The Loons are back!!!

It’s finally happened … the ice is finally out! Now it's time to get the docks in and the cabins ready for arrival of guests.

They have been very vocal … it’s like they’re having a huge ‘family reunion’.

The Loon is Minnesota’s state bird. Because its legs are attached so far back on its body, it has a hard time walking but it’s a great swimmer. They like clear water, like Big Mantrap Lake, because they use their eyesight to hunt for fish.

Loons migrate south for the winter to either the Gulf or Atlantic coasts where they eat salt water fish. They have the unique ability to excrete ingested salt through glands located at the base of their bill, something other freshwater birds can’t do. The Loons also change their plumage when they’re south. They loose the dramatic black and white pattern and turn a dirty gray and they even ride lower in the water. Worst of all, they also loose their Loon calls and go completely mute. It’s like a whole different bird!

More about loons later, now it’s time to continue to get ready for another fun summer.

Happy Birthday to Natalie!!

Happy 25th Birthday to you, we all miss you and will see you soon. Love, Mike, Dianne, Lola

Today is Jeff's Birthday "Happy Birthday to You"

Happy Easter from Sky!

Sky had her first Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday.

Good bye lunch with friends at Old Town La Quinta

It's hard to say good bye to my great neighbors Phylis, Linda & Kay.

A future project for Peggy & Jared's kitchen space.

Sorry Peggy & Jared, I didn't know how to rotate this.

Dog dishes on the top of the bottom drawers & hooks for Jared's stuff!!!

Mike & Lola on their daily walk.

Today I decided to skip the gym and take my last walk, on the neighborhood trail with Mike & Lola. We meet Wanda with her friend and their dog. This was Wanda's last walk, as she & Rick they will leave for WI on Friday. It was a perfect morning!

Olson's end of the season party.

Thanks Larry & Helen for a wonderful send off.

It's fun having friends & family from Minnesota here in California.

Good bye dinner with friends at Jackalope

Thanks Sky, Manny, Liz & Frank for taking us out to dinner before we return to Mantrap. We will miss you all so very much!!!!

Totally wooden full size motorcycle.

Fishing pole bike at the Indian Well's Art Festival

Pet day at the park.

Kittens for adoption.

We just about took the little one who looked like our Sweet Bobber.

Both were so sweet.

Lola at the "Park Pet Day" having fun with the other dogs!


Lots of dog & cat activities!