2021-12-16 05:56:37
TOGETHER TIME "Even the youngest great-grandkids in the Walker family have a hard time waiting for the week of July 4th every other year. “’We’re going to Madden’s this year!’ they’ll yell,” said Lisa Hajek, a Fargoarea teacher, mother of two and grandma of four. Her extended Walker family has been gathering at Madden’s Resort on Gull Lake in the Brainerd area since the 2000s. The now-cherished biennial tradition knits together four generations of siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins who are scattered across Arizona, California, Illinois, Florida and Montana. A typical morning for their five-day get-together begins along the sandy shore of Gull Lake, where anglers cast off in the early hours. After breakfast, it livens up with the rumble of boats towing newbie water-skiers, the “Watch me!” calls of cart-wheeling or cannonballing kids and the giddy shrieks of nephews and nieces launched off beach inflatables. More than 400 lakes around the Brainerd region make it a Minnesota hub for families and friends seeking to reconnect and celebrate milestones together, especially after the isolation of pandemic life. Next to Madden’s, Cragun’s Resort also stretches along Gull Lake’s Steamboat Bay. Grand View Lodge Spa and Golf Resort hugs hugs Gull Lake’s north shore with its historic log lodge. At 101-year-old Breezy Point Resort, you might catch the crooning tunes of Elvis performed at its Pelican Lake marina. These large legacy resorts off er combinations of hotel rooms, cabins, townhomes, modern cottages and reunion houses, along with numerous dining choices and meal plans. Activities include guided fishing, golf, heated pools, paddle sports, biking, beach campfires and more. Kavanaugh’s Sylvan Lake Resort hits a sweet spot as a mid-sized destination while smaller resorts, such as those along the Whitefish Chain of Lakes, let the owners’ interests flavor the fun. Black Pine Beach Resort responds to letters left for its fairy garden elf. Boyd Lodge offers turtle races and medallion hunts. Clamshell Beach Resort hosts fishing and carpetball contests. Beyond resorts and lakeside action, families can feed giraffes at Safari North Wildlife Park, whirl through classic fair rides at Paul Bunyan Land/ This Old Farm, mountain bike around former Iron Range mine pits at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, sample the area’s boutiques and breweries, zipline down Mount Ski Gull, mini-golf at Pirate’s Cove or feel ribcage-rattling roars of motorsports at Brainerd International Raceway. The Walker family usually stays put at Madden’s. In addition to swimming and fishing, they enjoy a golf day, game night, themed party night, fireworks and ladies’ lunch in Brainerd. Someone makes sure to bring scrapbooks. “It’s so fun to see how much the kids have changed and grown,” Hajek said. “We came to realize just how important family is.” FOUR TIPS FOR FAMILY TRIP PLANNERS 1 Book early. Plan at least a year ahead for peak summer dates. Small resorts book the fastest and may require week-long summer reservations. They can be more flexible in the shoulder seasons. 2 Pick your lodging style. Reunion cabins or homes let families share costs and stay together. If you’re more outdoorsy or have a tight budget, check out group camping and camper cabins at state parks. 3 Gift time together. Some families cover cabin or resort lodging for grown kids and grandkids as an alternative to giving holiday presents. Some gather every two to three years to save for airfare–and savor the anticipation. 4 Work as a group. Lodging with kitchens lets you plan potlucks or rotate meal planning and prep. Ask resort staff about group rates for dining. They also can advise on area activities for local fun. MEET LISA Lisa Meyers McClintick is an award-winning travel writer for national and regional magazines and newspapers, author of Day Trips from the Twin Cities guidebook, digital content creator, volunteer master naturalist and teaching artist. FOLLOW You can follow Lisa on Instagram @minnelisa, Pinterest and Twitter @lisamcclintick. EXPLORE CENTRAL MN Discover more Central Minnesota experiences. ExploreMinnesota.com/Central MORE #ONLYINMN Fill up on fresh air and make priceless memories; don’t be surprised if Central Minnesota keeps calling you back.
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