Rapid River Logging Camp

One of the biggest highlights of our visits to Minnesota has always been the Logging Camp just outside Park Rapids. The one full summer that Andy and I lived in MN we opened the camp Memorial Weekend and closed it Labor Day Weekend with my Grandma LaVerne and Grandpa Floyd.

The purpose for visiting is to eat breakfast - pancakes, eggs any way you like 'em, ham, "logger raisins" (prunes), all served family style in the old mess hall. Good food and great service.

But the acres surrounding the mess hall are well worth the drive too. There is a river flowing right past the camp, chickens to feed, a short hiking trail, and a large and pretty yard. Ailey has been to the logging camp before, her first visit when she was 3 months old. This was the first trip for Marin and Silje, and all three girls enjoyed an hour or so of exploring after breakfast.

Feeding the fish

With Aunt Vicki

GG and Ailey

It isn't a MN visit without taking a trip to the Logging Camp with Grandma LaVerne.

Before kids, we would hit the shops in Park Rapids after breakfast. While we skipped the shopping this trip, we did stop into the candy store and went for ice cream. Ah, memories....

Eagle Lake

Almost the first thing we do when we get to my mom's family lake cabin is jump in the lake. Thus, that is where almost all the pictures were taken.

It was Ailey, Marin and Silje's first dive into something other than a pool. It took them a couple days, but they eventually became one with the fish....

Marin found a clam.

Our second day in the water was a blustery one. It just goes to show how eager the girls were to be in the lake that we were willing to surf the waves!

Winding down at night required some reading - here, Ailey to Luke.

Eagle Lake sunsets are the best.

Lake Ida

My dad's family cabin is on Lake Ida in Minnesota. We spent the first couple nights of our Minnesota visit there. It is such a beautiful place - quiet, shady, peaceful. Until my girls get there, at least.

But Aunt Vicki was up to the task of entertaining them. Mower rides, plant watering galore, and even a little fashion show....

We got in a visit to the Pelican too...

"Smile!"

You know that "fake" smile that kids give, starting around ... oh ... age 2? When you want to get a picture of them and they would rather be off running/playing/any-where-but-in-front-of-the-camera? You know the one.


"Smile!"

"I Like Cows"

At yet another restaurant recently, Andy and Marin went to admire the carousel horse that was adorning the wall. A waitress came up to talk to them and pointed out the rubber snake that someone had flung over the mane of the horse.

The waitress told Marin that she had a pet red-tailed Boa Constrictor at home. "Oooo, wow" says Marin. The waitress then asked Marin if she likes snakes.

After a thoughtful pause, Marin said "I like cows."

Well, there you go.