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We just got back from a tour of some of the northern MN state parks. All I can say is, “Why haven’t I taken my kids before?!”

All this has been right here the past what, 9 years we have lived in MN, and now that we are heding to warmer pastures for the winter, we are finally taking advantage of it. Well, better late than never.

What is it about making a change that immediately makes you long for what is familiar? Oh, I can tell you all the psychological processes behind it (so what) but isn’t it kind of bittersweet that we love something more and want to connect with what we have now, more intensely at the moment we are leaving it behind?

I’ve experienced a strong desire to connect with, and discover who are, the people who are most important in my life. I’ve reached out to family members that I could have known all this time, but hadn’t, because there was always “someday.” I’ve paid attention to which friends actually keep in touch, versus those that just want to keep tabs through facebook and occasional visits in church, and have been sometimes surprised by the answer. Sometimes it stings. Cue violin. But overall, I’m feeling this need to stop having so many good aquaintances, and start having a few deep, and life-long friendships.

Sigh . . . . peaceful gaze across the lake. Where was I??? State Parks, right. Enough of the stroll down rhapsody lane!

Have you ever been to Moose Lake State Park? If not, go. It’s in, you guessed it, Moose Lake, MN. “Rolling hills surrounded by fields, woods, ponds and fishing lakes make this park popular for hikers, anglers, canoeists, swimmers and campers.”

It was too cold for swimming the early September day we arrived, but the lake boasts a lovely, grassy park with a small swimming beach, picnic tables, and a fishing dock. We cast a line but didn’t get any nibbles, granted we were using bits of apple and frozen peas for bait (hey, you make do with what you have on hand.)

The real draw was the Agate and Geological Interpretive Center. The kids (and mom, too) had a great time seeing the many colors and types of agates found in the world, and specifically, in MN.

“The 4,500 square foot building, located at the entrance to the park, opened in
2003 and includes a multi-purpose classroom, nature store gift shop, park
offices, a resource workroom, restrooms, and an exhibition hall that showcases
Minnesota’s gemstone, the Lake Superior Agate. Interpretive displays focus on
rocks, minerals and geology of Minnesota.”

The knowledgable staff pored over my children’s own rocks with sincere interest, pointing out which were agates and which of their treasures were something less valuable, but still beautiful and interesting.

I bought a very reasonably priced 100% cotton sweatshirt in the gift store, and the kids each picked out a souvenir before heading out to look for agates in the nearby gravel pits. The park staff gave us a map, and pointed us to the best stops. We didn’t find the “big one” but we did find plenty of small agates to take home. We all agreed we would definitely visit this state park again – not only for recreation, but as a wonderful homeschooling resource!

Moose Lake is located on 4252 County Road 137, in Moose Lake, MN. It’s a relatively short drive from central MN or even the cities – see below.

Getting There

Located 1/4 miles east of I-35 at the Moose Lake exit #214. The park entrance  is off County Road 137. Take the Moose Lake exit off I-35. Then go east on  County Road 137 until you see the park signs about 1/2 mile down the  road.

Hours:

Memorial Day through Labor Day: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, 9
a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Office
closed October 9th – 14th. Office closed Sundays and Mondays Mid
September-April. If you call ahead to the park, special arrangements may be made
to make sure the building is open for your visit.”

tel: 218-485-5420           email: mooselake.statepark@state.mn.us

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If there is one place we return to year after year, it’s Lake Beauty Bible Camp (LBBC).

Now, don’t let the name scare you off. No one is going to sell you a bible, expect you to carry one around all day, or even attend the optional chapel service (although you really don’t want to miss it because the music is feet-stomping good and the speakers are inevitably stomach-grabbing funny plus you’ll be sure to hear something that makes you go “hmmm.”)

The real draw of LBBC is a combination of the exceptionally friendly people (both staff and fellow campers), the gorgeous lakeside grounds, the opportunity to choose whether to spend your day relaxing around your campfire, leisurely paddling a canoe, riding horses, screaming on the torpedo water ride or zip line, or challenging yourself on the ropes course – well, you get the point.

Yes, there is a lot to do, or not to do, as you see fit. Most of the activities are included with the reservation fee, while others require a whole $1 deposit – that’s sarcasm, by the way – which you get back when you show up, or donate to LBBC when you don’t. Others cost a small fee. For example,horseback riding costs $10 per child riding with an adult handler, or $15 to ride alone on a group trail ride.

Instead of preaching their Christian values, the staff at LBBC demonstrates them in their caring behavior, silly sense of humor, fun-loving activities, and generous nature. Now, if you’d like to be preached to (and I do!) chapel is on the menu twice a day, but don’t expect to wear a suit or heels, or have a moment to yawn. This is, after all, summer camp.

The atmosphere is casual, relaxed, and most of all, real. No lofty ideals, just down to earth, practical and still, inspiring, messages of hope and love.

Got kids? Bring them along. They will love the “Kids Camp” activities while the adults have some time to hear the speaker without saying, “shhhh,” “not now,” “eat a mint and be quiet,” or “leave your brother alone!”

We usually spend a day doing all of our favorites like swimming (there’s a corded-off beach, a slide into the water, and a water trampoline), the night-time zip line (now that requires trust and courage!), the pamper pole (think climbing a 60 ft. telephone pole and jumping off the top – tied to a climbing line, of course), and riding the torpedo tube (wheeeeeeeeee), then we take the next few days to relax, may be take a pontoon ride, or paddle a canoe across the mirror-like lake.

I love all the activities for kids, and the safe environment so they can (within reason) run around with their friends to the multiple playgrounds, the swimming beach, and the many activities.

LBBC is famous for their menu and it’s sure to please both kids and adults alike. There’s always homemade cookies, teas and coffee, and milk, available in the lodge if you get nibbly during the day, and huge spreads are served for three meals a day. Meals are extra, but reasonable.

There are speciality camps year round such as family camps, couples’ retreats, quilting retreats, women’s or men’s retreats, mom and daughter (or father and son) retreats, and of course, summer, fall, and winter camps for the kids. Added this past year are weekend getaways.

I think the reason we keep coming back is because we just feel so good while we are there, and the feeling continues after we leave. Our marriage feels stronger, our kids seem happier, and our family more connected.

Get more info here, and put LBBC on your list of must-do’s in Minnesota!

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This . . . has . . . been . . . a  . . . good . . . month. See how relaxed I am?

It’s gone by so fast! We came intending to stay a week, and here we still are.

Highlights:  relaxing with family; swimming with the kids, catching and eating the elusive walleye; and most definitely

– singing Johnny Cash songs and sipping 12 year old Scotch – thanks cousin!!

But . . . all good things must come to an end and speaking of which, did you feel the chill in the air this weekend? Even the water feels a few degrees lower. Sigh.

Now, normally a feeling of deep sadness would creep in as I contemplate the end of our short, wonderful summer. But not this year, oh no, dahling.

About a month from now when the leaves are dropping and the winds are blowing and I have enjoyed all of September (my favorite time of year) traveling up the north shore . . . then I am high-tailing  it to the west coast!!

Whooo-hoooo! Oh yeah, uh-huh. Watch me now. I am doing the “dance!” Going to Cali, going to Cali, going to Cali . . . (you’ve got to sing it for it to make sense, kind of like, “Go girlfriend, it’s your birthday . . .”)

Finally!!!

Yes!!

Amen!

Boosh. (Don’t know what boosh is? Watch Gulliver’s Travels – Jack Black version.)

OK. I think I got that out of my system.

But, hear’s the plan. Next summer I want to take archery classes at Deep Portage Learning Center. It’s right here on Big Deep Lake. The kids and I spent two hours hiking on the trails there today. The Interpretive Center is full of do-it-yourself activities that kept the kids excited and entertained, and “Look Ma- we just learned something and didn’t even crack a book!” We likee.

Speaking of archery, the reason it’s on my mind is because one of our cousins and her daughter just shot a  350 lb. bear up in Canada with a bow and I thought that was pretty darn impressive!

Yeah, a bear. It was last week and I’m still talking about it. And she can cook it, too, mind you.

Boosh!

I am not saying I am going bear hunting, I’m just saying that would be something fun for me and the kids to learn to do.

Yup, there’s me . . . stalking the wild . . . chipmunk.

 

 

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Can it be I have been in MN for a month now? The time has really gone by quickly! Two weddings and thankfully, no funerals.

In fact, I am still winding down from last night’s revelries at our niece’s wedding in Kimball. It was a beautiful ceremony and reception. The bride was stunning and the groom was slap happy, and a good time was had by all!

Speaking of the reception, am I blessed to have a husband who can dance! We can cut a rug, let me tell you. At least we think so.

I love weddings – everyone is in a good mood. There is always plenty of food, laughter, music, and kids jacked up on Shirley Temples! Only one of the children threw up later . . . at least in our house, i.e. the bus. I can’t vouch for all the cousins.

Heading back up north for the week!

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Just what is turkey bacon.

And why do we eat it?

Ohhhhh, so if it’s turkey lips and er, . . . you know the saying, then it’s somehow healthier?

Wake up people! Just looking at it is all wrong.

First of all, it looks like the bacon that comes in those plastic kiddie cooking sets. Let the image evolve . . . there you go.

Ditto for that “bacony bacon!” dog treat commercial.

Not to mention, it never changes appearance while you are cooking it.

I mean, with bacon, real bacon that is, the delectable strips actually change color and shape, sizzling sumptuously browning and crisping its way into your nostrils, filling your soul with an aroma that unmistakably shouts, “Eat me!”

But, it was on sale, so we gave it a try. Guess what?

Turkey bacon looks exactly the same, cooked or raw. Wierd but true facts.

I just winged it and guessed when it was safe to eat.

By the way, it looks just as greasy when it’s cooked, as real bacon, but not quite so appetizing.

Yes, I said real bacon. Don’t try to tell me turkey bacon is bacon. Bacon by its very name refers to pork. When you say “Bacon,” you don’t have to say “Pork bacon.” You just say bacon. We all know what you mean.

All other faux bacon products must be designated with the name from which animal the producer of said meat product chopped and formed aforementioned bacon.

As for tasting, I have to admit there is a somewhat bacon-y flavor, probably achieved by chemical flavorings, smoke flavoring, and the same unhealthy nitrites and nitrates found in the real thing, so my point is, what’s the point?

Look people, eating real God-made fat is more satisfying (resulting in fewer calories overall eaten) than this fake junk, and guess what, most likely requires fewer chemical additives to make it safe to consume (I say this smirkingly as people have preserved and smoked meat for about 6 thousand years without the addition of nitrates thank you very much . . . pant, snort, heave . . .but, I digress.)

Fewer calories, more satisfying, fewer chemicals.

Now, wouldn’t that my friends, be healthier?

Just saying.

 

Well that was a grandiose title, as if we know what the heck we are talking about. But it got you here, so read on . . .

So what did we learn today about fishing on Big Deep Lake, in Hackensack, MN?

Well, dear reader, it turns out that “sunnies” bite on worms and perch bite on minnows. In addition, let it be known that “sunnies” are cannibalistic little fellows that have no qualms about nibbling on their fallen brethren that are hooked, as if to say, “Well, you’re a goner anyway, so chow down mates!”

Now, I have discovered that I love fishing about 6:30 in the evening, when the sun is still hot, but the water is calm and clear, and the fish are biting like there’s no tomorrow!

O.K., if we are going to be perfectly honest, we catch the little ones left and right: but all you’ve got to do is drop a hook, empty or not (seriously.) into the water and they go crazy hopping on!

So, sadly, the biggest fish we’ve gotten has been a perch about . . . now this is my guess and don’t tell the hubby or he will correct me, say 6-7 inches.

Yeah . . .

Oh well, it’s a lot of fun dropping it in and immediately yanking it up and laughing like crazy, keeping the hubby busy dodging our little fish as they whip past his face in our attempt to hand them over so he can pull them off, and – back in the water goes the hook!!!

Once in a while we let him fish by himself, so he can actually catch something.

Enjoying . . .

You know what I love the most about lazy days at the lake?

Actually Sandy Beach on Stonington, Maine

When I get to the point of not feeling like I have to do anything in particular, at any particular time.

When I get to the point of being completely spontaneous (“Hey, Mom, want to go swimming?”  . . . “Sure” . . . splash!)

and to the point of being completely unconcerned (dishes? they’ll wait.)

I love putting on my bikini the moment I get up, and throwing  a t-shirt and shorts over it to go to town.

I love being comfortable wearing a bikini without worrying about the wiggle in the middle.

I love that I haven’t brushed my hair in two days, and a bath is a dip in the lake.

And I love that my dogs have finally decided we are theirs, and they are ours, and they lay around the campsite waiting for us to come outside and run down to the lake with them. And I don’t even have to tie them out (unless we are going to town.)

I love it that Zeek fell off the dock today and sank, of course, being about 175 lbs. but he came up paddling, snorting, and shaking out his ears. I had to laugh until he turned around and looked at me with what really looked like hurt feelings, as if I’d pushed him or something (yes he is becoming one of my kids) and I told him he’s a good boy, and that made it all right.

I love it. Thanks Grandma Kay.

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Ever been bitten by one of these?

Yeah, it hurts. Leaves a nice bloody cut and that’s only the beginning.

If you’ve just been bitten once or twice that day, later on the site will swell to the diameter of say, a baseball, may be a grapefruit. It will itch incessantly for about a week as it gradually fades, leaving behind tiny scabs all over it. Oh yes, it is gross my friends, make no mistake.

However, if now you are super sensitive to the insect’s venom (see where I’m going with this?) and you get bit again, say, on your middle toe, well, a baseball sized swelling is the least of your worries.

This happened the day before yesterday and since the evening of the sad event, my foot has been swollen to the ankle, red, stiff, painful, and yes, ITCHY BEYOND BELIEF!

Allergy meds, Tylenol, hydrocortisone cream, AfterBite, lye soap, baking soda paste, you name it, all give temporary relief, thankfully, but seriously, how long will this insanity endure??

Add this to one more reason I do not want to live in Minnesota!

Every time I am lulled into a false sense of see-MN-is-actually-a-beautiful-state serenity (swimming in the nice, clear lake, the sun is shining, birds are chirping, fish are biting – literally these little sunfish are nibbling on our fingers and legs) – and KABLOWY! HORSEFLY ATTACK (just input mosquito, gnat, or any other random flying, vampirous insect in Minnesota!)

Need I say more?

(Although, I must say, getting away from the Georgia cockroach is not so bad, either.)

Sayonara from the bunk bed in the cabin with my foot propped up (poor me)~

 

 

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It’s been a while – a week! Like I said, I am a much better blogger when I am sans hubby, but it’s a pretty good trade-off.

We made it back to MN and are having a new water pump installed in the generator. That problem solved. And we made it in time for our niece’s wedding. It was a good weekend!

By the way, on the way back, the weather cooled off enough for me to drive without the generator/AC and . . . my fuel mileage went up to 8 mpg! Amazing! I bet if I can time my drive to CA so I don’t need AC, I can get up to 10 mpg. It’s like a shiny carrot dangling in front of me even now.

So, now without anything on our plates, we decided to look for a state park with swimming to camp out while the hubby looked for a load. We discovered Cayuna Country just north of us in Crosby/Ironton. That worked out great because our dental apt was in Deerwood, which is on the way.

The campground isn’t actually in the state park, but just a mile or two away, on a clear lake over the old mining pits. It’s called Portsmouth Campground and we had it nearly all to ourselves for three days. It was $21 a night (4 pm – 4 pm) and that included 50 amp electric – a good deal in my book. This was actually our first time in a campground and for electric – plus a clear, clean lake to swim in – heaven!

You have to buy a state park permit ($25 for the first vehicle, $18 for a second) but it’s good for a year and you can then go into any MN state park and spend the day swimming or enjoying the activities a lot of the state parks offer for kids, so I think it’s well worth it.

There is a bathroom/shower house, and a water faucet outside. It looked like there used to be water and sewer at all the sites, but they were all closed up, except the one at the “host” campsite, conveniently located next to ours. God is good.

Next stop? Grandma’s lake cabin farther north, near Hackensack, MN. Another clear, shallow lake to swim in, warm campfires, and Grandma’s hugs! The bus is staying in town though and we are headed up in our van.

Be well!

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The kids have been asking to go to the Jelly Belly factory  since I told them it was in Fairfield, CA where I used to live. Imagine their great excitement when we discovered on the Free Factory Tours site, that there was also a Jelly Belly factory in WI!

We re-routed ourselves a bit to go through Chicago (joy . . .) and tried to time it mid-day so because I hate bumper to bumper traffic (which, fyi, no matter what time you go though mid-town, it’s bumper to bumper) and got to Pleasant Prairie, WI just in time to beat 3 school busloads of summer camp kids into line! Whoo-hooooo! Yeah! In your face! What? Oh, sorry.

As you walk in, the room is lined with photos of the family history (Jelly Belly has been owned by the same family since day one) and the progression of the candy company. You get to wear a nifty paper hat (which kept falling off my head into the laps of the increasingly annoyed 6th graders behind me) and ride a little train around the interior of the warehouse (kinda fun actually.)

The tour consists of a series of video stops to see the process, which we all enjoyed, and of course, build you up to the exciting conclusion of exiting to the Jelly Belly store (and the free bag of jelly beans!) where you can then taste flavors (including the Harry Potter series of gross ones like barf and booger) and spend all your money! Yaaaaayyyyyy!

We tasted sausage (not really sausage-y), rotten egg (gag), black pepper (exactly like a mouthful of black pepper), booger (enough to make you vomit, Josh and Faith say) and good ones like kiwi, cappuccino, cocktail blends, blue berry (created for Ronald Reagan, whose favorite was licorice), and buttered popcorn (surprisingly yes, tastes and smells just like it!)

The tour is 30 minutes, and we ended up buying a couple of items for the kids’ friends back home, and about a half a pound of assorted beans we filled from the bins lining the store – just our favorites. Those puppies were gone by the end of the day and I am surprised none of us got sick we ate so much!

Pleasant Prairie also has a great park and swim lake (which after we changed, tied out the dogs, and walked to realized it was closed due to no lifeguard. May be that was why we were the only ones there, and we thought we were just lucky.)

We were pretty lucky after all (or blessed) because my husband happened to be traveling that way, too, and we met up and got to run together allllllll the way home – that’s for you “This Little Piggy” fans.