I Heart Houseboats

Last week, Chris, Ellis and I spent 7 days and nights exploring the lakes of Voyageurs National Park by houseboat. An ideal trip for everyone from toddler to 92 year old...we basked in the sun, beautiful night storms, and the company of Chris's family, including his Nana, brother, sister inlaw, cousin, and dear friend. While there is something pristine and simple about experiencing the profound beauty of northern Minnesota & Canada by hiking, camping, and portaging a canoe, this houseboat (while simple in its own right) was a shameless luxury.

We loved every minute of fellowship with one another, good food, lots of reading, swimming, playing, relaxing, and utterly gorgeous sightseeing from the top deck. Nana, the boat's matriarch, kept the Scrabble games rolling, stayed up later than anyone else...every night...and regularly reminded the boys that any crazy driving or cliff jumping into the lake or illegally treading onto Canadian waters would cause her a great deal of stress and therefore ought to be avoided at all times. Let's just say that Nana spent a fair amount of time clutching at her heart and tsk-tsking those unruly men. And she loved it.

Ellis was in heaven - as is most evident from the photos. I had a hard time finding photos to post withOUT him in them...he was sheer joy to watch and be with...discovering, squealing with delight, talking up a storm, basking in the love and attention of everyone on board.

We are grateful for such a trip - for good time away with dear family. And it's good to be home, of course. I'm listening to my favorite jazz cd of Jay's - Jessica Williams - sipping a glass of white wine, listening to the birds and bugs buzz as the sun heads west after a short and sweet downpour. Ellis is asleep, Chris is at work, and Charis, Jay and Owain are on the road home from the cities.

In less than two weeks we will dive into another beautiful summer vacation - Golden Lake with the Nordlund clan. My, my, we are blessed.