If you go down in the woods today....

So yes I have been lost for a bit it seems, at least to the electronic realm, but fortuately it is always waiting for us upon return from whatever has been keeping us away. The beauty of technology.

So was I at the teddy bear picnic? Nope. But I have been busy. Since last I wrote I took another timber frame course, helped out with the biggest event hosted here at North House all year, had a great visit with my parents, and even got out on the sailboat some more. So while there will be peaks of some of the things to come it seems today I will just be looking back at some of the last few weeks to try to figure out exactly what happened.

So more timber framing you say? Yes indeed I reply. this time I was able to take part in a beginner's class which fit me just perfect. We worked on the building you can see here to the right. The best part about this second course was being able to be involved with a building from start to finish. As a group we cut all the timbers and raised it. The problem is now I want to build my own house........

The week after the class my folks got into town just in time for the wooden boat show. This event serves as what seems to be the centerpiece of the North House year as well as the middle of the summer...literally. Falling on solstice the weekend is a mix of wooden boats, food, former students, instructors galore, demonstrations, talks, and more. Between the Chowder Chowdown and the Auction my folks had to settle for just enjoying the many festivities as this boy was running around crazy. One of the highlights of the weekend for me was being able to take part in the solstice pagaent. A former member of the Heart of the Beast Puppet troup in Minneapolis moved up here a while ago and has since engaged much of the town in stilt walking and paper mache. It is amazing to see what a group of motivated folks of all ages can create in under three weeks. Every year the story tries to focus on some aspect of local life as well as an event from the previous year. This year the pagaent told the story of a sawyer. I was put to task rigging up a stationary bike to a four foot cardboard tablesaw contraption which was powered by the sawyer's porcupine buddy (a local twelve year old) during the performance. I'll have a DVD when I return which might be an easier way to communicate the tale of this sawyer and the temptation of changing his work and life practices in order to make more money.

I also was a part of the musical group which accompanied the performance. I mentioned my musical background to the right (or wrong) individual depending on perspective and was soon roped into relearning to play the baritone for the performance. Mr. Fattey would be happy to know that my chops, after a few weeks practice, were not nearly as bad as i expected. I am however not ready to step back into the pit orchestra just yet.

This left me exhausted for my weekend (Monday and Tuesday) but also looking forward to some actual time to visit my folks. It was a great couple of day where we were able to get to many places I had yet to visit. We were able to go hiking up the gunflint trail as well as visit the historical center at Grand Portage. It is a bit like Plymouth Colony or Williamsburg with many on sight staff in period garb describing what life was like during it's prime as well as the history of the location. Having traveled to many places and many parks, I must say that the staff and setup of Grand Portage is one of the better living history sights I have ever visited. We were able to cap off the trip with a hike at to one of my favorite spots....Cascade falls. Oh yeah...and did I mention we went sailing!!!! It seems years but was only a week. More on the solstice pagaent soon.....I'm hoping to be able to tell the tale in pictures.