Lambeau Field and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame

The past few days we had the experience of a lifetime. Noelle, my dad, her dad and myself got to experience a Eagles-Packers game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin! We made the long, 8 hour drive on Wednesday and stayed at Noelle's aunt's house. Then yesterday afternoon we made the short drive south to the not-so-frozen tundra.

We tailgated outside the stadium with the folks from the Lambeaulance a bit

and then headed inside about a 20 minutes before game time. It was so cool to see the field in person for the first time!

The game itself did not disappoint. After trailing 10-0 early in the game, the Eagles made a comeback and led by halftime. It was close until the very end with the Eagles clinging on an interception in the endzone. Here are the highlights:
Today we went back to Lambeau to check out the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.

Noelle and I had been there before back in 2001.

It was at a different location, outside the stadium back then. Today's version is a bit more modern with some interactive exhibits.

After touring the museum, we braved the rain outside to check out some statues of Vince Lombardi

and Curly Lambeau.

Sierra even got to do a Lambeau Leap!

Then it was off to Titletown Brewery for appetizers and beer.

Voyageurs National Park: Paddling to Namakan Lake from Ash River Visitor Center

Another cool overcast day. Again, we decided to take advantage of low winds by getting out for a paddle. Since we had never paddled on Namakan Lake, I decided it might be fun to put the canoe in the water near the Ash River Visitor Center and paddle to western-most portion of Namakan Lake at Old Dutch Bay. So that's what we did.

The drive to Ash River went quickly. We had picked up a sandwich at Subway and had a picnic lunch at small picnic area at the Voyageur's Forest Overlook Trailhead. When we had finished, we made the short drive to the paddle access, put the canoe in the water and headed east. We passed where Ash River flows into Kabetogama Lake

and shortly after Noelle spotted this chimney.

I got out of the boat to have a look around, but didn't notice anything other than the chimney. We continued east hugging the south shoreline of the lake. 

Soon enough we came to Can 27 and the point where the waterway narrows, separating Kabetogama Lake from Namakan Lake. We circled an interesting looking island there and started to make our way back west. We spotted a nice looking sand beach, beached the canoe and got out for a bit to stretch our legs.

Fall wildflowers are still in bloom, though not for much longer. We spotted lots of asters

and a small pink flower.

 

We got back into the canoe and paddled back towards the boat launch. We spotted a juvenile bald eagle in its nest (unusual for this late in the season when they have long fledged) and a common goldeneye swimming the waters.

The paddle back seemed to go fast.

We spied the Borealis Tour Boat making its way back to the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center from the day's Kettle Falls Cruise.

Then we passed the Ash River Visitor Center

and soon enough we were back at the boat launch.

On the drive home we stopped to take our photos at the leaping walleye Kabeotgama Lake sign. 

Paddling Rainy River from Voyageurs NP HQ to Ranier

It was a cool and overcast day, but without much wind. We decided to take advantage of, perhaps, one of our last opportunities to paddle for this summer by getting out on the Rainy River not too far from home. We made the short drive over to the boat ramp near the Voyageurs National Park Headquarters building, put the canoe in the water, and paddled upstream. We turned onto the first tributary we came to, crossing under what's locally known as "Second Bridge".

Soon the creek we were paddling branched into two. We explored each branch as far as we could

and scared off some of the waterfowl that did not seem used to having people in their territory. After a few minutes on the creek, we paddled back to the river and continued upstream. We passed some beautiful homes perched on the edge of the river and even saw a couple of bald eagles. As we approached Ranier, and the cantilever bridge marking the point where Rainy Lake spills into the Rainy River, the current got much stronger.

We paddled as close to the bridge as we could

and then turned around, just as a train crossed into Canada.

The sun came out for a brief moment as we paddled downstream towards the paper mill.

Soon we could see the large sign for US Customs which marked the boat ramp and the end of our short paddle.