Last Wednesday, we packed up and took off for a much needed respite at our family's lake home in Nisswa, Minnesota.
Now some of you may or may not know this about me: I'm not really a cabin-y, Northwoods type of of gal. In fact, when the idea of "let's go up to the cabin" for the weekend comes up, I can often be heard saying, "Great! I'll see you when you get back!"
It's not that I don't enjoy it, but I definitely prefer the non-holiday weekends with fewer people. Call me an introvert. That's just how I roll.
It was just our family and Dan's sister's family this past weekend. A manageable party of eight. And as you know, eight is a great number for many games of Mexican Train.
What is it about playing dominoes that is so much fun up at the cabin that just never seems to catch on the same way at home? Two words: cable television (and the lack thereof up North!)
As the days wore on and the play got more serious, Great Grandma's hat collection came out of hiding.
Okay, so maybe Great Grandma didn't ride motorcyles in her day, but this one came out as well.
We had time on the boat and in the lake.
And time just chilling on the dock.
And even some time to hit the town for some 'pretty good shopping.'
Aidan got a feather in her hair.
And I made a Jacob and Edward sandwich.
We had tons of good food.
And lots of bad facial hair.
And lots of dishes to wash by hand.
And we enjoyed gorgeous, completely non-Photoshopped sunsets. It really looked like this every night.
The best part is returning home with people who feel rested and ready to get back to work, and ready to get ready to head back to school.
Thanks for a great getaway, Nisswa.
dawn says
I’ve always wanted to vacation like this, hoping one day my dream will come true. Love the photos and the writing with them. So glad you went and enjoyed yourself.
Verabear says
Our family vacations were different, and we didn’t really have that many. As they say, it’s never too late. I hope we can have more trips as a family soon.
mary says
my brother has a place in WI that we head to every year. Been goin’ there for 8 years now, and we dubbed it Camp Mohandis right around the 2nd or 3rd year (llllloooonnnngggg story about the name- some other time. or not.). It’s seriously the highlight of our summers.
LOVE these photos… this is truly what life is all about.
You, girlfriend, are blessed. karma. whatever you want to call it.
katie squires says
Love the hats…cracked me up 🙂
Kendra B says
What a fun trip!!!!!! I’ll be wishing for someplace like that to go to tomorrow when the high is possibly going to hit 116. I’ll remember why I live in Arizona this December LOL I have family all over Minnesota . . . where is Nisswa?
Sue says
God, your family looks cool as all get out!
Liz, Melb, Australia says
Unreal!
Annie says
My entire family is in Nisswa and Brainerd–great places to visit. Looks like you had an awesome time!
Kay Gregory-Clark says
Hey! Dan looks good with a mustache!
cathy says
The nice thing about our jaunts up north? Very nice for the budget conscious! We dont have to pay for lodging. Just bring food and voila, we can have a vacation.
cathy says
Its just outside of Brainerd, the Brainerd Lakes area. : ) Its not totally up North, but more North than not.
cathy says
Dans mom grew up in Brainerd, and the lake house was his grandparents. They built it in the 60s. It looks like a dwarf compared to all the ginormous log cabin lake mansions that surround it. But its got a lot of heart!
cathy says
well, we do rock old hats. ; )
cathy says
I keep telling him this, but he never listens!
Debbie S. says
Welcome back! 🙂
Jenn says
Love the Brainerd area! Nisswa is a must when I go up there!
Laney says
That looks awesome. Lucky lucky you!
And I love Mexican Train. I have a friend who has a set like that one and we make a point to make it choo-choo to annoy our significant others. MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!
BTW, my gastric band surgery is this Thursday!
jennifer Camplin says
Cathy… glad you did went.. turn out nice getaway!!
Thank for sharing!!
Ellie A. says
Oh that sunset.. Just total awesome. Planning a trip early November to Rhode Island.. My goal to capture the most awesome sunset from a light house 🙂
jesa says
It’s nice to see pictures of the family just relaxing and having fun on a little getaway. Times like these with no agenda, time restraints and just a handful of people are some of the best I have enjoyed.
Ali says
Looks like every vacation we have taken in northern WI! LOVE IT!
Briana N. says
Aw- did you make it up in time for the Nisswa Crazy Days? 🙂 We were there a few weekends ago…had to stop at the Chocolate Ox, don’tchya know. My family has a place right on the edge of Brainerd and Nisswa so we are there a few times each summer.
Oh- and I agree, Mexican Train is a cabin staple. I’d also recommend Bananagrams and Telestrations.
cathy says
Good luck, Laney!
cathy says
Oh wow. I dont think we hit the Chocolate Ox this time. WEIRD. Probably because there was so dang much candy in the cupboards at the cabin.
Annie says
I love it there. Haven’t been in a long time, though. My grandfather was a contractor and built a lot of the lake houses up there. Grandma had a greenhouse and sold fruit and veggies to the summer people; we often got to “help” with the picking. We ate WAY more than we picked.
Thanks for sparking such a great memory!I got all choked up thinking about it.
LeeAnna says
so jealous here.
Sara Mangan says
We were in that neck of the woods right before you were. We did, however, hit the Chocolate Ox. Taffy and ice cream…. it was so good and so worth it. We had to go on a sugar detox when we got home.
Glad you were able to get away and enjoy some time relaxing. I love it up there.
Nancy says
I have spent lots of time in the area too – in a variety of cabins (relatives) on the Whitefish Chain. I love it there!! I was there a few weeks ago and went to a wooden boat show and saw lots of awesome antique boats. It isn’t too far north but it feels like another world. Looks like you had a great time – love the hats!!
Maud says
I’m so jealous Cathy! My father-in-law lives just up the street from there on East Twin Lake and we were supposed to be there now, but life happens and plans change 🙁 We always have such a wonderful time canoeing and laying out on the dock!
Thanks for sharing the pics 🙂
DanaMK says
Sounds like a great time up at the lake!
cathy says
We saw the wooden boat show too! It was at Bar Harbor in Nisswa. Cool, cool boats!