A Summer Day in June

This is one of those Northern Minnesota days you don't want to miss!  The sky is a beautiful blue with white fluffy clouds that look like big mounds of cotton balls.  As the sun reflects off the lake it causes sparkles like a million diamonds shimmering on the surface.  The trees have completely gained their leaves and they are so green against the blue sky.  Its a little windy which keeps the heat of the afternoon sun tolerable and the newly hatched mosquitos and black flies at bay.  This is not a day to spend indoors!  It is one of those gifts in life not to miss. 

The Lost Acres crew are busy raising the docks today.  At the beginning of the season, after ice out, the lake was really low. The docks were placed at lake at low lake level.   In fact it was so low that the entire boat ramp was exposed and the water level was 2 ft below the boat ramp.  Like the weather in Minnesota...wait just a bit and things will change!  The water level is back to normal after a few rains and the docks are almost underwater.   So up they go.  Raising them is not easy but its not as hard as putting them in. 

Our first two Seasonal boat lifts went in today as well.  That was quite a process to watch.  The boat lift company comes with a large barge with a big forklift like device which takes the lift off the trailer then drives it in the water to the dock where it is placed.  Quite entertaining. 

Fun, busy glorious summer day in June!

Life in the Northwoods

It seems that there are 6 types of people in this world.  There are ocean people, desert people, mountain people, flatlanders, forest people and lake people. Here in the Northwoods of Minnesota we mostly meet Forest and Lake people. 

 Forest people are those who love to walk in the woods.  They love to commune with nature in it's green, lush, damp, and sometimes isolated state.  Thriving on the occasional spotting of a creature of the forest, they love to hear the birds and look through a dark canopy at the sky.  Forest people are tree huggers.  Changing of the seasons brings great joy to Forest People.  Encouraged by the newness of spring, exhilarated by the heat of summer, warmed by the crunch of leaves and colors of fall, and at peace in the silence of a snowfall, Forest people walk.

Lake people on the other hand love to look at and be on the water. Lake people commune with nature by observing when the sun hits the lake forming a million tiny diamonds, and sitting in awe at the reflection of the full moon on the water.  Listening to the call of the loon is music to the Lake lovers ears.  The hum of the boat motors, the lull of riding a pontoon slowly across the lake on a beautiful summer evening, the ripples caused on the glass smooth water by a fish being playful, the vision of the sun setting just below the horizon of the lake, and the sound of water lapping at a dock, keep peace in the heart of the lake lover.  Lake people sit on the dock and ride in their boats.

Lake life or forest life are each a gift but when combined magic happens.  How fortunate we are in Northern Minnesota to be blessed with both. 

Look What's New!

We have a new pontoon this year!  It is a 22ft Bennington pontoon with a 90 hp motor.  It will have 3 live wells and GPS and is set up for ease in fishing.  It also has a ski bar on the back in case you want to use it to ski or knee board.  If you are interested in renting it give us a call!

It's March!

Winter seems to be flying by this year!  We've had snow but not as much as previous years.  However, this has been one of our coldest winters.  It all started in November and has continued up to today.  It is supposed to warm up in the next few days so hopefully we will start to see some signs of spring soon. 

The resort has been fairly busy all winter.  We have had weekend ice fishermen since New Years and it has been fun seeing everyone throughout the long season.  Fishing has been pretty good with mostly crappies and northerns coming from the lake.  We can still fish on the ice for a few more weeks so come on up if you are needing a getaway. 

There's not much news right now.  There is a new puppy at the resort.  She is a GoldenDoodle named Annie.  Quite active, but adorable, it has been tough trying to train her in the cold cold weather.  But, she is doing pretty well. 

We just got back from a resort vendor show and found several fun Lost Acres clothing items for this upcoming season.  We are looking pretty busy for the summer season but still have openings if vacation plans are still in the making. 

Think spring! 

Summer is coming to a close!

This time of year is bittersweet in the resort business.  While usually quite tired and ready for some rest, it also means that we will not be seeing as many wonderful people as we have all summer.  So, now it is time for us to enjoy the beauty and peace and serenity of this Lost Acres place that all of our guests have enjoyed throughout the summer.  The trees are starting to turn just a bit because we have been dry the past several weeks but we are getting moisture this week which should slow that process a bit.  The sunsets and sunrises have been spectacular.  Fishing continues to be good but now it is the panfish that are biting.  Kids have still had luck getting Northern and Walleye off the docks.  Not as much action on the beach now.  So, it must be official that summer is coming to a close. 

The good news is that September is one of the most glorious months at Lost Acres!  Warm days, cool nights, crisp fall smells, and campfires take on a different meaning this time of year.  We are filling up fast for the last hurrah over Labor Day.  Bittersweet!

 

A week of Reunion!

On a rainy Sunday afternoon 5 years ago the Bemidji Chamber called us with a referral.  A group from California had stopped in the Chamber to find a place to stay.  They needed a resort that took pets.  We accepted their reservation and the West family showed up on our doorstep.  The first year they made many friends at the resort and have come back for the past 4 years.  This year they brought friends with them. They drive all the way from Southern California to vacation at Lost Acres!!!  Some of our seasonal campers have driven up from their homes near Minneapolis to spend time with them.  The teenagers have made friends with other teens from families that have come here the same week every year.  They can be seen sharing campfires, going tubing together, hanging out at the Lodge together and having a good time.  It has been so fun to watch the friendships that have been made and to follow the families on Facebook.  It truly has been a week of reunion.  We are missing the Beadle/Kulander families from Louisiana though.  Another great story of friendships made at the resort.

It has also been the week of reunion for the RAVE water trampoline too!  They seagulls always seem to find the tramp this time of year ( a reunion) and each morning the seagull residue must be cleaned off before the kids can play on the tramp.  The old seagull deterrent that was a homemade device broke early in the week so new "spiders" were ordered.  Don't know how well they work though because within a couple of hours of putting them on, one was dropped into the lake and sank.  The next morning the other one was found bent and disfigured.  Soooo, the Lost Acres guys fixed one and went diving for the other.  Spiders saved!!! Yet, another reunion.  But, an hour later the water trampoline came loose from its anchor and was seen floating away with people on it.  On the bait house radio we heard "Uh the water trampoline is floating away with people on it".  So another rescue ensued.  The people and tramp were safe but the anchor could not be found.  It took several hours of diving but we were able to re-anchor the tramp and it's anchor.  Another reunion!  The spiders keep sinking so we don't think that is going to be a valid solution to the bird dropping problem.  We have decided that we should just tie a scrub brush to the tramp so that the first person on it can scrub away the residue each morning.  Ahhhh the joys of resorting. 

The weeks of this summer are flying by and soon all the reunions and problems of the year will be behind us.  We look forward each year to our reunions with all our friends from hither and yon (except the seagulls) and count the days until everyone's return.  The best joy of resorting!!! 

July 4th week a fun time!

Fourth of July week was a fun time and a HUGE success at Lost Acres!  We started the week with a Medallion hunt.  Each day clues were given as to the location of the Medallion.  It was found on the 4th day by Gus Goodell who is a grandson was a guest of our seasonal camper Lorry Gunhus. The prize for finding the Medallion was $20. 

 Each day we had activities for the children at the resort.  This was especially fun the first two days of the week as it was raining.  We did a craft day where the kids made small fire rings, visors decorated for the 4th, flag pins and flag ornaments.  A nature scavenger hunt got the kids out walking around the resort looking for the items on the scavenger hunt.  This was also fun because the kids got to know each other pretty well by the end of the week.  On the third day we had yellow boat races.  The parents really enjoyed seeing the kids race.  Winners won a medal. 

On the Fourth the kids came to the Lodge in the morning to get a 4th of July face tattoo.  This was followed by our annual kids parade around the resort and around a neighboring resort.  Everyone wore some type of 4th of July garb and decorated golf carts, bikes and trailers.   Our parade is led by our Lost Acres Grand Marshalls Ron Gilbertson and Ron Beckman.  We truly miss our past Grand Marshall Bill Papke.  We dedicated the parade to him this year.  And, to top off the parade we had Charlie the horse ridden by his owner Maddie Cease.  Maddie is one of our employees here at the resort. 

After the parade, since it was a beautiful day, everyone went out to play on the lake.  Unfortunately, a squall came up suddenly and one of the boats that was tied up at the resort sank.  It took a whole village to raise the boat and get it pumped out and back to the boat ramp.  We then had a picnic which was enjoyed by all.  This was followed by our second annual bean bag competition and kids games.  At dusk, we had our annual fireworks display put on by Larry and James Parks.  This year was the best show ever!