Friends – Hungry Mike

Camping in Wild River State Park

Choon-Chern Lim — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 05:00:00 +0000

We decided to join a large group of friends to camp in Wild River State Park over the weekend. This time, we had a total of 6 families occupying 4 campsites. All of us wondered whether the camping trip would be cancelled due to the forecasted all-day rain on Saturday. It vividly reminded us of our very wet camping trip in St Croix State Park 2 years ago. Nevertheless, everyone of us made it there. The temperature hovered between 55F to 80F throughout the trip.

The drive to the Wild River State Park took about 2 hours. We were the first to arrive at 1:30 PM. After setting up the tent and tarp shelter, we hiked the 3.7-mile River Loop trail while waiting for everyone else to arrive. At night, we sat by the fire and chatted with friends until past midnight.

On the first night, loud strange noises echoed loudly in the campground: hooting owls, growling raccoons, howling coyotes and crowing roosters. None of us were brave enough to peek out in the darkness to investigate. All of us played dead. To make the experience even more interesting, the park ranger had warned us before about possible bear sightings in the area. We survived. After having a long breakfast with everyone, we went separate ways to explore the park. We hiked the strenuous 3-mile Highland Hills trail. In the evening, we had an incredible dinner feast: 2 seafood hot pots (one spicy broth and one non-spicy broth), grilled pork chops and chicken chops. The sheer amount of raw ingredients brought in was incredible. After dinner, most families except one other family and us had packed up and left for home at late night due to possible midnight thunderstorm.

At 2 AM, sure enough, we were rudely awakened by a very bright lightning that illuminated the whole dark sky followed by a loud rumbling thunder. It rained heavily. We were too tired to be bothered by the storm and were fast asleep shortly after. By the time we woke up at 6 AM, the rain had stopped. One of the nearby campers told us the lightning struck less than a mile away from the campground. While the wet ground made the packing process rather messy, we were fortunate we didn”t have to hastily pack things up under heavy rain… unlike our camping trip in Itasca State Park.

Overall, it was a very relaxing camping experience. Having to camp once with a few of them before in St Croix State Park, we adjusted our expectations. At the same time, we also made a few new friends in the process.

Appreciating the tranquility and solitude of the River Trail Loop hike.

The Wild River State Park covers 18 miles of the St. Croix River, which is part of the 124-mile St. Croix Scenic Byway.

The entourage before the dinner feast.

Illuminating the darkness with our white teeth… and lamps.

Places we covered in this album.

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Kayaking on Zumbro River

Choon-Chern Lim — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 05:00:00 +0000

Spent a splendid day kayaking on the Zumbro River with Cristine and David. We parked our vehicle in Hammond before hitching a ride with our friends to Zumbro Falls. After renting our kayaks at a nearby outfitter for $30 each, we leisurely floated for a little more than 3 hours. The Zumbro River between Zumbro Falls and Hammond is about 7 miles long and it is rather shallow with a few currents at this time of the year. We stumbled upon plenty of wildlife along the river, including fish, deer, geese, tortoises, vultures and hawks.

The incredibly scenic Zumbro River.

The 4 bandits, cruising down the river, looking for gold.

Our 7-mile kayak route.

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Andrew & Jenna’s Baby Gender Reveal Party

Choon-Chern Lim — Sun, 08 Oct 2017 05:00:00 +0000

We were invited to help capture the scenes during Andrew and Jenna’s baby gender reveal party. I was initially told to attend a “sex” party at a given date. Immediately, heartbeats increased… interest piqued… thoughts gone wild. Never ever I was invited to a sex party. Then, some further clarifications from Kurt… Oh… the John Wick’s “Oh” moment.

One of our main responsibilities is to 1) read the baby gender card given by Jenna’s doctor, 2) fill the big balloon with the correct color of confetti and 3) not reveal the baby gender to anyone else. I contemplated on pulling a Steve Harvey by putting the wrong color of confetti, or even better, mixing both colors of confetti in the balloon, but I also didn’t want to get chased down the street by the angry crowd with pitchforks and torches.

After a short ceremony of T-shirt giveaway by Rick and Jane, we had a great early lunch with lots of delicious dishes. Then, all of us moved to the open backyard to join the balloon popping event. The balloon popped… the crowd went wild… the photographer self doubted whether he got the moment shots or not.

Andrew and Jenna, big congrats to you guys!

The “quality sleep” countdown begins now… T minus 5 months…

The entourage.

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Camping in St Croix State Park

Choon-Chern Lim — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 05:00:00 +0000

Our first ever camping trip in the United States. We tagged along with some friends to camp in St Croix State Park: two nights, two campgrounds, four families, eight adults, five kids, one beagle. Each family was responsible to cook one meal (breakfast or dinner) for everyone and all of us brought and cooked way more food than needed. Due to the crummy weather, we departed earlier from home to do some hikes in the park before arriving at the campground. Although it rained heavily the whole Saturday, we still managed to complete a 6-mile hike wearing our raincoats.

St Croix State Park is the largest Minnesota state park. It takes about half hour to get from the campground to one of the trails by Kettle River. The most surprising (and pleasant) part of our camping trip is this state park has very clean and modern individual shower rooms equipped with hot water.

We survived our first camping trip with flying colors. The wet and cool weekend didn’t dampen our spirit with the temperature hovering between 50F and 65F. We consumed luxury meals (BBQ chicken, grilled pork chop, hot pot, American breakfast), hung out with good friends and at the same time, made new friends.

Our wet campgrounds.

Early sign of fall colors in Minnesota… a view from the top of 100-foot fire tower.

The weird bunch.

Places covered in the St Croix State Park.

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Peacocking in Stillwater

Choon-Chern Lim — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 05:00:00 +0000

Spent a beautiful afternoon in Stillwater taking family photos for Andy and Jenny. Richard and Keith donned their Lego Ninjago costumes while Audree ran around the park as a peacock…. certainly quite a sight to see a baby human peacock. The fall color was a little past peak but we were able to find some nice background to take pictures.

The Laws… and Order. One of the few shots where the two boys didn’t run around.

The three amigos.

Peacock and her bodyguards.

Love is strong. Resistance is futile.

A pose in front of a rather charming pink house.

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Audree’s One-Year Old Birthday

Choon-Chern Lim — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 05:00:00 +0000

Celebrating Audree’s one year old. I have been tasked to capture a few pictures of Audree around the house during her special day before heading for the birthday party in the late afternoon.

Ma Balloon!

The native butterfly whisperer.

Family photo.

Audree’s entourage.

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The Laws in Frontenac State Park

Choon-Chern Lim — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Did short hikes in Frontenac State Park in a rather windy afternoon. Met up with Andy and Jenny to help them to take some family photos. The fall colors was only 10-20% according to DNR website but we managed to find a few good spots to take pictures in the late afternoon. We headed to Lake City for a good dinner at a Mexican restaurant before we parted ways.

Mario.

Luigi.

Little Mermaid.

The Law family.

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The McGlones at the Barn

Choon-Chern Lim — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Spent two hours in a rather chilly afternoon doing photo shoots for the McGlones. Dale was gracious enough to allow us to use his barn area to do some epic shots. At the end of the photo shoot, all of us had delicious dinner at the McGlones’ place: home-cooked ribs, smoked for 5 hours… pretty much the highlight of my day.

A pretty impressive barn architecture. Built in the 30s, some lumbers are more than 100 years old.

Best friend forever!

Two kids, plotting to run away from the parents.

Dale provides a free combine harvester ride for Conor.

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Audree Yi-Jia Law

Choon-Chern Lim — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Welcoming Andy/Jenny’s third child… this time, it’s a GIRL! Audree Law, born on April 18 and weighing 7 lbs 6 0z. Helped them to take some newborn pictures while celebrating Richard’s 7th birthday.

Born in the USA!

Princess Law.

Power nap.

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Batkid and Ninja

Choon-Chern Lim — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 05:00:00 +0000

Headed to Andy and Jenny’s place to take some family photos with Richard and Keith donning their Halloween costumes. Due to the cold weather, we decided to do the picture taking at the backyard. Most shots were taken on the deck with very limited space to move around.

The sexy party.

Batkid with a headlamp… difficult to fight crime if you can’t see clearly.

Mortal Kombat fatality moves.

Batkid overseeing the Gotham Deck.

Batkid and his Batmobile.

The neighborhood crime fighters…. whoopedooo!!

Use dad as a practice target.

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