Biking For Bugs

A few weeks back our friends Gary and Rosie visited for a biking weekend. One of the highlights was doing the beautiful Harmony to Preston section of the Root River Trail. Come on along and take a look! Initially, the paved trail follows a section of rolling hills, with patches of prairie, corn fields and wood lots. As we headed off down the trail there were still some native wildflowers to be seen. Sunflowers of several types were blooming. About half way down the 12 mile trail, we stopped to rest at the top of a steep grade, before plunging into the beautiful valley of Camp Creek. It's one of Bluff Countries best "spring creek" troutstreams. During the rest stop the intrepid bikers spotted a strange insect on the trail. Gary identified it but I've forgotten the name. It's apparent nowadays that many of your outdoor types have gone beyond hiking, biking and birding to new challenges. Identifying butterflies and other "bugs" seem to be among them. I haven't gone down that trail yet. In any case, the next day we headed over to the "Shooting Star" trail. This one cuts through the flat land of corn fields and remnant patches of native priarie along former railroad tracks. There we'll see prairie wildflowers in all their glory. I'll save that story for another post.

Dear God

Dear God:When we get to heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it still the same old story?More meatballs, less spaghetti, please. Dear God: Let me give you a list of just some of the things I must remember to be a good Dog.
1. I will not eat the cats' food before they eat it or after they throw it up
2. I will not roll on dead deer, fish, birds, etc., just because I like the way they smell.
3. The Litter Box is not a cookie jar.
4. The sofa is not a 'face towel'.
5. The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff.
6. I will not play tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the toilet.
7. Sticking my nose into someone's crotch is an unacceptable way of saying 'hello'.
8. I don't need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm under the coffee table .
9. I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house - not after.
10. I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt.
11. I will not sit in the middle of the living room and lick my crotch.
12. The cat is not a 'squeaky toy' so when I play with him and he makes that noise, it's usually not a good thingP.S. When I get to Heaven may I have my testicles back?
Signed,

Baron

Early Morning Hike

We had headed over to Minneopa State Park for a couple of days camping in early summer. It was a great spot but the results left a little to be desired as it rained for two days steady. On the final day, I didn't hear any rain so Baron and I were up at the crack of dawn for a hike. The roads and trails were deserted so we had it all to ourselves. Take a look.....While the landscape was mostly restored prairie, there were occasional clumps of trees and even a few woods. We followed a trail into one looking for eary morning owls. Instead Baron scurried a family of racoons up a dead tree. If it moves he will chase it.... and no he is not a "coon" dog.

Unlike the "North Shore" along Lake Superior, southern Minnesota isn't noted for waterfalls. Minneopa has one though and with all the rain it was quite impressive.
Not quite sure what this structure was all about. By the time we got back to the campground the sun had come out. It was time for breakfast and then the long ride home .