Ahhh... The Joy of Summer

One of the many things I like about our summer home is the visitors.  I like the anticipation, I like the fact that people care enough to spend their time with us, and I have to admit I like the times inbetween when it is just me and Mike. 

And I love the sunsets ... 

 

These beautiful scenes greeted Shelly and Eric's family when they came to visit.

 

 A trip to Glendalough State Park to do a little hiking just about wore me out - but I made the "short" 3.4 mile trek.

Since we have so many thistles in our lawn, maybe I should convince Mike to just let them go - flowers are pretty.

Anybody remember way back when we painted these things and used them in winter arrangements...

So what do you think this looks like?  Can you tell what it is?

 

 

On Sunday,  Suz came down with her great niece and nephew - they caught fish off the dock and she even kissed her "first fish caught ever".

 

Gunnar was a good sport and entertained the kids for awhile.

I when it came time to go home, we were good buds.



 

 

 

Anna looks exhausted from her 6 mile hike at MapleRiver State Park - I passed on that one!

It was a joy to entertain this crew for a few days - hope they come back soon!

After a few days had passed, the bus from Cleveland showed up... Ok, it is not really a bus, but they packed 9 people in the Burg Motorhome this year.  This was the second annual trip and it was even more fun than last year... I wonder what next year will bring????

 

Mel was in form for a little serious competition.

 

The BeanBag game takes good form - Louise has it...

Mel definitely has it...

Jim has mastered spectator...

Sharon has good form...

 



The Driveway Ladies have a good handle on spectator form.

Mike may look like he is praying for a good game but he is actually sanding the board cuz the competitors thought it might be a little slippery...

 

Sharon's socks aren't slippery but they sure leave an impression.

Can you believe this beautiful lady is 65 years old?  Me either.

The next day was a golfing day for the guys while the gals enjoyed shopping the thrift stores in Detroit Lakes.  In the afternoon, our very own resident artist treated us to a wine and paint session.

She was a delightful teacher and a very talented waitress or is that a talented teacher and delightful waitress - either way, Sharon made the hours fly by and we all produced masterpieces!

Diane was concentrating on details of her painting while big sister Donna looked on.

The guys were pretty darned impressed - they thought we were just fooling around...

 

Lael produced two masterpieces which I am confident will adorn her home come winter time - oh wait, they are gone in the winter...

It was fun to have our neighbor Steve and his lovely wife, Liz, join us for parts of the day.

The finished products!

It does make you smile...

 

After much urging, the two swimmers from last year approached the dock with Mike and they stayed dry.

 

The last day came all too soon and Gloria and Bill's crew from Cleveland packed it up and headed south.

SCARY to see these two determining the route to take...

Sharon and Jim are hiding, but we all know they are there.  No, they didn't kidnap Mike, but they tried.  See you later in the summer friends!  Already looking forward to our adventures next year, 

 

Thanks Friends for sharing your time with us - it is truly a great joy of summer!