Woodenfrog Campground, Kabetogama State Forest
It was Sunday and we decided that we would go back to the little gas station/liquor store for a beer. On the way, we stopped at the local grange where there was a couple who were selling fresh lemonade and deep fried Oreos among other things. Eventually made it to the Gateway General Store (liquor store/minimart/gas station), but it was Sunday and there was no way they would sell us two beers. It was quite an ordeal — the conversation that is. We could buy 18 cans of Neer Bear, but that was it. So a hard no. I asked how it was that they could have wine at communion on Sundays. That didn’t go over so well. Sigh. Headed back toward the campground, stopping at the Kabetogama NP Visitor Center to look around. Found four caches.
We decided to take a walk from our campsite over to this great big lodge. It was pretty deserted, but they did have a bar, which was closed. We saw an open door and said hello, to which the person working on the books told us that if we came back at 7pm, the bar would be open. Her Dad was the bartender.
Back at the campground, we hung out in the tent trailer. It was a grey afternoon and a bit of rain late in the afternoon. After dinner, we almost talked ourselves out of going over to the lodge bar, but Lynn said that if we didn’t go, it would be one of those “biggest missed opportunities.” So, we headed over to the Arrowhead Lodge, which was made of hand hewn logs, and walked into the bar where a curmudgeony old guy was sitting behind the bar watching TV — he had his feet up on the bar! Behind him was an amazing window that looked out at Lake Kabetogama. The bar itself had to be at least 20’ long; the entire setting was gorgeous. We ordered our drinks and sat there chit chatting with him. He didn’t seem like he wanted to talk too much, and kind of seemed to glare at us, but Lynn can talk to anyone. At one point, he turns around, grabs a photo off of the counter behind him and thrusts it at Therese — do you know anyone in this photo? She looked at it and was shocked to find that SHE was in the photo along with her old colleague and friend Betsy! They had worked together in the park district 25 years ago in Illinois. Turns out Betsy, her husband, their daughter and son-in-law had purchased the lodge seven or so years ago and moved north for a simpler life. You just never know who you are going to run into.
