Well, this visit to MN has been a time to get reacquainted with the whole cabin-type experience. Our most recent foray saw us at Rick (brother) and Laurel's (his wife) lake home on Pelican Lake, in the Brainerd Lakes Region, for the weekend. They have a lovely place on a beautiful lake in a quiet setting.
We had great weather, though Martha and I are not big water fans (neither one of us swim very well) so we spent time relaxing in the cabin, reading and chatting. Rick and Laurel did their best to get us in or on the water, but just being near it is fine with us.
We had great weather, though Martha and I are not big water fans (neither one of us swim very well) so we spent time relaxing in the cabin, reading and chatting. Rick and Laurel did their best to get us in or on the water, but just being near it is fine with us.
Rick and Laurel did a great job preparing meals, from burgers and pasta salad to pancakes and bacon, and "cheesey eggs" with fruit salad, not to mention fixins for turkey sandwiches & chips. And of course Kraus Haus Kookies and peanut butter cookies were a big hit.
On Saturday we made a book run into Cross Lake, Nisswa, and Brainerd searching for our favorite authors. On an earlier trip up nort', in the Rainy Days Book Store in Nisswa, I found a new author: William Kent Krueger. He writes mysteries set in Aurora, MN, near Virginia, MN and "the range." His first book is "Iron Lake" which both Martha and I devoured. Now Martha has finished his second called "Boundary Waters". Check him out!
After the book run, we had dinner at Poncho and Lefty's (Mexican) in Brainerd. Martha and I enjoyed one of our Mexican favorites - chile rellenos. They were pretty good. Later that night we thoroughly enjoyed Chris Olson, an outstanding Elvis impersonator. He gave a free performance at Breezy Point Resort. I hope he comes to Tucson.
But the big event of the weekend was Rick and Laurel teaching us how to play "Settlers of Catan". All I can say is that I am completely hooked. The first game was Friday night after dinner and a quick run to the Chocolate OX for great ice cream, and old style candy like Bonamo Turkish Taffy. Martha won the first game. I knew a rematch was needed. So, after Elvis on Saturday night, we played again. This time Laurel won. OK. I needed one more try, so we played again Sunday afternoon, and in fact I did win. Sorry Rick! But I have it on good intel that Rick never wins at Catan. I see another rematch in Tucson in the near future.
All in all it was a great weekend. Very relaxing for Martha and me. Rick even did all the driving, which was another gift to us.
