Bumming

Today, I had planned that I would mow lawn around the trailer and empty the gray and black water (that's "R.V." talk for the tanks filled with dish washing and bath water - gray and the unmentionable water - black.) That's what I did.

After doing so, I took time to go to Moose Lake State Park. I thought since I was so close (2-5 miles) to it, I'd better at least explore it some. I found that it's a small park with a lake in it. I thought the lake was Moose Lake, since the park is called "Moose Lake" State Park. But, upon some research information I found in the Minnesota Highway & Recreational Atlas (I purchased later on in the day), I found that lake to be called Echo Lake. Moose Lake is actually a little further to the East, outside the State Park.

Spending time at Echo Lake infected me with the fishing bug. I moved on to do some fishing gear shopping at Cloquet's Walmart. (I hadn't brought any fishing gear along, since I didn't think I'd be spending time doing it. But now I had the time.) After getting the gear, I headed back to the trailer and took time to get the gear ready for use. Once ready, I headed over to Echo Lake again and dropped my line in. No success! I'd just have to do some exploring to see if I could find a better lake. This is lake country, so that shouldn't be that terribly difficult.

I'd seen a sign when going into Moose Lake that directed the traveler to Sturgeon Lake. There must be a lake near that city. So, on I went, scouting. I was able to find it. BUT, it did not border the city. Finding it was not as simple as I'd thought it would be. I spotted the (small) sign pointing out "Public Lake Access". Thus, I followed that. I saw a lake, and explored to find a local resort called Ray and Marge's Resort. I'll check that out tomorrow.

The time was getting late. So, I headed back to the trailer. Russ got back shortly after I did. I checked with him to see if he'd like to see the sites. Being tired, he wasn't gung-ho on the idea, but he went along with it. So, on our site seeing trip, we found the public access to Sturgeon Lake. After doing so, Russ wanted to find the Moose Lake Golf Course. Using the Recreational Atlas that I'd purchased just before getting back to the trailer, Russ found it on the map. We further searched around, using the map for navigational help and found it. Now, Russ knowing where it is and what to expect for prices (we stopped inside the chalet and encountered this information), Russ might get a round of golf in while up in this neck of the woods.

The time was late enough after our exploration that we went out to eat at a restaurant called Wyndtree-North Restaurant in Barnum, MN, just off Highway I-35. After doing so, we were ready to go back to the trailer and retire for the evening.