Aloha Thanksgiving

We were fortunate enough to spend Thanksgiving week with some close friends in Hawaii. We stayed on the north shore and surfed, but what trip to Hawaii would be complete without first stopping at Duke's for a drink.




We had a fantastic tropical paradise location for dinner, overlooking a reef and some surf.






Relaxing after dinner.

We were fortunate enough to spend our Thanksgiving in Hawaii on the north shore with some close friends.

Simba Learns to Swin

It was only a matter of days after we brought Simba home that Terri set him in the pool. He quickly learned to swim and instinctively was fetching while swimming.


Of course, at that time the steps were taller than him which made for some fairly interesting exits from the pool.

The following week he was swimming fairly proficiently. Then he visited his cousin's (Saunch and Carmel) house. He quickly learned what it meant to play with "the big dogs" and Saunch dunked Simba. Undaunted...the submarine Simba kept the coveted toy in his mouth (while underwater remember) and kept swimming until he eventually surfaced...not even a cough or wimper.

Now, he's a champion swimmer and we cannot keep him out of the water.

Simba 1 - This is Wilson

We have Terri's twin sister Sherri to thank for the latest addition to our home, a golden retriever puppy named Simba. Of course, after returning from the family trip in Disney World, Sherri and Terri had a lot to talk about. Apparently, during one of those conversations Sherri mentioned that she saw pictures of some golden retriever puppies. Who can resist a cute, fuzzy, puppy? Apparently not us. Long story short, once we saw them we walked home with one.





While looking at the puppies and the parents, we learned from the owner that Simba was "the smart one". Translation...the one who always gets into trouble. We then learned that his father's name was Trouble. So, Simba is actually Trouble Jr.

Simba's favorite thing to do is chew on Terri (this is her first puppy, so she's learning a lot...Simba's a good teacher :) ).

When he's not doing his favorite thing, he likes to imitate a bear skin rug.

Isle Royale Backpacking Trip - Day 3

July 1-4, 2006 - Isle Royale National Park, Lake Superior

Day 3: July 3, 2006

Day 3 consisted of a 12 mile hike from Moskey Basin to Rock Harbor. The best thing about Rock Harbor is the fact that it has a lodge...and a shower...and a BAR!
Here we are at Moskey Basin. The swim (in 38 degree water) was refreshing. Of course, that was the night before when we first arrived at Moskey Basin. Ironic, that the morning started out much the same as I went to filter water for breakfast. As it turns out, the rocks are really slippery after a rainfall during the night hours. As if skiing a black diamond run, I went into the Lake Superior inlet with pots, pans, water filter, boots and all. You can imagine the racket that made as I slid down the rocks...pots and pans banging away.

Terri couldn't figure out what happened. As I stood silently, stunned in the cold water, she was yelling, "Ken, are you OK? Ken, how are you?". I eventually answered..."very soggy."


Then it was time to hike...12 glorious miles awaited. As we started the first hikers we saw commented on how slippery the rocks on the trail were (that would have been good information to have prior to my pre-breakfast swim).















Our first stop was Daisy Farm. Only 6 miles to go!














Only 3 more miles until we can get a hot shower and a beer.


We arrived at Rock Harbor, but first the shower. $9 later, we had two tokens, towels, soap and a shower stall waiting. Little did we know that $5 of our $9 was spent waiting for the Lake Superior water to warm up to a nice luke warm temperature. Not exactly what we imagined after paying $9.

Next we went to bar to get a beer and a cheeseburger (and after 3 days eating camp food) were possibly the best beer and cheeseburger ever.

Another happy ending to a great trip!

Isle Royale Backpacking Trip - Day 2

July 1-4, 2006 - Isle Royale National Park, Lake Superior

Day 2: July 2, 2006








Day 2 consisted of a 9 mile hike to our second campsite at Moskey Basin. Moskey Basin was a beatiful, clear, cold inlet of Lake Superior.





















We were fortunate enough to encounter a moose swimming and eating.
http://www.simonelic.com/blog/moose_vid.mov





There was plenty of time to stop and go for swim before dinner and then sit and relax by watching the ducks swim underwater looking for food.

Isle Royale Backpacking Trip - Day 1

July 1-4, 2006 - Isle Royale National Park, Lake Superior

Terri's first foray into wilderness backpacking was a success. We have lots of pics to prove it. The island national park was beautiful and full of wildlife including moose, fox, otters, ducks, turtles, and loons. All of which we experienced first hand.

Day 1: July 1, 2006



The first day started with a trip to via the Voyageur II boat from Grand Portage to Windigo Ranger station. Upon arriving in Windigo we had an unexpected 4 hour stay while the Voyageur returned to Grand Portage to pick up passengers from the Wenonah, which had a mechanical failure and was not going to be able to complete its daily trip, leaving those passengers stranded in Grand Portage (it could be worse).



After leaving Windigo, the Voyageur II dropped Terri and I at McCargoe Cove. It was a pretty spectacular view, not to mention the group of college co-eds that were swimming in there underwear (sorry no pics of that one).

Sunset at McCargoe Cove, Isle Royale National Park.

Terri and Ken sitting on a dock at the cove, McCargoe Cove.

I did manage to get a picture of a dragon fly over Terri's shoulder...she said it couldn't be done (she wasn't smiling, so I have to edit the pic before I can post it, meanwhile, here's the pic with the dragon fly on approach).



Terri wanted a picture of our first campsite.

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