Finishing the Fair

Any day at the fair must include trips down the giant slide, a feature so popular and traditional that couples sometimes use it for a wedding site.

Our girls always look forward to the Skyride for an aerial view of the fairgrounds and the exciting commotion they expect to see. It's also a great way to wind down and prepare for ending our day. Somehow they have appetites for Martha's chocolate chip cookies. Conveniently nearby is the Republican Party booth with free water and balloons.

Our usual final stop is the Dairy Barn to check progress of the butter sculptures and to get ice cream sundaes. The lines are ridiculously long, but no one minds and good humor prevails. Outside we find shade under a tree, sit to eat our sundaes, and watch the parade scheduled for every afternoon.

Walking out the gate, we ask the worker to stamp our hands on the chance we might want to return to the fair this same day or night. Slight chance. Very slight chance.

Milk, Kidway, and Snowcones

Across the street from the Miracle Barn, we bellied up to the Milk Bar, drank, refilled, and drank again.

On our way across the fairgrounds, we walked through the DNR building and exhibits. At the fish pond, a ranger spoke about various species in the state, and granddaughters looked for some they recognized. Then the girls took a familiar trek through the display of native animals. Outside a falconer demonstrated the training and characteristics of falcons by using four birds and their handlers.

Moving on to the Kidway, girls used their tickets on favorite rides and worked up a thirst that only snow-cones could satisfy. As we sat cooling in the shade, we saw many fair goers buy the new bacon ice cream, but we resisted. Homemade vanilla ice cream flecked with maple-coated bacon bits! Maybe next time?

Monday at the Fair

The Minnesota State Fair called to us on our first morning back in town so off we went. Monday honored kids and senior citizens, perfect for us four.

Everyone voted to have pork chop on a stick for a hearty breakfast, and girls devoured every morsel.

Next stop was the Miracle of Birth Barn where girls could observe and pet animal moms and babies. While there, we watched the birth of a calf in the designated maternity pen in the center of the building. Seeing the mama cow licking her new baby elicited oohs and aahs from the crowd, our girls included.

Last step before leaving was the meticulous washing of hands at one of the many cleaning stations.

Sunday Departure

On our day for packing and returning to the city, we awake to find a seaplane parked at one of the docks. Such aircrafts appear occasionally at the lake, and a previous summer the girls were invited to give one moored on the beach a closer inspection inside the cockpit.

Soon our cars are headed for home with us and our sweet memories. I find some random photos to post.

An old crabapple tree, heavily peppered with red, grows beside the walking path that winds around and through the property. Girls often set it as a destination and test their growing reach to obtain the darkest ripe fruit.

On Friday evening, a cloudless sunset blazes for our birthday daughter. Throughout our stay we use this time of day to admire and reflect.

After unloading the cars and giving ourselves a short (short!) rest, we pick up rackets for a badminton game in the backyard. Home again!

Last Day Antics

Since Saturday was our last full day at the lake and weather was dicey, girls decided clothes might as well get totally wet. Parents encouraged by challenging them to race obstacle courses for best times, always including jumps off the dock. We kept the fire burning to help keep us warm and dry, but finally going indoors worked much better.

Classics on Parade

Saturday morning we were fortunate to be outside when old wooden boats from the classic boat show paraded in front of our beach. Photos are hazy because of the drizzly fog still hanging around the lake.

Saturday Morn Fog

Drizzly fog created another perfect day for school shopping. Girls took advantage of the double stroller, even though their legs didn't fit correctly.

The third photo is not poor photography, oh no, not at all; their eyes actually get that look when we reach their section of the store and they see cute clothes they really like. Girls willingly model favorite tops.

Birthday Cake

Back at the cabin, we continued the birthday celebration with presents and cake. Both girls had shopped carefully and purchased deliberately, and mom was delighted with cards and gifts.

Girls put the finishing touch of candles on the ice cream cake they had made a day earlier. Mom did her part by blowing out all the candles with one breath. Cool treat to end this birthday!