Thursday, June 22, 2017

Our First Season Begins!

Well....it's June 22nd and I'm finally sitting down to do the blog.  Our first season has started off super busy...which is a good thing....and super fun!  Not all resort jobs are fun, but can I tell you what IS fun?  Going to Sam's Club and buying all the candy you can fit in your car!  Two carts full.  Calvin had a great time throwing in all the candy he could find.  It's a kid's dream!


The middle of May Grandpa and Aunt Nancy arrived.  We were all so excited....it's like the official beginning of the resort season!  We quickly got him into one of our new plaid shirts...


The new water whoosh and pyramid have been a huge hit on the lake with the kids!   


 The former Lodgemaster decided to revisit his fly fishing days now that he's retired.  He has been out several times....he walks right into the lake and catches bluegill one after another!


Nathan had summer school in June.  One day his class went to the nursing home and he got to visit Vivian Helgeson.  Don and Vivian owned the resort before my parents....we were very close to them as kids so it was special for Nathan to meet her.


Dave and Mary and their family caught some huge fish when they were here! 



We had some special family time last week.  My dad's sister was still here, and his brother brought his wife and grand kids up for the week so my grandpa had all three of his kids here at once!  


Jillian is our resort social director.  She's always willing to head to the playground with kids or swim in the pool and lake.  She plays hard and sleeps hard.  It's quite a life.  


We have spent time with some amazing families this year.  Some old and some brand new.  We are having a great time living this resort life!  Would you like to join us sometime? Visit our website at www.crlodge.com!

Monday, February 13, 2017

The Year in Review...2016

     It's winter in Minnesota...which means the resort is closed until spring!  We started our 30th year at this great place on September 1st...and we ended our resort career on January 1st!  We are officially retired...as owners...but we will continue to be a part of the resort, because Jen & Marc & kids are the new owners!
They are excited to continue the traditions started many years ago by wonderful owners(not just us!).  Their kids are the perfect ages to have fun growing up at a resort...and sharing that fun with all the kids who will come on vacation!

2016 Season...
Great Grandpa arrived in May to spend the summer with us!  We were all excited!

The resort got a new sign...and a guest captured a beautiful photo!

The Lodgemaster built a new addition to the dock to accommodate the new pontoon!  Now there are 2 pontoons to enjoy by the hour, day or for the whole week!

A new playground welcomed the little ones to vacation!  It got plenty of use all summer long!

We have a standing joke at the resort about all the duck photos taken in the last 30 years...they all look the same, but the ducks provide lots of entertainment for the kids...and they aren't afraid of the resort dog!

Even the Lodgemaster gets to fish sometimes!  He caught this nice bass off the dock!

 Jillian fished with Grandpa the great...and caught a crappie!  But the memories are even better than the fishing!

Cabin 4 got a new kitchen...and a leveled floor!  A big improvement!

Give a kid a pile of new sand...and they'll play on it the entire week!  We didn't have to spread that sand around...the kids did it for us!

A new GaGa Ball court was added last summer...it was a hit for all ages!

This fisherman had a great story...a giant northern jumped right into his boat!

 Memories...wonderful memories in the last 30 years...and many more to be made!  We celebrate our retirement and welcome our kids as owners of this great place!  

God has blessed us with 30 years of wonderful guests who have become family to us!  We thank all of you for sharing your family vacations with us...and we look forward to the next generation at
Cedar Rapids Lodge!

Do you have your reservations for 2017?  There are still a few cabins open!  Check out the website for the latest openings...and come make memories with your family!

Jen & Marc will continue the traditions that have made Cedar Rapids Lodge such a great place!
We look forward to sitting and having coffee with all of you!
Happy New Year!