We love summer for many reasons but one of the top reasons could easily be our annual 4th of July vacation. We headed to Leach Lake outside of Walker, MN. We made the drive on a rainy Sunday morning and took our time stopping at a couple breweries to pick up some essentials for the week. Of course we had to sample a couple to ensure we got the right stuff. The kids were thankful for the stops to enjoy even more time to play together.
This year it worked out for everyone to stay for the whole week. Good thing we had plenty of room to not feel claustrophobic for the long week.
Not only did the inside provide a lot of space but the outside was amazing. Except for one thing…mayflies! The hatch supposedly happened later than normal and we arrived just after one of the first hatches. The bugs are harmless but they were everywhere. They die really quickly but still made for cleanup and just overall a nuisance. The yard, beach, and water certainly made up for it.
With a beach like that the kids spent the majority of their time playing in the water or on the beach.
It was rare that we denied them time in the water. It was so rare that some things we planned to do with them didn’t happen because they were just doing so well entertaining themselves. When you can sit back and just watch and not have to break up fights or hear whining or yell at anyone to behave you just go with it. If they weren’t in the water they did spend some time playing in the yard. The yard was big enough for games of all kinds. The adults enjoyed the traditional games like bean bags and we can’t get enough kubb. Well enough is enough when you play boys against girls and marriages might end in divorce. Besides all the mayflies in the grass the yard was utilized to the fullest.
Somethings are a necessity every year and sometimes we get lucky with new adventures. The lobster boil, growler day, and charcuterie platter are traditions loved by the adults. The littlest kids are some of the bravest grabbing those lobsters without fear. And of course no year is complete without fireworks. After a huge fireworks bill last year, we reigned it in a little but still had a really great nighttime show and of course didn’t completely get rid of the small stuff like sparklers that the kids enjoy. Since last year Carissa and I got stuck in the path of a parade, we planned ahead this year and researched the activities in town. Not for running plans but for the chance to take the kids to a parade. We settled in at the end of the parade route and this candy loving mom was worried we’d go home with no candy. I mean why else go to a parade? After the first few floats ran out, a very nice dad bought candy at the store and threw it to all the kids at the end of the route. It was a really nice gesture and by the end the floats managed their candy stash better so we left with more candy than we needed. The kids and I were happy campers.
Most years we’ve been able to rent a pontoon to enjoy the water to the max. Well this year we didn’t have a pontoon to explore the lake but Rotell’s brought along their new boat. Not only were there trips made around the lake but stops for swimming were made, fun on the tube was had, and a couple men tried to remember how to get up on skis. Michelle’s brother also brought his boat and took a couple trips out to Pelican Island where thousands and thousands of birds nest. The waters were rough and I questioned why I decided to go but the bird show was worth it. Even the bird hating man thought it was pretty amazing.
Even though we had a full week of cabin fun this year, it goes by too quick. I know this year will be talked about all year just like the prior years.
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