I spent an incredibly relaxing weekend up north at a cabin on a lake in Akeley. It was the first time I have gotten away for a short reprieve in more than a year and a half.
The trip started with much uncertainty. Schedules, cars, and moving to a new office complicated matters on Friday.
The initial plan was to leave Friday morning or afternoon, but Gene, (Deb Bently’s brother) was asked to work later into the day. Another complication was moving offices. The Pioneer newspaper was moving from it’s previous home (the back of the Waseca Remax building) to its own home next to the VFW in Waseca. Thursday was spent moving and Friday was spent moving the internet, phones, and electronics. This took a little longer than expected. Given the circumstances, it worked out okay.
Oh, and my car was getting its new windshield installed by Waseca Glass and I was late getting it in, but regardless, they still finished the job quickly.
I did not leave Waseca until about 4 p.m. Which left me about 2 hours to pack and contemplate life decisions.
Nonetheless, we left for our 4 ½ hour drive early Friday evening about 6:45 p.m. Gene Gehring was our driver, Deb Bently rode in the back seat, and me in the front. Thank you, Deb, for graciously offering me and my long legs the front seat.
The ride up included much conversation and moved quickly. As I explained to Deb, I enjoy asking questions and conversing, and I don’t often have this long period of time to hash out life’s greatest questions with no distractions. (The four hour drive that is.)
Our little road trip included a few stops, including a McDonald's/Holiday Inn gas station. This was the first time in nearly five months I, cough, cough, enjoyed McDonald's. This McDonald's required the customer to order via a computer and it felt, well, bad. The food was acceptable.
I strode over to the Gas Station and met Harley, the three-year old German Shepherd manning the counter. Yup, he jumped up and said, “Hi.” That was a delight.
We arrived at the cabin after 11 p.m. Deb, of course, forgot the combination to the lock on the front door. So, naturally, Gene broke in through a window.
As I was getting ready to start using the window as a door, Deb reached a family member who had the combination. (The door could not be opened from the inside either, until the combination was found.)
After 8 hours of shut-eye, I was awakened with beautiful sunshine passing through my window. Oh, and the smell of blueberry pancakes cooked by Deb.
Saturday was spent doing some adventuring. A trip to the Akeley Mall and the grocery store in Park Rapids. Akeley has a population of 400. The Mall in question is the old school converted to a community center and antique store. They had quite the collection.
Upon returning, we enjoyed sandwiches for lunch with cooked vegetables. I enjoyed kohlrabi, a vegetable, for the first time. It was delicious.
Some kayaking and snorkeling rounded out the rest of the daylight hours. Another first for me, snorkeling. I thoroughly enjoyed it and went again on Sunday. There’s something cool about having “firsts” as I get older. They seem to be more and more rare.
The evening hour was spent beside a bonfire, cooking chicken over an open flame. And for dessert, of course, s'mores!
Oh, and watching the sunset. That was remarkable. I enjoy life on the lake.
Some time Saturday and Sunday was spent with neighbors Louis and Merril. The beautiful couple looked vibrant for 81 years young. They spend their summers at the cabin, and the winters in Kansas. The couple has been coming to Akeley so long they remember when one cabin owner would commute to work on a plane, which he would land on the lake.
This beautiful couple was sarcastic with each other, asked a lot of questions, and looked like they enjoyed each day to the fullest. On Sunday they took us for a ride around the lake on their pontoon as they shared their stories.
I really wish we could have had more time with them, and at the Cabin.
We stayed the night Sunday, and Monday was spent working remotely on my computer. It was a delightful work environment.
Deb, thank you for inviting me to your cabin. Gene, thank you for your smart comments. I thoroughly enjoyed the company, and time spent at the lake and cabin this weekend.
“It’s better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times.” - unknown
P.S. Special thank you to the teachers, coaches, principals, paraprofessionals, staff, and school board at NRHEG for being so accommodating to their local paper.