It’s been a peaceful and beautiful homecoming to our happy place. We spent the initial days as a family, unpacking and opening up our cabin, waking up to the sound of birds and the sight of a curious fox who visited our yard for a few days, keeping a watchful distance as we settled in.

On May 10th, we were treated to a breathtaking display of the Northern Lights, accompanied by the enchanting calls of loons. Although the lights only lasted an hour or two before the clouds rolled in, we managed to capture some great photos, and Josie created a wonderful video for our Facebook page. Be sure to check it out by clicking the Facebook link at the top left of this page.

Our days have been filled with endless hours of unpacking and preparing the camp. Getting the water up and running was a significant milestone, allowing us to clean the main lodge and prepare for our big grocery delivery day. We received five pallets of groceries, each towering at six feet tall! Thankfully, the weather cooperated, and we had the help of wonderful friends from town to organize and put everything away, along with assisting in putting boats in the water and other tasks.

We’re thrilled to welcome Tia, a local Red Laker, to our Black Bear Lodge family as our kitchen help for the summer. She’s been an absolute blessing.

Meanwhile, Josie has been keeping up with her Civil Air Patrol meetings via Zoom on Tuesday nights. As a Cadet Chief Master Sergeant, she’s been able to manage her responsibilities effectively, staying connected with her fellow cadets.

Our son Jeremiah has been having a blast exploring and enjoying the outdoors. His enthusiasm for nature and adventure has been infectious, adding even more joy to our time here.

Yesterday marked the walleye opener. Although we have only a few guests this week, they are already catching fish and having a great time. Keep checking in for more fish pictures and stories from our adventures at Red Lake.

I’ll be setting a regular day to post updates here, to complement our likely daily (or near daily) posts on Facebook. Stay tuned for more updates and join us as we continue to create unforgettable memories in our little slice of paradise!