pics of the kiddos

Separating the Jeeps from the goats, then taking a rest.


Smooch!


Green Bean


Matching hats with a side of cheese


Bundled up cheeks.

Cliffs

Spent some time reading out of Isaiah 2 after climbing today. I welled up in thankfulness that when the Lord comes, I won't run to the caves and cliffs to hide from the Lord, but will be welcomed by him into glory.

Then my heart broke for the fellow who was with us who doesn't know the Lord and I prayed for him, that he would enter the kingdom before the Lord comes and would be there with us on that day. Pray for him also...his name is Andrew.

Scents

If you're anything like me, you're very aware of smells, and certain smells can bring you back to certain memories and experiences.

Recently, I was reflecting on the "smell of home". When I walk in my parents door I smell either home cooked meals or my moms home made soaps.

In Grand Marais, especially in autumn, when I enter Garry and Renee's house, I smell the pleasing aroma of birch from their wood burning fireplace.

These smells comfort me and "welcome me home" in a sense.

I find that the fall is the time of year when this happens most often.

What are smells that remind you of home or bring you back to a time and place?

The busyness of life

There was a time when if you asked me, "what keeps you busy these days?" I could spout off about twenty different activities and the like. Now if you asked me I would simply answer, "running the business and being a dad/husband"

I'm probably the busiest I've ever been, which you could probably tell by my lag in blog posts.

thought

If you thought we weren't in Grand Marais right now, you're terribly mistaken...and now you're probably jealous.

I love my family

In our family it very quickly goes from this...


to this...

motocross

Corban and I had our first motocross outing yesterday. I think he really enjoyed it, though, they are so loud that I think he was a little scared of them yet. My sisters and Chris came along which was a huge blessing. I love hanging out with my family!

I think I'm addicted to taking Corban to do things, which I hope is a good problem. On Saturday we took a road trip to Lake City to watch my sisters compete in the Highlander Games. Later we drove south to Reads Landing to visit my cousin Kim who just bought a new house. That area is so beautiful, and Lake Pepin is amazing!

summer dresses

It would be nothing less than mean if I didn't share pictures like this one. Our little girl is 5 months old already, can you believe it!?

one of my favorite things...

...is enjoying World's Best Doughnuts with my family in the most perfect spot to enjoy them.

thick skin

If anyone has advice on how to grow thicker skin I would be happy to hear your thoughts.

Happy Father's Day (a message from a hacker/wife)

Thank you for being a father who...

delights in evening story-time and bedtime prayers
talks about Jesus and His love for us
after a long, strenuous day at work, still musters up energy to play with your children
knows when to hold and when to discipline
makes our children squeal with delight
gives lots of hugs and kisses
lets his son help him with projects
is quick to show mercy
is someone I'd like our son grow up to be like

God is good to give us you. We love you!

some family pics from Jadon's dedication day

behold the cuteness

summit of Carlton Peak

When you come into Schroeder there's a holiday gas station on your left, and Bluefin Bay resort on the right. After you go down and back up the hill, there's county road that heads inland off Hwy 61. Follow that road about a mile and you find the trail-head marked with the SHT sign. The hike is a little over a mile to the summit, but well worth it.

superior water colors and self portrait

Corban's new past-time

Unfortunately for him, he won't be doing it that often, at least for the next 13 years.

first climb of the year

We set off down a minimum maintenance trail up the hill off the lake. When we hiked the summit the day prior we noticed there were some picnic tables and road down below, thus telling us there was another way to this gem hidden behind the trees on Hwy 61.


It wasn't long before gratefulness was welling up in my heart that I owned a Jeep, the road would have been impassable in something less than a 4x4. We suddenly realized what the road was, it was a trail used to haul rocks down the mountain. We passed numerous quartz mines until we finally reached the top, where we began our hike to the south face of Carlton Peak.


When we arrived, it wasn't a question of whether we would climb, but where. There we numerous routes which looked awesome. We chose one that looked like it had the most versatility for rope placement:routes. Terry and I scurried up a crack to set the top rope. After locating and placing some solid protection, we lowered the rope and repelled down the face, and so we climbed.


The day was already late, so we didn't have much time. We each got about three climbs in before we decided to head back. It will be a goal of ours to make it back here sometime this summer.

shed hunting

Just got back from moose shed hunting with Garry on the Border Trail. This was the second time I have been shed hunting with Garry in the north wilderness. Garry was telling me that moose typically shed their antlers in January, but due to the amount of snow it makes them both hard to find, and hard to travel the land during this time.


We are currently in shed hunting season. It's still pretty early, but all the snow is gone.

We went up the Arrowhead Trail and set in on the South Fowl Lake Drive. Typically these trails are nothing short of an abandoned logging road, nigh impassible via vehicle most of the year.


It wasn't long before we hiked across the Pigeon River and on into Canada. We were traversing the landscape in hopes of finding a treasure of the fasting growing bone in all creation, the moose antler.

We knew full well before starting our expedition that the weather could be a nuisance, but that didn't stop us. The temperature was moderate enough that even a little rain couldn't stop our longing hearts to explore God's creation, even if we found nothing.


It has been my experience with shed hunting that heading in is the easy part, it's finding your way out that can be difficult. When you make your way in you're dry, feeling good, and full of expectation. When you're heading out you're soaked, soar, and wanting nothing but warmth and food.

If you've ever been in the wilderness of the extreme north of Minnesota you know what we just ventured into. It is beautiful, but it's not exactly a Sunday stroll through the park. I consider myself coordinated and I fell twice. In some places it's so thick that the only way to get through is to stick your hands out in front of your face, duck you head, and plunge your way forward. This is not for the faint of heart.


It's amazing how "far off" a not so far off looking ridge can be. We never made it to our destination. Due to the unpredictability of the winding Pigeon River, and the thickness of the Red Alder Bush, the ridge remains untrespassed. Next time...

opportunity

If you have the kind of job that allows you to commute to work in a mode other than a vehicle, take advantage of your rich opportunity (ie - you live close enough to your place of employment and have the physical ability to walk, run, bike, ski, skateboard, inline-skate, etc to work).

I'm doing office work from a coffee shop today, and I biked here, and it was wonderful! I would do it everyday if I could.

PS - Nick S. email me your phone number or email address so we can go climbing!!! You can find my email address here: www.philcarlsoncwc.com

fun with photo booth