Cabin Trip - Day 3

Day 3 at the cabin featured a hike in Minnesota's Scenic State Park followed by more fishing and boating.

The day started with an ill-advised attempt to drive two hours to see the headwaters of the Mississippi. This was a "quest" on David's part that - in a state of temporary insanity - he attempted to impose on the entire family.

Once the Quest was abandoned, we headed to a beautiful state park that was only 20 minutes away from the cabin - Scenic State Park. This park has a hike which features a beautiful esker trail.

[esker: a ridged peninsula dividing two bodies of water]


This turned out to be a beautiful hike and was not too difficult. It looked good for Braxton as it was only 3/4 of a mile each way.

We hiked through the old growth forest to the tip of the esker where we were treated to a panoramic view of lakes and forest. The kids (and the dogs) jumped in the water and enjoyed some swimming.

The way back turned out to be very difficult for Braxton. Unfortunately his pain medication wore off during the return hike and we hadn't brought any with us. He got slower and slower as his pain increased. Eventually David had to drive part way into the trail to pick Braxton up.

Once back at the cabin we had lunch and Braxton happily took another dose of pain meds. Then the kids (including Braxton) all went out to do more fishing from the dock. Later David and Paul went on a loon hunt. There was a loon family on the lake and David wanted to get some close-up pictures, if possible. He succeeded!

The loons were fascinating to watch as David & Paul approached them. The father loon dove under the water away from the mother and baby and then did a dance where it pretended to be hurt. And they shouted at us with their beautiful and mournful loon call. It was a wonderful sight.

That night we all sat down and watched "An Arctic Tale," a documentary about a baby polar bear and a baby walrus filmed by the same group that made March of the Penguins.


+ posted by David