The Land of 10,000 Lakes

July 30, 2015

Turtle Lake, one of the 10,000

We start our week-long visit to Minnesota for a couple of nights at one of the ten thousand lakes. Ours is called Turtle Lake. It's just North of Mille Lacs Lake, which is so big you can't see across it; it's just a vast horizon of water. Turtle Lake is a little more manageable. The water is silky smooth and delightfully warm.

Dolly sits right on the edge of the lake

Our camp is called Camp Holiday. And that's exactly what it's been for us. Our campsite is right on the lake. Every window of the RV looks out on the lake. There's a dock that goes right out over the lake. Satch and Bebop loved romping on the dock and jumping in and swimming in the clear lake  water. They played a game where Bebop would swim out into the lake to retrieve a ball, and then as Bebop was swimming back in, Satch would stand on the dock and then do a cannonball dive into the lake as he swam by. They repeated this over and over; it was adorable.

Our campsite on Turtle Lake

This was probably one of the best campsites we've stayed in. Obviously, some of the people camped there thought so, too, as their RVs developed foundations, with decks and flower beds surrounding their rig. It looks as though more recent RV sites were developed with prefab homes, much like ones you find today in trailer parks. You can't blame them, this is an idyllic spot!

After our relaxing time at Turtle Lake in the Brainard area of Minnesota, we ventured farther north and settled in near Bemidji at Itasca State Park. We're camped out under the native red and white pine forest, right near the headwaters of the Mississippi River. We plan to wade through the waters at the beginning of the 'Mighty Mississip's 2500+ mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico.

Dolly in Itasca State Park

One of the benefits of camping inside State and National Parks is all the available nature around us. We have hiking trails, beaches, historic sites and all kinds of camping activities around. State Parks are better for camping with dogs that the national parks, which have the most pet restrictions. Our favorite activity in the parks is sit in the chairs around the campfire and enjoy the wind blowing through the tress, the beautiful clear day and the night skies, and just take it all in.

Paul & Babe tower over Satch & Bebop

We did venture to Bemidji. We found a great hipster coffee shop that featured great organic lunch items.It was right up the street from the local, organic co-op, where we stocked up on goodies for our travels.

We made the obligatory tourist stop at the statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe. Of course, Satch and Bebop had to pose in front of the statue. They're such good sports at being part of these photo ops.

An observation: The West has attracted many people who have wandered away from their nest looking for the new frontier, whereas in the Midwest, you find more family roots. At the campgrounds here in Minnesota and Iowa, there are large families that all camp together. Sometimes, it's a cluster of tents around a larger gathering tent, other times, it's a mix of RVs and travel trailers. They are all gathered together and enjoying being together as a family. Seeing it makes me nostalgic of growing up with a lot of family around in Baltimore. I thought that's what life was like for everyone, and it wasn't until I followed my career path and ventured away that I realized how special it is to be surrounded by family. Not everyone has that luxury. In the end, what is really important about our lives? As I look at it from here, the relationships with family and friends - the community that surrounds you - is what is truly rewarding in life.

We'll spend a few more nights here and then venture further Northeast in Minnesota and spend some more time in the state before heading across the top and down into upper Michigan.