Yes, we saw a black bear yesterday – couldn’t believe it at first. We were driving back from 4-wheelin’ around Birchwood, Wisconsin and were returning to the Schultze Lot when there he/she was. Big, black and just hanging out in the road. It saw us and as I was asking Matt to retrieve the camera from the back, he had wandered into the woods. Picture is not so clear, but can you see him to the left of the white tree trunk?

The day before yesterday, Monday, we took a long drive up to the North Shore. We went through Hayward, known for fudge, then up to Ashland where we drove down the main street and admired the murals painted on the sides of the old buildings. Then up to Bayfield, which is a very cute little town with the sailboat harbor. The entire drive was gorgeous – no one else on the roads (most people must be workin’ as they should be), fields of blowing grass, tall trees, old farm houses and purple, orange, and while flowers everywhere. Beautiful part of the country, that is for sure. We were planning on going to Superior and Duluth, but that trip will have to wait until later as it was a longer drive than we expected and we now know our limits in the car (if ya know what I mean!)

Yesterday, Tuesday, we spent the day 4-wheeling on the trails around Birchwood. The trails were well groomed and shaded from the sun and it was a great day to be outside. I rode behind Matt most of the day – he’s our navigator – and that explains the dirt embedded into my face and hair. Bailey rode in back as usual and he’s gotten quite used to it. He barks when we stop meaning he wants to get moving again. He’s a good little traveler. We were out most of the day and when we got back, we treated ourselves to an ice cream treat from Ed’s Pitt Stop and headed back to the lot. That’s when we saw the deer and bear (pictured above).

Today is laundry day, so I’d better be off. Tomorrow we head South to hang out with our longtime friends at their cabin – I can’t wait!!! Those pics to be posted next week.