It's a quick trip to the north. 

A resort north east of us was where I spent a weekend at. The scene along the car ride to the resort was all about trees, oak, birch and all sorts of pine trees mostly. Paper birch is one of my favorite trees. The bark crack and peels with age. I just think it’s very poetic and beautiful. However most wild birch is fragile and easily broken. I learned while riding in the car, although most birch trees dies early, the river birch actually is strong and can survive 25 years or so.

I joined the group Friday evening and received a warm welcome. They are nicer than what I already know. Bob has those rolling laughter; Karen is attentive and quiet as well as stern to the teenagers; Mike, a leader at his church, is quiet most of the time; but he surely is listening and can crack you up suddenly. Pam is as warm as an American mid-aged woman can be and has that softness makes you want to hug her.

We intended a fish dinner at a very nice restaurant. It looked like a fairy tale building along side the lake, Germany style. Unfortunately there were so many people, the waiting was 1.5 hours or so. So we went for another one near the same lake. It was stunning beautiful over the water in the evening, cool breeze and shimmering water. The deep fried walleye was all you can eat. I am always a voracious eater, but with new company, I was not sure it's a good idea to order more round. Bob ate his own and was ready to order another round but the teenagers offered their leftover, and he finished another two pieces. So I was alone shy to order another. All the same, I was full and it's better to watch how much I ate.

The next morning, we climbed the mountain in the mist of the rain. I thought the hiking would be two hours or so, but it's actually only took an hour. I collected wild flowers on the trail. One kind of flower looks quite like immortelle flower -- what L'occitane used for their precious facial product. But Jeff thought it must not be the one. I'm kind of agree, the flower I picked smelled awful;-)

We played a round of golf in the afternoon. 9 holes. I was a little nervous with new group of guys. Shoot a military golf on the first hole, right left right left;-) that made sure I got a score around 10 at a par 5 hole. I did get two pars when I relaxed. Mike said "you don't know how lucky you are to be able to play golf with us". I knew he chose the wrong words. Still didn't budge and smile: "yes, I am so honored". I can tell he is a little embarrassed. Mike is a nice guy though. The golf course was one of the hardest I ever played. Hills all over and narrow fairways with forest and bushes along side. Couples of the greens are post-stamp sized ones up high. My final score was about 15 higher than Mike, Jeff and Bob. Then again, they have been playing golf for 40+ years. I am not unhappy. I am always joyful on the greens.

Pam and Karen didn't go for golfing, Pam has hip problem and Karen recently has swelling legs.

Karen is a good grandma. She made us breakfast and lunches and dinner. Even though her feet was swelling by the end of the day. I was feeling sorry about that. The group seemed not bothered.

Well, eventually we took farewell group pictures and hugged and said goodbye. I ate another Sundae at a dairy shop on the way home, with butterscotch this time. Not as good as with hot fudge I ate on the way to the forest though. I figure since I was over eating the whole weekend. It would not hurt to enjoy something good again. But the butterscotch destroyed the fun.