Minnesota State Fair 2026

Because school has already begun for Veronica, we braved the fair on a Saturday for the first time in a while. We got there early to beat the rush, but not too early to have cookies for breakfast!

 

Proud to be Minnesotan:

There was a 2.5 hour wait to see the crop art, so we walked through the scarecrow exhibit instead, which was close enough to spot the Laura Palmer crop art portrait:

Veronica with her friend Sydney. The two of them met up with Dottie and wandered around together.

Omri stuck with us. We found a car from the Fast & Furious movies:

My aunt Gloria won third place for her amazing potica bread!

Omri tried a waffle on a stick and a bunch of other new-to-him foods.

Gotta see the fish:

And this moose?

It was fun hanging with our little buddy.

Photo evidence of my presence (taken by R):

There are always a good number of marching bands in the parades at the fair:

Okay, here's one of the four of us too, although this was taken on the walk back to the car :-)

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Camp Du Nord 2026, part 2: iPhone shots

I didn't bring my big camera out on the water, just in case I happened to go in, so this is where having a camera on my phone is sure convenient.

Omri and I went on a kayak adventure to Blueberry Island:

It's not really pictured here, but we swam around the whole island!

And we climbed on the rocks:

On a separate adventure, Veronica and I hiked the goat trail to Pine Point and kayaked back. The water was so calm that evening!

While the kids were with their age groups, R and I paddled across the north arm of Burntside AND took a hike to the scenic Chant Lake:

Then there was our lunch cook-out at a campsite across the lake. A couple of counselors helped guide us.

We made pita pizzas made over a little gas stove:

Then we have a few random photos like this one of the gray hoodie triplets:

On the left, we have V relaxing in a hammock. On the right, we have her looking like her yarn weaving.

One of our bug experts with an apparatus for attracting moths:

Ready for age groups:

R walking through the Sentinels:

We completed two 1,000-piece puzzles:

Our family reading nook:

Sauna time:

This year's polar plungers (we ran into the lake every morning at 7:45):

A fire on our last night:

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Camp Du Nord 2026, part 1: Canon shots

We had another really great week up at Camp Du Nord!

We went with our friends again this year and we all stayed in Lunta Loft for the first time:

The cabin has three levels. The kids slept on the top floor.

Hike to Ol' Baldy:

Our friends are PhD biologists:

Beach time:

Surprise guest, Governor Walz:

We did do the sauna again (although not when this photo was taken):

Omri and Cliff:

Evening in Northland Village:

Some counselors entertaining us by the fire:

The voyageur canoe:

Dan and Holly got to paddle the thing:

Walk to Pine Point with V:

So many goofy skits!

Omri's age group:

Veronica's age group:

These two at dusk:

Dan was committed to getting a good photo:

This one was mine. What a nice night!

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