Well, we are back from Ely and heading toward July already…crazy!  We had a great time in Ely, spending time with my family and enjoying the gorgeous scenery and weather!

We headed up last Saturday, and got to the resort mid-afternoon.  We spent some time paddle-boating on the lake when we arrived.

Later that evening, some of the crew went out on the pontoon for some fishing and a boat ride.

On Sunday, we spent some more time on the water (kayaking, paddle-boating, pontooning) and playing games.

Abby also enjoyed being pushed in the swing by her great-aunt Miriam.  This was fun until we discovered that the gnats we thought were harmless were actually biting us and taking chunks of skin!  Abby also went for her first pontoon ride that night.  Her favorite thing to do on the boat was stand in the front holding onto the bar.

Late Sunday night, Greg and Carmen arrived from Sacramento.  Everyone was excited to see them!

Monday was our only cloudy/cool day, and it rained a couple of short times.  We decided this was a good day to see the International Wolf Center.  Abby couldn’t sit still for the show “Canine Cousins”, so she and I hung out in the “Little Wolf” kids area.  We did see some wolves in action, though.  During the show, they have some trainers and dogs in an area right by the wolves, so they get to be very active.

On Tuesday, Miriam, Sarah, and my grandma Carlson had to head back to Iowa after lunch.  Abby was able to sneak in a quick photo with both of her great-grandmas.

Abby also played some more with the bubbles…this time she liked them!  On Saturday, she was terrified of them.

We attempted to go swimming in the afternoon, but Abby wasn’t too interested.

Later that night, we enjoyed a feast cooked/grilled by Greg and Carmen.

On Wednesday and Thursday, my dad, Greg, Carmen, Dave, and I paddled three canoes out into the BWCA.  We traveled across Farm Lake, through Kawishiwi River, across Clear Lake (where we attempted to find a campsite, but failed), and then to another lake where we found a campsite right away.  The first portage was longer and buggy, but both were really well maintained.  As soon as we claimed our campsite, we decided to go for a swim.  It felt amazing floating around in our lifejackets after a long afternoon of paddling.  We also found a “hot tub” on a part of rock at our campsite, where water had collected and was warmed by the sun.  That night, we enjoyed a meal of freeze-dried lasagna and spaghetti, with s’mores for dessert.  We played card games in the tent and enjoyed a nice night camping out.  In the morning, we took off after our breakfast of pancakes.  The trip back was fine, although we had some minor adventures.  I slipped on a rock and fell in the water trying to load our canoe, my dad’s canoe floated away as he was trying to get in, Greg tipped and fell in the water as Carmen was trying to get out at a portage, and we were eaten alive by mosquitoes at the first portage.  All in all, though, we had a great time out in the wilderness!

We did some swimming on Thursday afternoon (Friday, too), since it was so warm out.  We put Abby in her floating crab, which she hated at first.  After a minute or so, though, she got used to the water and didn’t mind floating around (especially when she was watching Madi swim).

On Friday, we went to the “Root Beer Lady” museum.  It was interesting to see her cabins and learn more about her life living in the BWCA wilderness.

We ended the evening with one last campfire and some games.

Saturday morning was spent packing up.  We were on the road by 9, and FINALLY made it home at 4!  We stopped for lunch, dropped Greg and Carmen off in downtown Minneapolis, but then got stuck in really bad traffic on 35W for a LONG time.  We were definitely ready to get out of the car by the time we got home!  We were sad, however, to have left such a beautiful place.  We couldn’t have asked for better weather and company the whole week.