Well, it's the 4th of July again - Independence Day! I think that sometimes we look at this day as just a day off work...the vacation we all need. But the true importance of this day truly lies in the fact that we have so much freedom in this country, who so many have given their lives for. Today, I'd like to commend all our troops, some who have given their lives, and who have sacrificed so that we can be free! I'd also like to commend their families, who have gone so many special days without their loved ones, and who have sacrificed so much so that we can be free. I think of my dad, Lance Ropte, today, who served in the Air Force and Air National Guard for 26 years - who I am so proud of! I also think of my brothers - Josh, who served in the Air Force for 4 years, and Dave, who continues to serve 10 in the Air National Guard.
Well, on this 4th of July, Mark and I are headed to Duluth, MN for a few days. After all that has been going on in our lives, surrounding the loss of my Dad 20 days, and all the countless hours we've labored at the Eleanor house in Worthington, we decided we needed to get away for a little while. Tonight, we'll scope out the town, and then head out of town a little ways in Duluth to see all the fireworks from a distance (I've heard we can see the fireworks from both Duluth, MN and Superior, WI, if we find the right spot :)
Tomorrow, we have a 2 hour cruise around Lake Superior, and then I think we'll head to Two Harbors to check out the town. We have dinner reservations at Blackwoods, which we've heard lots of people rave about, so that's exciting :)
Friday, we might try to find out more about white water rafting - it sure would be a lot of fun, I think!!
Well, we'd better get on our way! Take care, everyone, and have a Happy and SAFE 4th of July!!
Amy "Humdawg" Johnson
