Cancer Ducks!

Year 11
Cancer Ducks … all in a row! Today is Molly’s final Chemo treatment (of 18), not to mention a very hard surgery a few weeks before Chemo. The kids and grandkids made the correct assessment that cancer sucks, and thus a few weeks ago 100 “cancer ducks” were hidden around the house. Molly and I have only found 75 of the little ducks so far. Last night Karen, our daughter, and 2 of the grandchildren arrived for today’s “ring the bell” treatment. This morning at 5:30 am I found the “previously found” ducks all in a row!
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The flowers are from Betsy and Mike who came through Duluth yesterday to celebrate our epic journey. Thank you to all our family and friends. Cancer Ducks. (replace D with S!)

As a fyi, my task of taking care of Molly is partially complete, and I may now focus more on myself. Next week I will have Prostate Cancer surgery (remember … Cancer Ducks!). Thankfully many different scans have indicated the cancer was caught early, and has not spread beyond the prostate gland. My prognosis is excellent.

Steam Engine Trains & Lupine!

Year 11

Summer is here! The lupine are blooming on the North Shore of Lake Superior! Oh yes … there was also a steam engine train this morning! Enjoy the whistle in the video.

Steam Train & Whistle (steam engine lupine video link for email subscribers)

#duluthtrains #visitduluth #exploreminnesota

Birding, It’s Elementary My Dear Watson!

Year 11

As in Lakewood Elementary (GPS Google Maps Link) … just north of Duluth in Lakewood Township. If you park behind the school, and walk down the stairs behind the playground there are delightful wetlands with a nature trail. If you can handle the bugs, you will enjoy all the birds. There trail snakes its way through the woods as it circles part of the wetlands. However, while the trail is not difficult in terms of elevation or distance, it should NOT be hiked by anyone who has balance issues. There are some unusual wooden bridges on the trail that have short, but very steep decks. Having said that these wetlands have great birding. I only wish I could have photographed even 1/10th of all the warblers, waterbirds, and songbirds I saw. Sometimes birds just won’t perch still long enough to give me a chance to press the shutter!

I waited till today to post this information, as school is now out for the summer. During the school year … spring and fall … one should only bird this location during NON SCHOOL HOURS. Given all the young children that may be present, you don’t want to alarm staff, particularly if you carry cameras with long reaches. (Google Maps Link to Lakewood Elementary)

Map: Lakewood Elementary School Region

Some pics of the wetlands …

Standing in the middle of the bridge … pics show both directions. In the final wetlands image you can observe the school in the upper left hand corner of the photograph. It shows how close these wetlands are to the school and its parking lots.

Great Crested Flycatcher

Northern Flicker