3,000 miles on the road together in a Honda Odyssey proved to be an enjoyable vacation for the pack of 6. Minnesota temperatures were perfect and the Lanes got a whirlwind tour of the beauty and excitement the Wheadons have enjoyed for many years. It was nice to be able to share the vacation with friends and see that they too would cherish the time they spent at Harker’s Corner for years to come.
This year’s trip featured a stop at the Great Wolf Lodge as we passed through the Wisconsin Dells. We spent one night in very nice accomodations which came into use only for sleeping after everyone drove themselves to being completely waterlogged and exhausted by the indoor water park.
Matt spent 4 days on the water with me trying to catch a world record Muskie or perhaps a Walleye. It must go on record that he lost more bait in 4 days than I ever remember losing in 10 years. Matt’s fishing luck was so bad I was tempted to chum the lake and cruise through with nets just to help the poor guy out, but in the end his efforts paid off. After nearly 4 days with no results Matt ended up landing 5 18 inch Northern Pike in just a few hours.
Rebekah and Katelyn found days of adventure along the shoreline and in the woods where yellow and pink lady slippers abound. Dragonflies and butterflies were jewelry of each day, and seeing a “real” beaver swim the channel outside our cabin made their trip the lake almost as magical as any Disney trip could claim to be. The Longville turtle races were a high point of each week, though seeing me fly out of the pontoon boat into Boy Lake when we bumped into a landing had everyone laughing to tears.
Jodi and Carey read books, played cards, and planned adventures to Itasca State Park, Grand Falls, and Longville.
After two weeks of rest and relaxation at Harker’s Corner we all headed back to the hustle and bustle of our lives in Atlanta, GA. Although we are now far from Minnesota and our wonderful little retreat we can still hear the song of loons, ducks, and a wide variety of birds that frequent the cabin. Sounds of water lapping the shoreline and a creaky pontoon boat swaying in wake ripple through our memory.
This little note hardly touches the fun and adventure the Wheadon/Lane clan had in the 2009 trip to Harker’s Corner, but hopefully it entices the reader to perhaps book some time in the Minnesota/Wisconsin region of our great country.