Weekend Review!

Hello!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, Mr G. and I certainly did, we were able to spend a beautiful weekend with my parents at their lake place in Northern WI (not far from Danbury, WI).

About a month ago when we decided to visit them this weekend we asked my parents if they could borrow my grandfather’s four wheeler (which he happily said of course) this weekend so the four of us could go for a ride, my parents own one as well.  There are great trails all around them and with the leaves just beginning to change color we knew this would be a perfect time to enjoy a ride through the woods. 

So on Friday Mr. G and I left Minneapolis at 3pm in order to get ahead of some of the afternoon traffic and headed north.  We planned to make a couple of stops on the way to my parents since we were not in a hurry, usually my family is eagerly awaiting our arrival and want us to get there as quickly as we can.  We stopped in North Branch, MN to visit the cemetery where Mr. G’s grandparents are buried; we try to do this a couple of times a year since we drive right by on our way to the cabin.

We needed to stop at the grocery store in Danbury, WI to grab a few things and outside of the store is this gigantic Leinenkugel’s Adirondack chair.  I see this chair every time we stop in Danbury and I’ve never climbed on it for a picture (usually there is a bunch of people around).  This time there were very few people around so I decided to climb up and get some pictures!  I am short, 5’2” to be exact and this chair is big and the front of it came up to my chest.  I had to climb in from the side (in heels of course) and because there is so much lacquer on it I kept slipping around, Mr. G thought it was very funny.

A nice gentleman offered to take a picture of both of us so Mr. G climbed up as well!  It was fun and I think the photo turned out cute.

 

After our adventure at the grocery store we decided to stop at the St. Croix Casino in Danbury; no joke this is one of the smallest casinos I’ve ever seen.  After having my feelings hurt when the security guard at the door didn’t want to card me (actually laughed at me when I took out my ID) I decided it was time for a cocktail.  We both enjoyed a drink and spent about $30 playing some slot machines; it was fun but definitely not something I can do a lot of.

We headed for my parents about an hour later and $30 poorer.  Friday night was spent hanging out with my parents, enjoying some cocktails and warming ourselves by the fire.  Let me tell you, it was cold!  My parents have a place in a resort and they always have friends stopping by so we were able to catch up with a few of my parents friends which was great.  Mr. G and I turned in about 10pm, it had been a long week and we were both exhausted.  My mother stayed up longer than us, she went to bed around midnight after sitting by the fire with some friends.  Dad was in on the couch watching the news by 10pm and sleeping shortly after.  The four of us had decided that we needed to leave the resort by 11am the next morning in order to enjoy our four wheeler ride that day and get back before dark.

Saturday morning we enjoyed coffee and breakfast together, my mother is known for her amazing breakfast.  She even let me cook the bacon, which is unusual, breakfast is her “thing”.  After breakfast we cleaned up and started to get dressed and get ready for our ride.  It was a chilly day but thankfully the sun was out.  I had tights on under my jeans, smart wool socks & tennis shoes, two shirts and a fleece as well as a scarf, mittens and hat on.  I was determined to stay warm, and I did.  Mr. G was layered as well but not nearly as much as me.  3 other friends of my parents decided to join us as well.  We had 4 four wheelers hitting the trail, my dad led the pack with a buddy of his bringing up the rear to make sure we didn’t forget anyone.

We are all safe riders, we take our time and enjoy the scenery; there is just no need to ride fast and unsafe.

Just after leaving the resort we went by a bar that is very scary, it is called Bud’s.  It is an old trailer house and they only serve beer, it stinks horribly in there and how it can be up to code is beyond me.  We had been to Bud’s over the Fourth of July with my 2 sisters, their spouses and some family friends; it was frightening.  The people that own the bar had animals in the bar…ducklings and cats and who knows what else.  So as we drove by I took a photo and sent everyone that had gone with us a text, “Bud’s anyone?”
FYI…I was riding and Mr. G was driving so this was completely safe and we weren’t going very fast.  Here is Bud’s!  I know you want to go;)

 

 

The remainder of our day was perfect, the sun was shining and leaves were beginning to change color.  We got to play in the mud a little, here are some photos of the mud and our gorgeous surroundings:

 

 

 

And we also were able to visit some old friends at “Bear Camp”.  My father used to hunt black bear and this family sets up a camp for a month in the fall during bear hunting season.  It was great to see some familiar faces and catch up with old friends.  Here is what "bear camp" looks like as we drove into it.

 

We arrived back at my parents place around 6:30pm and we were exhausted, dirty and my face was red from the wind.  All four of us were in desperate need of a shower and some clean clothing, so after cleaning the four wheelers up a little we all cleaned up and changed clothes. 

Saturday evening was spent relaxing, enjoying some beverages and eating my mother’s incredible potato soup!  YUMMY!!  Mr. G & I were in bed around 11pm Saturday night and slept fitfully until 9am Sunday morning.

Sunday we had planned to eat breakfast and get on the road but we ended up having a bloody mary (my homemade recipe) with some friends before a wonderful breakfast of homemade pancakes and syrup. We were on the road about noon, just in time for my husband to turn the Vikings game on the radio.  I received occasional updates about the Green Bay Packers, guess that’s what happens when you live with a Minnesota Viking fan.

Our weekend was fantastic, beautiful weather and perfect company!  Thanks to my parents for planning a great weekend!

 
With love,

Mrs. G