.....And we're off!!

         We're in our second week of the 2011 season and life is pretty smooth!  Our big projects are done and most of the to-do list is done or put away for the fall.  Now we spend our days visiting with our guests, making coffee in the lodge several times a day and ensuring that our guests all have a great vacation.  So far, the weather has been varied...yesterday was high winds most of the day, but this morning the fishermen are out and the sun is shining.

         The first guests in the brand new cabin have come and gone.  The second family arrives on Saturday and we are excited to share this beautiful new addition with all our guests.  Finally got the finishing touches up...

New valances & wall words in one bedroom...

And in the second bedroom too!

And a new wallhanging in the upstairs bedroom.

         Cabin #6 remodeling is finished and guests are in that cabin this week, enjoying all the updates....

A brand new kitchen with lots of cupboards....

and new carpeting...

         We moved the life jackets, nets and minnow buckets to a new location...

easier access for the guests...

         The lodgemaster tackled a project that had been haunting him for months.  New laws dictated a different drain cover for the pool, so when he opened the pool this month, he had to get in and replace the existing cover...

Waders on and getting ready for the job...

Pool was braced to prevent the sides from moving...he did get wet but got the new cover on and the pool is filled and heating for the kids coming this week!

We had some special guests come to visit...

Miss Rowan came for her first visit and brought her parents and her grandma Nancy....a fun time!

Some of the grandkids were here and Nathan shared a tractor ride with Greyson...let's just say it's a good thing he can't drive on the highway yet! 

We ventured out for our first fishing trip with some of the "boys"...

They had visions of catching lots of fish...but Papa soon discovered that 3 of the 4 poles needed some serious work after the casting by some young fishermen...

Greyson did manage to catch the first & only fish of the trip...big brother Will had to hold it for the picture...Greyson wanted nothing to do with that feisty fish!

      

         We experimented in the kitchen with a new recipe...taco pizza...very yummy but not worthy of the menu just yet...

It was so good but took alot of cutting and chopping to make!

But this delicious pizza is on the menu and our new crusts are the best!

         And finally, I thought you'd like to see what my car looks like after one trip to town.  We can't leave the resort unless we have a full list of supplies needed...and we always have to come home with a full vehicle...

Just a few of the flowers that will get planted in the next couple of weeks around here!  Come see for yourself what a fun place we have!! 

The old comes down....and the new is finished!

       What a difference a week makes!  Today we have guests in 3 cabins, with 3 more cabins booked on Monday, and several more during the week to fill the place up by Memorial weekend!  Whether we're ready or not, the season begins and we're welcoming guests for the next few months. 

       We lost a part of the resort this week....the old barn probably built back in the 40s or 50s has been falling down for the last several years.  It served it's purpose for years, the last several as storage for old furniture, fixtures, and leftover lumber from the many building projects over the years.  We salvaged the lumber we could get out last week and hired Kyle to tear down the rest and haul it away.  Here's the process:

The demolition in progress...so sad that grandsons weren't here to watch!

The front of the building is almost down....

Almost completely destroyed and most of it hauled away.

       I think I took about 40 photos of the process, plus a video, just so the grandsons can watch the heavy equipment at work!  The empty spot looks so different after seeing that barn there for all of our 24 years!

       The new.....our brand new cabin #7 is finished and ready for it's first guests this week.  The pictures make it a little tough to envision the whole package, but here's a taste of what you'll see this summer...

Cabin #7 2011

Kitchen is stocked and ready for fish-frying!

Another kitchen view.

The living room...the lodgemaster is posed...watching the Cubs.

Different angle of living room.

New infra-red fireplace in living room.

One queen bedroom...

The second queen bedroom.

Spacious storage under the stairs...

Downstairs bathroom.

View from the stairs looking down...

Storage area upstairs.

Upstairs tub/shower unit.

Large bedroom/TV area upstairs.

2 Full beds & 1 Twin bed upstairs.

Futon/TV area upstairs.

       Now we wait....and share this new cabin with all the guests this summer!  And the work load shifts to the swimming pool!  It's filled, filters are working to clean the water and the heat will be turned on this week in anticipation of warm weather for Memorial weekend.  And we know of one little person who's excited....

Jilly had to model her new swimsuit for us!  She can't wait to swim!

Aren't you excited too??



...and the 2011 Resort Season Begins!

       May 14, 2011, Minnesota fishing opener!  It's here!  Last October, when we closed the resort down for the long winter, this day seemed eons away...and then....it creeps up faster than we planned! 

       One cabin left to clean....the new cabin needs to be dusted and pictures hung before it's rented this week!  We can't wait to show off this newest cabin at the resort.

       Fishing was great yesterday.  The fishermen from the resort caught walleyes and a few northerns...one walleye was just over 24 inches, a nice catch for the first day of the walleye season.  Biggest fish this guest had ever caught!

       We have seen some definite signs that spring is here and summer is just around the corner...

The wild flowers in the woods are just blooming!

Our neighboring buffalo were out with their calves this week...

Sometimes it's like visiting a wildlife park!

              We are happy to report that our gas prices are still under $4/gallon and the projection is for those prices to drop before summer!  But....if you're wondering whether to haul your own boat up this summer or rent one of ours...here's a new one we added to the fleet this year...

A 16' Crestliner, 50hp, console steering, live well, trolling motor, depth finder, radio.  This boat will rent for $400/week and it's already rented by a couple of guests.  Call or email us if you'd like this boat while you're here.

       We have the freezers stocked with some new foods for the lodge menu and we tried out the new pizza crusts this week...you know, we have to make sure this stuff is good enough to serve to you...

Didn't think we could improve on an already good thing, but you be the judge!

       We also have a couple of new items that will be out around the resort grounds this summer.  This little guy will be with his friends in the woods....

I found him at the Twins gift shop when we went to a game in April...what a fun place to go!  I think he needs a name, what do you think?

       And we have 2 of these paddleboards that will provide lots of entertainment...for the rider and the people watching...

You stand on it and use a long paddle to move yourself around the lake...you can watch a video HERE to see how to use the boards.  I think they'll be a hit with young & old.

      So, that's a peek at resort life so far...and more to come.  I hope to post the finished cabin #7 photos this week.  It is beautiful.  We're working on the landscaping and seeding the yard around the cabin...the temperature is finally climbing to a comfortable number to work outside.  Steve's on the tractor mowing for the first time...and I will do some planting around the grounds in hopes of getting it all done by Memorial weekend.  See you all soon!  Hope your week is a beautiful one too!

8 Days & Counting....

       It's been awhile since I've updated....resort life in the spring is crazy!  Nuts!  13 cabins to clean, 13 refrigerators to move out and clean behind, 13 gunky stoves to take apart and clean, 48 beds to take apart, flip the mattress and make(ever so neatly).  Wow, that's alot!  I am thanking the Lord this spring that I am able to do this work.  It's a long, dormant winter and when the spring work starts, there is no stopping. 

       Steve's chore list includes putting in all 3 docks, launching numerous boats, paddleboats, pontoon and making sure all the batteries are charged, in the boats and ready to use.  His wife always provides an extensive "honey do" list that he does his best to finish!  And then there's this huge monster of a job.....

THE SWIMMING POOL!

       We're not complaining...this new pool is so much easier to winterize and then open in the spring.  This year we have to put a new giant drain cover on and that will be a chore, since the pool has to be drained down so that some brave soul can wade in and install it!  Anyone want first dibs at this job??  C'mon...it'll be fun!

       We have enjoyed the open water and all the wildlife making their way back to the lake.  Loons, goldeneyes, ducks, geese, swans and pelicans.  And this guy.....

Can you see him?  The first fisherman on the lake in a boat in 2011!  Exciting!

And no, it's not Steve!  He's working!  Whoever he is doesn't know he got his picture taken.

       Other signs of 8 days and counting until the first guest....

The candy counter is stocked and ready for the first customers!

The lodge is cleaned & new clothes are being folded and displayed...

New animals and a stringer of cuddly fish for the little fishermen...

The game room is cleaned and ready for the pinball guys to come clean the games so we can turn them on!

The pirate ship & playground sit ready for the pirates to play!

Isn't it cute...my first purchase at our new Menards store!

       Some of you cabin #7 guests are probably wondering what's going on with that new construction!  Well...

The frost is out of the ground, so the front awning is built and ready to shade the visitors....

Carpet & flooring is done, furniture is in...still looking for a cool area rug!

Kitchen is almost furnished and ready for the guests!

The heating/air conditioning is in! 

Beds are made and ready for guests!

       So, you can see we've been busy....the work gets overwhelming at times, but after 24 years, we are pros at this stuff!  We stress and fret, but the work always gets done!  We will be ready for our first guests next weekend!  My house might be cluttered and dusty this week.....but the cabins will be clean and the boats will be ready and we'll have a smile on our face when the guests drive in!

       If you live close by, stop in and see our place.  Our life here is a gift and we treasure it.  We have the best guests in the world and we look forward to seeing everyone very soon!