Getting Back To The Great Outdoors

Days are getting longer ... Temps are getting warmer ... Mosquitos are getting peskier ... And people are getting eager to launch a boat, cast a line, or just jump in a nearby lake. Summer has finally arrived in the Northland! While Covid-19 precautions and preparations delayed the start of the camping season, many fellow campers, like us, are ready to ...

Get Back To The Great Outdoors!

State, county, and city campgrounds are always a favorite destination for us. Thus, we needed to have some patience when these government-run parks delayed their opening in order to prepare their facilities. They want to be able to safely welcome back campers of all ages. In mid-May, Iowa opened their state parks, and we discovered some hidden gems that belong to our neighbors to the south. Iowa state parks are very reasonably priced (No entrance fee and just $16 a night for an electric site), have very clean and modern bathroom facilities, and are located near many beautiful natural areas.

These parks are typically very busy on the weekends, but we have found a plenitude of sites available mid-week. We were happy to be able to join fellow camping friends in celebrating the beginning of camping and campfire season at Clear Lake State Park.

While the lake looked a little more foggy than clear, and a warm jacket and even warmer campfire were still needed,

... it was still wonderful to get back to the great outdoors as we were surrounded by the aromatic fragrance of blooming lilacs!

Energized by our first camping experience of the season, we decided to check out a ''new-to-us'' Iowa state park the following week. Pikes Peak State Park is located about two hours south of Rochester on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. Its name is a result of military explorer Zebulon Pike ''peaking'' around the area in 1805 in search of a good location to build a fort. 

The campground is surrounded by hiking trails that brought us to scenic vistas and waterfalls,

... past curious forest creatures,

... through serene woodlands,

... and close to birds singing and enjoying a sweet meal,

... as they too rejoice that the humans are getting back to the great outdoors and making sure that their bird feeders are kept full.

On June 1 we joined other campers in celebrating the opening of Minnesota's campgrounds for the season. We left our driveway hosts in Rochester for a couple days and headed out to Chester Woods County Park. Located 20 minutes east of Rochester, it is always great to be able to string up a hammock,

... check out the view of the dam,

... and enjoy the many wildflowers that line the creek and welcome us back to the great outdoors.

At the end of the first week of June, it was time to say goodbye to our hometown friends in Rochester. Wanting to visit Doug's family, we headed south and east to begin our loop around Lake Michigan. Along the way, we were able to enjoy another Iowa camping gem, Palisades-Kepler State Park.

Hiking through the woods, we came upon beautiful views of the Cedar River,

... that seemed to invite us to sit for a spell,

 ... and enjoy the chance to get back to the great outdoors once again. A gorgeous world awaits!

Color Our World With Friendship and Justice

I love spring in Minnesota! The rain showers and warmer temps help the grass green up and the trees bud out. The geese around our lakes proudly strut around with their newest family members. And best of all, Mother Nature starts to color our world with her spectacular spring blossoms.

We had the pleasure of hanging out for the last few weeks in the driveways of various family members and friends while watching their gardens explode with colorful blossoms. Despite Covid keeping us from hanging out together like we have in the past, one thing still is certain ... 

Even six feet apart, we appreciated our friends reaching out to help us grow. 

From long walks and even longer talks,

to planting gardens and reminiscing ...

From birthday picnics,

to birthday breakfasts ...

From piano concerts,

to bike rides ...

Friends are the flowers that never fade!

Tragically, in the last few weeks, the pains of injustice were felt not far from us in Minneapolis. We were saddened to hear of the destruction that affected so many people and businesses, and we were concerned for our sons who live very close to the unrest. But we are also grateful to read the texts from our sons telling about how they and their neighbors of all races are working together to peacefully protest while helping one another clean up, protect, and strengthen their community.

''Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.''

Benjamin Franklin

''True peace is not merely the absence of tension: It is the presence of justice.''

Martin Luther King, Jr

As the states around us start to open up, we are thinking about our next move. We are intrigued with exploring the Western United States later this summer. Since Habitat for Humanity Care-a-Vanner builds are canceled through the summer, we would like to find some other way to help out others while exploring different parts of the country. 

We are headed out on a circle tour around Lake Michigan. Along the way we plan to visit family and assist them with home ''fix-it'' projects. We hope that we can return some of the kindness that so many people have shown to us when they open up their driveways and homes to us. We are grateful for those who color our world with their friendship,

... as we work together to brighten our world with justice for all.