Had two ringers in my tour group today

Every other Thursday at 10:00, I lead the refuge ‘excursion’.  It’s really a tour of the refuge with some history lessons thrown in.  We visit the CCC camp area, the Chippewa spirit houses, and what’s left of the roll over dam that was constructed during the logging era of the early 1900s.  Then I take folks on one of the back roads that are not open to the public.  Today, two of the five people that showed up were my ringers.  I’ve known them for several years, but never met them in person.  They had never been to Tamarac before.

We made a stop at one of the water structures that were originally built by the CCC.  That water structure formed what is now Chippewa Lake along the Otter Tail River.

As we road along the back trail everyone seemed interested in the blooming prairie lilies, so I stopped the van and everyone piled out.

It’s always nice to have enthusiastic photographers along on the tour.  Can you guess who my ringers are yet?

After the tour, my visitors and I had a long picnic lunch along the Otter Tail River.  We had planned to go kayaking on Lost Lake, but the afternoon got away from us, and the skies were threatening rain.

We did visit Lost Lake, and came upon a damselfly mating frenzy.  I thought it was cool beans how many of the pairs formed a heart once attached.  How romantic!

It was soon after 4:00 and we headed back to the rigs for a BBQ.  Bridget and John also had visitors so we had a nice group of nine to share dinner with.

In case you haven’t guessed, Sherry and David were my ‘ringers’… fellow bloggers and RV full-timers.  It sure was nice to meet them in person and have a day together.  If the stars align themselves correctly, we may try to do that paddle on Lost Lake again next Tuesday.  Oh, and for you foodies, see that bowl of snacks on the table?  John whipped up some fried pickles for us.  That’s the first time I’ve ever had them.  I’m thinking I need to conjure up another BBQ so he can fix them again.

All of the visitors were pretty impressed with our RV sites, and two even remarked on the neatness of the lawn care.  Ha Ha!  That’s my department.  Of course one of them was Sherry, who knew who did the mowing, but the other person had no idea.  Sure glad I mowed yesterday. 

It seems I may have more visitors this coming weekend.  That will surely help make my next two days in the VC more tolerable.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy