Summer Vacation

It was a great 2.5 week tour of the mid-west.  Started with the overnight drive to Chicago where we met up with Caren and Ben Lenderink for breakfast and a bike ride in the subarbs.  Once refreshed we drove up to Janesville in time to see Bobby and the rest of the Rock Aqua Jay's waterski club put on their Wednesday evening show.  Great show and as you can see the weather was fine as well.  Pictured is Turi's cousin Tina, husband Mike and uncle Dave.  Gratefully, Mike and Tina feed us well and we had the chance to sit down with Aunt Joan & Dave and Bri. 

Once in Menomonie Bruce was set on taking the grandkids up in a helicopter!  They loved it, and once back Krister, Robin, and Turi took a spin.  The base was near Colfax and the tour included Tainter and Menomin lakes.  On the way back, they buzzed Randy & Phil's farm where Randy was waving the helicopter away as she thought Krister was going to fall out.  Her waving only made them stay longer and Krister lean out further. 

Kira wanted a bike ride with uncle Jon and he was only too happy to oblige, and take everyone else along too.  The Red Cedar trail with temps in the 70's was perfect, lunch in Downsville (7 miles) with Robin who provided the ride home.

Kira and Chapin using kneeboards to paddle around on lake Menomin.

Chapin's first year on the long line, he made it look so fun his parents had to join him!

The boat slips once again were the center piece of the Menomonie experience.  This is the good life!

Sandy found that UW Stout rents paddleboards and picked one up.  Kira and Chapin saw this as an opportunity to trade up from the kneeboards and took off.  A second paddleboard was rented and everyone had fun taking turns.  Being at the boatslips it didn't take long for someone to get the idea to be towed behind the boat.  It's fun, nothing easier than standing up on the board to get started!

 Unfortunately the Turkels' had to leave, fortunately the drive home included taking the carferry from WI to MI where we camped at a state park by a lake.  In the morning we packed up and headed across MI to Ontario, where, (Turi's observation) things are very tidy.  And, (Chapin's observation), the sushi is very good.

 

Niagara Falls!

Destined for the Maid of the Mist boat tour.

These smurfs were very happy to have their costumes on.  It poured at the base of the falls and you couldn't hear a word the announcer was saying (don't know why they bother).

A final walk around the American side of the falls before heading home to VA. 

Thanks to everyone for making this summer vacation so special - Love, Turi, Jon & Chapin.