To Powers Lake, Keith's hometown

Dear Family and Friends,

When we left Kenmare, we followed the Des Lacs river out of town and took in the beauty of the valley. Everything was so clean and crisp after the rains and spring time here is always so colourful. The Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge is probably the best of many birding areas in the whole country. The following week there were a group of young "birders" here from all over the country. These were teenagers and they had all gathered here to view birds that many of them had only heard or read about. One comment from a young boy was, "(This bird) is very shy. Usually you can only hear it out there but I ACTUALLY SAW it!" When a girl was asked what was different here from where she lived, she said, "There are no cars on the highways!"

The drive to Powers Lake was good and it is always nice to go back and visit my "hometown". Yes, Powers Lake will be celebrating their Centennial next year. I remember being there for the 50th ! ! ! UFFDA. And we alway enjoy going back to visit the only uncle I have left, Uncle Freddie and Aunt Carol. They moved off the farm about four years ago and really enjoy being in town now. They both have their health issues but they are always so quick to give thanks to God for all that they do have and for the life that God has blessed them with. Probably the one thing that keeps them going is their sense of humour. They are always laughing and joking despite some of the obstacles they face. A good lesson to learn. Every time we are there we learn something new. This time Uncle Freddie took time to give me a little history lesson of his side of the family. He has been gathering old photos of his family and writing up some history.

We brought sandwich stuff with us in the RV so between games of Rummikub we set everything on their table and sat around making sandwiches and talking and eating. Rummikub? Yes, they are experts (they taught us how to play several years ago) and they play almost every day. Carol always treats us too with her homemade desserts and coffee.

We camped at our favourite spot at the Lake campground. We had to dig pretty deep this time too to come up with the $3.00 camping fee here.

Next...........

Love, Keith and Karen