Alone again...

Monday, July 14, 2008:
After sleeping in this morning, we finally got out fishing with the girls at about 11:40. This was Chloe's first time out and things didn't start out too great. We decided to try Dick's Bay as we heard you could catch crappie there. After about 2 hours of fishing we had one keeper (a rock bass). The wind was kicking up so we went in between the Potato islands again to find some shelter. In the final hour we another 10 fish--5 rock bass, 4 perch and 1 crappie! Linda was so excited to haul in the first crappie we've ever caught in Cass Lake.

By the time we came in it was nearly 3:00 p.m. and it was hot! So we grabbed a quick lunch and hit the water. Linda gave canoeing lessons to Seth & Luke (it was apparent they needed them after watching them in the canoe races last week), and then did a little canoeing herself with Leah and then Chloe. Tom cleaned fish and then cooled off in the lake with a dip himself. Finally, the kids did some tubing with Landen behind the Nelson's boat. Tonight, it's hot dogs on the grill for supper and then off to Dairy Queen for a treat for everyone!

Sunday, July 13, 2008:
After heading off to the Bemidji Evangelical Free church again, we had to run a couple of errands (we got gas for $3.83--our lowest price so far this trip--what a deal!). We came home and had a spaghetti dinner and then just lazed around all afternoon: knitting (Linda's working on her first hat!), crocheting (Leah's working on a granny square vest), reading (Tom's on his 3rd & 4th books now), and playing games (the boys are into Poker and Chloe's into Mancala). Chloe also reconnected with her old friend Madeline. By evening the wind had died down enough to make fishing look good, so we headed out with Tom, Linda, Seth & Luke in the boat. Fishing right out in front of Birch Villa we were able to bring home 9 fish--nothing too big except for an 11-inch rock bass Tom caught. The girls stayed at home and found things to do in the cabin (Chloe is a bit addicted to cable TV and the Disney channel).

Saturday, July 12, 2008:
We said good-bye to Jared this a.m. as he left with Beth & Bill and gang. He decided to head home after only 1 week this year so he could spend some time at his girlfriend Amanda's lake house in Edwardsburg, and enjoy some down-time at home. Deb & Roy (& kids) and Uncle Roy & Aunt Sone & Paul also left this morning. However, we kept Luke with us so that Seth would have some "brother" company this week. He was quite excited when he found out that Luke would be staying an extra week. So today, the guys hung around the resort (Tom did the laundry for us!), while the girls went out shopping. We hit the Woolen Mills store for yarn, and then the Bemidji Mall. We were reunited for a fish dinner at the cabin and all stayed in to keep warm as it became very windy and chilly all afternoon and evening. We all watched the Disney movie "Sky High" to help pass the time away.

Friday, July 11, cont.
Well the storm DID come. It poured for 10-15 minutes and the winds really blew. We found out later that evening that the winds had blown down several trees, including many on the North side of the lake, one of which landed on Glen & Pat's boat. The tree was later removed, but damage had been done to both the boat and the trailer. They weren't sure if they would be able to take it home or not the next morning.

After the storm, we gave our kids some frozen pizza for supper and headed off to Tutto Bene's (an Italian restaurant the guy at the Winery had recommended) in downtown Bemidji, with Beth & Bill, for a very nice, relaxing and delicious dinner. We decided it beat Applebees (where Mom & Dad and Glen & Pat have gone the past few years--maybe we can change their tradition next year!). On our way home we stopped by Horseshoe to see the damaged boat and say good-bye to that half of the gang (as they'll be leaving in the morning).