June 24-26, 2008 Detroit Lake, MN

June 24-26, 2008 Detroit Lake, MN

Monday was a very busy day of laundry, shopping, cooking and packing after my red-eye flight back from Vancouver, WA….I literally hit the ground running when Bruce picked me up at the airport around 5am.

Leaving Big Lake, MN was bitter sweet. Although we were excited to move on and explore more of God’s wonders, we have grown to love and enjoy the company of Vicki and Randy Swift.

Vicki is Bruce’s cousin whom he was introduced to in 1995. Her Mother was a half sister of Bruce’s Mom and part of the family that no one even knew existed. Like me, Vicki loves the challenge of a mystery and tracked down Bruce’s family to California. They share the same Grandmother.

Although as cousins they grew up in different families and different states, it’s amazing how similar they are. Between interests, mannerisms and beautiful blue eyes, they share a faith, values and a quick wit. All four of us knew that we had been blessed with an extraordinary three weeks together.

We had such an incredibly wonderful time with Vicki and Randy that we hated to have it end.  So they decided to escort us out of their home state. We left their Mississippi River front home and headed north west to Detroit Lakes knowing that they would be joining us for a couple of days of camping…thus avoiding a “good-bye!”

Long Lake was our destination. The easy drive through farmlands and Garrison Keeler’s Lake Woebegone territory took about five hours. Billboard’s along I-94 were advertising for an upcoming trucker’s café that served buffalo burgers. Bruce was curious about the flavor, so we stopped and made that dinner. The flavor was similar to beef, but very lean.

A quick visit into the town of Detroit Lake for gas opened up a link to Bruce’s family history. In missing a turn, I was put onto Rossman St. and passed by Rossman School. Rossman is Bruce’s Grandmother’s maiden name. She grew up in Stearns County which is one county away from where we were. The next day Vicki and I visited the historical museum to see who the man was. We are convinced that he is a relative of some kind, but the records were inconclusive.

Our time on Long Lake was relaxing. The guys were able to get some fishing in and Vicki and Randy were able to try out kayaking in our rigs.

 Wild life was plentiful and with good weather we were able to lower our garage ramp, pull down the large screen and lower the queen bed from the ceiling so that our guests could sleep in a mosquito free screened in porch. It was absolutely wonderful to listen to the loons calling their mates in the dark of the night on the lake outside the trailer. It was a real “On Golden Pond” experience!