Family Adventure: Hitting the ATV trails in a side-by-side!
ATV Vacations at Wildwood Resort
The heavily forested ATV trails in Itasca County north of Grand Rapids, MN are beautiful no matter what the season. And exploring the woods on an ATV or UTV is an experience unlike any other. Last summer Jay, Karlee and I hit the trails in a 4-seater, side-by-side. Although we have been on area snowmobile trails many times it was a totally different experience in warm weather with leaves on the trees. We also went again in the fall and explored the ATV trails north of us in the Balsam area. We had a great day with friends. The day was perfect and the fall colors were spectacular!!
There are hundreds of miles of ATV/OHV trails in Itasca County
As ATVing has become more popular in the last several years we see more and more of our guests go 4-wheeling and off-roading while on vacation at Wildwood. They always come back with smiles on their faces. Sometimes they come back a little dusty and muddy, too, but that’s part of the fun!
There are 54 off-road trails in Minnesota. We are lucky to be close to many of the them in our area! The UPM Blandin Trail is the closest to the resort. But there are hundreds of miles of trails to explore in the area. VisitGrandRapids is a great, local resource for things-to-do while in our area. You can find extensive ATV/OHV information including maps on their website at: http//visitgrandrapids.com/things-to-do/atv-ohv/.
Don’t have a 4-wheeler or ATV? No problem! You can rent them locally from R & R Rental. Visit their site at: https://www.rrrental.com/recreation-rentals.asp but be sure to select the “Grand Rapids” location.
Riding the trails was an amazing way to experience the fall colors!
Year round there are opportunities to get out and enjoy the beautiful Northwoods! We invite you to plan a stay with us and go exploring!
Three months ago we could not have predicted the crazy, stay-at-home, wear a mask, keep your distance life we’re all living right now! That’s what is so anxiety-producing about this COVID situation: not only was it unforeseen but it’s also out of our control. The only thing we can do is to concentrate on what we can control: our thoughts and our actions. Jay and I are choosing to be prayerful and positive every day even when it’s a struggle to do so. We are concentrating on the upcoming Minnesota summer vacation season and we are preparing to welcome our summer guests. We want you to know that we are moving forward with hope and we hope you are able to do the same!
Essay about Wildwood Resort written by a long-time guest when he was 8 years old.
Recently we received an email from a long-time guest. He shared a grade school letter written by his then 8-year-old son. (His son is in his 20s now!) The text of his letter reads, “This summer my family is going to Grand Rapids. Last year I caught my first northern. I caught a 13 oz bluegill. I got on the record board. I will probably see these animals: eagle, loon, fish & minnows. We were in the cabin closest to the playground. There is a beach there. It is fun there.” I’m guessing that all of our long-time guests have similar letters written by their kids!
That email and letter was such a timely reminder of why we believe in the value of a Minnesota resort vacation. Obviously it’s what we do to earn a living but it’s so much more than a J-O-B. Our work provides the backdrop for some of the most memorable family vacations people will ever take. A family summer vacation at a MN resort is different from a vacation to Disney World or Washington D.C. (both of which are awesome btw) Active vacations like those focus on the “what” involved in precious vacation days. But a Minnesota family vacation is about the “who.” Some of our guests fish a lot while they are here. Many take their kids tubing or water-skiing while others sleep on a beach chair under the summer sun. Most people do a little bit of all of those things. The most beautiful thing, though, is the time spent with important people. Time that grandpas and grandmas get to spend with their grand kids. And time when parents set aside their J-O-Bs and other life responsibilities in favor of playing basketball or taking a turn on the stand up paddle boards.
Favorite Thing: Watching my kids make the same memories that I did.
On our Facebook page we recently asked our guests to submit photos of their favorite things about Wildwood. The list of favorite things submitted reads like a to-do list for MN family vacation: family time, sunsets, fishing, campfires, outdoor space, fun on the beach, watching wildlife, making new friends, eagles, relaxation and tradition. Many of us in the resort industry do not know what our summer will look like. It depends on the decisions made by Governor Walz after May 4th. However, Jay and I believe that at some point we will be open and welcoming guests. (while following health and safety guidelines laid out by the Minnesota Department of Health and the CDC) So we encourage to you to have hope that the current craziness will pass. And we encourage you to plan for a Minnesota family vacation full of favorite things with the people who mean the most to you.
Favorite Thing: Sunsets
Favorite thing: Family Time
Favorite Thing: The once yearly six pack! Love capturing this photo for the past 11 years!
Favorite Thing: Instagram sunset photo shoots
Favorite Thing: Campfires
Favorite Thing: I think we can all agree it’s not fishing!
The beach is our happy place!I reconnected with a wonderful friend from high school over alligators and ice cream!
Rest, Reconnect and Reset Your Attitude on Family Vacation
We recently returned from a family vacation in Florida. It was wonderful because we needed the sunshine and we love the beach. It’s our happy place! We love the water and the smell and the sand. The girls and I like to swim and look for shells while Jay likes to sit under an umbrella and a blanket of SPF 9000 sunscreen. The four of us were able to spend time together with Jay’s dad as well as his wonderful aunt & uncle who hosted all of us. We had the time and space to reconnect with each other and that time strengthened the bonds between us. I had the chance to meet up with a high school friend whom I had missed and introduce her to our daughters. That made my heart so happy because it was another connection made new again! We ate ice cream at Sweet Melissa’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Bonita Springs, FL and it was Ah-mazing! I have no idea what they are baking in there but it smells incredible. Maybe they are baking waffle cones? I don’t know but I’m pretty sure Heaven smells like that! Someday I’m going back for their key lime pie that is MADE FRESH DAILY. I have to stop talking about that now. #hangryisathing We saw excess that made us uncomfortable as we drove by homes that cost millions and saw an SUV that cost more than a house in Grand Rapids. We also saw courage and renewal as we drove through areas with the permanent scars left behind by Hurricane Irma. We saw manatees, dolphins, pelicans and even held an alligator! We came home with beach sand on EVERYTHING and dozens of pictures and videos showing smiles, sunsets and family time. In all of the videos someone is laughing.
Think they are related?! Reconnecting on vacation was my favorite part!
That paragraph makes it sound like a dream family vacation, right? Well – it wasn’t. The girls both got a pretty bad sunburn so they learned a #lifelesson that they should #listentoyourmother, we had a few bad meals and a few unpleasant encounters with other humans. And then we walked off the plane in Minneapolis and out into a blizzard. Jay was a very angry man while he plowed and shoveled snow the day after our return! I would not say that we spent 7 day filled with 24-hour bliss. Not even close! But here’s what we did come home with:
1) Renewed connections with people we love! Life is busy and so many times relationships bear the brunt of our preoccupation with the minutia of life. It’s easy to see why misunderstandings happen in a family or with your friends when there isn’t enough time spent together and/or really talking and catching up. Vacations and especially family vacations are prime opportunities to reconnect with the people who make our world right. Ideally, when we’re on a vacation there is time for talking and laughing together while playing games, sitting on a beach, fishing or even standing in line waiting to be seated for dinner! Removing the fog of everyday life lets us see each other (and maybe ourselves?) more clearly.
2) Renewed attitudes! Positive attitudes helped a lot when we face-planted back into reality. I’m not going to say that vacation cured all of our problems but taking time to rest and escape from our everyday grind helped reset perspectives and refill energy banks!
We had lots of laughs!
3) Renewed appreciation for all that we have been given! We live a fairly small life, I think. We don’t travel the world or even the United States very much. Most of our trips involve seeing family in familiar surroundings that aren’t very different from our normal life. But spending time far from home illustrated for us a stark contrast between the “haves” and the “have nots.” We were humbled to be reminded that life can be so very hard for many people. An attitude of gratitude makes everything better.
Our daughter is often stricken by “2nd degree embarrassment” whenever she feels embarrassed for someone else. Believe it or not, Jay and I experience something similar (but more enjoyable) with our guests. For 20 years we’ve gotten “2nd degree happiness” as we watch families and friends rest and reconnect at Wildwood. We get a great deal of pleasure from providing the backdrop for summer family vacations and we work hard to make Wildwood Resort the kind of Minnesota resort that makes people want to return year after year.
It was a beautiful sunset over the gulf. But our sunsets on Bass Lake are just as beautiful!
We still have openings for our summer season so we invite you to check our calendar and see if we can provide you with the time and space to reconnect with your favorite people. Feel free to call or email if you have any questions!
The warm sun always feels like a miracle in the spring.
I don’t think it would be an exaggeration to say we’ve talked to thousands of people in our 20 years at Wildwood Resort. It’s a given that as they plan their resort vacations they will have questions. In our early years, one of the most frequent questions we got was “do you have indoor bathrooms?” Today the questions have definitely evolved. They are usually are about Wi-Fi and what cable sports channels we get! In order to help you choose the perfect resort in Minnesota we’ve compiled some of the most common questions people ask. But keep in mind that planning a stay at one of the hundreds of resorts here in MN will be a little different depending on the season.
Here are some things to consider as you plan for a spring vacation in Minnesota.
Spring in Minnesota can be a challenge. The weather can feel like summer is coming or it can feel like the winter we just left behind! Regardless of the temperature, it’s also the season which always feels like a miracle to me. The longer days, warmer air, and the new leaves are so welcome after the briskness of winter. Plus, it’s the perfect time to get away and celebrate winter’s end!
What is the weather like in Minnesota during the Spring?
Oh my. If only we could answer this question with some accuracy, we’d own an island somewhere tropical! Minnesota spring weather sometimes changes quickly that it’s almost impossible to give guests an idea of what they might get. Yet, it’s an important question to ask because you really want to prepare for anything. We have had Minnesota Fishing Opener weekends where folks got sunburns. Then other years, they had to wear their ice fishing gear in the boats. You just never know!
How to pack also depends on your planned activities. We usually tell people to dress in layers if they plan to be outside – rain or shine. You can always peel off a jacket or sweatshirt, but there’s no way to cope if you aren’t dressed warm enough. Always throw in some rain gear if you’re planning a northern Minnesota spring vacation. If your “up north” plans are for a relaxing weekend of movies or crafts indoors then we’ve got you covered. Our cabins are comfortable and cozy year round!
Choosing the right cabin for your MN spring vacation requires some thought!
What cabin should I choose?
Price is an important aspect of cabin choice, but it’s secondary to the importance of your group’s needs. For example, do you have anyone in your group with mobility issues? If so, ask if there are steps to get into the cabin and/or steps inside the unit. Think about the widths of doorways and the size of bathrooms as it relates to wheelchairs. Does the bathroom have grab bars by the toilet and/or in the shower? What kind of flooring is in the cabin? If a lodging facility advertises it is “handicap accessible,” you should expect your accommodations to meet federal ADA standards.
Here are some more things to take into consideration and ask about when making your plans.
If anyone in the group wants to travel with their pet(s) then make sure pets are allowed in the cabins. Do not bring their pets to a resort cabin which does not allow them. This goes for any day guests, also.
Is smoking allowed in the cabins? If not, make sure all members of your party know and will adhere to those rules.
While the number of bedrooms is important so is the number of beds! Some couples do not like to share a bed and some people don’t like to share a bedroom.
Some people are uncomfortable sharing a bathroom. Make sure you know the needs of your group in terms of privacy.
It’s also important to know the resort rules about sleeping tents and/or RVs. Not all resorts will allow you to sleep extra guests outside. Be sure to ask this question if anyone wants to come up and stay in their camper.
Each resort prices their cabins or stays a little differently. Some base it on the cabin and some base it on the number of people who will stay.
Almost everyone has a different rate depending on the season of the year. Most of the time a longer stay (a week vs. 1 night) translates into a cheaper “per night” rate.
Knowing how many people are staying and the length of your stay will help get you an accurate price. With these two pieces of information, you should be able to ask for a total price for lodging, including tax.
Make sure you understand everything included in the lodging price. For example, some resorts charge extra for a boat slip or day guests. It’s best for everyone involved to have a clear understanding of what’s included and what will cost extra.
Girlfriend weekends at Wildwood Resort
What is there to do in the Grand Rapids area?
This question is about as open-ended as a question can get. The answer depends entirely on two things: the age and the interests of the group vacationing together.
Girlfriend weekend – Ladies coming for a quick getaway will find plenty of shopping and dining out options near Wildwood Resort. Services like manicures, pedicures, or massages may also be on the menu. Our top three favorite things to do include: 1. Catching a performance at the Reif Center. 2. Classes like pottery, jewelry-making or painting either at MacRostie Art Center, or on-site here at Wildwood Resort. 3. Visiting our local shops for new treasures. We have a wide range of clothing and gift shops and vintage stores. Vintage North Shops also occasionally hosts a Shop Hop.
Fishing Trips – With more than 1,000 lakes in Itasca County fishermen have their choice of angling options. Year round our guests enjoy the ease of fishing Bass Lake either during open water season or to do some ice fishing. Guided fishing trips are also a popular option and might be more likely to net fishermen a walleye dinner. We recommend the five professional fishing guides at MN Fishing Pros.
X-skiing Trips – Cross country skiers will be happy to know about our proximity to x-ski trails. Locally we have miles and miles of pristine skiing on beautiful and quiet country trails.
Families visiting an area in spring might find it challenging to find things for their kids to do. A lot of attractions in Minnesota tourism communities could have limited pre-summer hours. Perhaps they are not even open until Memorial weekend. Spring weather sometimes prevents kids from getting outside in the spring, especially on a short stay like a weekend. Ask about what there is to do with youngsters when it rains or if the weather isn’t great outside. Our local Visit Grand Rapids organization promotes a calendar of events which can offer things to do for families. Ask if the community you are visiting has something similar. You might get the opportunity for some unexpected local experiences!
Also, being specific might help you get the information you want. Ask questions such as “We are coming up with our young grandchildren. What is there to do at your resort and/or in the area with young kids?”
In the Grand Rapids, MN area we like to promote these attractions, especially for families.
As you can see, vacationing at a resort during the spring in Minnesota has a lot to offer. If you have more questions or are ready to book your vacation, give us a call today or fill out our online form! We will be happy to answer any questions you have about staying here or things to do in the area.
Local MN Trail Reports for Snowmobilers, Ice Fishermen and X-Skiiers
All of our cabins are warm and cozy – perfect for a winter getaway!
Since the big snowstorm that moved through northern Minnesota after Christmas we’ve been getting lots of calls about snow conditions! The snow was exciting from the perspective that it ushered in the first real chance to get out and ride snowmobiles or x-ski. It was NOT exciting from the plowing and shoveling perspective! 😉
The ice depth on Bass Lake is more than 12″. So far Jay has not been able to get the plow truck out on the lake to plow a road for our guests. That means that for the time being guests are going to have to travel out to the fishing grounds by snowmobile, four-wheeler or side-by-side. The heavy snow created some slushy conditions and today’s warm weather and sunshine probably didn’t help matters. Hopefully the fishermen we have in this weekend will help the freezing process along by packing down the snow during their trips out to fish.
Our New Year’s guests got to hit the trails this year!
The area snowmobile clubs were out grooming as soon as the snow stopped falling. As a side note – they are a group of dedicated people who make snowmobiling in Minnesota happen! Without them securing land for trails and clearing/grooming trails there would be nowhere for the rest of us to ride! Anyway, all of them have been out grooming where they can. The swamps had not yet frozen when we got the big snowfall so they are calling for locals to ride the swamps to help freeze the trail so it’s firm enough for the groomers. They’ve all been doing a great job of communicating trail conditions so I’m just going to include their Facebook page links so you can check them out. VisitGrandRapids.com is also always a great place to check for snowmobile trail reports in the Grand Rapids, MN area. Marcell Snowdrifters Swampsiders Itasca Driftskippers Lawron Trail Snowmobile Club Greenway Snowmobile Club DNR Snow Depth and Groomed Trail Conditions
X-skiing in the Grand Rapids, MN area
I have to be the worst skiier that ever lived north of the Twin Cities! I didn’t learn as a kid (that’s my excuse) so I don’t ski as an adult! I made the girls take x-ski lessons as kids and during that winter I would spend their lesson time on the trails with other moms. I enjoyed it very much but sitting down on my skis to get down a hill was a bit embarrassing. It seemed like a better option than broken limbs! Anyway, I said all that as a disclaimer before telling you that x-skiing looks to be pretty awesome right now. It “looks” awesome from Facebook posts by my local friends who seem to be out enjoying the trails. The Northern Lights Nordic Ski Club does a great job with x-ski trail reports around Itasca County and you can also get great info on area skiing and sledding from VisitGrandRapids.com.
Remember that enjoyment of trails in Minnesota requires a pass or registration! Skiiers who are 16 or older, must have a Great Minnesota Ski Pass to ski on groomed trails in Minnesota state parks or state forests, or on state or grant-in-aid trails. Sign the ski pass and be sure to carry it with you every time you go skiing. Snowmobiles need to be registered for trail and non-trail use. And, of course, anglers need a license to fish!
We’re excited for the start of our winter recreation season and hope you can plan for a trip to Wildwood to play in the snow! You can check out our current availability or give us a call 218-328-5858 if you have questions about a stay.
Happy New Year!
Kim & Jay
All of our cabins are warm and cozy – perfect for a winter getaway!
It’s hard to believe but we’ve been making ice for more than two weeks already! We have not ventured out on Bass Lake yet but other locals have. We’ve seen lots of early (crazy?!) fishermen sitting out there on buckets. After the cold weather we’ve gotten for the last several weeks we’re guessing there are 5+ inches of ice out on the lake. It’s been many years since we’ve had measurable ice before Thanksgiving!
I took my first walk on the lake today with Kami. She was a happy dog! As I was standing “on” the swimming area I was thinking about a few short months ago when the girls and I were in the same spot swimming under the warm summer sun. As much as I love summer the memory didn’t make me sad because I have to admit that I love winter, too. Today was peaceful and quiet with a fresh blanket of snow on everything and it felt magical. Maybe it’s the holiday season that has me feeling warm and sparkly but regardless of the reason I felt happy! Soon enough we’ll be gearing up for our winter season welcoming back ice fishermen, snowmobilers and our x-skiiers. We’ll play in the snow for a few months and then summer will return. It will be perfect!
Our cabins are warm and comfortable and are perfect for Minnesota winter vacations!
May I suggest that during the approaching holidays you talk with your family and friends about planning a winter trip to Wildwood? The Grand Rapids area is perfect for all kinds of winter activities. Mount Itasca Winter Sports Center offers downhill skiing and a snow-tubing hill. There are countless cross country ski trails in our area perfect for any skill level and some are lighted x-ski trails! Minnesota Snowmobilers find access to thousands of miles of groomed snowmobile trails and with more than 1000 lakes in Itasca County ice fishermen have their pick of lakes for angling or spearing. Not into outdoor activity in the winter? That’s OK! There are many things to do in our area don’t require winter gear. The Reif Center offers quality performances year-round and since Wildwood is a Hot Lodging partner you have access to the lowest ticket prices available when you book through us. The Children’s Discovery Museum is open on the weekends in the winter offering something to do with the littles when it’s too cold to play outside. There’s also plenty of shopping and dining opportunities. Really there is always something going on locally and you can check out a calendar of things to do on the VisitGrandRapids.com website.
Minnesota ice fishing at it’s best!
Did my blog post spark your interest? Give us a call or check our availability to book your winter stay with us. We offering our Winter Special again this year so after you stay 2 nights you get a 3rd night FREE!
Looking forward to seeing you this winter….
Kim & Jay
I can’t believe our fall season is just around the corner! I’m sure that if I looked back at previous blogs I’d say that line in every single late-August-early-September blog. I know that school supplies have been out since July but I’ve mostly ignored them because it was still summer. Fall was a loooooong way off in my mind. But today I realize that I can’t tell myself that anymore. The girls start their fall sports practice on Monday and we’ve already spent a small fortune on back-to-school clothes. I guess summer will come to an end whether we are ready or not!
Fall fishing in Minnesota
The good thing about the end of summer is that it marks the beginning of fall in Minnesota! Fall at Wildwood is quieter than the summer season and more peaceful. Autumn colors provide a breathtaking backdrop for scenic rides by car, motorcycle, ATV or bicycle. Fall fishermen feel that they have Bass Lake all to themselves and those who choose to unplug and relax find peace and quiet are their most likely companions. In short – fall in Minnesota is beautiful! Come on up any time before the end of October and get a FREE NIGHT after you stay 3. Call us at 218-328-5858 or email for details.
Here are a few other ideas of Things to Do on a fall getaway at Wildwood:
The Reif Center is a local treasure! We are so lucky to have an organization dedicated to “stimulating arts in northern Minnesota” in our community. Check out the amazing list of upcoming events. A Reif performance is a great addition to a stay at Wildwood and thanks to our Hot Lodging partnership with the Reif Center our guests get the lowest ticket price available!
Lake Lover Vintage in Grand Rapids, MN
Shop (Hop) ’til you drop! Like many small communities our area has an abundance of unique shopping opportunities. Gift shops and art galleries as well as retail and vintage shops abound offering lots of treasures to take home from vacation. The Vintage North Shops is a group of local Vintage/Collectibles & Gift Shops of Grand Rapids & Bovey who have teamed up to offer the absolute best shopping. Periodically they host a Shop Hop that is a ton of fun. Their next Hop is October 12th & 13th – don’t miss it!
The Forest History Center is a year round favorite among our guests! At the FHS you can “discover the past, present, and future of Minnesota’s forests through guided tours of a 1900s era logging camp and hands-on environmental learning programs.” There’s always something interesting on the Forest History Center Calendar of Events and it’s close to the resort so visiting doesn’t have to take up your whole day.
The Visit Grand Rapids Calendar of Events is always a great site to visit for area information and a Calendar of Events. You’ll find information about art classes through Macrostie Art Center, live music at area locations and fun community events. Don’t come north without checking out the Visit Grand Rapids Calendar of Events.
Fall color drives in Itasca County Minnesota
Enjoy these last beautiful days of summer…
Kim & Jay
Decide if your group wants peace and quiet or kid-fueled energy on vacation.
7 Things to Consider While Planning Your Minnesota Family Reunion
Anyone who has ever planned a large group vacation or outing will tell you there are some pitfalls to being the planner. The family reunion planner has an even greater degree of difficulty because it’s…well…family. 🙂 Jay and I are starting our 20th season at Wildwood Resort! That’s a lot of spent observing the average American family on vacation. As a result, we’ve developed some opinions about what works and what doesn’t when planning a group vacation to a Minnesota family resort. We share them hoping that it makes planning your family reunion or group vacation a little easier.
(1) Start early – Most Minnesota resorts book a year in advance during the prime summer months. It’s a good idea to contact the properties in which you have an interest to see what their booking policy is so you know how far in advance to plan. It’s also a good idea to speak with those properties about when they usually have multiple cabin openings. At Wildwood we have a very regular clientele that stay through the prime summer so we do not very often have multiple cabin openings in July. As you begin planning ask the properties if there is a time of year you should target if you are looking to book multiple cabins.
If your group is made up of serious anglers then target the time of year when fishing is at its best.
(2) Choose the right property – Make sure that you take time to consider what your group wants and needs from a lodging property. Make sure that the resort you choose caters to the type of vacation in which you are interested. For example, do not choose a fishing camp on Lake of the Woods that caters to anglers if you are going to have littles along who need playgrounds, a beach and kids’ activities. Or don’t book a MN resort that caters to families if your group is looking for a quiet get-away without kids screaming on the beach! Consider a resort’s proximity to shopping, restaurants, medical care and other wants/needs of the group before booking. Make sure you know about any special needs present in the group such as pet-free accommodations or handicap-accessible lodging. If you have campers in your group then look for a resort that offers both cabins and a campground.
(3) Leave your options open – It’s a good idea to have a few properties picked out as possible vacation destinations rather than zeroing in on just one. It’s hard enough to sync up calendars! So if you are also fixed on one specific resort for your family reunion your options are further limited.
Family reunions are a great way for the generations to mix!
(4) Pick your target dates ahead of time – I always feel badly for the person doing the planning for a family reunion. Family schedules today are hectic so if there are multiple families with kids involved then things get dicey! Decide as a group what length of vacation you are seeking. For example, many Minnesota resorts book by the week in the summer so if you are looking for a long weekend in July just know that it might be a harder order to fill. Ask each of the families involved in your group vacation to give you multiple dates that will work for them so you have the most options possible. Keep in mind that if the intended group is very large then it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to find dates that work for every single family you’d like included. Know that at some point you may have to choose dates that exclude some people just to keep the plan for your family reunion moving forward.
(5) Know your budget – There are many things that impact the price of a resort vacation including location, time of year, type of accommodations, and length of stay. For most resorts in Minnesota the end of June through the first or second week of August are prime rate weeks. That’s because demand for MN summer vacations are the highest at that time of year. If you’re planning a group fishing trip to a lake that’s well-known for great Minnesota fishing then rates might be highest at Opener than they would be in mid-July. Most importantly, know what price range your group wants to be in and try to keep that in mind as you plan. Savings can often be found by families sharing a cabin and preparing meals rather than eating out or buying a dining plan or by booking your stay during off-peak vacation time.
Keep in mind that mid-July at a MN family resort is likely to include kids having fun!
(6) Time of year matters – Think about what is most important to the vacationers in your group and pick your vacation time accordingly. For example, if your group is mostly adults who want to catch fish then target early spring or fall to get great fishing and more affordable rates. If your group is looking for traditional family summer vacation then target end-of-June through the beginning of August and know that you likely will pay top dollar for peak vacation time.
(7) Plan for some space – I love my family completely. Because we don’t live near each other we often spend family vacations together. That means that we’re usually together for many days at a time including travel time. Because we aren’t together regularly negotiating through vacation weeks spent in close quarters can get interesting! We see the same thing in our families who vacation at Wildwood. Sometimes the group is made up of “Friday night friends” who usually do something together on the weekend but have never spent a lot of time together. Other groups are made up of families who don’t generally live in each other’s pockets so in both situations there can be tension. Encourage your group to be honest about expectations and the need for space. Sometimes the opportunity to have your own cabin and escape the group dynamic for a while is all you need to be able to cope for a week. While it’s tempting to share a cabin to save money it can cost you on the personal side in terms of lack of privacy.
Family time is AWESOME but keep in mind that some members might need space away.
Hopefully you picked up a tip or two from our list that will help you plan your next family vacation or group vacation! We love our life at Wildwood because we get a lot of joy providing the place where Minnesota family vacations happen. If you are still hoping to get your family or friends together this summer we do still have some June and July openings that might fit the bill. We’d love for you to check us out if you haven’t already!
Every year during our Wildwood Girlfriend Getaway we do some crafting.
Grab Your Girlfriends and Head North!
Today is April 12th and it snowed last night. :'( Usually we are gearing up for Minnesota Fishing Opener and talking about family vacations to Wildwood. But today Jay got the plow truck out and cleared the drive. Wow. Waking up to snow was a low blow to our Spring Fever!
I’m tempted to sit in my office and pout today but I’m not going to do that. Know why? Because in spite of Mother Nature’s temper tantrum I’m looking forward to spending this weekend relaxing with girlfriends. Several local friends have been doing a weekend girlfriend get-away at Wildwood for a few years now. It’s amazing how much fun it is to let go of normal life for a weekend.
One year we made jewelry during our spring Girlfriend Weekend.
For just a day or so we step out of my roles as “Mom” and “Wife” and I’m just a girl hanging out with friends. We talk A LOT and laugh even more. While we paint nails (always over newspaper!! I’m still a resorter while I’m there!) we catch up on each others’ lives and stuff our faces with way too many good snacks. We usually have a couple of massage therapists come out to the resort and every year we do a craft of some kind. This year we are even thinking of participating in a local Shop Hop that is happening in Grand Rapids. Mostly we just take a little time to recharge our batteries and I’m always surprised how rested I am after our weekend together.
We spent one “Girlfriend Weekend” in December working together to get holiday baking completed!
Last December several of us also got together and did a Christmas baking weekend. Since the kitchen isn’t where I shine I didn’t bake but I did do a lot of dishes and quite a bit of taste-testing. We talked and laughed and shared recipes while helping each other get the holiday baking done. We even had an ugly sweater contest! Best of all at the end of our cookie-baking weekend we all ended up with several dozen holiday-party-ready treats! Jay is really hoping we will do the holiday baking weekend again but I’d also like to try a freezer meal weekend. Imagine walking away from a friend weekend with a month of dinners already prepared!
No matter what size group I’d like to invite you and your girls to head on up to Wildwood! We’re still offering our Girlfriend Getaway Package through the end of this month but even if you don’t stay with us take some time with friends for resting, reconnecting and recharging!
Have a Great Weekend!
Kim
The baking genius of some of our friends is pretty spectacular!Holiday baking is WAY more fun with friends!Mmmmmm……cookies!
There’s More to Life Than Just Ice Fishing (No, Really!)
It’s a beautiful day at the lake!
I was sitting here earlier on Superbowl Sunday looking out at a bright, beautiful winter day. It was so pretty out there that it made my heart hurt. But it was also so cold out there that it would have made my skin hurt! Winter in Minnesota ain’t for sissies, as all those Superbowl visitors will attest – but winter at Wildwood can be.
I’m a fair weather fisherman. I like to ice fish after Jay has gone out and set up the house (right on top of a big school of sunnies), drilled the holes and gotten it nice and toasty in there. I like to eat snacks in a t-shirt while I watch the Vexlar even though I have no idea what the heck that thing is showing me. Green lights are fish but yellow lights aren’t? Whatever. So I understand the legions of people out there who think sitting on a frozen lake in sub-zero temperatures doesn’t sound like a good time.
But what so many of those Superbowl-visiting, Minnesota-experiencing celebrities found out this last week is that winter in Minnesota is awesome! Ice fishing is FUN even when the bite is slow. Why? Because it’s always a great time when you do something outside of your ordinary, daily routine with people you really like hanging with. It’s time away from your chores and normal life and, in our family, those are the times we connect the most with our kids. Taking a break from normal life with “your people” is more than a luxury – it’s a necessity!
The family that ice fishes together stays together!
Ice fishing at Wildwood doesn’t have to be of the traditional variety. Bring the family and spend time playing cards at the dining room table after a day on the lake. Or pull the kids’ sled on the lake behind the snowmobile. Build a snow fort next to the ice shack or spend part of a day on the snowmobile trails or x-ski trails. Just do SOMETHING. Take a break and come north to play outside or relax or reconnect. We make our living encouraging people to vacation with us. That is a fact. However, this little pep talk is as much an endorsement for winter recreation and relaxation as it is for our ice fishing resort. Come north and stay with us – we’d love to see you! Or stay closer to home but either way find some family fun in the midst of your winter. I’m positive that you won’t be sorry!
Jay says we can’t call ourselves an ice fishing resort without an ice fishing report on our blog so here it is: Fishing hasn’t been as hot as earlier this winter but guests are still catching enough fish for a fish fry and who doesn’t like fresh fish even in the winter?! The best bite still comes in the hours around dusk and fish have been hanging out in 15-18′ feet of water. We’ve seen some nice crappie and bluegills caught this winter, and it’s been a pure joy seeing the faces of our young anglers as they tell us their story of reeling in the big one. We have a plowed road out to the “fishing grounds” for our guests making travel easy and worry free.
The area snowmobiling trail conditions range from fair to good!
We’ve not had any measurable snow in the last 10 days so that’s a bit disappointing. However, snowmobile trails are still all rated as fair to good in our area. The DNR’s snowfall totals show that it won’t take much snow to make our trails excellent so let’s all keep doing the snow dance so we can ride our sleds a bit more before spring! You can see snowmobile trail conditions as well as x-ski trail reports on the DNR’s website.
It sounds like the x-ski trail conditions are good! I suppose the few inches we’ve had lately has kept trail ski-able. Our area ski club, Northern Light Nordic Ski Club, does a great job of keeping fresh x-ski trail reports on their site so check it out!
Get outside and have some fun this week!
Kim & Jay
