Up North

Up North

It's a long drive from Bozeman to Minneapolis. It can be done in a day but it takes stamina to make the 930 mile, 14 hour drive with four adults and three grandchildren. We made the trip in late August to attend two family reunions and a four-day vacation at a cabin up north.

You have to be a Minnesota native to understand “up north.”  It is not simply a direction on a compass. It is a mindset that says when Friday comes, it's time to head north to one of those 10,000 lakes and kick back for a weekend of fun. Lakeshores lined with cabins and docks sticking their long fingers into tranquil waters; the call of the loons beckoning one to leave the cares of the world behind and enjoy life.

This was the fourth time in less than a year that our family got together. The cabin we rented was more than adequate for eleven people. Nestled in a forest of Norway Pines, we savored access to a sand beach, a fishing dock, two kayaks, a pontoon boat and lots of beach toys. What more could you ask for up north.

August in Minnesota is known for its heat, humidity and mosquitos. We had nice everything. Warm days and cool nights kept us happy campers.

Small resort towns offer an ambiance you can't find in the big cities. We bought coffee, sweet rolls and candy at the gas station; cold cuts and cheese at the meat market, butter and bread at the small grocery store; and fish bait at the liquor store. The Log Cabin Bar and The Pickled Loon were for fine dining.

Family time is the best time with uninterrupted hours of shared lives. No pretense of having to be someone else or somewhere else. Michael J. Fox said it best: “Family is not an important thing, it's everything.” That’s Up North!