#northdakotasummer

First boat day was July 10! (Way too late in my opinion!) And it was a gorgeous day for it! Almost no wind and so muggy the water felt great. As you can see, Murph was very much a part of things. He just loves the lake so much and is never more well behaved than when he is on the boat. I actually managed to swim quite a bit - it was almost like physical therapy for me. And I could kneel on the SUP board, not quite recovered enough to stand yet. The day after my incisions were very sore but not in a bad way. We are never more happy or at peace than when we are on the lake. It’s just a healing place. Whether we are swimming or tubing or just sitting in the boat eating cherries 🍒 (yes we did that yesterday 😆) it’s always a good time! 🚤 #outhereontheprairie #lakesakakawea #lakeday #boatday #boating #tricolorcorgi #corgisofinstagram #northdakotasummer (at Government Bay - Lake Sakakawea) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRSY59Tr6WI/?utm_medium=tumblr

Such a good day yesterday. Doggie play date. Driving around enjoying the beautiful summertime ND prairie. Watching a storm roll in. Exploring old graveyards. Visiting a country church. Trying out a small town greasy spoon. Ice cream at DQ. Friend time. Just the best of summertime in North Dakota. And I found the courage to take my camera. I didn’t photograph anything abandoned. But just taking the camera and using it again was a step forward. I wasn’t sure I would use it at all, but as soon as we got on the back roads, my friend pointed to the tree said “that needs a photo!” And she was right, of course 😊 #outhereontheprairie #northdakota #northdakotasummer #northdakotaprairie #prairie #summerprairie #lonetree (at North Dakota) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDH2HGRpquI/?igshid=9fnmpfud1gly

Found in a ditch on a backroad while walking Murphy. Nature is wonderful 🌾 #outhereontheprairie #prairie #prairieflowers #wildflowers #weeds #northdakotasummer (at North Dakota) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCWddTUpJlX/?igshid=14gjdest1xfy2

When I was growing up, we lived so close to the lake that we went all the time. It was my home. And my mom’s family had a trailer on the beach of another lake. Lakes were my childhood. My happy place. Now we are lucky if we get out on the lake more than a few times a summer. What I wouldn’t give to have that access again. Having a lake house is just a dream now. Or having a boat. Or jetski. Even a canoe. I’m grateful to have boat access at all. Grateful to still live near enough to my favorite lake that it’s a short drive. Some people don’t have those things ever. So, I guess some dreams just stay in the past. No more lake houses or living out on the boat. But we do still get beautiful days like today. Just dad and us and the dogs, enjoying the water and sunshine. That little taste of happiness comes back. It’s wonderful. I’m grateful. ☀️ #outhereontheprairie #lakesakakawea #lakeday #northdakotasummer (at Riverdale, North Dakota) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz4onWAgaf8/?igshid=hy3xyk3vqnoo

My happy place. #outhereontheprairie #lakesakakawea #northdakota #northdakotasummer #lakeday #boating (at Wolf Creek Public Use Area) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz581HyAi2t/?igshid=1ogc6b0kxqrdo

On this frosty winter day I decided to bring in some summer - I took these photos near Beach, ND in mid summer during the golden hour. It was just so wonderful to stand in the quiet and soak it all in 🌞🌻 more on the blog - link in profile! 🌾 #outhereontheprairie #beachnorthdakota #beachnd #northdakota #northdakotapraire #prairie #goldenhour #goldenhourlight #capturenorthdakota #discovernd #northdakotalegendary #northdakotasummer (at Beach, North Dakota)

Taken days ago when the heatwave started back up but the skies were still blue. I think Murphy truly had the most fun - he was so many layers deep in swim/squirm in sand/swim/squirm in sand - he slept well that night! This whole evening was wild, honestly. I just need some peace… 🌊 #outhereontheprairie #lakesakakawea #fortstevensonstatepark #northdakota #northdakotasummer (at Fort Stevenson State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSp-hXbLJxJ/?utm_medium=tumblr

Late summer. I can never believe it’s here. I have such a love/hate relationship with it. I don’t want summer to end. But fall is my favorite season. Yet fall can be like two days long in ND. Also late summer has amazing produce I love to cook with. Although so does fall. I’m so torn. I don’t want to see another summer go. They only seem to rush by faster each year. 🌅 #outhereontheprairie #dusk #missouririver #northdakotasummer #northdakotasunset (at North Dakota) https://www.instagram.com/p/CES2avMg3Da/?igshid=sm0fxwaiwsds