2024, animals, Family, Nature, Uncategorized

Poofy Duck Fix

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No, this is not a farm report. 

But it’s related to Ben’s Farm Reports – since he’s not providing me with my periodic poofy duck fix, I had to go out an do it myself!

YA took a Road Day (days off that she is allotted whenever she has a program that runs over a weekend) and decided that we needed to head off into the wilds of Wisconsin to pet and feed deer and other assorted animals.

It was a lovely day at Fawn-Doe-Rosa.  They’re a little overloaded with deer this year.. mild winter made for some increase along with a duo of surprise triplets.  The obligatory baby goats, two beautiful baby gray foxes were the new additions this year.  I spent a fair amount of time feeding the llamas, alpacas, baby horses and donkeys.  The adorable Highland steer from the past two years has moved to a nearby farm because he doubled in size from last year so not safe to have little kids trying to feed and pet him. 

We had packed a picnic lunch and found a shady spot overlooking the lake.  (I made pasta salad this morning using green beans, tomatoes, pepper and basil from my garden.)  Overall incredibly relaxing and fun.  And I was glad to see more improvements this year – a new baby animal area along a large “interactive” building that is under construction.  Can’t wait til next year to see how it turns out!

Any touristy/vacation places you visit regularly?

43 thoughts on “Poofy Duck Fix”

  5. Sandra and I used to visit every state park on the North Shore at least once. Gooseberry probably 20 times. Split Rock a dozen. We would bring packed picnics to tables in nooks very few people were aware of. Or just eat on rocks on the shoreline. On the Two Harbors breakwater for lunches or walks many times. Up to what is called The Pines in the Superior National Forest at least once. We used to take a picture of the kids at the same place every Memorial Day at The Pines. They are hanging beside me now. We had several fall drives as well. All that is treasured by our 50 something children.

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    3. Is the place called The Pines on the road to Ely from Two Harbors? There is a place that you go through on that road where there are old growth white pines and a few picnic tables. It’s a lovely, peaceful place. It’s a little southeast of where the McDougal Lake fire was a few years ago. I was worried it would burn but it didn’t.
      ~Kristanon

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  6. Rise and Shine, Baboons

    This past weekend we went way “Up North.” We wanted to attend the Ely Blueberry Festival and see our dear friends there. We reveled in all things blueberry–pie, pancakes, muffins. However, it was 90 degrees in Ely, MN! That put a damper on the day. Later that day we were invited to a lakeside meal hosted by our friend’s BIL. That was really fun with a lovely extended family seated in a screened porch next to Clearwater Lake (until a shirttail rogue relative suddenly turned the conversation to politics, then the gathering dissipated. That was an interesting dynamic to observe).

    I love going North for a weekend, which we have done regularly for many years. The forests and nature are so soothing. I also wanted to go to the big lake. That always feels necessary. We drove over to Grand Marais, where we had a wonderful day. We ate supper at the Angry Trout, on the deck with Lake Superior right there. The food was outstanding. It was “hot” there, too, with a high approaching 80 degrees, which Grand Marais rarely experiences.

    Our lodgings for the night became a problem though. We stayed at a Bed and Breakfast Inn that was beautiful. However, our room had a 20 foot Norfolk Pine in it. I found out by morning that I am allergic to that plant, when I awoke with no voice and swollen eyes. So we headed home a bit early. The owner refunded our money. Maybe we will head North again in the autumn.

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      1. No, she stayed with my friend whose dog recently died. They needed a dog fix, and I knew my friend would administer meds as needed. It was stress free and our trip would have been stressful for a dog recovering from her malady. She is snoozing on the rug now.

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  8. I bought a time share condo at Superior Shores resort at the end of March. It was inexpensive to buy, but that’s because those shares don’t sell easily. I go every seventh week. I just got back on the 26th. Next time is September 13. It’s peaceful there. I’ve been considering putting my share into the active rental program for a little income and buying a slightly larger one with a gorgeous lake view. Then last night I received an email from the realtor who originally showed me the little condo I bought and some others. He sent it to all the Lakehome owners. It contained a link to an article about the owner of Superior Shores. He’s the same guy who owns Lutsen. The Lutsen fire is still being investigated and now it sounds like he’s in trouble (debt) with Superior Shores. So now I don’t know how this will impact time share condo ownership. I didn’t need additional worries when I bought this. I need to learn more about the situation. I do know I was having a hard time getting answers about their billing. It sounds like utility bills for the entire resort haven’t been paid, taxes haven’t been paid, and some units have experienced water leakage which has gone unrepaired and resulted in closure of those units. I don’t understand all this or the impacts it will have. Here is a link to the article: https://www.boreal.org/2024/07/29/499959/challenges-continue-for-owner-of-lutsen-resort-with-superior-shores-property

    There’s goes some of my peace of mind…
    ~ Kristanon
    P.S. I can’t like anything either.

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    2. Well, that is not good news. It sounds like the owner has created a financial mess for himself and uncertainty for you. Whoever takes the property management needs you to continue to own your share.

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      1. I agree. They won’t want all of the Lakehome owners to bail suddenly and they will be trying to calm us down. Still, PJ’s suggestion about a real estate lawyer is good advice. I’ve been trying to reach my brother today and I haven’t been able to get him. He’s very knowledgeable about about this kind of thing.

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    3. Man, what a mess! So sorry, Krista, that really does sound like a worrisome predicament. Do you know a good real estate attorney who can assess what your exposure might be, and what steps you may be able to take to protect yourself?

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      2. No, I don’t, but thanks PJ. I’ve been talking to a couple of realtors who’ve been helpful and knowledgeable, also other homeowners who are in one of the two management associations. I’m in the “bad” one and there are fewer members in ours. I’m learning slowly. I own my share and hold title. I don’t think my ownership will be impacted but I don’t know for sure.

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      3. Well, I learned a lot this afternoon. This may work out to be a really good thing for me. It’s likely that this individual will have to declare bankruptcy. In that case, the lodge at Superior Shores, Burlington Bay, and the few Lakehome shares he owns will revert to new ownership. When that happens, the management company chosen for those interval shares that he owns will go up for voting. Do we want Superior Shores Resort to manage our unit or do we want the management company that was doing it before this guy took over? I know how I’ll vote! Now I’m trying to find out who owns the other six intervals for my unit. Three are for sale so I think they are probably his. That leaves two other unit owners for me to figure out. I’d like to start an email group with them to discuss the situation and how do we get out. I feel encouraged.
        ~Kristanon

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      1. Yes. I’ve been bombarded with this kind of thing all day but I still don’t know how it will impact my ownership of 1611-57B. I own my share and hold title but I’m still nervous about this.

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  12. Other than going to the State Fair every year, I don’t think I have any vacation spots to which I can claim to be a regular visitor.

    Just slightly over three weeks till the Fair opens!

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