Friday in Ely

We had a very leisurely morning.  Jay made eggs to order for everyone: omelets, scrambled, eggs on toast .... whatever.  Delicious.  

Wilhelm, Emmet, Liam, and Tristan had planned to leave around 11 am to go to a Scout Order of the Arrow camping thing.  They were working on getting all packed up. It was almost 12 when they actually left.  Of course they had to have the birthday cake before they left. Laura stayed here.  

Cute goldfinch

A red squirrel trying to get to the bird feeder

There are 5 cats here.  Ben & Erin brought 3 and Laura brought 2.  I didn't get pictures of them all.

Robbie had the assignment of cooking the few fish they caught for part of his scout fishing badge.

Success!! Ben was giving instructions.  He did a good job.  There were blue gill and walleye filets.  There was wild rice pilaf and veggies.  

After lunch we headed into town to the Mesabi Trail.  Laura jogged the 4 mile loop, Ben's family all rode bikes, and Jeanne and I walked just a short ways on the trail.

The miner's dry house which now is an event space.

We all met up at the Veteran's Memorial Pavilion.

DQ was on the way home so of course we stopped.

Once we got back to the house.  

Laura helped Robbie get set up on her inflatable paddle board.  (Nathan you may want to consider this option)  Davy joined Robbie with Jeanne's kayak.

Oops.

While they were out in the bay we watched. 

Jay (sort of)

Erin, Ben, and Laura.

Jeanne was in the house fixing dinner,  Sean was trying to do some fishing and I was taking pictures.

Sweet & sour meat balls

Meatballs, rice and broccoli.  I forgot to take a picture.

All gone.

Laura made challah bread that we will use for French toast in the  morning.

Jeanne was going out to bring in the bird feeders and she noticed a flying squirrel hanging from one of the bird feeders.  We all went out to try to get pictures.

This picture is more blurry but it does show how spread out it is.

Tonight's game was Finspan.  It is a take off from Wingspan. 

Jay, Erin, Sean, Laura, and Ben

Beaverton to Ely

 I was up at 3:15 am to get ready for my flight to Duluth via Minneapolis-St Paul. I had arranged a Lyft pick up for 4 am. My ride arrived 5 minutes early, but I was ready.  Our front door light did not come on as I left so I did not see that Cider escaped!! Luckily, he hung around.  George saw him sitting out in the back yard when he got up.  

There was no traffic at 4 am so I got to the airport in plenty of time.  I zipped through security.  I had time for a cup of coffee before we started boarding.

The person sitting by the window offered to take this picture.

I arrived at Gate G18 and had to walk to C14.  Only about a 1/2 mile walk.  I had a 3 hour layover so I was not in a hurry.

I decided to find a place for lunch.  One direction was Chick-fil-A or Smashburgers and the other direction was Greek or Royal Panda.  I went with Royal Panda. 

Sesame Chicken on vegetables bowl. Not bad.

We got a notice that the flight to Duluth was delayed about 30 minutes.  Not only was it delayed but since it was a short flight there was no service and to top it off the toilets were out of commission.  They told people to go to the restroom before getting on the plane.  Luckily, it was a short flight. It really was a short flight.

I got my luggage and met Jeanne out front about 4:30 pm.  It was too late for Jeanne to go to choir rehearsal so we just went straight to Jeanne & Jay's.  

Ben and Laura had taken all 5 kids out in 3 canoes to go fishing.  The plan for dinner was to eat what they caught. Apparently they had to let some of what they caught go because they were too small.  Davy caught the largest. 

Erin had made up a big array of snack and salad foods thinking that they would go with the fish.  She also made a fried wild rice dish.  Unfortunately the fishers did not come home with enough fish.  But there was plenty of food there.  

Wilhelm & Laura

Ben, Erin, Robbie, Emmet, Tristan, and Laura

Jay, Ben, Erin, and Wilhelm.

They are a very musical family.  Wilhelm, Emmet, Laura, Liam, Tristan.  They were rehearsing because they will be playing in their church in 2 weeks. They all sing and play multiple instruments.  

Ben was icing the cake.  It needs to chill over night, so it is tomorrow's dessert. They had cake earlier in the week for the July birthdays. Davy was feeling left out so Erin made this and Ben iced it for him for his 1/2 birthday.

Game time.  Jay, Ben, Tristan, and Erin were playing Dominion.  Jeanne was watching, and I was trying to stay awake.

Sunday and Home

 We had to check out by 10 am!! That seems so early.  We loaded up all of our stuff.  No pretty sunrise pictures this morning. 

This was our only group photo from this weekend.  Olivia was already in the car, so we gathered around. Not the best photo.  Barbara S, Olivia, Sharon, me, and Kris. We still missed Judy.  

 Kris headed north with Olivia to get her home.  They had planned to meet Mark (Olivia's husband) in Tillamook. That would shorten Kris' drive, and also then Mark could take over with helping Olivia.  She was in a little less pain this morning.  I heard that they did connect.

Barbara drove Sharon and me.  First, we went to Fathan's restaurant for breakfast at the Inn at Spanish Head.  The food is always good but the best thing is the view.

Then we headed directly to Portland.  We got to Sharon's by 1:15 pm.  George met me there.  Barbara headed back to her place.  We will have to wait to hear what the diagnosis is of Olivia's knee.  We know that it was not a break or blood clots.   I assume that everyone got home safely.