Henry Vilas Zoo

Last Friday we went to the zoo. It was a chilly day, maybe 42 and cloudy, so there weren't a lot of animals to see. Leave it to kids - who always find the upside of any situation, to take fun pictures with the statue animals. These creatures are here no matter the weather! The best part of the four photos below is that I did not have to coerce, or even suggest, that they pose for them. I only had to keep them from slipping off Bucky Badger and the tortoise. Love you three, Louisa, Cora and Peter!

The Porkies

As is the Bosscher fall tradition, we made our way to the gorgeous Porcupine Mountains in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in mid-October. In recent years, Nate has been going online six months ahead of time to reserve the 8-bunk cabin, and this year was the same. Marcia (Oma!) joined us as well as 3 friends from church - a couple our age and a woman Marcia's age. What fun we had! It was chilly, but that's actually best, if you ask me, because it makes it cozy and helps us break into winter. This year, just like last, Cora and Louisa came, but Peter stayed home. Three years old is the minimum because there is a cast iron stove in the cabin, 3 mile hike to the cabin and short walk/stumble to the lake outside of the cabin.

Cora did exceptionally well this year, not asking to be carried at all on the hike. That was a massive improvement over last year. Louisa also did well, carrying her own hand-me-down backpacking pack from our neighbor Lea, who is now 14 years old. 

Tasty food, interesting conversations and beautiful hiking filled our short 36 hour visit to the Porkies. We hope to see you again next year!