Leech Lake Vacation

Yet another vacation with the Brigham family on Leech Lake in northern MN! GREAT TIMES! WE stayed at Grand Vu Lodge (Anderson Family resort) and had a nice 5 bedroom log cabin 35 feet from the lake/beach. The weather was super the entire week with the exception of one windy, cool day which was actually a nice break from the sun. Once again, the Anderson's did a fantastic job! They had fun activities scheduled every day for the kids and big kids of the resort including an ice cream social, sand castle tournament, turtle races, fishing contest, kayak contest, tie-dye shirt creation, free tubing, shuffle board, train rides, canoes/kayaks/waterbikes/paddle boats, water trampoline and huge slide into the water, family olympics, horse rides, bonfires, complimentary doughnuts and coffee in the lodge, furry bunnies to pet, playground with a pirate ship, and last but not least, adult social night (complimentary cocktails in the lodge from 4 until close). Dave and Derek took FULL advantage of that and closed her down at 2am! Lynn and I soaked in the massage service and went into Walker to shop on Crazy Days (the cold day) for our treat. Grandma Jackie (Derek's mom) was a trooper and she kept up with all of us and seemed to really have a nice time as well.

We rented a boat and had our 4-man tube and spent time whipping the kids across the lake at full speed and pulling up anchor on Goose Island (great fishing spot). We also temporarily adopted a cute litte cat, Mitten, for the week who showed up at our door the first night with a killer meow. She knew who to come to for love, and food and warm milk! Other than water activities most days, we watched movies at night (re-runs of Lonesome Dove - the entire series!), played games and had many bonfires. What is so awesome about Northern MN is the brilliant display of gazillions of stars, the call of the loons, the sound of the waves hitting the beach, the burning sunset and watching the bright moon rise on the horizon. So peaceful, especially when sitting around the bonfire.

We didn't have much luck fishing but then again, who would with 6 of the loudest kids on the planet all in the same boat hoping for a whopper of a walleye, northern or muskie. Dave and Derek tried the night fishing twice; the first and the last. They didn't have much luck so they headed into the lodge to close out Adult Social Night. Dylan was out on the dock every day fishing and catching lots of small fish and craw daddies. Taylor actually caught a Buffalo Head with her bare hands right from the dock during the fishing tournament and Dylan was none too happy about that! "TAYLOR!", is all you could hear as he continued to catch gerbil-sized fish all morning. Comical!

We even exercised while we were there this time. The Brighams brought their kettle bells and were the workout animals most days and motivated Dave and I. I personally enjoyed our walks in the woods while Dave and Derek hoisted bells to the tune of the Eye of the Tiger (jk). 

The vacation may be over but we know we will be going back again next year.  However, they may have to omit the Adult Social Night if they know Dave and Derek are coming back! Make sure to check out our Shutterfly link for lots of fun photos from the trip. The album is titled: Leech Lake Vacation. Enjoy!