As Theo would say, "The first time we're using our new car is on a road trip!" I can't believe how much cars have advanced in 10 years. So weird to have a built in screen with a back up camera.
Lane assist, traction control. Wait, I think our good old Honda Inisght was just really barebones. Plus it was actually 15 years old.
The fancy part of our new Ford Escape is that we've upgraded from a hybrid to a plug-in hybrid. About 40 miles all electric and then 40+ mpg gallon for a few hundred more miles.
The kids are loving the roomy backseat.
Driving through Cornell, we stopped at Sam's Place and Diner. We were surprised to see the interior had changed a lot since the last time we were here.
I guess things change a lot after nearly ten years.
Then we promised the kids ice cream at Dylan's Dairy.
Cute place but was hoping it was homemade ice cream.
We had left in the morning instead of the night before so we could stop at Timm's Hill. The highest point in Wisconsin.
It was busy for a Thursday afternoon.
Kind of funny to go up in a fire tower to get a better view from the highest point in Wisconsin.
Was Meadow scared or what?
I added our name to the visitor roster.
My dad had added a hidden door to get to the camp. He's so clever.
We were lucky to be up north during the few days a comet could be spotted in the sky. See the bright light across the lake? That's it.
I grabbed our telescope, but couldn't figure out how it worked.
My mom brought the leash so Pepe could go outside. You know Meadow was excited.
I can't really tell if Pepe was excited.
Today was too nice to not be outside. We decided to hike the Luna-White Deer Trail.
We thought we hadn't hiked this trail in the nearby Nicollet National Forest, but it all came back while on the trail.
Crazy how previous years on this weekend it has snowed.
Colors are usually way past peak.
It might've been even better the next weekend.
The water levels are so low still.
Northern Wisconsin didn't get much rain while Minneapolis was deluged until the last month or so.
Theo kept trying to find a better and better hiking stick.
The Luna-White Deer Trail connects to the larger Hidden Lakes trail loop. Should have thought of this earlier and Scott and I could have backpack camped this weekend.
That could be fun someday.
Meadow made a nature hamburger.
I told Theo he blended in with the yellow leaves. Every once in awhile he would stop and "hide".
Apparently the kids can have a really good time hiking.
The last leg of the trail cuts through the campground. As I said before National Forest campgrounds > state park campgrounds.
I flew my drone for a bit since the colors were so dang good.
Beautiful from the ground and up high.
We took the scenic route back to the cottage.
At every turn the colored leaves got better and better.
My dad kept stopping and making Scott take photos.
I got it!
I brought our swimsuits along so we could get in one last swim for the year.
Yes, it was that warm.
I practiced with the telescope so I could be ready when it got dark.
Pretty soon the comet will be out.
It was really hard to find it and once I did it was impossible to hold it. But when I did get to see it, it was pretty cool.
Chelsea had brought up mouse trap, but the instructions were missing. After some Google searches we were in business.
I completely forgot how to play this game.
Can you spy the squirrel trap? Meadow's at it again.
More lake time on another unusually warm day.
I wanted to get in one last boat ride for the year. Dad wasn't sure we could get the boat in and out with the really low water levels. He was partially right. The boat bottomed out as soon as he got it into the water. I had to help shimmy it to higher water.
Which means we got to go on a boat ride.
Warm boat rides and oktoberfest beer? Weird, at least this late in the season..
Not a bad day for a fall boat ride.
Like weirdos we searched for our renter's aunt's cottage. We may have found it. This was mostly Brooke's doing.
We stopped on Island Lake so I could get some more drone shots.
I thought I'd spotted a dome cabin and I was right.
Didn't realize there were a few islands on Island Lake. Thought it was just the little one by the sandbar.
I overheard Theo saying I love you and making kissy noises. I thought it was so sweet he was being nice to Meadow when I looked over...
Hahaha.
We stopped for drinks at Pine Sol. I mean Pine Isle.
Of course grandpa had to give the claw machine a go.
And that's the last boat ride of 2024.
Meadow was too busy to go hiking again with us.
But Theo was game.
Hike #2 for the weekend. Sam Campbell Trail.
We took the trail backwards for a change of pace.
That's the stuff.
Theo was ready to go back, but I wanted to shoot some drone shots. Again.
Theo and Brooke turned around while I got in a few more shots.
You'll find Four Mile Lake at the end of the Sam Campbell Trail.
Sam Campbell lived on the little island you can barely see in the bottom left.
Even the tamarack were in full color. Yes, some conifers change colors too.
So pretty.
Brittany had added to her mural recently.
Our annual cottage pumpkin carving. I can't believe Theo is touching the guts.
Meadow went with a fairy house theme. Foraged all her items from the forest.
Nice. I helped Theo carve a triforce (see Zelda) and failed miserably at it. Poor kid.
He even said, "This is going to be the worst pumpkin on the street"
Last day of the season means we have to get the lift and docks on the shore.
Thought I would get a quick swim in but not with this water.
Wait, no picture of your dads rope and pulley?
Oh, yeah. Carbon free fuel (Well, depending on how they get their power up in the Northwoods. Turns out it's a clean coal plant, which is still better than burning gas.)
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