Friday, September 16, 2016

Leaving Granite Falls

Gee, remember when I used to blog three times a week?

We've finished our job here in Granite Falls, MN and we're waiting to hear about our next assignment, likely Devil's Lake, ND. We found a nice campground in that area, so fingers crossed that it's actually where we go. I'll keep you posted.

So, the wrap up on our time here in Granite Falls.

Here are some of the things we did in the area that haven't been reported here.

We attended a wacipi which is another name for a powwow. I wasn't sure what to expect, but we had a nice time and I'm glad we had the chance to go. There were groups of dancers from different tribes who arrived to participate. Each group also had drummers who played and chanted to accompany the dancing. I particularly liked seeing one family with father, mother, a couple toddlers and an infant in their regalia dancing together.

We visited The Fagen  Flyers museum which is just a mile away from us here in Granite Falls.  Click here for their site.  This is a privately owned museum run by the Fagen family. First, the exhibits were all very well done and the place was spotlessly clean. Second, we were able to get right up to the planes, no ropes or barricades. Third, only a couple of the exhibits are "static" meaning that they didn't move. All the other planes were fully functional and are flown regularly. In fact, we often see them flying around on nice afternoons.

I knitted this afghan and here's a picture of Chris modeling it.
I'm pretty happy with how it turned out and apparently he is too. 


We spent a fun weekend in Duluth where we spent time with our favorite scientist, Susie. She had just finished a month of research on the Great Lakes aboard the Lake Guardian, an EPA research vessel. Duluth is a fun, hip, city and we had a good time. We also got a tour of the ship, which was very interesting. It also made our RV seem spacious. 

Also on that trip we visited Split Rock Lighthouse. 

Stairs going up. 


View from the top of the stairs. 
The light.

Oh...and on the way back to Duluth from the lighthouse, we stopped at Betty's Pies. Raspberry Rhubarb on the left and bumbleberry (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries) with ice cream. YUM!