Natalie B: New Lake, New Memories

For those of you who have followed Natalie and our family on different blogs or Web sites, you know that each year we spend one week at a lake in Minnesota. For a very long time, that lake has been Potato Lake, just north of Park Rapids...and more specifically, Sunset Lodge on Potato Lake. It's been a family tradition for over 50 years. Last year, as we packed our stuff into Cabin 2 at Sunset Lodge, we learned it would, in fact, be our last at the resort, as it was being sold. It was a sad goodbye for the family. Perry and his siblings spent a lot of time on that lake, learning to water ski, playing on the floating dock and making memories with friends. I was really hoping our kids could grow up and make memories there as well, but there are some things you just don't have control over---and that was sadly one of them. So last year, during a miserably cold and windy week at the lake, we searched for a new resort, always knowing that deep down, it wouldn't measure up in our hearts to good ol' Sunset Lodge. (below)

What we did find was a resort just one lake away--on Eagle Lake, called Eagle Beach Resort. It had all the charm of Sunset Lodge, minus the years of memories. It even had a pool! So, ready to make new memories, we headed out at the end of June. It surely wasn't the same, but a week at the lake is all about spending time with family and enjoying life away from the hustle and bustle of our everyday world. It's so refreshing---and best of all, it's Natalie's favorite place to be!! It was a week full of fun---and here are a few pictures (of the thousands taken). :)

A peaceful night on Eagle Lake---our first night there.

Natalie loves to sit on the beach and listen to all of the "lake sounds." We love listening for loons!

A ride in the boat---Natalie loves to have the wind in her face! She lays her head back and smiles. It's so sweet!

Taking a nap in the cabin. It's tough work being on vacation! :)

The view from our cabin onto Eagle Lake. I wish I could wake up to that every day.

Daddy is a great water skiier. He only does it for one week a year, but he always does really well!

Another shot of us on the beach. It was a beautiful night!

This is outside of one of our favorite spots in the area---The Logging Camp. It's a great place for breakfast, and when you're done, you walk out to the Potato River and feed the fishies...or as cousin Meredith calls them, "sishies." It's a beautiful setting and it was a beautiful morning for pictures.