Last few days of 90+F in October!

Since it got up to 90 both on Saturday and Sunday, then Monday 80*F, I set up our tent in the back yard for a few more days of sleeping outside. We never turned on the AC, so sleeping outside in the tent seemed like a cooler idea. It was still hot during the night since it only cooled down to the 70's. Last night was the best night for sleep as I woke to 55+F temps, which felt amazing to sleep bundled under 2 sleeping bags and a smaller blanket under for warmth and of course Zoey our dog pressed up against me for added warmth for both of us. She actually wanted to be under some of the covers. Steve gave up half way throught the last night as Zoey choose to lay on his side and take up all the leg room. Of course once he went inside she moved over!  

I'll be putting away the tent today. That was the last night of 2026 sleeping outdoors. I'll wait till spring if we go somewhere in April or have a nice few days to enjoy warmer weather. 

Back yard leaves are falling fast now. It won't be long before the trees are bare. It is pretty but fall and winter are my least favorite times of the year with winter Dead last! 

Thursday Evening out!

We went to the Vikings training area. They always have the trees decorated year round. We usually only go in winter, when its super cold and don't want to be out long to take photos. It was nice to walk the tree lined row and snap some not rushed photos.  

Dinner with friends. Of course I took the photo and forgot to ask the waiter to take a group shot with me included. Oh well, there's me above in my selfie! 

Stillwater. Fall biking

 We biked 20 miles starting in Stillwater. This is the prettiest trail we have ever rode our bikes on. It was a very hot 90 degree day, but being the trail was mostly tree covered and was in between a gully, we had wind and cooler air. A beautiful day to bike! 

Horses along the way, with a seperate trail next to the bike trial for them. 

Celina rented a bike for the day to keep up with us. 

After Stillwater was having their fall festival-Octoberfest, we had a few drinks and shared a very large soft pretzel with cheese and mustard. 

October Weekend.

We went back up to Sauk for the weekend on Saturday. Got our tent up and finished pulling up the dock out of the water just in time before the rain started. 

Sunday Fall camping at Sauk

We hardly are ever there in the fall when the leaves are turning colors. 

It was a bit chilly at night but we had foam down over the air matress and I tried to block the top with more tarps over the screen part on the top. It did fall down but was still around the edges. It was a perfect day on Sunday. We packed up and headed for excelsior around noon to watch the Vikings play at 3 at Back Channel brewery with the kids. 

Saturday while it rained all afternoon we went to Goat Hill Brewery and had pizza, then to a winery on the way back and last to Babbits in Sauk for more wine then to dinner at Birchwood resort. 

A perfect way to spend a rain filled day. 

A day

 Sauk taking the dock out of the water for the season. Or at least trying to. Nothing ever is easy!!

Steve was able to lift all the legs on top of the dock since the last post have wheels. 

Unfortantly we have rocks to go over and the wheels got stuck and wouldn't go up and over. Doing this bent one of the end posts. Not a huge deal. We will just replace that next spring. We do need 2 more sets of wheels for next year and to re-do this beach side to make it easier to get the dock in and out. That will be a spring project. We almost got it completely out of the water but the post bent farther down so we need to go up and cut the pipe and then pull the rest of the way out away from the water. Another weekend day trip to the lake! 

I didn't take a photo, but I planted 4 little pine trees from the state fair up at the front of the lot parallell to the utility phone box road side, so we will eventually have a line of pine trees. I doubt we will ever see them very big, but you never know. Maybe I'll bring up some fertailizer to get them growning next spring. 

2 photos of 2 of the 5 pine trees the neighbor has that died from them having them cut up too high. Wanted to document that they are dead and need to be taken down in case they fall on our side. 

down the property where our trees were cut for a record. We are getting lots of new trees growning and all kinds of weeds. It might be thick next summer with all the growth and light. We will let it all grow back how ever it wants. 

Tuesday night HR with friends!

Steve and I went out Tuesday night to St. Paul Brewing to meet up with Friends we haven't seen in ages. 

We got there early and did a little happy hour out on their back patio 

The crow's nest distillery was right next door. They changed up the place and made it so cute. Fun drink names and mine came with a flower and boba beads filled with alcohol. 

We sat out by the canoe firepit. Nice and warm location! 

 

Carver Park

 Steve and I camped last night an hour from home in Victoria MN at Carver park, Auburn lake. It was a beautiful campground. Only $22 per night plus an $8 booking fee and 2 nights min and I donated $5 to the park. in all around $57 for the 2 nights stay which is a lot cheaper then the cheapest hotel at $200 plus per night. We will stay again tonight. I booked the 2 nights because we had to do 2 nights on weekends and to set up the tent for tonight's after wedding stay which is 10 minutes away from the park. Perfect so we can still have a few drinks and not have to drive home an hour late at night. Which is not something I wanted to do. Plus, it's fun fall camping! 

Fried ice cream. I've never had this before and it was good. 

We lucked out with the weather. Rain all day, but some how there was a break in the rain around 5pm, right when we arrived to set up. I had planned to set up in the rain, packing so 1st out was the tent etc.. also put the other items in bags to prevent from getting wet. We set up our tent quickly then went to the small town of Victoria. It's a very walkable area and did some bar hopping, stopped to have dinner but again had to wait 35 minutes so did another bar hop while waiting and then had a Mexican dinner. A very nice mix of new and old buildings with lots of fun places to go. So glad we went the night before and were able to go explore a new town. 

Last night, we heard coyoties, a few planes, a train in the distance, a police or ambulence sirens and a growl at the corner of our tent where Steve left some tums in the tent pocket. It still was a quiet park and we mostly heard the light rain all night too. Temps only got down to 58 but it stayed 60 in our tent. I actually got hot as I was over dressed. 

We use a air mattress and put a thick foam mattress on top then a sleeping bag over and 2 extra's on top. for added warmth, we sometimes put a tarp up between the top and the screen of our tent, but we didn't do that since it wasn't going to be that cold.  Tonight its getting down to 54, a little chillier but still should be good sleeping temps. The rain also should be done and all can dry out. 

Exploring the park... walk to the beach

The beach with a fishing pier. We will have to bring the fishing stuff!! 

A wet spider web.