2015 Up North Summer Vacation -Part 1

We got back home on Monday 8/10 from our convention and had time to unpack and flip some laundry loads and repack. Noah got a last minute invite to Como pool to swim with a couple of good friends so we went and chilled out for the afternoon there. We have never been there since they rebuilt. Wow. Nice! It is a whole little water park now. Fun for the kids! (Noah never swam at the hotel this weekend so a nice way to end that off!

Then on Tuesday we piled in the car and headed north. We spent a few hours in our beloved Canal Park in Duluth. Had lunch and hit a few shops and the pier. And also Lief Erickson Park:

Then we headed up to Lutsen where we had reservations at Eagle Ridge resort on Lutsen Mountains.  This is our third stay there and we love the location. Time to unpack and have Dinner at Pappa Charles and Noah to hit the pool.  

Wednesday we decided to stay around the resort and enjoy the onsite activities. They have an Alpine Slide on the side of the mountain which we love and also the gondola that takes you to the other mountain across the way to the chalet and hiking trails and a beautiful overlook:

Ended with the nightly fire. It went out so it became a challenge to rebuild with limited supplies. Success! 

Thursday we hiked at Judge Magney State Park in the morning. They have falls called Devil's Kettle because at the upper falls you can't see where the water drops down to. Looks bottomless. The lower falls are beautiful too.  To get there is a path through the woods and then hundreds of stairs. Workout with a reward. I did the lower falls and then the boys kept climbing up to the upper Devils Kettle falls. Met a nice family from Woodbury up there. Always a "small world" there as most visitors are from the Cities. 

I thought I had a pic of the upper falls but it is still on Brent's camera. They said that hike was worth it. 

After we hiked the steps and trails to get back out we decided to go get lunch and snoop around Grand Marais. Love that town!!! 

Lunch at the Crooked Spoon Cafe

Dessert at the Worlds Best Donuts shop 

Walked along the shore and around town at shops. Wonderful day! 

Cold lake!!

Nightly swim! 

To be continued on next post Part 2...

2015 Regional Convention

We attended the Regional Convention in Rochester Aug 7-9, 2015. We went on Thursday to check in and get settled and had a fun evening of catching up with our good pal Alison for a pizza night. Then 3 full days of spiritual food and association and volunteering (Brent did parking and Noah and I had rest room cleaning) and stayed an extra day til Monday. It all went so fast but it was wonderful learning how we can all Imitate Jesus. Stirring talks and videos and demonstrations and releases (no spoilers for any not attended yet). We were with a different mix of circuits and congregations too, so fun to see ones we don't always get to see. Dinners with Alison, Kottkes, Bighleys and Laura, Nate and Christine. Good times had by everyone and we left spiritually well fed. We have the whole week off so after regrouping and laundry on Monday then we are heading "Up North" for some family vacation time. More later on that adventure! 

They had to take everything down on Sunday night because another event followed ours. Then put it all back together Wednesday night/Thurs morning for the last Spanish Convention. Such hard working dedication of our brothers and sisters!!