update: the first boat was the....

Paul R. Tregurtha.....according to the US Army Core of Engineers Facebook page....Thanks to them for posting this.....the boat nerd site seems to not be updated for some reason.....the Tregurtha locked through at 12:01 am....

and the first boat through the Soo Locks was....

Actually, I don't know, but I do know that I have seen two boats go through since 6 am and there is another one in there now (9:45 am)....this is the first year I have actually remembered to look at the cams on the first day of shipping season....I am looking forward to seeing the Locks in person in June...woo hooo....

A sad day

Today was a very sad day for me. A very good friend of mine passed away today. A man who has been in my life since before I was born. Him and his wife are my parents neighbors. He was a man who didn't judge, but took you as you were for who you were. He taught me many things in life. He taught me to shoot a bow, and thanks to him I went to competition and was third in the state for a year. He bought me my bow that I used in competition. He took me up north with him and his mom.he helped instill in me a love for the outdoors and camping. He was more than a friend, he was my buddy, my mentor, my friend. I have no regrets, only sadness, I spoke with him on the phone a week ago, and he told me he was ready and he wanted to go. I told him, I respected that, but to know that I loved him, for all he had done. You will forever be in my heart, Rest in peace, my friend!

that itch that can't be scratched

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo I got that itch again. It has stayed in the 40's or higher the last few nights.....time to go camping....we even slept with the window open last night! Seriously, Honey, It's time to unwinterize the camper! The campgrounds (that are open) are calling us!

Reservations are made!

Well, the reservations have been made, not exactly where I wanted them, but they are made. Hubby vetoed going across the UP because he is afraid the gas prices are going to be to high, which he probably has a valid point. however, that being said. We are camping at Brimley State Park for our whole vacation this year. I still hope to meet my friend from the Retirement Chronicles, (he said we can drive over that way for a day trip, just not take the camper that far), and my friend from Yooper Yarns, (we need to scope out her campground) and maybe even Sault Boat Watcher. On a happy note, we are finally able to go on the Pictured Rocks cruise, which I have been wanting to do since I was a child. wooo hooo. Some great friends will be camping with us this year, and we are going to go to the Soo Locks Engineer's Day while we are there!

Old Pictures

My husband and I were looking for a picture tonight and came across these pictures of the first time we took our son camping in U. P. when he was 15 months old....




Tahquemenon Falls in 2007



My son and my sister in law by Point Iriqious lighthouse (the Lighthouse by Brimley MI)




Trenton's first trip to the Soo Locks...



My husband and my son in the top of the Point Itiqious Lighthouse

the after Christmas-math

Christmas is over, the long awaited holiday, gone in a flash....in some ways I am happy, my husband can be quite the Scrooge...lol...Son made out like a bandit, receiving more Trucks, Trains, Tractors, Matchbox Cars, clothes, and underwear to last him at least til December 25, 2011, my awesome Daddy gave me seventy five dollars on an Auto Zone gift card to get some stuff for my 'new' truck, AAAAANNDDDD...$50 worth of Olive Garden gift cards too, my favorite restaurant, Hubby got some much needed new Cartharts (Jacket and Bib Coveralls), a neat little flashlight that sticks to your head (he's worn it all day and says it will be handy to level the camper in the dark, and work on cars)

Tomorrow the tree comes down, the lights will be darkened for another year, Christmas will be boxed up and put away....

NOW to get down to some serious planning....

planning for............

CAMPING

yes, I said it....camping....

we already have 2 trips and 1 weekend planned, well, decided...not planned....

the first weekend out will be the weekend before Memorial Day...to get the camper out, get it opened up, aired out, mice (and/or other critters) eradicated....as I never did get the peppermint oil in there....that will be just to Brighton Recreation Area Bishop Lake Campground....

the 1st of the two trips is our annual family vacation...I have mixed emotions about taking it in June....I love the UP in the Fall, but my son starts school this fall, kindergarten....sniff....his birthday is in June, and so is Soo Locks Engineer's day, so we are vacationing to the UP in June....we are camping a split vacation, as we will spend a week at Baraga State Park and then the rest of the time at Brimley State Park....hopefully I will get to meet one of my blogger buddies while at Baraga...ANYONE THAT HAS INFORMATION ABOUT THE AREA, AND ATTRACTIONS AROUND BARAGA OR THE KEWENAW PENINSULA SEND IT TO ME PLEASE!!!!!!

The 2nd trip in the works is in August, we are planning to try out Bay City Recreation Area for a weekend....

we will be staying at Brighton Rec off and on over the summer and on into the fall...hopefully we will make a Halloween weekend this year too....