.  We are off to a good start and it was actually Lyn's idea to go today!

Anyone coming to visit this summer?  You can park and we can drive you out.

Spring in Delaware

Spring has been absolutely beautiful this year.  I guess that's what happens when you have a "long" winter!  (long for DE, anyway)  Is it any wonder why I love spring in Delaware?

First the Dogwoods......

Before they fade, the azaleas bloom....

Followed by the rhododendrons

Had a flock of indigo buntings at the feeder one day.  Don't usually see them.

All Grown Up

Ericka went to the Jr./Sr. banquet at GMS with senior, Matt Chaffinch.  They went as friends and I think they had a nice time.

We lucked out and she found this dress at a 2nd hand shop.  She paid $25 for it and got $15 back when she returned it.  She didn't even have to dry clean it first.  Last year she borrowed a dress too but we had to pay $20 just to get it cleaned.