Lake House Visit

We went up to the lake house this past 4 day weekend while the girls were on their "Fall break" from school to help my mom shut everything up for the winter.  We raked leaves and pine needles, cleaned out the gutters, winterized the boat and put it in the garage, took out the floating raft and paddleboat, etc.  We also went apple picking up in Bayfield, hiking in the woods, fishing, and shopping.  The weather was beautiful, although, we kinda wished it was a little bit cooler.  Looking back 5 years ago at this time, we were wearing winter jackets and a snow shower passed through!  This time we had mid 60's each day.  All the leaf colors (and even the ripening of the apples) are behind this year.  That's nature for you, though!

Clara waiting to get buried.

Hailey helps with a big pile of leaves and pine needles.

Ahh! A floating head!

Loving the leaf pile fun!

Where did the girls go? Are those two hands sticking out of the pile?

There they are! We took some of the pile and burned it. Oh that smell is so wonderful!

Lots of fishing!  Rock Bass.

Hailey driving the boat.

Brian caught this 12" small mouth bass after catching a 16" one the day before this.

Clara's large Bluegill!

Clara is so good getting fish off the hook. She loves to do it.

Hailey catches a nice Bluegill.

Another Rock Bass.

Teamwork...Clara holds the fish, Hailey takes the hook out.

Another Smallmouth Bass catch for Brian.

She's a serious fisherman!

"I might have to sit down for this." :-)

Picking Courtland apples off the tree at Sunset Valley Orchard.

Standing next to the big loon in Mercer!

Back of the house

Some color on the trees

Walking through the wooded lot of our property.

"We're going on a bear hunt, we're gonna catch a big one..."

Beautiful sunshine shining through the trees.

Our fearless trail leaders.