Friday, September 03, 2010

Rain Gear


Yesterday and today rain gear was a requirement. Following a few weeks of very little rain we have had a steady rain for about 24 hours. If you didn't bring your rain gear, you can always fashion your own as modeled in this picture. Nothing should stop a good fisherman from going out!

Our weather has cooled off significantly and we are expecting clear skies starting Saturday with highs in the 50's to 60's and lows in the 40's.

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Fireweed


During the summers we have the constant color of fireweed along the trail. It turns reddish in the fall and then goes to seed. This is a native perennial that grows to 5 feet. Pink flowers with 4 round petals form on a tall, conspicuous spike which blooms from the bottom up. Common along roadsides. The stems are covered with alternate, willow-like leaves. The common name is derived from its responsive growth after fires. Fireweed is often one of the first species to colonize newly exposed areas.

Our Fireweed has started to seed but it is still very beautiful, just in a different way from the summer pink blossoms.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Bunchberries



The path from the lodge to the main waterfront is through red berries at this time of the year. In the spring this dwarf dogwood aka bunchberry is covered in bright white star shape flowers. With fall the red berries come out and soon the leaves will turn purple.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

When you are 5 - you can go on the canoe trip



With these friends and family, when the kids are 5 years old, they can go on a canoe trip with the Dads. So we had 4 Dad's with 5 kids who were bouncing with enthusiasm and good cheer (the kids) having their pancake breakfast and heading out on their annual canoe trip.

There are still a number of little brothers and sisters at home who are waiting their turn when they turn 5 to join the annul fun.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Quiet, Quiet and More Quiet

By sitting in the lodge, you would not know that all our cabins are full because that quiet time of the summer has started. Kids are back in school and this is the time for adults to get away to cabins and go on canoe trips.

I noticed that the fall colors are just starting on the Gunflint Trail near Grand Marais. Now every time we drive to Grand Marais we will see the colors move a little more up the trail coming towards us. It is right on schedule for peaking the third week of September. The bunch berries which start off in spring with small white flowers now have red berries and Moose have been spotted on the roads again.

It was in the 40's last night and about 65 degrees today. Half our guests came in to check the weather report and loved the cooler weather and the other half bemoaned the chilly air. I built a nice roaring fire in the fireplace and put on my favorite red clearwater sweatshirt and enjoyed every minute of the brisk morning. This is the time of the year that I am finally able to take a few minutes in the morning and use our fantastic lodge porch and drink my coffee while watching the lake. How I love these days.

Lynn

Thursday, August 19, 2010

One Last Pie


Today is my last day of work at Clearwater Lodge. The summer was wonderful. Canoeing, camping and walking in the woods with Erik will be greatly missed, as well as his companionship. I'll definitely miss Jim's singing(or whistling, humming, drumming, etc...)that was within earshot constantly. Kwas kept me on my toes as far as my gullible nature goes, and supplied laughter without a doubt. Lily will be missed the most. She taught me many valuable lessons that I will keep close to my heart. Needless to say I am not especially looking forward to another 9 months in the classroom, but I am already excited for a winter visit with the sled dogs in Ely.

I would like to thank Mike, Peggy and Lynn for two summers of employment in the part of the state I love most. I appreciate everything I have learned from living in the great white north.

I thought the pie was an appropriate treat for this afternoon.

Goodbye Clearwater,
-Tori

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Downed Tree






The weather front that came along and pushed out the hot weather brought us some strong winds. In addition to the normal trees down on the Gunflint Trail and Clearwater Road we had a double come down on top cabin 7. There was minor damage to the cabin and the guests in 7 were not even in at the time for the excitement. For minor damage, it was a major project to get it off the roof. Kwas, Erik and Jim had quite a bit of work to do to get it off the roof without causing more damage. Kwas is pretty comfortable on a roof since he has had several summer jobs roofing.

Tori was the official photographer of the event.

Monday, August 16, 2010

August Update Continued

August is a busy month as you can tell if you read my last blog, which stopped mid-sentence. I am now getting back to it...

The past two weeks we have had kids and kids and kids at the resort. Last week I think I counted 16 youth under 12. Most of these little ones have been coming for years and we have watched them grow up. They also all know each other from year to year and have friends waiting for them to explore and play.

The pianos in the lodge got a good work out last week. Several of the kids have been taking lessons so we were treated to music recitals.

This is the last burst of freedom for anyone returning to school in the fall. Tori leaves us on Friday to return to Winona State. Tori has been nursing along some tomatoe plants this summer and she has 4 little tomatoes. I guess she is leaving the plants for the boys to finish harvesting.

Just to remind us that summer is winding down, we had a cold front push in yesterday. The high was 65 and last night it did get into the 40's. Today and for the next week it the highs will be in the 60's. Everyone has sweatshirts and jackets on today. We have noticed a slight turning of color on some of the trees. Accoring to our weather man, we have had our last heat of summer in the Northwoods and days and nights will be a lot cooler for the rest of the season.

I know last year in August we had a frost. In 2009 we had July as the only frost free month. It frosted in June, skipped July and frosted again in August.

We have a roaring fire in the lodge fireplace this morning. Chilly weather, warm fire, muffins baking in the kitchen and hot coffee in the dining room is a typical morning a the lodge.

Our guests have been visiting Chik Wauk Museum this summer and giving it rave reviews. Add it to your list of places to stop in and visit.

The mid-Trail sale and auction was Saturday at the Poplar Lake fire hall. As usual, Saturday is not a good day for us to slip away but we heard they had a lot of fun stuff to auction off and somone (wasn't me - although I try every year) won a hand made quilt in the raffle.

Well I have to get going now. We have a number of groups paddling out this morning and I need to issue some permits and probably do some other work. But for just these few minutes, I am enjoying this quiet in the lodge on a cool almost Fall morning.

Lynn

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

August Update

It has been awhile since I blogged so here is just a little update of what is happening.

This week is what I call 'kids week'. Almost every cabin has 2 or more kids under 12 and they have a wonderful time. That age, they make instant friends for the week.

We also had a loon lure away a guest dog. There must be a loon next near our waterfront and she was protecting her young. She drew that dog pretty far out into the middle of the lake and finaly a boat rescue had to take place. The rescue was for the dog, the loon was just doing exactly what she needed to do.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Driftwood Duck


Our decor in the lodge and cabins is always being added to by folks who find little bits of interesting items on their visits. Someone added a nice piece of driftwood to the rock on the walk to the lodge and every time I glance out the window when I am in the gift shop it catches my eye. From the angle I see it, it looks like a duck taking flight. See what you think.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Chik Wauk




I finally had some time and was able to drive up to Chik Wauk yesterday. It was a nice mild sunny day and the drive up the trail was a treat. The museum delivered as expected and had some really interesting displays and video's and interactive information. I think I will have to return when I have more time to walk the trails and enjoy the details.

Here are some photos from my visit.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Johnson Clan




The last two weeks were filled with the Johnson Clan which includes the Julius, Johnson, Conroy, Green, Barta and Geneau Families (I hope I didn't miss anyone). Many years ago Grandfather Johnson had a cabin, also built by Charlie Boostrom, on McFarland Lake where the family would spend summer vacations. Recently they have been gathering at the Clearwater Cabins for a week or 2 enjoying the area, fishing, having a family dinner in the lodge.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Multi Generational Trip




Darrell Buhler arranged for a canoe trip for the all the generations of his families. Darrell organized a canoe trip for his two sons, his son in law and his 5 grandsons.

Friday, July 09, 2010

Its Berry Season!


You may have read our recent blog about strawberry picking and jam making. Now we have moved on to bigger, better and 'bluer' berries. Although I would like to tell everyone that we are having no luck with picking, and that this is a terrible blueberry season, that would surely be a lie. I'll say the blueberries are out in full force, but the location will not be disclosed. I made a blueberry crisp yesterday, and if I get time in the next couple days I will try a blueberry pie. We made two batches of jam last night before our sugar supplies ran low.

-Tori

Friday, July 02, 2010

Wild Strawberries




June brought us wild strawberries and the crew didn't let that opportunity pass them by. They made strawberry jam and dried strawberries for baking.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Clearwater Lake Trout



As the great, great grandchildren of the late Charlie Boostrom of Clearwater Lake were out fishing on Saturday 6/26/10, they landed this 15.9# and 36'' long lake trout in about 50' of water while trolling on a nice summer day at the family cabin. An impressive catch for Anders Zimmer (age 14) and Damian Zimmer (age 11).

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Lily, Queenie and Lupines


Last but by no means least our final staff member profile is of Lily Anderson. Lily worked with us last summer. If you remember, Lily is from China and has a cabin on Clearwater Lake. She has been the US now for 18 months and I could tell as soon as I got back this summer that her English had really improved over the winter months. Lily worked for Bearskin Lodge during our off season and has now officially wintered over two times. She also got her driver’s license over the winter and has taken several longer solo trips to see friends. Sometimes I see her zipping down Clearwater Road in her little car. She took to driving with great determination no problems. We did hear that her husband John did need to pull her out of a ditch during the winter on Clearwater Road, but frankly who hasn't that happened to at least once up here? If I can count right, I have experienced 3 headers into snow banks on Clearwater Road.

Lily is our chief breakfast cook. This summer she is cooking, housekeeping, baking, gardening and front desk and whatever else comes up. We think we are going to teach her how to stain decks in the next week also but we shall see how that works out. She is game for anything new but sometimes looks at us like we are a bit crazy.

Kwas and Jim configured a small hatchet for Lily as they think everyone in the northwoods should have their own hatchet handy. That hatchet now resides on the kitchen window sill as Lily is not quite sure what she should do with this tool. Even though she stands 5 ft and 80 lbs., I think she is fully capable of bringing the boys in line with her mini-hatchet should the need arise when she is trying to get breakfast on the table.

Every morning once breakfast is done, Lily makes a special breakfast for Queenie. Queenie gets several cooked carrots nicely chopped, an egg white and ½ a sausage. Needless to say Queenie longingly looks for Lily first every morning. If Lily is not here, Queenie gets a bit aggravated trying to figure out who will give her this nice meal. The rest of us fill her bowl with dog food and have to deal with the grumbling and barking from her expressing her disgust of dry dog food. How could we be so rude to just give her dog food!

We had a lot of fun introducing Lily to the concept of a garage sale during the Trash and Treasures day on the Gunflint. But once she caught on she loved it. She manned the porch sale and bargained with everyone buying something. She carried that cash box under her arm and made sure everyone walked away with something. How could any resist this pint size sales rep? She now wants to have a garage sale every week.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Paddling Out



Matt Bremer brought a group up from Metropolis, Il. After driving all day, they had planned to spend the night with us and head out early the next morning. They made such good time driving here and were ready to get out on the water so we were able to get them a new permit for the date they arrived and they heading out in their canoes right away.

It was such a beautiful day for the to leave from the water front. The plan is for them to paddle towards West Pike Lake and set up a base camp there for a little fishing. As you can see from the photo, one canoe has left, one is leaving and the third is loaded and ready to go.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Jim Shefchik


Jim is our only new hire this summer. He is a roommate of Mike Kwas from Wisconsin and decided he might like to try the wilderness for a summer. So far, it is working out well for all of us. In fact, it is hard to imagine that Jim has not been here for many summers already. Jim is NOT shy and makes friends with everyone. He is certainly embracing the wilderness experience and is right now off on an overnight canoe trip.

Jim has many hobbies and a lot of knowledge about natural and organic foods. He was eating our dandelions and drying some other sort of leaves for a natural tea. If only he could eat enough dandelion greens to clear them all out. We teased Jim because the first time he mowed, he kept skipping patches because there was something interesting growing there. We had to convince him that there are interesting things growing everywhere but there are areas we need to walk in so we do have to mow and weed wack some places. On the whole, we try to maintain the property in a natural state but we do have to be careful that the forest does not take us over (that is another blog topic altogether!).

We are glad to have Jim with us this summer. He is an exuberant addition to our staff.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

A walk in the park


Last Monday myself and a fellow co-worker took a walk through the park. We did the easiest trail first, the Daniel's Spur taking us right to the US/Canadian Border on the Long Portage. An absolutely beautiful trail skirting a small river and had a few small rapids. From that trail we connected with the Border Route which took us to Rose Falls. We stopped there to fill our water bottles and eat a little gorp taking in the deafening sound of water barreling over the rocks. From there we decided to take the short way home on the Caribou Rock Trail. The name reflects itself, a rocky animal path following Duncan lake for a few miles, then taking a steep uphill turn for glorious views from high upon the razorback rock outcrops. There I found the biggest wild strawberry this season, measuring about the size of your thumb nail. Crossing a rock portage I spotted the biggest snapping turtle I have ever seen. It was bigger than my cowboy hat!! Near the road we also met an elder-couple that wanted to know how far back down the trail to the road. We didn't quite know so we showed them the map and assured the pair that the trailhead was just ahead. It was about 1/4 mile to the road from where we met them. We saw them later relieved that the rock trail was behind them.

Jim

Friday, June 18, 2010

Fishing on Deer Lake


Michael Semon and his son Christian took a few days out of their busy schedule of summer school and conferences to spend some quiet time at Clearwater Lodge. They stayed upstairs in the lodge and were off fishing most days before breakfast, returning for a hot breakfast and then heading back out.

They are primarily fishing catch and release but decided that the first fish they hooked would be dinner and the rest catch and release. Christian caught the first fish on one of his first casts on Deer Lake.

The Semon's brought us several jars of homemade pickles that Christian and Michael canned. We got to sample bread and butter pickles and garlic dill pickles. We introduced Lily to the concept of home canned pickles. These pickles are going fast. I carried them back into the lodge kitchen where Lily and Tori were then the boys came in and we opened all the jars and starting sampling. What a refreshing treat to have. Thanks for thinking of us!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Mike Kwas



Mike is back for a second year at the lodge. He was here in 2008, in 2009 did a internship for college and returning to Clearwater for the 2010 season. Mike does a lot of our maintenance. He is pretty handy with a hammer, paint brush and any other tool he picks up. To distinguish him from the owner Mike, we call him Kwas. That saves us a lot of confusion on the walkie/talkies. Mike has tackled a lot of cabin maintenance this spring. I see cabin doors and windows lined up at the garage being scrapped and painted and repaired. I head the chain saw and see truck loads of brush going by. We hear Kwas radio for help now and again for some heavy lift project he has started.

Kwas attends University of WI, Whitewater and majors in Biology / Environmental Sciences.

Kwas is on his second overnight canoe/camping trip since he got here late May. The crew this year is trying not to waste one day off and taking advantage of the all that the BWCA has to offer. Today he and Jim headed out of Duncan Lake for an overnight and last week it was out of Clearwater Lake for a Johnson Falls trip. It is so nice to have returning staff like Lily,Tori, Erik and Kwas. Everyone knows what needs to be done and just tackles. We feel with such as experienced staff that we can leave the resort when necessary in their capable hands.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Moose on the Gunflint



These photos taken last week were sent to us by Michael and Christian Semon.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Tori returns for a second summer



Tori has returned to Clearwater Lodge for a second year in the woods. Like all our staff, she prefers to spend her free time out in the wilderness hiking and in a canoe. Tori is a Junior at Wenonah State majoring in Geology. After finishing up school this May she went to South Dakota for several weeks for advanced field work in the Black Hills.

You may remember Tori from her blogs last summer. Her most famous one was the story of her waking up in her trailer with a bear rummaging around in the kitchen.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Our gang is all here


Our staff for the summer are all here and we are getting into the swing of things.

Erik has returned for his 5th season at Clearwater. After 5 years he just shows up in the spring and starts opening the lodge and hooking up water connections and getting everything ready for our visitors. Erik was born and raised in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and grew up in a state of uneventful bliss. Little did he know that when he took a summer job outfitting and guiding canoe trips on the Gunflint Trail four years ago, that it would change his life. The allure of the north woods lifestyle was impossible to deny, and he turned his summer job into a winter job with dog sled guiding at White Wilderness in Ely, MN.

Erik has managed to spend most of his times out of doors in the BWCA either in a canoe or on a dog sled.

He did take a break from living and working up north to spend a winter in the Twin Cities, obtaining his EMT license. For the time being Erik is content working out of doors, and couldn't imagine spending eight waking hours indoors. In his free time he enjoys photography, hiking, fishing, laughing, learning to pick the banjo and unicycling. Knowing that there is always a high demand for banjo pickin' unicyclists, Erik is not worried about the future at all. He looks forward to spending another summer season outside doing what he loves.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Wouldn't you love it if you were a dog in the Northwoods?


I think that the it must be wonderful to be a dog in the northwoods. You never get cooped up inside. It is a given that you are going to go on many, many car rides. You can open most of the screen doors so when you want to chase some wildlife or just lull in the yard all you have to do is push the door open with your head. There are staff and guests around that are willing to give you a rub down and sometimes a treat or just confirm you are a pretty puppy. And when all is said and done, you can sleep in the office underneath the desk of those you love.

Our Queenie dog is getting up in years and sleeping takes up more and more of her time. We did notice that her hearing isn't as good this summer. When we call her she looks around but has a little trouble discerning where the call came from. We need to watch her a bit more closely on the road that runs through the resort since she probably can't hear the cars. When we go out to the cabins she rides in the truck instead of running behind it. These days a moose could walk by her and she wouldn't try to chase it down or maybe not even bark at it. But she has her little spurts of energy. Yesterday she ran full speed down to the water front and rolled in the sand. The return trip was a lot slower and she walked right by me and didn't see me. But for that few minutes, she was a puppy again.

But I think all in all, this is the best place to share with our pet families. They may be slowing down, but the quality of life is unbeatable and we love them always.

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Smile of the Heavens






My dear dodo,

You went to the heaven two months ago. I miss you so much and I have been suffering since you left me. The winter is over, and Clearwater Lake has melted. The beautiful summer is coming already. I wish you were here. You would like to walk around again.

It seems like it is yesterday once more… in January 1994 a cold winter, god brought you into my life. You were just a cute little puppy. So many happy times and wonderful memories we shared during the 16 years. You had a long life for a dog, but for us that was never enough. We traveled so many places together in China, and spent good times and bad times with each other. You are an amazing dog with a sweet personality and I love you very much. I am glad you had a warm home and a dream life with everything I did for you. I am sure you were a happy dog, absolutely.

When you were 14 year old in 2008, you made it here to the USA from China. I was really proud of you. I would have never come to USA without you, you know that. I will never give up. That was a great experience for both of us on the trip. We stayed in the USA for two and half months then returned to China. In March 2009 we made it here again and decide stay forever.

Winter was very cold here in Minnesota. You had never seen snow in your life before. You were used to living in South China. Every day we went outside for a walk and I put pretty coats and boots on you. You looked like at little rabbit. You enjoyed the snow of course, and you enjoyed summer because swimming was your favorite. We had lots of fun.

Winter of 2010 was the last winter for you. Early March you were sick and things came up suddenly. You went to heaven before the night we were sleep together. I didn’t know this was the last night for us. The next morning the vet told me your kindeys failed already. I felt so guilty. I always have confidence in your health, and I should have known you were an old dog. I should have known that something was wrong with your kidneys when we visited the vet three months ago. I should have done something for you; it might have kept you here a little longer. I would give up everything I have if you could come back to me. I was really regretting that. Everything it was too late. I can’t forgive myself.

My dear dodo, you never had any suffering in your life. I can’t see you suffering, and I know you would not have gone, because you love me. You waited for me the first time I took my road test and I got my driver’s license. This was a painful decision. I never had it in my life, and my heart was broken. Finally I had to put you to sleep. I stayed with you until you went to heaven.

When I took you home for your last shower, I put new clothes and boots on you. You looked like a pretty sleeping angle. I have your ashes here with me now. I talk to you every day. I know you can hear how I miss you.

My dear dodo, heaven is a peaceful place for you to stay. You won't suffer anymore, and you can walk and eat again. You will be a lucky and happy dog again. You will meet so many of your old friends in heaven. I will see your sun shining smile in my dreams at night.

You’re such a wonderful boy and I remember how I love you. I will move on with you in spirit. You will always be in my heart, and you will be forever.

I love you my dearest dodo,
Your owner,
Lily

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

A Quiet Paddle on Clearwater Lake


Rebecca and Joe visited to spend a few quiet days in a cabin over the holiday weekend. Jim snapped this picture of them as they were paddling towards the shore.

Sunday, June 06, 2010

Headed towards Mountain Lake



Mike Moua organized this summer's trip for the gang from the Milwaukee area. About this time each June, they paddle out to the end of Clearwater to Mountain Lake and set up their camp on the island.

Friday, June 04, 2010

The bug report...


We haven't noticed many of our normal June friends around the lodge, but we know they are out there. You can't enjoy this wonderful spring weather in Minnesota without experiencing a little buzzing around your head. You have to take the bad with the good.

Two of our staff members were out on an overnight to Caribou Lake and reported seeing the dragon flies hatching. My first thought is good, they will eat the mosquito's. In the wooded areas there are black flies out now and mosquito's but not too terribly bad. A little bug spray and maybe a head net and you will be fine.

I was curious about the dragon flies since they are hatching. They hatch in the slow moving waters and climb out on the rocks. The boys noticed them along the edges of the Caribou Lake. I did a little google research on our friendly mosquito eating friends.

Dragonflies and their close relatives called damselflies are ancient insects and prehistoric reminders of the age of the dinosaurs. Enormous dragonflies with a wingspread up to 30 inches across were part of the Paleozoic landscape about 300 million years ago. The largest insect ever known was a dragonfly called Meganeura monyi. It had a wingspread of 30 inches and a body 18 inches long. It lived until about 250 million years ago and then became extinct.

It is believed that prehistoric insects were much larger than modern day insects because of the high concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere, about 35 percent. That percentage has decreased since the days of the dinosaurs and is now about 21 percent.

Even with major changes in the landscape over millions of years, dragonflies have continued to adapt and are found worldwide. There are an estimated 5,500 to 6,500 dragonfly and damselfly species in the world. In Minnesota there are about 140 total species.

Dragonflies belong to the class Insecta and the Order Odonata. Odonata includes both dragonflies and damselflies. Dragonflies tend to be larger and have large eyes which meet in the center of their heads. The wings of dragonflies are transparent with assorted markings. They are not narrow at the base and the forewings and the hindwings are each shaped differently. When at rest, the wings are outspread. Damselflies are generally smaller than dragonflies and have a more slender body. Their eyes are widely separated, and they hold their wings together above their body when at rest.

Dragonflies are an aeronautical marvel. They can hover, glide, and pursue prey species like mosquitoes at speeds up to 29 inches per second. They are an aggressive and voracious predator that eats midges, mosquitoes, butterflies, moths, and even smaller dragonflies and fish.

The life cycle of a dragonfly has three stages: egg, larva, and adults. After hatching in a pond, dragonfly larvae become aggressive predators that eat "anything smaller than they are". The larval stage of a dragonfly's life can last anywhere from 2 months to 5 years. After emerging from the larval stage, adult dragonflies live only 4 to 6 months.

Although dragonflies are efficient predators, they also serve as prey for birds like purple martins, frogs, and larger dragonflies. They nymphs are eaten by frogs, toads, newts and fish.

The largest species of dragonflies are the Lake Darner and Arrowhead Spike tail which average 3.1 inches long and the smallest dragonfly in the state is the Elfin Skimmer which is only .8 inches long.

Dragonflies and damselflies depend on abundant and diverse types of wetlands, rivers, and lakes. Every species has special requirements related to water quality, aquatic vegetation, and natural shoreline vegetation where they may lay eggs, hunt, or rest. They serve as an important part of the food chain and comprise an important part of our natural biological diversity. There are about as many dragonflies and damselflies in Minnesota as there are butterflies, but butterflies are more well known.

In order to better understand Minnesota's dragonflies and damselflies, the DNR's Nongame Wildlife Program has initiated an annual volunteer dragonfly survey so private citizens can help collect information on the distribution of the state's dragonflies. More information is available from www.mndragonfly.org.

Thursday, June 03, 2010

catching a few rays

The Staff Johnson Falls



James, Mike, Erik and I had Tuesday off and of course we went camping. We enjoyed a slight tail wind on our way out to a nice spot on Caribou Lake on Monday afternoon. A lazy morning was spent cooking a greasy breakfast that would fuel our day at Johnson Falls. We got to the falls just in time to get sprinkled on, but the rain blended in nicely with the mist. We got to the top and bottom tier of the falls, and both were spectacular.

I look forward to getting out with the boys again soon.
-Tori