If you are finding it hard to think of something to do this winter, you may want to focus on planning a summer vacation. I know that most folks in these times don’t plan out a week's vacation in advance unless it involves flying to a tropical paradise somewhere. For many years we would take at least two weeks’ vacation to travel “up north” for some fishing and camping. Looking forward to these getaways always gave me the incentive to plan our next vacation.
I am lucky that both my wife and I liked to camp, and we have passed that on to our sons and grandkids.
We originally had a tent when we first went camping, but it seemed like most weekends when we camped around this area it had to rain. We decided that enough was enough and invested in a pickup camper that slept four and even had a toilet in it, which was a lifesaver for us at times. With four in the family, it was a perfect fit for us. We would go to Spider Lake a couple of times a summer where it was cheap to camp and the owners of the resort treated us as if we were spending big bucks for a cabin. Camping was $8 a night without electricity and $9 with electricity. Firewood was $2 for a wheelbarrow full. There was a fish cleaning house near the campsite and showers were also nearby. The docks were all numbered and you were given a dock number when you arrived, which was where you docked your boat for the duration of your stay.
We got to know the resort owners very well and they became friends as the years went by. We had many good times there and the last couple of years that we went there we rented a cabin. Eventually, the resort got sold and everything changed. I’d guess that this was about the time that we started looking for some land in this area of the state. The saying “nothing ever stays the same” sure held true for this resort. Once it was sold, they went to seasonal campsites and no more weekly or daily camping. I could see the point of that, but in a way, it felt kind of sad to see it end.
There are still places in that area where you can camp by the day or week. There is a National Forest Campground on North Star Lake, which is on Hwy. 38 north of Grand Rapids. There is Scenic State Park a little East of Marcell that has camping. It is located on two lakes which are connected. There is at least one lake west of Hwy. 6 which has National Forest campsites that are free to use for up to 14 days. No running water and no outhouses, so they are about as rustic as it gets, although the price is right. I have fished this particular lake quite often. It is an excellent pike lake and I’ve heard that it is a good crappie lake, but I only fish for pike whenever I go there.
I still have plans of going to Spider Lake and camping for a night. I need to do it sooner rather than later because I’m not getting any younger. The campsites on that lake are also free on a first come basis. The 14-day limit on camping also applies to this lake. I have daydreamed about doing this for quite a few years, so this could be the year to cross it off of my bucket list.
Until next time: I can’t remember there ever being a winter this mild. As a true Minnesotan, I am still waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop. Keep in mind that all ice is never 100% safe.
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