Family Fun with the Nelsons: August 2011

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Lutsen Aug 2011 vacation

We got away for a little vacation this month since summer is winding down quickly. Originally we were planning on Duluth but since it is more prime season there and hotel rates were really high we were looking into other options. I got an email from a resort up in Lutsen with end of summer half price specials. That was it! So we stayed at Eagle Ridge at Lutsen Resort. We loved it. We hadn't been up to Lutsen in 20 years (we honeymooned up there) so were excited to return.

We took our time driving up making some stops along the way to see things we wanted to see again, stopped at Leif Erickson park in Duluth to look at and take pictures of the beautiful flowers, then stopped at Agate Beach in Goosebury Falls Park, and Illgen Falls at Tettegouche State Park before getting to our resort. We got a 1 Bedroom condo for our half price rate- so it had lots of space and a full kitchen -bonus. Our deck looked over the valley and then we could also see Moose Mountain.

While we were up there, we rode on the Gondola tram from Eagle Ridge over to the top of Moose Mountain to walk around and see the wonderful views of the mountains and Lake Superior. It was cool how the lake blended up to the sky almost seamlessly -truly God's creation is beautiful!!! We also had a wristband to ride the Alpine Slide that was across the street from our condos too. Noah was nervous at first, but after the first ride on the chair lift and then back down on the slide -he was hooked- he loved it. Wanted to race us down (there are 2 runs side by side) -because he is so much lighter he kicked our booty's but all in good fun. We ate dinners out each night (other meals in our condo) - ate at Papa Charlie's at our resort (not that great- but view was wonderful), Bluefin Grille and then at Cascade Restaurant. We hiked at Cascade State Park one day too -totally photo picture spots everywhere with the lush green and lovely water falls.

Took a few stops on way home too since Brent had gotten Noah a State Park Passport kit while up there, so we decided to re-hit the state parks on the way back, just to get stamps at the check in buildings. I think he got 5 stamps to get him started on his adventures (you get patches for getting specific numbers of park stamps). All in all a good trip even if it was short. Highly recommend! Here is link to edited down version of pictures (still too long to post individually here on the blog- sorry -we are total photobugs). Longer version is housed at http://nelsonpix.shutterfly.com/3313

Click here to view these pictures larger

MCC Fair 8-11-11

Our good family friend Jolene is in transitional care at MCC for a while, and while visiting her in service we found out that afternoon, they were putting on a fair with a petting zoo and everything. Noah wanted to go back really bad, so after lunch we returned for another visit with the various activities around the buildings. It was lovely to spend the whole afternoon together, and to see all the creative things the staff had come up with for the fair. There was the petting zoo in the driveway area, a 50's soda fountain in one building lounge - with retro ice cream sodas for treats plus fun props, they had set up a huge screen TV showing I Love Lucy shows and other period shows for their "drive in movie" set up, a craft room, a Root Beer garden outside at the gazebo with entertainment and a put-put golf game and a fishing pool game, mini-doughnuts, popcorn (or puffcorn for those that couldn't have popcorn- both Noah and Jolene loved that stand), a fishing pole game, a beanbag toss game (both with fun little prizes), face painting and I think there were a few other booths too. It went on and on in the hallways. Totally cute. Staff was encouraged to dress in 50's "retro" clothes. Families and friends were invited to share in the festivities, so there were crowds everywhere, but everyone had a good time! Noah ended the afternoon with a heartfelt prayer for Jolene in her room...it was a good day! A few pics...