It was a beautiful weekend

and it was great watching Gavin's excitement!

Hannah and Gavin were with me when I caught the first fish I had caught in many years!  Unfortunately Grace couldn't come along on the weekend, as she was home with the flu.  That was the only downer to the weekend.

I had the boat,

and the hammock

in addition to my regular camp.

Turtles from the turtle mountains

 Long Lake mailboxes.

Seeing Pinetop Perkins at the Fargo Blues Festival was another highlight, (He's 93)

I always enjoy Walter Trout,

but Johnny Winter looked ancient and in poor health.  He played well, but I wondered if he would survive the evening. (He's 62)

I took this picture of my friend John Wittmayer in the summer of 2004. Last summer, he passed away when he was home in ND, on leave from his teaching job at the University of Guam.

I joined with friends and relatives to honor John.  We watched the video taped memorial service they had at U of Guam for John.

It was great to hear the stories shared by John's colleagues, as it was clear that they got it.  They knew the real John.

The Muskrat Beach 3, myself, Lenette Hoover, and Dale Lindekugel were all spending a lot of time at John's place

a couple of summers ago. . .

Another highlight was seeing old friend Craig Johnson with his partner Armando, at another old friend's house, Jeff Evenson.  Craig started elementary school in my class at Dunseith, and graduated High School with Jeff and Dale at Bottineau HS.

I didn't do much for gigs this summer, but I couldn't turn down the crew at the Morton County Fair in New Salem.  These are my friends from our Sunday Program.  I didn't really pursue any gigs this summer as I had major dental work done.

As this is my favorite picture, I'll end with this larger version of me and Gavin.

I hope your summer was as good.

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