The boy who would not smile

Farmer in training

Cuties

FLOYD OF ROSEDALE IS OURS!

The final Gopher football game was this past Saturday.  It's been quite the season with a 9 game losing streak and Brewster fired mid-season, but the Gophers managed to finish on a high note!  What a game!  With a surprise on-side kick, we were able to score 10 points before Iowa's offense even got the ball!!  And of course, we started off game day with a little tailgating!

 34 weeks pregnant

Big Big Redwoods

We visited Muir Woods and were in awe of the Redwoods.  Such gorgeous trees that reach such amazing heights.

Blue Angels

As we drove through downtown San Francisco on our way from the airport to Muir Woods, the Blue Angels were doing an air show over San Fran and the Bay.  They were unbelievable.  They'd zip over the city streets at incredibly low altitudes and did some amazing maneuvers over the water.  As you can see, everyone with a boat took to the water to see the show - not to mention people on rooftops, on the golden gate bridge and from other vantage points around the city.  Needless to say, we were impressed with the show!  Here you can see them over the Bay as we drive past Sausolito towards Muir Woods (that's Alcatraz in the middle and the Golden Gate Bridge to the right).

Sunny California

I went out to San Francisco with my co-worker, Amanda, a couple of weeks ago to attend the Direct Marketing Association conference.  We got in Sunday afternoon in order to do a little sightseeing.  We rented a car and headed up the coast.  What a beautiful state.

Going Strong

Rock N Roll Half Marathon

Runners on the boardwalk as the near the finish line of their 13 mile run.

Reflections

Dana watching for dolphins at Fort Story.  I love the scene in the reflection of his glasses. 

New Cape Henry Lighthouse

New lighthouse as seen from the top of the old lighthouse

Old Cape Henry Lighthouse

This lighthouse sits on an active military base - Fort Story.  Our car was thoroughly searched before we were granted access to the base (all compartments opened & searched, mirrors to check under the body, etc) - interesting experience.  

This structure was the first completed federal construction project by the new US government.  The lights helped travelers navigate safely into the Chesapeake Bay until the late 1800s when another lighthouse was built some 300 yards away, which still serves the area to this day (picture tomorrow).

Cape Charles, VA

We did some driving while visiting Virginia Beach (there's not a ton to do there) and found this quaint little ocean-side town.

Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg

My husband ran a half marathon in Virginia Beach over Labor Day weekend.  We decided to check out some of the history in the area so Colonial Williamsburg seemed like a must-see.  Not so much - I'm not big into history so checking out old buildings and seeing people dressed up like Colonial times really isn't my thing.  Plus it was 90+ and I was 20 weeks pregnant.  We lasted 2.5 hours and some people spend an entire day there.  Live & learn.

This is the governor's palace - beautiful building & grounds.

Are you ready?

Even after an embarrassing loss, the fans came out in full force ready to support their Gopher team as they took on USC last week.

Gopher Football is BACK

Farewell Boston

They Also Faced the Sea

One of the buildings in Provincetown harbor features portraits of 5 women.  It had be intrigued so I did some googling.  Turns out the portraits are of 5 Provincetown women of Portuguese decent and are meant to honor the town's Portuguese community and its fishing heritage.  Here's a link to additional pictures & more details - IamProvincetown.com.   

Which one do you like better?

Salem, MA

Rigging Shed

What is a rigging shed?

Salem Witch Trial Memorial

A memorial for the Salem Witch Trials sits next to the cemetery in Salem, MA, which remembers the 19 men & women who were hanged and 1 man who was crushed to death in 1692 & 1693 after being convicted of practicing witchcraft.  

Boats, Boats and More Boats

Salem, MA Harbor - another trip from Boston via ferry

The other side

The back side of Provincetown is all sand dunes.  We rented bikes hoping to see a bit more of the area.  I pictured complete level ground for some reason (maybe wishful thinking) but found the trails go up & down the dunes.  Made for a tough ride for a pregnant lady.

View from above

View of Provincetown from the Pilgrim Monument

Typical Cape Views

The sights around Provincetown definitely fit my expectations.  Gorgeous old buildings with gorgeous ocean views and boats moored in the harbor.

Provincetown, MA

Provincetown, MA as seen from the water.  The tower in the background is the Pilgrim Monument, which was built between 1907 and 1910 to commemorate the landing of the Mayflower.  The Pilgrims landed here first and spent 5 weeks in Provincetown before sailing on to Plymouth.

The Cape

Lighthouse at the tip of the Cape in Provincetown, MA, one of the many locations available via ferry from Boston.

Details Continued

Details

Lots of cool little details to be found on the fort

Fort Warren

Boston Harbor Islands

Georges Island, located in Boston Harbor, is one of several islands that make up the Boston Harbor Islands. There are ferries to 2 and the rest are accessible by private boat. 

Georges Island is home to Fort Warren, a civil war-era fort, best known for it's granite construction.  The island offers great views of Boston and other neighboring islands and the Fort is open for viewing!

The other island accessible by ferry is Spectacle Island.  It was previously a garbage dump, but it was capped off with dirt from The Big Dig and converted to a park with walkways and a beach. 

Boston Farmer's Market

TAXI!

We took a water taxi from the airport to our hotel!  It was faster AND cheaper plus a great way to start our trip!

Boston from the water

Recently spent a few days in Boston with my mom.  What a great city.  There's so much to see - history in the city plus lots to explore in the Harbor and out on the Cape.  So many ferry options and we took advantage of one nearly every day.

Purple

After the flower

We have some vines out front that produce beautiful purple flowers.  After those have passed, we get a bunch of these little tentacle things.

Minnesota Girl

I haven't posted any of Goldy in a while.  I caught her at her happiest - out lounging in the yard.  Check out her Minnesota collar!  Yes, I'm a bit of a Gopher fan!