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We spent Memorial Day weekend camping at Big Bay State Park. Located near La Pointe, WI on Madeline Island, the park has all of the amenities that interest us such as a swimming beach, paved bike trails, paddling, hiking, and geocaching. We spent four days trapped on the island and enjoyed the company of family and friends.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI The Flentje vehicle on the Madeline Island Ferry The Flentje vehicle on the Madeline Island Ferry	2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Laura on the ferry to Madeline Island Laura on the ferry to Madeline Island	2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Most of the gang on the ferry Most of the gang on the ferry
2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Bart with two of his ladies riding the ferry to Madeline Island Bart with two of his ladies riding the ferry to Madeline Island	2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Nene and Laura spoting for icebergs while rding the ferry Nene and Laura spoting for icebergs while rding the ferry	2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI The sea approach into La Pointe, WI The sea approach into La Pointe, WI
2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Entrance to Big Bay State Park Entrance to Big Bay State Park	2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Entrance to our campsite 24 Entrance to our campsite 24	2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Our home for the weekend, #24 Our home for the weekend, #24
2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Laura on the beach of Lake Superior Laura on the beach of Lake Superior	2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Playing Bananagrams in the camper Playing Bananagrams in the camper	2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Laura kayaking on Lake Superior Laura kayaking on Lake Superior
2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Anna enjoying the beach Anna enjoying the beach	2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Anna lounging at the beach Anna lounging at the beach	2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Anna kayaking Lake Superior Anna kayaking Lake Superior
2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Molly and Teddy on the Madeline Island ferry Molly and Teddy on the Madeline Island ferry	2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Molly relaxing in the camper Molly relaxing in the camper	2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Teddy is afraid to leave the camper Teddy is afraid to leave the camper
2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Nene and Mary kayaking Lake Superior Nene and Mary kayaking Lake Superior	2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Nene kayaking to the sea caves Nene kayaking to the sea caves	2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Nene and Anna being crazy Nene and Anna being crazy
2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Bart enjoying the cool, sunny, weather Bart enjoying the cool, sunny, weather	2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Enjoying a nice hike along the shore Enjoying a nice hike along the shore	2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Bart cooking breakfast Bart cooking breakfast
2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI Ice bergs floating in Big Bay Ice bergs floating in Big Bay	2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI A view of Big Bay A view of Big Bay	2014 - Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, WI A view of Big Bay A view of Big Bay

For our final camping trip of the season, we spent MEA weekend at Myre-Big Island State Park. Located in Albert Lea, MN, Myre-Big Island offers hiking, biking, and paddling opportunities. The fall colors were gorgeous and the Hiking Club trail had a pretty good mix of scenery between its prairie and deep wood views.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - Myre-Big Island State Park, Albert Lea, MN Entrance to Myre-Big Island State Park Entrance to Myre-Big Island State Park	2013 - Myre-Big Island State Park, Albert Lea, MN Laura at entrance to Myre-Big Island State Park Laura at entrance to Myre-Big Island State Park	2013 - Myre-Big Island State Park, Albert Lea, MN The road into Myre-Big Island State Park The road into Myre-Big Island State Park
2013 - Myre-Big Island State Park, Albert Lea, MN Entrance to our campsite #61e Entrance to our campsite #61e	2013 - Myre-Big Island State Park, Albert Lea, MN Our home for the weekend, #61 Our home for the weekend, #61	2013 - Myre-Big Island State Park, Albert Lea, MN A view of our campsite A view of our campsite
2013 - Myre-Big Island State Park, Albert Lea, MN Laura exploring the park Laura exploring the park	2013 - Myre-Big Island State Park, Albert Lea, MN Laura at Myre-Big Island State Park Laura at Myre-Big Island State Park	2013 - Myre-Big Island State Park, Albert Lea, MN Anna at Myre-Big Island State Park Anna at Myre-Big Island State Park
2013 - Myre-Big Island State Park, Albert Lea, MN The Hiking Club trail The Hiking Club trail	2013 - Myre-Big Island State Park, Albert Lea, MN The Hiking Club trail The Hiking Club trail	2013 - Myre-Big Island State Park, Albert Lea, MN The Hiking Club trail The Hiking Club trail

On a weekend road cruise to geocache the state parks in the northwest corner of Minnesota, we used the Red River State Recreation Area as our base of operations. On this cold and rainy weekend, we parked the camper here for lodging as we geocached the weekend away at the northern parks and the greater Grand Forks area. The location of the campground was both a blessing and a curse. It was nice being located in downtown East Grand Forks, MN, on such a nasty cold and rainy day. It provided us with places to hang out while the rain was falling. Though, the noises of town late at night and into the early hours of the morning left most of us restless in bed (traffic, sirens, train whistles). I probably would not camp here again.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - Red River State Recreation Area, East Grand Forks, MN Entrance to Red River State Recreation Area Entrance to Red River State Recreation Area	2013 - Red River State Recreation Area, East Grand Forks, MN Entrance to our campsite #48e Entrance to our campsite #48e	2013 - Red River State Recreation Area, East Grand Forks, MN Our home for the weekend, #48e Our home for the weekend, #48e
2013 - Red River State Recreation Area, East Grand Forks, MN A view of the campground A view of the campground	2013 - Red River State Recreation Area, East Grand Forks, MN A view of the campground A view of the campground	2013 - Red River State Recreation Area, East Grand Forks, MN The back side of our campsite The back side of our campsite
2013 - Red River State Recreation Area, East Grand Forks, MN The levee at Red River SRA The levee at Red River SRA	2013 - Red River State Recreation Area, East Grand Forks, MN The levee at Red River SRA The levee at Red River SRA	2013 - Red River State Recreation Area, East Grand Forks, MN Atop the levee at Red River SRA Atop the levee at Red River SRA
2013 - Red River State Recreation Area, East Grand Forks, MN Grandma Norvina and Laura enjoying the campfire Grandma Norvina and Laura enjoying the campfire	2013 - Red River State Recreation Area, East Grand Forks, MN Bart And Laura trying to keep warm Bart And Laura trying to keep warm	2013 - Red River State Recreation Area, East Grand Forks, MN Bart and Laura make crazy faces Bart and Laura make crazy faces
2013 - Red River State Recreation Area, East Grand Forks, MN Grandma Norvina trying to keep warm Grandma Norvina trying to keep warm	2013 - Red River State Recreation Area, East Grand Forks, MN Bart doing a selfie Bart doing a selfie	2013 - Red River State Recreation Area, East Grand Forks, MN The Hiking Club password for Red River State Recreation Area The Hiking Club password for Red River State Recreation Area

Our gang spent five gorgeous days last week camping at Scenic State Park. Located near Bigfork, MN, on the Edge of the Wilderness, Scenic State Park is literally one of THE most gorgeous state parks in Minnesota outside of the northern shores of Lake Superior.

The park is very nicely maintained and the park staff were very busy keeping the park clean and picked up. The park offers hiking, paddling, fishing and a swimming beach. We managed to take advantage of just about every feature this park has to offer. The only issues we experienced were fairly minor. The swimming beach is not far away but just far enough away where the kids couldn't wander down to swim on their own. The mosquitoes weren't bad but the biting black flies were out something fierce. In spite of the beach and the flies, I would definitely return to this park to camp again.

I managed to snap a couple hundred pictures. Here is just a sample of our experience.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

  

2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Entrance to Scenic State Park Entrance to Scenic State Park	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Entrance to our campsite #56e Entrance to our campsite #56e	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Our home for the weekend, #56e Our home for the weekend, #56e
2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Setting up camp Setting up camp	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Unloading the boats Unloading the boats	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Laura exploring the campground Laura exploring the campground
2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Nene and the imposter mutt Nene and the imposter mutt	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Beautiful Molly Beautiful Molly	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Anna wouldn't pose so I caught her curls Anna wouldn't pose so I caught her curls
2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN A view of Coon Lake A view of Coon Lake	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN A view of Coon Lake A view of Coon Lake	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN A view of Coon Lake A view of Coon Lake
2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Bart and Laura fishing for lunkers Bart and Laura fishing for lunkers	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Laura scored her first catch, a 3 pound walleye ;-) Laura scored her first catch, a 3 pound walleye ;-)	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Laura during a twilight fishing expedition Laura during a twilight fishing expedition
2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Bart and teddy on the Chase Point Esker trail Bart and teddy on the Chase Point Esker trail	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Hiking the Chase Point Esker trail Hiking the Chase Point Esker trail	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Hiking the Chase Point Esker trail Hiking the Chase Point Esker trail
2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Hiking the Chase Point Esker trail Hiking the Chase Point Esker trail	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Bart hiking the Chase Point Esker trail Bart hiking the Chase Point Esker trail	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Laura hiking the Chase Point Esker trail Laura hiking the Chase Point Esker trail
2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Laura on a twilight paddle of Coon Lake Laura on a twilight paddle of Coon Lake	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Anna paddling Coon Lake Anna paddling Coon Lake	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Anna paddling Coon Lake Anna paddling Coon Lake
2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN A view from Bart's boat while paddling Coon Lake A view from Bart's boat while paddling Coon Lake	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN A view from Bart's boat while paddling Coon Lake A view from Bart's boat while paddling Coon Lake	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN A view from Bart's boat while paddling Coon Lake A view from Bart's boat while paddling Coon Lake
2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN If you're supersticious, avoid camping at site #26 If you're supersticious, avoid camping at site #26	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Bart at the Hiking Club password Bart at the Hiking Club password	2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN The Hiking Club password for Scenic State Park The Hiking Club password for Scenic State Park
2013 - Scenic State Park, Bigfork, MN Teddy enjoying the great outdoors Teddy enjoying the great outdoors

We spent Independence Day week camping at Maplewood State Park. Located six miles east of Pelican Rapids, MN, Maplewood State Park offers paddling and hiking opportunities. The park is nicely maintained and the park staff were very friendly. But I have to admit, I would probably not return here a second time. While the actual campsite was very nice, it is unfortunate that the beach is over four miles away and the hiking trails are just too steep for young children. But our gang made the best of it and spent our time paddling in the lake, visiting nearby parades, and repairing flat tires.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN Entrance to Maplewood State Park Entrance to Maplewood State Park	2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN Entrance to our campsite #4e Entrance to our campsite #4e	2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN Our home for the weekend, #4e Our home for the weekend, #4e
2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN Laura hanging out at camp Laura hanging out at camp	2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN Is that a plump nose or what? Is that a plump nose or what?	2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN Laura hanging out at camp Laura hanging out at camp
2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN A smoky camp site A smoky camp site	2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN The Flentje girls and Bowers boys The Flentje girls and Bowers boys	2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN Anna and Danny in a ninja stand off Anna and Danny in a ninja stand off
2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN A game of ninja A game of ninja	2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN Bart and Laura hanging out at camp Bart and Laura hanging out at camp	2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN Molly and Laura schmoozing it up Molly and Laura schmoozing it up
2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN The Flentje girls The Flentje girls	2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN Nene hanging out at camp Nene hanging out at camp	2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN Bart and Nene hanging out at camp Bart and Nene hanging out at camp
2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN Just in case you've forgotten what poison ivy looks like Just in case you've forgotten what poison ivy looks like	2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN Molly providing kayaking lessons Molly providing kayaking lessons	2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN Anna out on the water Anna out on the water
2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN Molly and Laura out yaking it up Molly and Laura out yaking it up	2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN Molly and Laura out kayaking Molly and Laura out kayaking	2013 - Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, MN The Hiking Club password for Maplewood State Park The Hiking Club password for Maplewood State Park

Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Mount Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. Getting to the summit from Asheville, NC, via Blue Ridge Parkway, is easily one of the most gorgeous drives I've done to date. Anyone driving through this area should put Mount Mitchell State Park on their must-visit list.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC A view along Blue Ridge Parkway up to Mt Mitchell A view along Blue Ridge Parkway up to Mt Mitchell	2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC A view along Blue Ridge Parkway up to Mt Mitchell A view along Blue Ridge Parkway up to Mt Mitchell	2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC A view along Blue Ridge Parkway up to Mt Mitchell A view along Blue Ridge Parkway up to Mt Mitchell
2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC A view along Blue Ridge Parkway up to Mt Mitchell A view along Blue Ridge Parkway up to Mt Mitchell	2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC A view along Blue Ridge Parkway up to Mt Mitchell A view along Blue Ridge Parkway up to Mt Mitchell	2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC A view along Blue Ridge Parkway up to Mt Mitchell A view along Blue Ridge Parkway up to Mt Mitchell
2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC Mt Mitchell State Park, that'a way Mt Mitchell State Park, that'a way	2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC Entrance to Mount Mitchell State Park Entrance to Mount Mitchell State Park	2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC Elevation marker at the summit parking lot. Elevation marker at the summit parking lot.
2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC A view along the final hike to the summit A view along the final hike to the summit	2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC A view along the final hike to the summit A view along the final hike to the summit	2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC A view along the final hike to the summit A view along the final hike to the summit
2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC Elevation marker at the summit of Mount Mitchell Elevation marker at the summit of Mount Mitchell	2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC Bart and Molly at the summit of Mount Mitchell Bart and Molly at the summit of Mount Mitchell	2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC Bart, Molly & Grandma Norvina at the summit Bart, Molly & Grandma Norvina at the summit
2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC Observation platform at the summit Observation platform at the summit	2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC Stone map depicting summit orientation Stone map depicting summit orientation	2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC Benchmark at the summit of Mount Mitchell Benchmark at the summit of Mount Mitchell
2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC Commemoration of Mount Mitchell's namesake Commemoration of Mount Mitchell's namesake	2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC Bart atop Mount Mitchell Bart atop Mount Mitchell	2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC Molly atop Mount Mitchell Molly atop Mount Mitchell
2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC A view from atop Mount Mitchell A view from atop Mount Mitchell	2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC A view from atop Mount Mitchell A view from atop Mount Mitchell	2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC A view from atop Mount Mitchell A view from atop Mount Mitchell
2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC A view from atop Mount Mitchell A view from atop Mount Mitchell	2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC Molly posing atop Mount Mitchell Molly posing atop Mount Mitchell	2013 - Mount Mitchell State Park, Asheville, NC Molly posing atop Mount Mitchell Molly posing atop Mount Mitchell

We finally managed to accomplish our goal, which is to hike Collier-Seminole State Park to find Florida's oldest active geocache. Located near Naples, FL, this was the southern most point on our excursion. For those of you that don't understand Florida geography, Naples is located on the northwestern corner of the everglades. There are so many dangers in this park that you are required to check in at the ranger's office, even for a day hike.

Alligators, snakes, panthers, mosquitoes, the heat, and many other dangers lurk here, any of which can really ruin your day. Even having hiked the swampy side of the park, the only issues we encountered during our hike were the swarms of mosquitoes and the heat. Once we checked out of the park and explored further south, we finally encountered a 10' long man-eating gator.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL The entrance to Collier-Seminole State Park The entrance to Collier-Seminole State Park	2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL Many dangers here so you need to check in Many dangers here so you need to check in	2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL This is panther territory This is panther territory
2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL The trail head to Florida's oldest geocache The trail head to Florida's oldest geocache	2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL The hike to Florida's oldest geocache The hike to Florida's oldest geocache	2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL Bart and Molly hiking in the heat and bugs Bart and Molly hiking in the heat and bugs
2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL Molly is bug proof Molly is bug proof	2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL Hiking through the everglades Hiking through the everglades	2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL Hiking through the everglades Hiking through the everglades
2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL Hiking through the everglades Hiking through the everglades	2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL Warning of more danger Warning of more danger	2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL Gator hangout but nothing here today Gator hangout but nothing here today
2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL The trail is getting wetter and wetter The trail is getting wetter and wetter	2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL We're now headed deeper into everglade country We're now headed deeper into everglade country	2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL We're now headed deeper into everglade country We're now headed deeper into everglade country
2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL Hiking through the everglade swamp waters Hiking through the everglade swamp waters	2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL Hiking through the everglade swamp waters Hiking through the everglade swamp waters	2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL Molly hiking through the everglade swamp waters Molly hiking through the everglade swamp waters
2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL Molly hiking through the everglade swamp waters Molly hiking through the everglade swamp waters	2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL We finally found a gator just south of the state park We finally found a gator just south of the state park	2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL This is a man-eater This is a man-eater
2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL We finally found a gator just south of the state park We finally found a gator just south of the state park	2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL We're getting a little too close We're getting a little too close	2013 - Collier Seminole State Park, Naples, FL Now Molly, just take two more steps back.. Now Molly, just take two more steps back..

As an avid geocacher, I am not so much interested in finding the typical urban geocache but love finding geocaches that take you on an adventure. One of my goals as a geocacher is to find as many of the oldest, original, stashes that were hidden back during the early days of the activity. One such geocache is located on Lake Michigan's Power Island (originally known as Marion Island), appropriately named, Power Island (GC35). It was hidden July 16th, 2000, and is Michigan's oldest active geocache that is only accessible via boat.

When I began planning my itinerary to Power Island, I thought it would be a nice idea to host a geocaching event. It would give others that share my goals the opportunity to complete the adventure and to join in on the camaraderie and fun of geocaching as a group. I listed the event as the Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) and really didn't expect more than a handful of interested adventure seekers. How bad did I underestimate the interest of the event? By the time the event concluded, there were seven boats in the armada consisting of over 45 known individuals that signed the log, not including some children and canine companions.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) Gathering at the boat launch Gathering at the boat launch	2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) Waiting to load up the boats Waiting to load up the boats	2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) Laura on the boat launch Laura on the boat launch
2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) Loading up the boats Loading up the boats	2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) Loading up our boat Loading up our boat	2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) And we're off And we're off
2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) Captain Bart sailing to Power Island Captain Bart sailing to Power Island	2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) Laura enjoying the ride Laura enjoying the ride	2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) Our wake on the way to Power Island Our wake on the way to Power Island
2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) Approaching Power Island Approaching Power Island	2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) The docks at Power Island The docks at Power Island	2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) No tie ups allowed at the docks so we had to anchor the boats No tie ups allowed at the docks so we had to anchor the boats
2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) Arriving at Power Island Arriving at Power Island	2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) We successfully made it to the island We successfully made it to the island	2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) The docks at Power Island The docks at Power Island
2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) Gathering for the Power Island Beach Party Gathering for the Power Island Beach Party	2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) Gathering for the Power Island Beach Party Gathering for the Power Island Beach Party	2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) Gathering for the Power Island Beach Party Gathering for the Power Island Beach Party
2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) Bart and Laura at Welcome To Power Island sign Bart and Laura at Welcome To Power Island sign	2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) Bart, Laura, and Grandma Norvina at Welcome To Power Island sign Bart, Laura, and Grandma Norvina at Welcome To Power Island sign	2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) Information plaque on Power Island Information plaque on Power Island
2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) Laura hiking Power Island Laura hiking Power Island	2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) Laura hiking Power Island Laura hiking Power Island	2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) A view of Lake Michigan from Power Island A view of Lake Michigan from Power Island
2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) Sailing Lake Michigan as seen from Power Island Sailing Lake Michigan as seen from Power Island	2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) A self portrait of Bart on Power Island A self portrait of Bart on Power Island	2013 - Power Island Beach Party (GC462H4) The western beach of Power Island The western beach of Power Island

On weekend trip to Sioux Falls, SD, Laura and I wanted to do a bit of rock climbing. We drove a few miles north of town to Palisades State Park, which is located near Garretson, SD. I'd heard of the park in the past as it is known for it's Earthcaches within the park that highlight the sioux quartzite spires and cliffs, but I wasn't prepared for how gorgeous this area really is. This park is now on our shortlist of camping destinations.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD Entrance to Palisades State Park Entrance to Palisades State Park	2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD Historical information sign Historical information sign	2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD Looking downstream at Split Rock Creek Looking downstream at Split Rock Creek
2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD The King's Spire The King's Spire	2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD The King's Spire The King's Spire	2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD Laura as we're headed to the spires Laura as we're headed to the spires
2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD The Queens Spire The Queens Spire	2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD A look downstream atop the Queens Spire A look downstream atop the Queens Spire	2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD A look downstream atop the Queens Spire A look downstream atop the Queens Spire
2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD Laura atop the Queens Spire Laura atop the Queens Spire	2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD Bart atop the Queens Spire Bart atop the Queens Spire	2013 - Palisades State Park, Garretson, SD Bart and Laura atop the Queens Spire Bart and Laura atop the Queens Spire

Following our stop at Grand Marais, we decided to drive the 40 miles to Grand Portage State Park to view Pigeon Falls. Located on the border between Minnesota and Ontario, only the primary falls on the Pigeon River was flowing today. Low water levels left the secondary falls to the left at a mere trickle and the secondary falls to the right were non-existent. We still marvelled at Minnesota's highest waterfall and enjoyed the history lesson provided by state park signage.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2012 - Grand Portage State Park, Grand Portage, MN The leaf is bigger than Molly's head The leaf is bigger than Molly's head	2012 - Grand Portage State Park, Grand Portage, MN Nene on the boardwalk to Pigeon Falls Nene on the boardwalk to Pigeon Falls	2012 - Grand Portage State Park, Grand Portage, MN The boardwalk to Pigeon Falls The boardwalk to Pigeon Falls
2012 - Grand Portage State Park, Grand Portage, MN Pigeon Falls, Minnesota's tallest waterfall, Ontario on the opposite side of the river Pigeon Falls, Minnesota's tallest waterfall, Ontario on the opposite side of the river	2012 - Grand Portage State Park, Grand Portage, MN Molly and Teddy at Pigeon Falls Molly and Teddy at Pigeon Falls	2012 - Grand Portage State Park, Grand Portage, MN Bart and Molly at Pigeon Falls Bart and Molly at Pigeon Falls
2012 - Grand Portage State Park, Grand Portage, MN Nene at Pigeon Falls Nene at Pigeon Falls	2012 - Grand Portage State Park, Grand Portage, MN Laura and Mary discover the Hiking Club password Laura and Mary discover the Hiking Club password	2012 - Grand Portage State Park, Grand Portage, MN The Hiking Club password The Hiking Club password