Boundary Waters

Here are some pictures from our recent adventure in the BWCA. We had a great time with our friends Nicole and Nathan. Jon did great on his very first real camping trip. We traveled around 35 or 40 miles (not quite sure, due to a last minute detour) from Clearwater Lake, through the Pike Lakes, John Lakes, MacFarlane Lake, Pine Lake, Caribou Lake and a detour to Deer, Moon and Flour Lakes when we couldn't find a campsite on our last night.

Here is Jon with our fully loaded canoe getting ready to take off from Clearwater.

Here are Nicole and Nathan next to us in their kayaks, which we soon learned were not fun to portage. Especially after you learn that your possibly (the rules weren't totally clear) illegal portage wheels don't work very well.

Unloading at the first portage.


A self of Jon and I in our paddling hats.

Jon fishing from our campsite on West Pike Lake. This was definitely our best campsite. I caught a smallmouth bass in the canoe, which was interesting.

Nicole and Nathan eating Mountain House. Yum.

Nathan and Jon trying to get the food up in the tree to keep it away from the bears. It was quite the process each night, especially because there weren't many strong low branches to choose from.
Jon forging the river.


Nathan and Jon swimming in Johnson Falls.



Jon and I by Johnson Falls.


Jon in the back of the canoe.

Jon carrying the beast of a canoe.


More Mountain House. The last day.

The Hagen Farm

This weekend we visited Jon's uncle Paul's farm. I'd never been there before, which is kind of crazy since it's not that far. It's just two hours west of Chaska, near Redwood Falls, Minnesota. The farm has been in the family for about 150 years and now Jon's mom's brother, Paul and his wife Elaine live there. Here are some of the highlights of our visit.