Looking for a dog beach

You'd think it'd be easy in the Land of 10,000 Lakes to go jump in one with your dog. But not so easy if you don't own some access. Here's a map I've made for myself to go look for some walk-in access near, but not actually in, the beach areas.

Ramsey County Park Beaches:

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Fred Benjamin of White Bear Lake

Dad and Lynda went out to the "ancestral home" today in White Bear Lake. This beautiful house is where Dad spent part of his childhood, when, during the Depression, his family lived with his grandparents. The house looks out over the big lake, and sits on the corner of the main street. Dad remembers so much of life in those days and in that house. He was in high school and he worked at a local grocery. Grandpa Benjamin had gorgeous formal gardens in the back of the house. There are pictures of them online at Minnesota Historical Society. Dad remembers their beauty, but also the hard work that went into keeping them that way.

Blowin' in the Wind

At 3:15 or so on Saturday morning, I woke up in a storm (don't always, by any means). Lots of lightning, but windows closed, so all was well. As I began to drift off again, the wind hit the house with the force of an object. The house--not just the windows--shook. Up I got, and then realized the electricity was out. I went to Tim, who was awake also and fully aware that the electricity was out, because his bi-pap machine had started beeping. We discussed a what-if-tornado plan (head to the inside hallway, close the doors, and pray).

Then I went to the windows and watched an incredible storm--or what I could see of it. There was a blackout effect, without light and with rain slamming against the windows.

Suddenly, as the rain subsided, I could see a new "fence" outside in the back, near our deck. Turned out it was the neighbors' trampoline, which had traveled over 3 fences and an apple tree to land upside down in our driveway.

But that was not the worst. The worst was TREES. In every block for as far as I could walk, at least 2 or 3 trees down, broken, smashed by wind or burnt by lightning. You never saw anything like it. I hope.

The electricity came on three days later, and after we cleaned up spoiled food in the refrigerator, and got Tim home from the hotel where he stayed for two nights, all was well and peaceful again.