Moondance Jam - Party On

The Hotrod Cooler Mike painted got a lot of attention.

But not quite as much attention as the girl Mallorie he brought

Makita fixed us up with a good fire after the concerts.

I always knew that Schmitty was a secret Gordon fan.

Makita put his Grill Sling to good use!

Oh boy...there goes Schmitty getting hauled off ....with two cans of beer in his hands.

We found a dead guy (not really dead...just dead passed out) in a chair by our campfire.  No one knows who he is.  Poor SOB.

Mornings are a little slow at Moondance.

Moondance Jam - Corn Hole

I believe Jen was the Corn Hole Champion of the World!

Moondance Jam - Some Fun!

Mac and the gals......

This kids hair was for real.  Leave it to Jen to find him.

And leave it to Mike to find the Pirates.

This is exactly why they stopped recording disco music......

That's one big ass chair.

A Visit to Gilbert Lodge

We went over to Mark and Paula Persons to visit their lovely home, aka Gilbert Lodge.  They served coctails on the "Promenade Deck".

Chef Paula prepared a can chicken (absolutely juicy and delicious), a mayo-less potato salad, that was out of this world, fresh greenbeans from a neighbors garden and sour cherry brownies with ice cream.  I was very happy and full when I pushed away from the table.

Then we went for a very nice ride around Gilbert Lake on the Minnow.

I was able to spot this butterfly while Paula was showing me around the wild flowers.

Dorothy, Dorothy, Dorothy

Ellen kicked off our weekend at their Lake of the Woods island by greeting us in this get up.  She cracks me up!

Tonya Celebrated her 30th

Tonya started out celebrating her 30th birthday with a rather large margarita.  This was taken about 3pm on Sunday the 4th.

Tonya and Josh decided to "duke" it out with the gi-hugic boxing gloves.

Tonya wore out fast.  She could hardly lift the gloves (rumored to be 10 pounds a piece).

Hmmmm I think Josh got the upper hand and "down goes Frazier"

No this is not the same as the first photo.  This is at 9pm the same night.  Good golly the tequilla was a flow'n.

Friday Night Fellowship at Stella's

Stella hosted WNFellowship on Friday night.  This has now become a tradition over the 4th of July weekend.  She's shown here with everything a"skew" ... even her festive Independence Day  apron. 

And she topped it off with an amazing American Flag cake.  It was nummy if I do say so myself.

Uncle Dave and Marley

Marley will be celebrating her 1st birthday next month.

What's a party without a game of water balloon toss?

Stella went all out with the fireworks again this year.  There was quite a display.

My Friend Stella is awarded the Ginger Brauer Award

This past Saturday, Stella was awarded the Ginger Brauer award during the Susan G. Komen Brainerd Lakes Race for the Cure.  The award was originally established as the annual Breast Cancer Support Award in 2000. The first winner, Ginger Brauer, lost her battle with breast cancer in 2001 and the award was subsequently named in her honor. Ginger Brauer exemplified the selfless giving of time and energy in support of local breast cancer activities and was an active member of the Race for the Cure® committee from its inception. Each year, nominations are accepted. Nominations are reviewed and the winner determined by the two prior award winners. The winner is announced at the Awards Ceremony on Race Day.  Criteria for this award include that the awardee must have given of his/her time and energy to help support local breast cancer programs or have made a significant influence in our community in dealing with breast cancer education, screening, treatment and/or support programs.
Congratulations Stella! I know how devoted you are to this community.  Your heart is big and your efforts show it.

Tomorrow's Race for the Cure

Tomorrow is the Brainerd Lakes Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  I'll be walking the 5K (not much of a runner) with the "Walkers for Knockers" team.  Thank you to everyone that donated through me.  I appreciate each and every one of you.  I'll let you know if I collapse.

Kaleb's 6th Birthday Party last weekend

Today is my grandson Kaleb's 6th birthday.  He celebrated this past Saturday.

Beer Can Turkey - NUMMY

The last time we were at Thor Ellie and Dave grilled a beer can turkey.

Pretty bird.....

Supper's on....

Slideshow of trip to Michigan International Speedway

Cycle of a tree at Thor

While at Thor with Ellie and Dave over Memorial weekend, we experienced the cycle of the trees that reside there.  At one point a tree may need removing.  Maybe it's dead or maybe it's blocking the sunlight to the garden.  So down goes the first one.

Sometimes the operation takes a turn and the tree may fall on the garden.  Ooops. 

Sometimes a tree falls across a wheeler trail.  And sometimes those fallen trees are huge and heavy and your saw may get stuck in it (as seen here with Mr. Ax Man Boeckermann and his assistant Mr. Huff and Puff Makita).

If you get your logging work done you may be rewarded with a beer (as pictured here with Dave and I) or maybe even a kiss (lucky Ellie's reward comes from Nikki).

This is what I call a "magic" tree.  Last year this tree fell across the trail.  Dave and Ellie cut most of it up and hauled it in for firewood (I believe the first trailer had 71 pieces in it.  I could be wrong but Ellie will refresh my memory).  Sometime between having most of itself cut off (probably 12 feet left at the base) and last weekend that magic tree stood back up.

Tree branches don't serve much of a purpose except to make a mess and then a big brush pile fire.

Arbor specialist Dave completes the cycle by planting 10 trees.  His assistants look on with amazement and wonder.