Mississippi River Island Camping

Ever since our first jet ski camping experience this summer we had been wanting to get lots of people together to do a Mississippi River Island Camping weekend. The dates finally worked out in late August. Jonathan and I started a day early and hauled all of the gear out to the island via jet skis, kayak, and "jon boat barge." It was hard work, but well worth it to have it set up early.

Part of our spread included a campfire pit and covered cooking area.

Because there were so many of us we even added a private changing/bathroom tent....

....complete with a luggable loo toilet. I know that a five gallon bucket toilet probably doesn't sound that great, but then maybe you've never tried to squat in the woods before. This was pretty posh. One might even say we were "glamping" instead of camping.

We went kayaking. Susie and Jon Dyck paddled over from the marina in Bellevue, Iowa

We also did some jet skiing and water skiing. Susie towing me (Emily) behind one of the jet skis using a booster ball to keep the rope up out of the water and prevent drag. It was my first time trying this and it was a blast. Can't wait for summer to come so I can try this again!

Jon suited up for jet skiing. He got up extra early and jet skied at sunrise - one of it's prettiest times to be out on the river.

Jen and Erin, some of my co-workers from Taft, also joined us for a night. We picked them up via jet ski at Ferry Landing in Galena, IL. They had all their gear loaded into hiking backpacks which worked great for the jet ski ride.

Werner spent the weekend camping with us too. He loves to ride on our laps on the jet skis. It was his first experience with sand....it got up his nose and made him sneeze. He spent most of the time digging in the sand and harassing two little boys that were trying to fish. He kept sneaking up and taking there cup of bait.....it was pretty funny even though the boys were somewhat distressed about it.

Werner catching some ZZZ's after a swim. I think we all felt like this by the time Sunday rolled around. It was a great weekend that we hope to repeat several times next summer. Stay tuned for an email with upcoming 2010 Island Camping dates.

Iowa State Fair 2009

We spent a day at the fair again this year. We were really hoping that Werner was going to be able to join us, but we found out at the gate that they don't let dogs in anymore even if they are only 9 weeks old, really cute, and on a leash the whole time.

So Werner hung out in the truck under a shade tree and enjoyed frequent visits from us throughout the day.

We still managed to have a good time giving out the champion ram trophy in memory of my Dad, catching up with old friends, and eating good food. We are holding Hot Beef Sundaes from the Beef tent.....yum! Always a favorite.

Susie and Jon Dyck joined us for walking around the fair. Susie is doctoring her walking taco in the pic above. Another state fair classic. Good times were had by all!

A new addition to the family!

In celebration of our first wedding anniversary we decided to get a black lab puppy. He is a purebred Labrador Retriever with hunting bloodlines. His registered name is Klein's Maximum Blue Werner (you have to make it long and fancy to fit in). He is only 9 weeks old and has been a great little guy to have around.

His first week with us and he is already happy hanging out in the bed of the truck.

He loves to scoot things around on the ground and hold things in his mouth. So far he has a very soft mouth and has not been destructive at all. We hope he keeps up this good behavior.

Yes! He is named "Werner" after our favorite brand of kayak paddles. We've always thought it would be a great name for a dog and it is really fun to see that idea come to fruition with our first puppy. He's a keeper!

Wreck Diving in Lake Superior

Jonathan went on a week long tour of wreck dives with the scuba shop that certified him. I got to join him for the weekend and do 2 dives. It is different then tropical dives in Florida, but just as fun and interesting. Especially when it comes to learning the history behind each wreck. There are whole books published on the topic! Pictures coming soon.

RAGBRAI 2009

Jonathan was a RAGBRAI Virgin this year. We did make him ride the whole thing....it's just something you have to do at least once. Pictures coming soon!

Open Water

Jonathan is now officially a certified open water scuba diver. Yeah! Finally! It took years of convincing on my part. I'm glad to have a new dive buddy! Pictures coming soon.

Camp Hibbs and The Apostle Islands

We headed up to WI to visit Camp Hibbs (at least that is what my Dad used to call it when I went to WI to visit my cousins, Aunt Sandy, and Uncle Dan Hibbs). This time around Camp Hibbs had expanded a little. We spend the first night at Tom and Leigh's house. Leigh is my cousin and Jonathan and I had only met her husband Tom briefly at a couple family functions so when he asked us: "Do you like to fly?" we weren't quite sure what he was getting at at first.

We quickly learned that he liked to fly and had every intention of taking us up in his ultralight if we were "up" for it, and of course we were!

Jonathan went first. Tom was a little worried that he would not be able to take off with a big guy like Jonathan in the passenger seat, but they made it up just fine. Jonathan was nervous at first, but loved every minute of it.

I went second and had a blast. It really is the closest thing to flying like a bird with the wind in your face and feet tangling in the air. I reminded me of sky diving only a little more secure and relaxing, not to mention a much softer landing.

The next day we drove north to Bayfield and Lake Superior to meet up with my Uncle Dan and Aunt Sandy (Sandy is my Dad's sister).

We walked on the beach in Apostle Island State Park.

L to R: Tom and Xander, Aunt Sandy, Uncle Dan, and me.

Xander (Tom and Leigh's son) really wanted to go kayaking with us and he would have if the weather had been better, but it was a little too windy and choppy for his first trip out to the Sea Caves, so he stayed back with his grandma (Aunt Sandy).

We paddled for about an hour and made it out to Sand Island (one of the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior) where some of the caves are located in the park. We even got to kayak into the caves. It was so neat!

Uncle Dan being his typical adventurous self decided to get out of his kayak and walk around on some of the ledges inside the caves. I'm sure he got some neat photos.

Uncle Dan back in his kayak. He gets the "tough guy" award for paddling with no skirt (the water was cold splashing into the kayaks), and no rudder (also an extra challenge in the wind and chop that day). What a guy!

Leigh and Tom in their tandem kayak. They had the advantage of a "double engine" which helped them brave the waves with more paddling power.

Once we beached our kayaks on Sand Island we went for a mile hike to the lighthouse. This is a nice pic of me and my cuz out on the trail. Something invisible must be chasing Uncle Dan. He is moving pretty fast.

Playing in waves of Lake Superior.

The kayaking crew before heading back for camp. Little did we know that the wind had picked up and we would have to battle even harder to make it back to shore. Good thing Xander decided to stay back and play with Grandma!

I'm sure there are more pictures from the weekend out there. If any more surface I will post them here. Thanks Leigh for sharing some of your pics!

The next day was too rough, even for us, to kayak so we went for a nice long hike out to some other caves. Then we met up with my cousin Jahn (Leigh's sister) and her family for lunch. Then it was on to Dan and Sandy's to ride the four wheeler, eat venison steaks, and rest up for the night before heading back to IL. It was another great time spent at Camp Hibbs!