Hello all! It is Saturday afternoon and I'm finally ready with my Week 5 blog post...summer is now half over (WHAT?!?!?!) and we spent it in the best way possible- AT CAMP!
This year we didn't get into Camp duNord (very crazy lottery system!), but we did get a spot for this week at a newer YMCA family camp in Babbitt, MN, called Camp Northern Lights. It sits on the lovely Bear Island Lake.
Like last year, we went up with our friends, the Dahlens: Jeremy, Jennifer, Cam (9), Gus (7) and Mae (5).
Last Sunday morning we said bye to Luna, packed our car to the brim, and headed north!
We made our usual stop at Tobie's for donuts, stopped for a quick lunch, and then made it to camp by 3:15pm. We found our adorable cabin, Cassiopeia, and settled in.
The first thing the kids wanted to do (OF COURSE), was jump on the WATER TRAMPOLINE!
We were able to order Dominoes pizza for dinner that night (delivered by a couple counselors), so we took advantage of that service! Then we went on a little walk to explore this new (to us) camp.
The Opening Celebration was at 7pm, where we learned all the fun things that were going to happen throughout the week. After the kids went to bed, the adults enjoyed some quiet in nature with wine.
On Monday morning I woke up and took the opportunity to explore more of camp during my run. I stumbled upon the Gnome Trail, among other pretty roads and trails.
Monday morning at 7:30am was the first "Big and Little Dipper" experience- taking an early morning dip into the lake! Then we enjoyed coffee, biking around the cabin, and Chris chopped some wood.
Monday morning was also the first morning of age groups: 2.5 hours of activities for the kids every day. It's awesome! Once we sent the kids off to their various groups, Chris, Jeremy, Jennifer and got coffee from the lodge and did more camp exploration.
It is a beautiful camp! And Chris found some blueberries.
We decided to take out some kayaks to explore the lake a bit, and then Chris and I went to relax on the dock before picking up the kids.
The afternoon was filled with lunch in various places, more trampoline time, game time, and lots of snacking. And then we made tacos for dinner!
We signed up for a family sauna that night at 7pm, and it was just BEAUTIFUL! We were out there as the sun was in it's golden hour. We all enjoyed a number of sauna trips and then lake dips.
The sunset on the lake was beautiful on Monday night, as was the sunrise on Tuesday morning! I enjoyed a longer run and got to see more of the area on the gravel roads and trails.
After Big and Little Dippers, the kids spent the morning playing games before age group while the dads made a big breakfast. While the kids were at age group I relaxed and read my book on the lodge's porch while Chris took a boat out to fish. Then later there was beach time.
That afternoon we took out a fishing boat. It only held four people, so Chris took various groups out throughout the afternoon to try different fishing spots around the lake. Everyone who fished caught at least one fish! And Chris caught a couple of big ones, too.
We kept the campfire going after bedtime and the adults enjoyed later evening time together outside.
And it was awesome to be just steps away from the beach to see the sunset!
By Wednesday morning, Cam and I established ourselves as the only Big and Little dippers of our group. After the morning dip I enjoyed a solo walk and working on the puzzle with my coffee.
During age group time, the adults went paddling on the river connected to the lake. We made it to a very cool beaver dam and saw some beautiful lily pads and flowers, but it got very rocky and shallow so we had to be careful. The views didn't disappoint!
After lunch, we took the kids out on various boats and watercraft, and paddled our way (slowly) around Bear Island.
Then there was ice cram (every day, not just that day!), playing catch, and going to the Art Barn.
And then the girls and I took bikes to do a trail ride. The camp has a few different levels of bike trails and loops. We did the "easy" one...and the girls did great! It was my first time on a bike in YEARS, so trail riding while feeling very much like a novice biker was a little scary but ultimately fun. And I had Maya biking in front of me narrating the path so I knew what was coming "Mom, there's a big hill...uh oh, Mom, watch out for the big rock...oh boy, Mom, you better slow down for that turn!" Etc. It was hilarious.
The kids still had time to fit in a little lake time and then Chris made us all stir fry for dinner.
The adults enjoyed the views of the lake after bedtime again, and set up blown up burritos (from a game) in funny positions at the table for the kids to find in the morning.
Three of the four of us slept in a bit on Thursday morning, and woke up all smiles. While the kids went to age group, we participated in the adult age group- more sauna time!
After lunch, we went out on a pontoon boat for the afternoon! Some of us drove the boat, some of us jumped in, some of us fished, and all of us had fun hanging out on the water on a beautiful day.
On Friday morning Chris took a fishing boat out again to enjoy some solo fishing time, so after Big and Little Dippers (for the last time!) the girls and I walked up to the lodge to get souvenirs.
After goofing off and age group drop off, Jennifer and I went to get our last fancy coffee from the lodge, and then I went out on the dock to read my book.
The rest of the day was spent finishing the puzzle, playing catch, watching a counselor hunt (where we let a counselor "hide" by sitting with us at the beach), getting more ice cream, and reading.
And we got our annual camp photo in the lake!
That night was Closing Celebration. It was a BEAUTIFUL evening. All the age groups did skits and we sang songs and enjoyed the sunset. After the kids were in bed, the adults enjoyed our last evening of Quirkle along with some Prosecco.
This morning we woke up, packed up, cleaned the cabin and headed home. We are all so very tired, but happy to have spent a wonderful week together, with friends, and enjoying time away at a beautiful place.
If you want to see some random video clips from our time at camp, I have two sets of clips put together. Feel free to click on the links and enjoy:
Video #1 and
Video #2.
And a special shout out to G-ma, Pa and Uncle Dan, Hanna, Mitchell, Isla and Shambles for caring for Luna this week!
Now, on to the second half of the summer. It will be another busy 5 weeks!
