Geocaching!!!

In order to spend more time together and watch our wallets, we decided to start Geocaching with Ruger! To learn more about Geocaching visit http://www.geocaching.com/. In a nut shell, we are using expensive government satellites to locate hidden objects!

On August 18th, we went out to find our very first geocache! We were all really excited! Ruger couldn’t figure out what we were doing going out on a weeknight, but she was happy we were!

We had some struggles with our GPS, but do to some good hints from others who have found it, we were able to locate the cache on the banks of plum creek! See more about it on Ruger’s blog!

Not only was this our first, but the cache included a Travel Bug, which is a rare find for our area! So I had to commemorate this find with a silly picture of me and the hopper! To learn more about Travel Bugs visit http://www.geocaching.com/track/faq.aspx.

This was the first cache we have found, and it is definitely not our last. I will post certain finds here on my blog and when I do, I will be keeping tracks of how my steps I took with a pedometer. For all finds (or at least the majority) be sure to follow the Tails of Ruger!

2,640 Steps

Lake Miltona – Part 5: Boat Rides

On Saturday afternoon, we took DaShawn out for a boat ride. It was a yucky, cloudy and drizzly day, but DaShawn was told he had to be good all week long to get a boat ride… so we had to pay up!


He had a great time riding in the boat and going telling Wayne to “go faster” while watching the girls tube, and then went on the tube with them. It was great to see him smile so much!!!

Another smile that I love to see, and was able to see via pictures (as we had to take turns doing mom and dad’s chores), is Jared’s! He took a shot at wakeboarding this early that week, and was successful!

Many of you know that I thoroughly enjoy being a big sister to Jared and Tiana, and I was entirely thrilled to “show off” both of them this week! Love you guys!!!

Lake Miltona – Part 4: Shooting Minnows!!!

On Friday night, we took a trip over to Nelson to visit The Corral.

The Corral is known for giving away t-shirts for visitors who agree to shoot minnows. (Yes, those are real minnows with a side of tequila!)

Jackie and I were rather hesitant to take our shots, but eventually we both gave in to peer pressure… I can’t be outdone by my mom. Then it was determined that Tiana also needed a t-shirt, so I shot a second minnow for her! Bottoms up!!!

Lake Miltona – Part 3: Carlos Creek Winery

On Friday afternoon, my parents and I had some free time, we so decided to go to the local winery.

We did some wine tasting and toured the grounds, taking some fun photos on the way!

Lake Miltona – Part 2: Birthday

While we were at the lake, Chris celebrated his 26th birthday! We celebrated by making him a birthday breakfast; it was his favorite… egg bake and he was impressed that we got his mom’s recipe!


While we were in the area, he wanted to go visit Inspiration Peak for his birthday.

Inspiration Peak is in the southern part of Otter Tail County and is part of a collection of glacial features known as the Leaf Hills. It rises 1,750 feet, about 400 feet above the surrounding countryside, making it the highest point in the county and one of the highest points in the state of Minnesota.

The location was well-known to author Sinclair Lewis. From the prairie-covered crest of the hill, he wrote, "there's to be seen a glorious 20-mile circle of some 50 lakes scattered among fields and pastures, like sequins fallen on an old paisley shawl." Lewis chided Minnesotans for not knowing the "haunts of beauty" in their own back yards.

While we were not excited to trudge up this hill on such a warm day, we were happy we had… once it was over!

Lake Miltona - Part 1: Fishing (Addition!)

I had forgotten to include Tiana's big catch!

She reeled in a 22 inch Walleye last week!!!

(Makes my first Walleye look kind of pathetic!)

Lake Miltona – Part 1: Fishing

Last week I took off to the lake for a couple of days. Mom & Dad had gotten a cabin near Alexandria, so Chris and I went up to meet them! (Ruger went along, too.)

While we were there we did lots of fishing and had quite a bit of luck! I caught my first walleye ever, it still counts even though it was six inches, followed by many more walleye the remaining days. We had a fun filled week that I can’t wait to tell you about, but we’ll spread it out a little! Look for more to come this week!

Uneventful Weekend

We had yet another pretty uneventful weekend, getting the house ready for us to leave on vacation.

I wanted to post a picture of the flowers I planted in the pots Chris gave me for my birthday. They sit on the porch (one on each side) and look pretty darn cute if I might add! I don't know what kind of flowers they are, I just liked the colors, but maybe Marsha can help me identify them!

Headed to the lake Wednesday night with family! Definately have a better post later on!