“Foggy Ends”

And so ends another road trip… we got up this morning to a hot, muggy fog. Because of this, there was moisture on everything! It was so overcast we decided to just clean up and head home. But not before getting some great shots of the view through condensation on all of the windows. I also got some great pic’s last eve in a foggy sunset.

We’re due to head up to the lake again the beginning of August (the guys weren’t able to make this trip because of work). So…

Until then

Tender Waters

Duck at Dusk

Watery View 1

Watery View 2

Watery View 3

In The Fog

Teensy Weensy Wildflower

Sunnies On Parade

All together, I believe Jenny and Andy caught about 24 Sunnies. Most were pretty small (a couple of nice fat ones) and we let them all go when we were done to live another day.

A few times they pulled 'em in together

Gorgeous Pumpkin Belly

In the cooler... about 16 at this point

Beautiful Silvery/Blue Blue Gill

You Had To What? Fish Stories…7-14-2011

Jenny, Andy, and I went out fishing for Sunnies. Actually, since I could not obtain a fishing license due to our state government shutting down (why can’t we all just get along?), only Jenny and Andy fished. I went along to take pic’s.

Anyway, we had a lot of fun and then when it was time to go back to shore (we were about 1/3 of the way across the lake), the motor wasn’t working. After Andy removed the weeds that were caught in the propeller, it wouldn’t start at all. 

These are the facts: The boat motor wouldn’t start. Jeff was in town at Caribou working so he couldn’t come and get us. Silly us… we forgot to bring the boat paddles (they come in handy in situations such as these).

The solution: We got out and began swimming the boat in. We had no swimsuits and couldn’t swim with jeans and shirts on so I guess you could say we went “skivvy dipping.” LOL

Eventually a fishing boat stopped to check on us and towed our boat the rest of the way but we definitely got a good workout!

Fun, Flowers, and Dragonflies: Too

Death to Zebra Mussels!

Yes, in the midst of our adventures on land and water, a dark reality looms. Lake Carlos, the deepest lake in the area (deepest spot 163 feet and spring fed) has been infested by an invasive aquatic hitchhiker; AKA the Zebra Mussel. And although the task is daunting, Jenny has made it her mission, indeed her obsession, to rid the lake (or at least the area around our dock) of this pesky lake killing species.

And although their appearance is somewhat pleasing to the eye, their namesake is adorable, and I admit that God created everything for a purpose (right?), we are all saddened by their presence… and want to annihilate their population. Since that scenario is most likely not possible, we look forward to the day when someone comes up with a use for them (for instance, crushed Zebra Mussels as a possible new kind of fertilizer?) and frees our lakes from the clutches of their tiny but powerful grip. 

hitching a ride/killing native species

jenny removes mussels, temporarily saving the clams. She calls the area under the dock a "safe zone"

woman on a mission

The Skinny on That… 7-14-2011

Last eve, the lake was pretty calm and both of the guys that are here (Jeff and Andy, my son in law) water skied. Jeff spent his summers here when he was little and he water skied a lot. It’s one of those things that whenever he gets a chance to slalom… ear to ear grins and giggles! Haha… it makes him feel like a kid. 

This next part is a real treat for only the most dedicated readers! LOL

The skinny on that… well, after dinner (we went to Mi Mexico in Alex, highly recommend it) Jenny’s friend Steph stopped in and we had an awesome bon-fire on the beach. Then, Steph had an intriguing idea… she had never been skinny-dipping and she wanted the experience (she’s from Alaska where apparently there’s chiggers in all of the lakes)! So… at about midnight when all was dark except the glowing embers of the fire, we had a “girls night out…” in the water. It was awesome! If you have never done this, you should try it! 

Until next time

Carlos Purple

Duck / Ducklings

Jenny Fish

Contemplative Andy

Minnows Distorted

Water-skiing Andy

Carlos Sunset

Ladies Night Out :)

Fun, Flowers, and Dragonflies: Lake Carlos... near Alexandria, MN

Lake Carlos Sunset... calm after the storm

We got up here on Sun, the 10th. We were greeted by a beautiful afternoon and then a powerful evening storm. The sky cleared just as the sun was going down and as it was still raining and the storm was pushing eastward,  I stood outside... under an umbrella... with my camera to get these pix.

Loon in the rain

 

 

 

 

Mock Orange Tree Blossom

Drew and his friend Heaven... fun on the Molecule

purple in the wind