Minnesota – Blood, Sweat, & Tears

by Funhog Family on July 16, 2011

Mississippi Headwaters

Minnesota truly is the land of lakes. It seems we see one every few miles. We heard about MN closing their state parks; so, we called the bike shop we were going to rent bikes from to see if we could still rent bikes and ride around the park. The lady we spoke to said she couldn’t rent bikes, but we could still walk into the park to the Mississippi Headwaters if we went to the north entrance. So, we found a place in the forest to camp. This was probably our worst campsite yet! Brian got out of the car to see where to set up tents and came back to say we needed to stay in the car until he got them up. There were so many mosquitoes!!! So, we got the kids into the tents and zipped them up quickly. Brian made dinner after dosing himself in bug repellent, and we ate in the big tent. Then we went straight to bed, getting a good night sleep before doing the same thing the next morning. We went to the north entrance to eat breakfast before hiking to the headwaters. It was a very short hike, and we soon decided it would be a great place to kayak. I took Kendall in her kayak, Elijah in Chloe’s kayak, and Sydney on my sit-on-top. Chloe opted out as she was fighting the itchies. (She and Kendall both have mosquito bites all over their backs and legs, but Chloe’s seem to bother her more. We tried to tell her being in the water might help.) It was a beautiful little winding path down the Mississippi, with lily pads and tall grasses, dragonflies and little fish. We enjoyed the wet trek, and Brian even got a dip at the end of it, using the opportunity to wash his hair. But now since we cannot camp in the parks, we are heading toward Wisconsin.

Kayaking

Tirzah Time

Headwaters Hike

Bath Time

 

{ 5 comments }

Glen and Janet Kerby July 19, 2011 at 10:53 am

We salute you, Funhogs! Here’s to you, Daddy Funhog, Mama Funsow (whoa, now that just doesn’t sound right, especially when writing about the astonishingly beautiful Jodi) and Little Funpiggies All…

Your cheer and zest for living are a great encouragement to us all. We are praying for you in these days. It came to my (Janet’s) mind that: as Family is your Ministry, so in Family you will be tested. And you have all allowed yourselves just that – the opportunity for sifting and testing. Most of us are looking to hide from that, but in typical Tuten fashion you are embracing it. I love it!! I love that about you! You will come out of this even brighter and more powerful than before. May the Living Christ watch over your every mile and inhabit each campground with you. Every blessing is yours: the glorious fruit of the Spirit, in all its richness and fulness, fatness and juicy glory. Much love to you from your friends, the Kerbys.

Funhog Family July 20, 2011 at 6:03 am

We sure do love you guys! You words and your lives lift us up and inspire us to walk closer with our Lord. Thank you. There is a lot of sifting and testing, which we knew would be part of our journey. We are blessed to have ones like you on this journey with us as we move further up and further in.

Sutton Parks July 21, 2011 at 2:34 pm

I love it! I didn’t know the Mississippi started in Minnesota. Pretty cool.

cheryl July 25, 2011 at 9:58 am

That video was so darn cute! Love seeing the headwaters of the Miss…

louisiana maritime lawyers October 13, 2011 at 5:06 pm

I love it! I didn’t know the Mississippi started in Minnesota. Great post!

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