Norris Calvin Hagen, 100th anniversery of birth

On August 22, 1907, Norris Calvin Hagen was born in Ashby, Minnesota, the second son of Andrew and Josie Hagen. In November of 1907, at age 3 months, with his older brother Arnold, and his parents, Norris was transported into the homesteading community near Alamo, North Dakota. You can read about the early days in the book that Norris wrote, Vikings of the Prairie. During his life, he was a farmer, teacher, basketball coach, newspaper editor, federal employee, faithful church member, and most important to me, a simply stupendous-could-not-be-better-or more fun-generous-and-good dad!!!
We loved going to baseball games together, as well as fishing, hiking, camping, and conversations held outside while fertilizing an apple tree or roasting marshmellows over a fire. God is good to provide such excellent parents! We Hagens are so fortunate.
The picture above is from the luncheon held on August 22, 2007, at Grandma Sharon's in Williston, in honor of the 100th anniversary of my Dad's birth. It is a good feeling to remember a good man.

Still more western MI adventure

The first picture of Jaden and Emily is from the motel pool in Grand Rapids after spending the previous day at the Michigan Adventure water park in North Muskegan, MI. The remaining four pictures are a sampling of activities at the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, MI. This includes a fighter jet simulator ride, carousel airplane ride, helicopter ride and the space walk simulator wheel.

Following the Air Zoo, we had dinner and motored back to Ypsilanti and Belleville, MI. We were driving a Dodge Caravan loaded with luggage, toys, people and memories. We kept the greasy side down for the entire trip.

More Western MI Adventure

Pictures from our hike in Ludington State Park, Mack Woods sand dune ride and Jaden and Emily on the beach at Sable Light House.

Western Michigan Adventure

Pictures of the sunset over Lake Michigan on Wednesday 08 August and Thursday 09 August from Ludington beach. We traveled to west Michigan during Aric and Heli's visit to Michigan with Aric, Heli, Ethan, Emily and Dana, Aaron, Hunter, Alyssa and Jaden. We all saw the sunset on Wednesday, but only Gayle and John Saw it on Thursday. The rest were busy at the motel pool and water slide.

Still More Black and White photo's

Some more pictures of little Gayle, along with other family members used as extras to add interest and value.

Hagen's

Pictures of little Gayle with selected siblings.

Black an White photo's

Photo's taken at grandma's house. Note the recreation activity of poor children before computers and video games.

Pictures from August 1983 trip to visit Norris and Mabel, Pearl and Dave and Arnold and Eva. We left after summer JO's, drove to ND and then traveled in Laurence and Bernice's 1982 Oldsmobile 98 four door sedan with 350 V8 diesel engine. This vehicle now sits west of the farm house and is ready to carry any willing passengers on a new exploration trip. May the fuel be with you.

Smoke

It is SMOKY here today. I thought I would share a few photos of Butte, MT this afternoon. The first photo is the Montana Street exit on I-90. The second photo is looking toward Montana Tech from my street. The third photo is at the top of the "richest hill on earth" on I-15. There are forest fires everywhere and no rain in sight. There are some bug guts in the photos since I took them through my windshield. ;-)