Beaver Creek Valley: Camping (um, Cabining) in Minnesota's Driftless Area

This beautiful summer is coming to a close.  September is here.  We have started school.  My birthday is around the corner.  But for the sake of making and keeping memories,  I should say a few words about our family camping trip.



This tradition is ingrained enough that we still call it camping, even if we find ourselves in a cabin (or a tipi, as we did last year).  It was also clear this year that the kids were not content to go along with our plan to camp in the back yard.  So with a little luck, we booked a cabin in the Driftless Area of Minnesota, not far from the Mississippi river valley.  I chaperoned Solomon's Sunday School group on a weekend trip to the area back in May, and knew our family would love it.

Not many think of Minnesota as a land of towering bluffs and winding rivers, and soaring eagles.  The national image is more one of pines and lakes and deep snow--maybe a loon or a moose.  But this hidden pocket of land is worth visiting.  We took the Great River Road (aka highway 61) most of the way down.  Starting at Red Wing, the landscape changes dramatically.

Beaver Creek Vally State Park includes several of these unusual creek fords.

 Knowing there would be no swimming beach at Beaver Creek Vally State Park, our ultimate destination, we stopped to swim in Lake Pepin on the way down.  The huge yawning lake bordered by big emerald bluffs is actually a dramatic widening of the Mississippi river.  Readers of the Little House books might recognize it from Little House in the Big Woods.  The current is very slow, so swimmers and sailboats can enjoy the 'lake.'

Hok-Si-La Municipal Campground in Lake City provided the perfect place to stop, right off Hwy 61.  The kids had a great time playing with a huge driftwood log that had washed up in the swimming area.  It was at least eight feet long with smoothed knobs where the branches had been.  They took turns turning it over, trying to knock each other off, playing a sort of aquatic 'king of the mountain.'  Then they would work together to swim it to a different area of the beach.  Nova made several friends in the hour or two we were there.  Solomon was playing with them too before we left.  Charlotte had me tow her out to the log with her life jacket on so we she could join the fun.  A sail boat was anchored just outside the swimming buoys, giving the whole scene a Mediterranean feel.  Ariadne spent a little time in the water, but mostly looked for shells on the beach.  In the distance we saw one bald eagle steal a fish from another, just a few feet above the water.

 We stopped in Wabasha for dinner, eating outside near the water.  Ariadne danced to 'Love Potion Number 9', performed by a live all senior singing group across the street.  The kids tried fried cheese curds--three out of four thumbs up (Charlotte was the dissenter).  The National Eagle Center and Lark Toys were places we thought we'd stop as well, but the sun was setting, so we will have to save them for another time.  I have fond memories of Solomon and Nova seeing live Eagles up close and riding the spectacular carousel at Lark back in 2006--before blogging days for me.  That was our last family trip to the Driftless Area.  We stayed at White Water State Park that year.

It was well past dark by the time we got to our cabin, and we were very grateful that all we had to do was roll out sleeping bags and blankets.  Upon waking we were able to appreciate how nicely our cabin was situated.  Just a few yards away from us was Beaver Creek.  We could hear its gentle babble from inside.  A large lawn and water pump were adjacent, with the trail head for the big spring trail just beyond that.  The water was remarkably clear, and the drinking water was the best I've ever tasted at a state park.

Rain the next morning meant that plan A--biking on the Root River Trail, would have to wait.  Luckily we had a plan B--Mystery Cave!  Meandering over we finished up our audio book, Road Trip by Gary and Jim Paulsen.  By the time we got to the cave it was sunny.

On our way into Mystery Cave we met some serious spelunkers who had been underground for three hours.  Also note--we entered the cave through a big metal door.  

Ariadne was excited to see a bat in the cave.  We had seen a few on twilight bike trips at home and she has become fond of them, believe it or not.  She had a different opinion of flow stone "Poop!" she declared, every time.  Flow stone has always looked smooth and beautiful to me, but once she remarked upon the resemblance, I saw it too.

The tour guide overheard me telling the kids not to monopolize the tour with too many questions.  She figured out this meant inquisitive kids and let them completely steer the tour, encouraging all questions. Charlotte wanted to know about the rock formations, Solomon remarked on the carbonic acid that ate away at the stone, Nova wanted to try out seeing what the cave was like with all the lights turned off. They were all on a first name basis by the time we got out.



We stopped in Lanesboro on the way home for fresh fish and Amish preserves and pie.  There was a mysterious telephone booth, ringing and ringing on Main Street.  I almost let the kids answer it.  I should have.  Charles succumbed to curiosity and answered it himself on the way back from getting pie from a roadside stand.  It was the town's welcoming committee!  Next time, we will know.

When we returned to our cabin Solomon got a fire going for S'mores.  We all took turns going for walks by the Beaver Creek in twos and threes.  The high humidity lead to a constant mist above the water.  Dusk was falling and fireflies began to come out.  It was magical.

The next day Solomon and Nova went fishing, and Charles taught Charlotte to play GO.  It turns out our five year old loves the game almost as much as her dad!  They had three games before the trip was over.

Pie for breakfast

Charles cleverly engaged the children in packing 'challenges' and soon we were ready say good bye to our little cabin.  On our way out of the park we saw a doe and two fawns right in the road.  We stopped at the Root River Trail head in Houston for a picnic and a short bike ride, then headed for home.  Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Tikki Tikki Tembo, Curious George, Nate the Great and many more audio books saw us safely home, bikes and all.

The trip must have made quite an impression on Ariadne.  When we got home she woke up from a nap and said 'But where's our little cabin' holding out her hands, palm up in a gesture of confusion.  And the next morning the first thing she said when she woke up was 'We have a cabin!'  Maybe some day Ariadne,  but for now we can continue to enjoy cabins in State Parks all over Minnesota.

Fiddle Camp

The last week in July is fiddle camp.  Solomon and Nova have attended fiddle camp more often than not since they have been old enough (7 or 8).  Most years one of the three days of camp falls on Solomon's birthday.  It is just plain fun.  They always come home really happy.  I believe they are playing Swedish fiddle music below.  This year they also focused American fiddle music.  The kids favorite song this year was 'Sally Goodin.'

In addition to the music, there is always a craft.  In the first photo Solomon is playing 'You are My Sunshine' on his one-string dulcimer--this year's craft.  With staples for frets and a cigar box body, this 100% playable craft project has been declared the coolest yet.  Solomon tried to keep it a secret during camp, but Nova just couldn't stand the suspense and spilled the beans.  Past crafts include bodhrans (Irish drums), Mardi Gras masks, and bones (the instrument).   

Ross Sutter, the mastermind behind all the crafts, helps the kids tune their dulcimers.

What is fiddle music without a little dancing?  The kids also learn folk dances at camp and on the last day they get as many family members on the floor as possible.  Ariadne proved a little young for this particular dance, with all its allemandes, chasse and ducking under dancer-made bridges.  Granne and Solomon, and Charlotte and Nova held their own though.  Imagine all the adults going under the little bridge made by Nova and Charlotte's outstretched arms.   Ariadne got in on the last dance with me a--less complicated, but no less fun--circle dance.  

Maple Sugaring at Dodge

Pancakes and real maple syrup were served up at the Environmental Elementary School across the street.  We made it gluten free for the middle girls by bringing our own pancakes for them.  

We are lucky enough to have a nature center (and preschool) down the street, and every year they invite members and the public alike to a maple syrup pancake breakfast.  Last year we swung in for the earliest possible shift (7:30) and then out again to get to music lessons on time, forgoing the maple sugar tour.  Not so this year!  We had the week off of music lessons, and were able to stay and get the full effect.

The Maple Sugar/Syrup House

The tour was fabulous.  The mid March weather gave us a mild winter day, full of freezing and thawing--just right for making maple syrup.  The kids enjoyed snapping ice bubbles that form in late winter and our guide remarked that it seeing kids up to this sort of behavior was a perfect indicator that it was maple syrup time. 

We saw how they tapped the trees, boiled the sap and even got to taste a little maple sugar.  Though it looks nearly identical to light brown sugar the taste is incomparable.  That unmistakable maple flavor is locked in to every crystal of sugar.  While the maple sugar is made in the huge cauldron hanging over the fire, there was a much more sophisticated system used for making the syrup used at the pancake breakfast.  A rectangular table (actually a stove) is covered in a maze of metal channels through which the ever-thickening sap is sent as it cooks down to maple syrup.  All the movement keeps the sap from burning.    

Lucky for us, we also got to try a special experimental concoction of maple caramel one of the naturalists had made the day before, which was exceptional.  Needless to say, when little bottles of syrup showed up for sale at preschool, a couple made it home for pancake breakfasts at our house.

Nova's 10th Birthday

Nova is 10!  My parents hosted her family birthday dinner, and Grandpa made his famous, every-different always wonderful broccoli cheese soup (at Nova's request).  We also had ham and fruit.  Uncle Matt and all the grandparents were there.   I will have to check around for pictures.  Ours are mysteriously missing.

Charles insisted on getting Nova Legos for her birthday.  Nova has loved Legos for a long time.  I remember how upset she was at about four, because she thought Legos were only for boys.  We were quite surprised by this, and she soon had some Legos of her own.  Nova has always loved to build things and to solve mechanical problems.  Over the last year or two we've seen an interest in programming arise through scratch software.  Why not combine it all with Lego's that make robots that you can program and control yourself?! (Just ignore all price tags and imagine this toy has something to do with your daughter going to MIT in the future--at least, that is what I was told to do).  She was thrilled and has made many impressive robots in the months since.  Again, imagine pictures.


To celebrate with her friends, Nova had another sleepover.  Last year was Nova's (and our) first sleepover.  It went so well that all subsequent parties have been sleepovers--beware success!

This year we had a bit of a candy theme.  After making build-your-own pizzas, we took the kids downtown to Candyland.  In business since 1932, this idyllic candy shop is just like something out of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, which we watched when we returned home (the 1971 Gene Wilder version).

Here they all are at the start of the night.   Pillow fights, gift opening, movie watching, all the typical sleep-over things ensued.  

 

I almost forgot the cake.  This was the year of the layer cake.  Charlotte had five layer blueberry cake. Nova requested a rainbow layer cake.  We had one apricot layer, one boysenberry layer and a raspberry layer, frosted with whipped cream. 

Waldorf Dolls

About a year ago now, Ariadne became fascinated with babies.  She was just a bit over one, maybe 15  months.  Both Christmas and her next birthday were far, far away.  I wanted her to have a soft, huggable doll just her own, and just her size.  I remembered my mom making Waldorf dolls for me and my sister  (why this didn't occur to me until my third daughter, I couldn't say). The idea of making one for Aria took hold and I did far more research than necessary, which is typical for me.

Here I am using all three resources simultaneously

The main tutorial I followed was entitled A Doll For Every Child on the Living Crafts website.  Instructions for the nose were from Silver Penny.  I also consulted the instructions my mother used (can't find the title right now), and the book Making Waldorf Dolls by Maricristin Sealy that my friend Libby lent me.

  

Since young toddlers and needles don't mix, doll making became the thing I would look forward to after all the kids were in bed.  Most of the sewing was by hand, which was usually less hassle than getting out the sewing machine.

The face was embroidered using embroidery floss that had been my Grandma Ruth's.  She was an avid cross-stitcher, and I think she made dolls on occasion as well.

In general, I must say, the hair was the hardest, and is still a little thinner than I'd like--more time with a yarn and a crochet hook would fix that, of course.  Ariadne's doll was well loved, even before she had hair.

Nova saw what I was up to, and wanted to try too.  One night we stayed up together and made a tiny little soft bodied doll.  Surprisingly, I think it was harder than the larger doll.







Charlotte also liked the doll and asked for one of her own.  I made one in secret.  Secret sewing is so fun!  After lots of trolling the Internet, I found good instructions for curly hair here.  Getting the doll done in time for Charlotte's birthday was a close thing; consequently, she arrived in her birthday suit.   Charlotte named her doll Ruby.  Ariadne's remains 'Dolly' for the moment.  Grandma Roberta crocheted dresses for both Ruby and Dolly, which is what they are wearing in the photo at the beginning of the blog.

21st Century Suzuki Music Practice (but really this post is about the importance of VISUALIZING PROGRESS)

 

The Suzuki method-or Talent Education as Shinichi Suzuki referred to it--got started about a lifetime ago, right before World War II in Japan.  Dr Suzuki grew up in a wealthy family that ran a violin factory.  They had switched from making more traditional Japanese instruments.  Suzuki recalled using unfinished violins as baseball bats as a boy.  Then he heard one played and everything changed.

Suzuki ended up going to Europe as a young man to further his studies of the instrument.  He was friends with Einstein, and studied violin with the foremost musicians of the day.  When he returned to Japan he had an epiphany.  All children learned their own languages effortlessly.  Even dialects that were considered very difficult for outsiders, like the Osaka dialect, were mastered young children who grew up surrounded by their sounds.  Suzuki applied that same notion to music, teaching violin to very young children, calling it talent education.  The Suzuki method was introduced to the United States in the 1960s.

Technologically speaking, a lot has changed since then.  Even since the 1970s and 1980s, when many present day Suzuki teachers who were themselves Suzuki students learned, technology has covered a lot of ground.

So today, I take notes on a computer, record new skills or special practice spots on my smart phone, and look up famous performers on YouTube for inspiration.  My iTunes is full of play lists that say things like 'Winter Listening 2014.'  I can search all Gavottes and do a little 'name that Gavotte' game in seconds.  I use an online tuner nearly every day.

But as we embark on Suzuki with our third child, I've found that some of the most important tools are really nothing new at all.  VISUALIZING PROGRESS is huge.  When our first two were starting out, we were resistant to sticker charts and rewards, having read studies on the dangers of extrinsic reward systems.  I now look back on that as young (and foolish) parent idealism.

This winter when Charlotte was working on getting through all the bowing of the many variations of 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star', nothing motivated her like a monkey chain.  For every section of the song, she got to add a monkey, and that was more than enough motivation for her--for more than a week!  It did not undermine her desire to play music, not at all.  In fact, it provided valuable feedback, letting her know how much she had accomplished and giving her an idea of how much was left to go.

Charlotte is 5!

On February 9th, Charlotte turned five!  We celebrated well.  As is tradition in our family, Charlotte chose a birthday meal to share with family (grandparents and and aunts and uncle, if they are in town). She was adament that she wanted split pea soup.  It was a success all around.  Her vision of a birthday cake was also crystal clear--a five layer blueberry cake, of course!  Five layers for five years, and blueberries since they have been her favorite since she was in utero.




We invited friends over for a sledding party.  The park up the street has a nice hill, and luckily it was sunny and not too cold. We were able to get everyone on one sled! When we were done playing in the snow, we headed back to our house for hot chocolate, blueberry cake and presents.  

Ariadne was connecting with her Scandinavian roots, napping outdoors.  Meanwhile, Solomon and Nova had fun bothering each other by jumping on each other's sleds at the last minute, making a surprise chain.    

 

Snow globe crafts occupied the kids while the hot chocolate heated up.  

The fun just kept going with an impromptu dress up party.  Somehow we had enough princess dresses for five.  Charlotte's friend Ivy (who had not been able to sled) stayed on to supper time, making the celebration last all day.