First thing you do in 88 degree heat

with a dew point of 75 degrees, is model the hats you just finished knitting!

This makes perfect sense to a compulsive knitter.

Here we are, after a long weekend of camping.

Note the happy inattention to personal grooming...


Both hats are knit from handspun. Girl of the House is modeling the Blue Face Leicester purchased at Shepherd's Harvest.

I'm wearing Karaoke (merino/soy silk) fiber purchased at Mielke's Farm last fall when I was at SOAR.



Here's a better photo of hats - no heads.











We returned to one of our favorite state parks in Minnesota - Beaver Creek Valley.



Our favorite morning coffee spot, the head of East Beaver Creek. There are springs popping cold, clear water right out of the rock walls.





We did miles and miles of hiking.

Beaver Creek Valley is a very narrow valley with steep walls. We hiked all around the rim. The views are incredible.

We did one geocache in the park.

Due to the depth of the valley and the tree coverage, the campground is always at least 10 degrees cooler than the surrounding area.

There were gentle breezes that kept us cool.


I did quite a bit of knitting.



Advanced a bit on Rogue.

I even got some spinning done. Can't say I'm very pleased with that, though...






We played games and games of cards.












And we read.












Even Ben made it down to see us for a night, before returning to camp.









On the way home, we went the roundabout way.

It's always best to take a different road home. There are so many things to see in this world.



We stopped at John Latsch State Park, along the Mississippi, and did two geocaches.

One of them was at the top of the bluff.

Roughly 600 steps up the bluff.



pant, pant, pant



The views were breathtaking.

(And it felt REALLY good to sit and rest.)








Now, we return to our regularly scheduled week.

(Whoa, kind of a drag, eh?!)