The Looney Byn

Our weekend getaway was exactly that. We got away from civilization. Got away from noise. Got away from distractions. Got away from stress…

And straight into the looney bin.

And that’s awesome if you ask me — Robyn, Robynski, Bynski, Byn. My family nickname filled the bill. And, it was my kind of LOONey Byn.

Not sure if I’ve seen loons in person or not. I don’t recall it. I know I’ve heard them a few times but that’s been about it. So having daily contact with the loons on Soo Lake outside of Phillips, Wis., was a treat.

That AND having the weather dude be wrong and giving us a sunny mid-70s weekend to enjoy AND spending the weekend with our friends Mike and Cindy at their cottage, relaxing, kayaking, fishing, walking, sitting around the campfire, laughing, and taking pictures, of course.

These aren’t really in any particular order but enjoy some of the scenic beauty of the Northwoods…

  Our place...

 The name...

 Our attitude...

The temperature. What? Well, that has been stuck on that for years, I guess. We were just glad it wasn't actually just in the 50s or 60s and rainy as predicted!

Cottage scenery...

Not politically correct, but a multi-generational fixture.

Mike did the fishing.

Needless to say, no fish fry this weekend.

Boat ride and scenery...

Only in Wisconsin!

 Getting Looney!!!

Baby loon – well, adolescent by now.

Mom dives for a crayfish and feeds it to her young.

 Sumac.

Purple Loosestrife... pretty, but an invasive species.

Scenery on our walk.

 Also saw the guys out fishing close to sunset.

Almost full moon this weekend.

No wonder is was lun-ey.

Saturday kayaking found us under an eagle circling overhead.

He had his eye on a prize and circled in...

Then splash! He grabbed lunch out of the lake.

Crazy cool to see in person. Didn't quite have the camera ready!

Got to glide under a culvert to continue our journey on the lake.

More wildlife of sorts...

Paddle from cottage to dam on Elk River. Earlier in the day we started in below the dam but too many rocks made it impossible to start.

Bridging the gap between two islands.

Very busy weekend waterway with jet-skiers and boaters making waves.

Cindy relaxes with a good book.

 Sunset.

 Sunrise mist on the lake.

 Sunrise color.

 Morning visitors.

 Deer hiding behind the wall of purple.

 Rapids ahead. Not gonna do it.

 Mike goes a little ways but wisely turns around.

 Few decorating ideas!

Home sweet home by 5 tonight. We'll be hard at work tomorrow while these fellas continue to sun themselves and probably talk about their looney weekend visitors!