The Mississippi Explorer

 Bug & I went for a ride on the Mississippi Explorer this morning. We'd been wanting to do it for a while, and the timing was never right. Today was perfect. Not too hot, not too sunny. There was a small group, so it was easy to move around to see whatever you wanted to see.

We saw several bald eagles, an eagle nest (which Bug was VERY excited to see), a large beaver dam, lots of smaller birds, some interesting flowers and other plants. We hope to go out again.

While waiting to go, Bug had a cookie. 

 They had some binoculars available. Bug liked using them. She's watching a bald eagle in this pic.

Bug got to help. She took a turtle shell around for everyone to see. 

This beaver dam was pretty big. 

 Helping again, Bug shows how people would use the shells to make buttons.

Bug was in the newspaper again.

I was settling in with the paper on Sunday when I came across this: http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/education/article_79ce5bb8-c8fd-11e0-a94f-001cc4c002e0.html 
Bug is in the front row, 2nd from the right. (purple pants, Mount St. Helens shirt, HUGE grin)

She had so much fun that day. I wasn't sure that she'd want to go, as it was an 8-hour class, but she was up for it. A week later, she was back there again...this time for Wizardry 101.

Big birthday weekend!

 Bug's dad turned 50 this past weekend. He got a card...

 and a Nook. He also got a 3-day weekend because I'm sneaky like that.

We dropped Bug off at the Baldwin BB&Z  (bed, breakfast & zoo). She had a great time.

Mmm...bacon & cheese crickets!

Playing at the beach. 

Waving at people on a big boat. 

MARSHMALLOWS!