Bay Lake

On Sunday morning, 4 August, we drove the CRV down to Bay Lake (about 2 hours south) to spend a few days with long time friends Roger & Audrey Dietsch. We have traveled the world with these people and really enjoyed seeing them again.

The Cabin

The first order of business was a pontoon cruise on Bay Lake. We saw an Osprey nest with two young Osprey in it. We also saw the adult Osprey and got a so so shot of it flying.

Baby Osprey in Nest

Osprey

Then it was time for a dip in the lake. The others enjoyed the comfort and security of a life jacket while I just dove in.

Mary in Water

Roger & Audrey in Water

On Monday morning Roger and I went for a bike ride on the Cuyuna Bike Trail. Then we met Mary and Audrey for lunch at Louie's Bucket of Bones in Ironton. This little converted gas station produced a delicious lunch of St Louis style barbecued ribs with Texas Toast, cold slaw and Jo Jo potatoes. 

Louie's Bucket of Bones

St Louis Style Ribs

At Louie's

After lunch we drove to the overlook for Cuyuna Lakes to see the view.

Cuyuna Lakes

Then we returned to the cabin on Bay Lake and went for another cruise. This time we passed on the dip in the lake but we did see a nice Great Blue Heron.

Great Blue Heron

We enjoyed an excellent dinner of barbecued lamb chops with a nice bottle of 1990 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon.

1990 Silver Oak

Tuesday we headed to Brainard for a little shopping and then lunch at Lost Lake Lodge on Gull Lake. We wanted a restaurant overlooking the lake and they had a fine one. The menu was also very attractive. Roger and I had the Duck Confit Sandwich, May had a wild seared tuna salad and Audrey ordered a smoked turkey breast sandwich. All were very good.

Duck Confit Sandwich

We toured the country side on the way home and then barbecued a pork roast for dinner. We enjoyed the pork with a bottle of Palmina Undici Sangiovese.

Sangiovese

On Wednesday morning we bid farewell to the Dietsh's and pointed the CRV back toward Grand Rapids.