Skip to main content

Honeymoon But With Kids: Cottage for the Labor Day Weekend

As we did 10 years ago, we ended this trip at the cottage. We cleaned out our car and shared stories from all of our adventures with mom and dad.

The kids were excited to show them their souvenirs. 

They got some really cool stuff.


We were excited to see Daniel come along with Blake this time, even if he doesn't like getting his picture taken. 

Since playing checkers the kids are obsessed with bored games. Theo was beating everyone in Snakes and Ladders. 

Or is it board games?

Day 16

Scott and I were still in the hiking mood. We convinced Blake and Daniel to join us at Franklin Lake. 

Well that was after Blake and Brooke couldn't come up with a place to hike. We hadn't been on this trail even though we've hiked in the area before.
 
Well that's because the guys had a long kayak adventure the day before and didn't want to do another big adventure today. 


The trail had numbered markers but there wasn't anything explaining what they meant. 

Blake and Brooke wanted to hike 10 more miles. Daniel and I were OK with a nice short hike.

I could have done the whole Butternut Lake loop but Daniel was done adventuring. 
 
Later I read it's 12 miles, so I guess maybe not. 

Team Daniel for the win.



We couldn't figure out what this random stone building was for. We might have to go the ranger station to see if they have a booklet. 

Back at the car the informational display called it a mystery building. That did not solve the question.

Back at the cottage the kiddos were enjoying a lazy day by the lake.

Then we went for a pontoon ride. This is my, "I'm pretty sure you need to check your focus," out of focus face.

I really want to canoe here. 

Like, do we get towed here first?
 
No silly, you get in at the boating landing on Lower Ninemile Lake. 


I was happy to hand the reigns back to Mr. Mike. I didn't realize we were going all the way to the dam.


We added a bunch of stickers to our car on this trip.

Looking better than ever.
 
We'll see if the stickers in the forbidden spot last. 



Day 17

The lake was covered in a fog when I woke up. I guess we also missed the Northern Lights last night here, too.

Before we headed back to Minneapolis the kids played on the new cottage playground. 

G.G. spoiling her grandchildren. 

We were pleasantly surprised to come home to green grass and lush gardens. Everything was dried out when we left. 

Apparently the two weeks we were gone were the only time it rained all summer (and fall).

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Yardwork, Ikea and Pumpkins

My new parents-in-law got us a dehydrator for the wedding. Knowing we were going to be cleaning up the garden and going to farmer's market, we took a gander at our millionth kitchen device during breakfast.   Scott added granola to his oatmeal.  The oatmeal was rather bland, just the way Brooke likes it.   Scott was actually cleaning up so I had to take a quick photo of him as proof.  Scott told me he was, "putting a blanket down for Peanut," while singing. During the winter months peanut needs a warm place to peer through the window. Seeing as it was nearly November, I setup his blanket for him. Seeing as the farmers market season is dwindling down, we headed to the market...once again. The close proximity to the cities central farmer's market has to be one of the best assets of living in NoMi. We were both amazed by the bounty of produce still on sale. We quickly filled up our first bag and took it back to the car....

Back to the BWCA - Red Rock to American Point via Voyageur Canoe Outfitters

The  kickoff to our Boundary Waters trip started with a cookout in Duluth.   Right along the rocky shores of east Duluth. Burgers and playing in Lake Superior, what could be better for this little bub. We camped at Jay Cooke state park for the night, then drove back to Duluth for some Duluth Grill breakfast. Had we known that we were meeting with Blake and Daniel on the far side of Duluth, we'd have stayed in Two Harbors. But I guess it worked out. Duluth Grill is still delicious. Meadow is now in her, "Why are you taking photos of me" phase. We had some time before getting to Voyageur Canoe Outfitters so stopped in Grand Marais. 

Little Bohemia Lodge and Labor Day at the Three Lakes Cottage: 2025 Edition

We happened to be driving through Manitowish Waters so figured this was finally my chance to go to Little Bohemia Lodge . Brooke's wanted to go here forever. So why not? Even if you arrive when the restaurant opens, expect to wait. Better yet, make a reservation if you plan on going. Rookie mistake on our part. But I guess it could be worse than hanging at their old school bar with some brewskis and Shirley Temples. There seemed to be a lot of open tables. Sounded like they were understaffed.  Most had went back to school for the season. I did not expect the famed bullet holes to be right next to the tables. There were holes everywhere.