Lost Lake Lodge Vacation

2010

Friday June 18

Mom and Dad have all their work wrapped up. The kids are excited to get going as well are we. We packed up the car and started north. Our goal was to reach Saint Cloud area by supper time and check into a motel. Despite driving through some torrential downpours the trip was uneventful (thanks to in-car DVD. We all made it straight through, stopping only once to eat at a Famous Daves so dad could have a lame margarita and charcoal burnt ribs.We checked into the motel around 8, and discover they have a Friday night all-you-can-eat seafood buffet that looked and smelled delicious, dang it! We quickly made our way to the pool and let the kids swim for about 90 minutes to burn off steam before bed. C-bear has been taking Swim America lessons this last week and hade many new moves to show off. She is now able to swim across the pool, reverting to doggie paddle when in doubt, but swimming nonetheless. She has no fear of jumping into the deep end now, and both kids were working on their cannon balls! G-boy was restricted to the first six feet of the pool, but that did not keep him from repeatedly climbing out and jumping back in repeatedly. He would shimmy around the edge to the deep ladder just to show off once in awhile. Obviously we did not wear the kids or adults out enough as non of us slept well during the evening. Perhaps it was the pending excitement, or perhaps the noises, but the family was up at 1am, 2am, 3am, 5am, ..... It was a long night.

Saturday June 19

Nobody slept well but we were all up and ready to get going. Our next target was Nelson Brothers truck stop where you can get great fritter bread french toast and other assorted bakery goodies. We all chowed down our breakfast and got headed back onto the road. Next goal, Paul Bunyon Land outside of Brainard. This place is a junk collectors paradise! The first thing you see pulling into the parking lot is a giant Babe the Blue Ox. A couple quick pics and head inside where you get your first glimpse of a giant, talking, Paul Bunyon. Not only does it talk, it's interactive. He talks to you by name, has animatronics to move his arms and head to look at you, and totally freaked out G-boy who would have nothing to do with him. Every time we'd walk by Paul would give G-boy a shout-out, but he just as quickly shyed behind daddy. The kids love the old-style carnival rides, remember when Arnolds Park in Okoboji had a boat ride on real water? This place still has those with water, ok, it's that iky chemical blue water that makes the BP spill look pretty. We took a train ride, went on an old metal slide like they used to have on playgrounds, C-bear went flying around on musical swings that actually spun you around like a centrifuge, a Tilt-o-Whirl that fouled up dad's equilibrium for several hours, fish ride, apple ride, airplane ride, two roller coasters, haunted house, tipsy-house with bowling balls and water that flowed uphill, dinosaurs, and another highlight for me was C-bear strapping into a harness and effortlessly working her way up the climbing wall. Mom and dad were both ready to leave before we lost our fritter bread french toast from earlier in the morning. Next goal - get something to eat and fast! A quick stop through Perkins so G-boy could have more pancakes (it's vacation, he can eat what he wants) and off to The Lodge. We dropped mom off at the check-in while C-bear helped dad back the car to the cabin. A quick unpacking and C-bear was off to the beach while G-boy laid down to let his marbles settle from the amusement park rides. We spent the rest of the day on the beach playing in the sand and water, and taking the paddle boat out for this vacations inaugural voyage around the lake. The pair of loons are still here, but the nest is unkept and no sign of babies this year. The Lost Lake is full of small fish this year, something the kids were helping with last year by catching fish from Gull Lake to transfer over. The rest of camp looks just like we left it. Supper was terrific, dad had some mussels for appetizer that both girls also enjoyed, and for main course a lamb shank that was hugh and put the burnt ribs from yesterday out of mind. Mom did scallops and the kids were disappointed they took walleye off the kids menu. We wrapped up the night around the campfire toasting marshmallows as the sun went down. Mom and dad stayed up long enough to kill a bottle of Barking Sheep wine and off for a wonderful nights sleep.

Sunday June 20

Happy Fathers Day to me! Dad and kids got to sleep in a bit. Kids gave dad some cards they got to color in. And off to The Lodge for breakfast, then onto the scavenger hunt. We took a bug riddled walk around the lake and managed to complete almost the entire treasure list. The sky was cloudy so we headed to Lost Lake and the four of us took the paddle boat out for a spin around the lake. As we returned to the dock dad noticed C-bear had an uninvited guest nibbling on her ankle. Tick!!! Dad got the ticked removed and we all retreated to the cabin for full-body tick inspections. Made a few fathers day phone calls and off to town for lunch. Everyone was showing signs of wear as we ate some Culver's treats in town and returned back to camp for swimming, kayaking, paddle boating and more playing in the sand. The afternoon passed quickly as we relaxed on the beach and enjoyed the warm sun. C-bear found a friend to kayak with and G-boy is contemplating a solo run but much rather sit on dad's lap instead. Supper was again great and we wrapped up the night playing games in the cabin. C-bear has been busy working on her math flash cards, and we all played bingo, go-fish, and read some indian stories for bedtime. Mom and dad used the rest of the night to knock off another bottle of wine while listening to the loons and other local nocturnal life.

Monday June 21

Up and at 'em. Overcast morning with news saying light showers in the area. C-bear is up and working on her math flash cards with dad early as I type this. She says "I want to keep my mind sharp". I'm not going to argue or discourage her because she is having fun. Spent the morning on the beach playing with our new friend Lilly and her brothers. Great morning for being outside, the clouds kept the direct sunshine away. Lunch was a quick trip into Nissawa to eat are Ganley's, a local greasy spoon with good burgers and chicken sandwiches. Afternoon it's back to the Lodge and back to the beach for more fun with new friends that have arrived, and dad's volcanic sand mountain. The one new family has 6 kids, 1 boy and 5 girls with two of the girls either age of C-bear, and another family with a girl also C-bear's age. No boys G-boy's age, what gives? Where are all the 4-year old boys? After the beach the boys headed out on a secret mission to discover the medallion that is hidden every day. We nailed the clues, but someone beat us to the punch so we retreated to our cabin hammock for some swinging time. For supper we talked the kitchen into letting C have the adult walleye dish much to her delight. She devoured her garden salad, and chowed through a large pan-fried walleye fillet without needing to be asked twice. Both kids were great eaters and angels at supper so they got some bonus play time in the basement play area of the Lodge before taking a walk down to the Gull Lake docks to check out dusk. We wrapped up the evening by letting the kids write and draw in their journals before heading to bed, they have kids day-camp in the morning so we have to awaken early. No wine for the parents tonight as we're ready for some early bed ourselves after such a busy day of relaxation.

Tuesday June 22

Another hot night, broke down and fired up the AC so we could sleep a bit. Woke up slowly and made our way up for breakfast. After breakfast the kids camp activity was fishing, we were a bit early so we took the kids new poles down to the lake to make sure everything was in working order. The kids immediately started catching fish faster than dad could get worms on hooks and fish off the hooks. Panfish, rock bass, and G-boy even caught a small walleye, a hungry little walleye that swallowed the hook. Harry and Diane came down and took over for kid camp so mom and dad could enjoy their first alone time at the camp. After camp the kids quickly changed into their swimsuits and headed for the beach. Both kids managed to make the swim to the platform with mom swimming, and dad providing kayak shuffle service. The resident loons kept coming over to check things out to the dismay of mother. After a picnic lunch on the beach the kids resumed their swimming and playing activities, joined by several of their friends. The day was hot and sunny, roasting both parents and just nipping the tip of the kids ears. After supper the days medallion had yet to be found so we spent part of our evening, like many others in the camp, searching. We finally gave up and headed back for stories and bedtime. Mom and pop followed shortly after. Tomorrow - turtle races!

Wednesday June 23

Drizzle rain moved in right after lunch so kids camp moved to the loft. Mom and dad headed for town for some shopping and to pickup a pizza for lunch. Today is supposed to be the turtle races, but the persistent rain has us looking for other plans. Plan B: Head to Brainard for a matinee of Toy Story 3! After quickly eating some delicious Raferrty's Pizza, and taking a quick rest, we loaded into the car and headed for town. The matinee movie time was packed, obviously we were not the only people looking for kid activities. G-boy found the cymbal playing monkey a bit too much so he and mom headed to DQ for some ice cream. C-bear powered through to the end and I believe enjoyed the movie. The rain finally stopped and the sunshine was starting, so we headed back to camp and the kids immediately headed for the beach a bit before the kids hotdog feed. Thanks to some late sprinkles, and two consolers inability to ignite wet wood, the kids feed was moved to the loft, where they had hotdog's, marshmallows, and chips. The adults headed for the outside patio for drinks before supper. After another great tasting supper (try the walleye cake appetizer, recipe is on-line) we headed back to the cabin, the kids saw us and jumped into their swimsuits and headed back to the water for more swimming outside the ropes. Our trusty old point-and-shoot camera finally crapped out, so mom picked up the SLR and quickly started picking up the basics. We continued on the beach until late, and wrapped up the evening by starting the fireplace in our cabin and using it to make smores. The kids got to stay up extra late as this is the last night here. Tomorrow it's eat, camp, pack, and drive. Tonight it's finish another wine bottle, and think about packing before dropping into bed.

Thursday June 24

Check-out day! We woke up and started the painful process of getting the kids motivated to leave. C-bear was teary eyed and only resigned to leaving after I informed her of our plans to stop by the Mall of America on the way and check out the amusement park rides. We headed up for breakfast which took forever due to a absent minded waitress, then sent C-bear, the self proclaimed "fishing machine", and G-boy to kids camp for more fishing. While the kids were having fun the parents quickly packed up the car and got checked out - who knew those martini's were that expensive? After a couple quick goodbye hugs we started off, making it to a nearby Pirates Cove mini-golf course. Mom and the kids all managed a hole-in-on, but poor dad was one-less. The kids enjoyed the mini-golf caves and waterfalls, and only mom managed to lose a ball in the iky chemical blue water which reminded me of the Paul Bunyon Land water from day two. After golf we powered through to Nelson Brothers for some late lunch, er breakfast. More french toast, eggs, and pancakes for all of us. The thought of food sounded good, but nobody managed to clear their plates of the tasty sweets. With our carbo tanks topped off it was time to enjoy some scenic road construction as we headed into the Twin Cities on our way to MOA. Once there the kids were anxiously tugging dad along to the ticket kiosk while mom checked out her favorite Long Tall Sally store. The kids were maniacs hitting every kids ride over and over. Both kids wore out the musical swings. Mom made quick work of her shopping and joined us, which gave the kids a chance to do rides individually and visit their respective favorite stores. American Girl for C-bear and the Nickelodeon store and Lego Land for G-boy. C-bear (or was it mom) latched onto a Kit Kittredge doll that just had to be bought, complete with pierced ears and pet dog. Dad let G-boy buy a Woody and Bullseye action figure set that he was frantic about to even the excitement. We continued on more rides until both kids uttered the phrase "I want to go home". Mission accomplished! We loaded back into the car and headed south for home. We made one quick stop for supper at Arby's, then continued home under the bright shine of a nearly-full moon and empty Interstate. We hit Ames around 11:30pm, C-bear climbed into her bed, but G-boy was out like a rock. He will be confused come morning when he wakes up at home. We quickly unpacked the necessities, made the quick once-over, and headed to bed. Finally a night for some good sleep that we've so desperately been missing this last week. Tomorrow - Zoo and or Waterpark.

Friday June 25

Not the perfect nights sleep, but far better than we've had in awhile.The kids slept in, so much so we'll have to skip the zoo and focus on just the waterpark this afternoon. Mom and dad began the process of restarting the domestic life, like plugging in the TV and running to the store to buy milk, eggs, bread, etc. Thanks to some great neighbors everything was nearly as we left it. Well, except the two houses that went up and the corn that grew several feet while we were gone. The kids played outside in the sprinkler while dad checked on the status of the garden and cat, both still alive. (Anyone want our cat? ). Lunch, and a quick nap - soon we'll be heading for the waterpark.