Rick's brother Brad and wife Julie recently purchased a cabin on the same lake as ours, (near Park Rapids MN). Their cabin can be open all year, unlike ours which is seasonal. We have had our cabin for 6 years and have never seen it in the winter. It's always been a dream of mine to be up on the lake during the winter. That dream came true last weekend as we were invited to join Brad & Julie at their cabin. 

We couldn't stay at our cabin but we did visit it, walked around a bit and left before we froze to death, as temperatures dropped into the single-digits

A photo of our cabin from the road

The other dream was to be there when it was snowing, that dream came true too! 

We had 4-5 inches of snow overnight, It was beautiful

Pine trees flocked with freash fallen snow

Brad & Julie

The day before the snow came we went for a walk in a sweet nature preserve near the cabin.

We came across this track, which made us feel a little uncomfortable,

Back at the cabin I "googled" tracks and came up with this photo that looks a lot like the one we saw.

A cabin neighbor text'd me while we were there to warn me to be careful.

 There had been a recent bear and bobcat sighting near the area we were walking...yikes

The sun was reflecting on the trees in the background, such a pretty time of day.

Looking thru the trees I snapped this one

Our little up north get away was just what we ALL needed after a busy and emotional couple of weeks.

 Julie lost her mom suddenly then 3 days later Brad & Rick lost their mom. 

We enjoyed each others company, we relaxed, played games, watched a Christmas movie, went to town, went out to eat once and talked....A lot!  

It felt good to reset and spend time with family in a place we all love.

On our drive home I pulled over to take this photo.

Sundogs and -11 degrees. My iPhone camera did not do it justice, but you get the idea.

Bonus photo's

Sunrise, if you look hard you can see the lake smoke...so pretty

An eagle on the ice just outside our cabin. He saw me and decided to take off.

Cabin closing crew 2021

It's always hard to choose a weekend to "close" the cabin. 

Weather and schedules are what usually dictates the timing.

October always wins out, this year the 2nd weekends worked for all.

Typically one or both of our boys come to help their dad.

This year it was just Brice and family as Gavin attended a wedding.

The big stuff to move in is the boat lift & dock 

 

Brice scooped up little Lew and ran into the lake with him

Always time to play with his kids....it's not all work  :)

The rest of the crew ready to push the button the pulls the boat lift up to the yard

Brice help to steer the lift while wife Jenny's got the button in hand.

Next the dock, first the wood sections come off...

then the frame is rolled up out of the lake to the side yard

We celebrated Rick, Brice and Jen's birthday while at the cabin.

Rick and Brice share a birthday.

Working on a puzzle

Relaxing after a long day

This one decided to take a swim in the cool lake, she lasted about 5 minutes.

Daddy and his boy

Making macaroni and cheese with Grandma

Tickle time

It's always hard to close up for the season! 

We are thankful for another beautiful year full of memories with family and friends. 

We cant wait for next year, but for now sleep well little cabin on the lake.

 

Fall, Family & Fun

Fall is my favorite time of year, it's a time for sweaters, campfires, 

and to explore nature is at its best.

Yesterday morning I got up before the sun! 

I grabbed a cup of coffee and went to sit on our dock to see the sun rise in all it's beauty

The boats are coming out for the season, 

This is our view looking to the left of our place. 

Recently Rick's brother Brad & wife Julie bought a cabin on Long Lake about a mile North of us.

 It's pretty awesome having family here on the lake.

The four of us planned a trip to Itasca State Park yesterday. (only 30 miles from our cabin)

 It was a beautiful day, coolish and peaceful, and the leaves were PRIME COLORS.

Hard to see but the colors across the lake were outstanding

Julie was the first one over the "beginning" of the Mississippi River.

More selfies... using that "selfie stick" is a true art.

so pretty

The brothers, chatting as they walk.

The Fire Tower!

 I have been up this tower many times, 

so this time I stayed down and just watched everyone else go up, ha ha. 

The three waving from the top

You can spend hours in Itasca State Park, 

we brought a picnic lunch and then did the "Wilderness drive" around the park. 

There are many places along the drive to park and get out to see the sights. 

Have you been to Itasca.... tell me your favorite things to do there.

 

Ready and waiting...

 Every year I call this day...

 "THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM"

It's the best storm of the year.... by "Storm", I mean crazy, wild, fun times with our entire family.

Oh it gets busy, like a whirlwind, and it's the best feeling ever to have them all here to make new memories, laugh, swim, eat, play games and eat some more.

Our first group arrives today followed by the rest sometime tomorrow..... can't wait.

We have had 2 days to prepare the cabin for our family, it's not a lot of work but there are some things to be done so we don't have to do anything while they are here.

Work, relax and play... it's all part of being cabin owners on a lake.

I have over 720 views of this beauty on the "That's so Minnesota" facebook page. We love trolling the lake and when we come upon a loon we stop to say hello.

Added a hammock this year, it's lovely!

I imagine this will be a big hit with the grands and big kids, might have to have a sign-up.

Yesterday, Rick and I took a little venture over to Walker (Leach Lake)

 it's only 30 minutes from us.

They have the cutest little light house

 

We got a Chocolate shake to share and relaxed in the park by the lakes edge.

Sleepy

Our neighbor across the bay, (Karla and Ben) stopped by for a Dock Chat. 

Thanks for stopping by guys.

9 + Rick and I = 11    Yay! cant wait, hurry up guys

Our little sandy beach is all groomed and ready for the grandkids. 

More to come as our week unfolds with the sweet family.

Welcoming friends/family to the cabin

Rick and I enjoy hosting friends at the cabin! 

Sometimes because of crazy schedules and timing things can get busy, 

but we find that it's not a lot of work, because our friends and family make it easy, 

they all chip in and help with meals and cleanup. 

There is plenty of visiting and making new memories...which is good

I have a Cabin Journal, it's fun to write down my thoughts! 

Included are many blessings, joys, good times but then there are some things we wish 

had never happened (Carson's diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes) 

I keep track of visits, things we do, purchases, events and pretty much anything I think is important to remember.

This week was a busy one with thee different groups of friends and family.

First came the Wadum's & Godsey's 

We go wayyyyy back with these dear friends.

The guys chattin' it up.

Rick, Jim and Ken

Lots of boat rides. Rick likes to talk and drive at the same time  :)

I think Ken could just sit and look at the lake all day!

I love these ladies, friends Valerie and Linda

Morning coffee, all ready for the troops

In-between guests Rick and I relaxed in the lake

he's always diving off the end of the dock!

Next came Brad and Julie, Rick's brother and his wife.

We love having them!

Just hangin'

Caught my first bass off the dock for this year....Finally!

Next Came Rick Uncle Wayne and Aunt JoAnne form Arizona

We spent a 1 1/2 days with them then left to go back to Rochester for the 4th celebrations.

Wayne and JoAnne get to stay the whole week. It will be nice for them to get a little R&R.

This guy has been catching bass off the dock and sharing photo's, he's making me jealous.

Wayne can you leave your lure, or at least leave a few fish in the lake for me.

Next week we look forward to having our kids and grandkids with us at the cabin. 

It will be busy again, but oh our hearts with be full! 

Cant wait.