Lin Update and Grand Marais Family Tips

First, and most importantly, a Lin update.

Mom is doing better each and every day, conversations are getting longer and easier and I think her spirits remain high. Definitely some frustration at how slow things progress, but fully recognizing that gradual progress is a positive thing. The hospital finally decided to schedule corrective surgery for Thursday, September 15th. All is expected to go well, and the goal is to prevent another stroke from ever occurring. Typically, one night in hospital afterwards. I'll be trying my hand at keeping Rockwood Lodge a special place when Mike stays there with Lin. We feel your support and prayer - thank you.

Has been awhile since the last post here and we still have a couple of photo shoots from our adventures in 2011 in the BWCA to share. I have decided this time to let everyone know that young families can find fun in Grand Marais with relative ease.

First stop for us on a day trip during the week is typically the Grand Marais light house. Even when the spot light is not on young boys flock to it like flies in the dark. Sometimes, you get lucky and have the treat of a sea plane coming or going into the harbor.

Next, you march out toward the picturesque Artist Point for panoramic views of Lake Superior and the North Shore. The rocks provide plenty of opportunity for exploring, photography, drawing, and in our case young boy energy release. We've yet to be there for sunrise or sunset, but can only imagine how much more the colors contrast. If you happen to have a sunrise/set photo from here we'd love to see it posted on the Rockwood Facebook page.

One of our family traditions in Grand Marais is a snack at the World's Greatest Doughnuts. What a great area to license plate hunt for State's you missed on the trip. We typically burn a few of the new calories with some rock skipping into Superior just about 100 yards to the east of WGD. There appears to be an endless supply of perfect skipping rocks every time.

Lastly, as we end up the Gunflint Trail, no Grand Marais visit is complete without taking a few moments to stop and glance over the harbor from the top of the lookout on the mountain. I think a lot of visitors miss this view point, Gunflint Trail visitors should not.

Laughter in the Trees

During one of my son's many trips in and out of the Lodge he promptly returned to announce that a very loud bird was laughing at him from somewhere above. This theme recurred throughout our visit and normally we all tend to get a laugh out him so we thought nothing of it.

Much to our surprise, later in the week we were standing outside and there was definitely laughter directly above the Lodge. Mike looked up first to find 3 youthful hawks clearly chattering as their mother was apparently nearby. They did indeed sound like they were laughing at a grandson, or in this case, a grandfather, but they were most likely just in eyesight of their mother or father in hopes of food. The sight begged the question, "What do you call baby hawks?".

A hatchling, chick or nestling would be acceptable but not specific to a hawk and these babies were a little past a hatchling phase so the most accepted term for the young would be eyass (pronounced "EYE-ess").

And there you have it, Rockwood Lodge has been home to three eyass this summer and if their camouflage prevents you from viewing them, just walk quietly around until you make them laugh at you.

A Fun Filled Week at Rockwood Lodge

The weather was so cooperative last week that Mom and I never sat down to blog together. But we did have time to talk and share in many experiences.

First and most importantly, Mindy, Josh, Jordan and I had a safe trip and were fortunate to be able to bring Lin's Mom along with us for the visit. Highlights of the week included a campout, swimming, Jordan's first Northern Pike, a family canoe trip, a few moose sightings and a trip to Grand Marais.

Mike and Lin are doing well. Its the busiest time of the season, yet we still managed to find time to be family. I was super pleased with how well Mom is recovering. She is able to read and is now writing words again which is a huge improvement. She has conversations with guests at the Lodge and is in very good spirits. Some times the words just do not come, but the meaning usually does. As mom said herself, "My mind is fine, the application is lousy."

Each day of our trip had a completely different adventure to it that we will try and chronicle here over the next few posts. As we have returned to the 100 degree heat of the Heartland we miss greatly the spectacular views of the BWCA, Lake Superior, and perhaps most of all the fact that a Moose crossed our path on the Gunflint Trail on our way home.

Mark

Hot!

The temperature hit 100 degrees here in Kansas City today so I thought I’d call up to Rockwood to hear about a typical refreshing 74 degree Northwoods summer day. I quickly find out from both Mom and Dad that the temperature was over 90 there and that sleeping at the house – without air conditioning – is not anything they are looking forward to this evening. We’ll let them have a sympathy vote for one night; but, I don’t think a hot night in the suburb truly compares to one in the boundary waters.

We do however have central air here!

Has been awhile since a post but the news has been good. Mom is heading to Two Harbors for therapy twice a week and is making progress although I think the therapy of friends and visitors on the Gunflint Trail do more good than any therapist to date. There are definitely more words each and every day and our conversations are getting longer. I think she’s doing great and am very anxious for Mindy (my wife) and the boys and I to get up and visit next week for our family vacation. I know Mom is too, and I can tell she is practicing her drills to prepare for a week of grandson activity. What better therapy than her 4^th and 6^th grade grandsons?

I am hopeful to get the chance to make the next post with Mom from Rockwood Lodge as she is far more talented at this than I. At some point, I suspect Mike will change the password on me, particularly if I compare the BWCA to the suburbs again. I am confident though that anyone following this blog knows there is no comparison and that we all know where we would prefer to be in July and August.

Stay cool everyone.

Back Home

Dad snuck Mom out of Duluth last Saturday to spend a refreshing day at Rockwood Lodge. The news spread rapidly along the trail and I am told there were many neighbors stopping in for a visit.

After returning to Miller-Dwan for two days, she was dismissed from in-patient therapy and came home this evening. We are all very relieved and happy. Mom is diagnosed with aphasia and will learn to overcome the challenges it poses with time, patience, and continued therapy. Dad said she was up and already putting life jackets away during her first trip home.

While no follow up surgery date is set yet, she will begin trips twice a week to Two Harbors for continued speech therapy.

Thanks again for all the support. Still praying for a speedy recovery.