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"Family holidays are valued by children, both in the moment and for long afterward in their memory," psychologist and best-selling author Oliver James explained to The Telegraph. "It's all about talking nonsense with your parents, sharing an ice cream and moments of time in which your interests are genuinely taken into account. So if you're going to spend money on something, it's pretty clear which option makes more sense." And get this: Travelling with your kids can also be beneficial to their brain…

Keep it easy! We all plan on making healthy meals to bring on our resort getaways, but in reality, we never have the time or the energy. Pack easy to transport snacks and everyone will be happy. If your flying to your destination, stop at a grocery store near your resort. Most grocery stores carry a variety of fruits, veggies and dip. Here are a few ideas to get you started VEGGIES Cauliflower florets Broccolie florets Baby carrots Celery sticks…

Aerators This is an essential tool for keeping any aquatic bait alive during the summer. There are tons of aerators on the market. The key to choosing the right aerator is making sure you look at the amount of water it can aerate. Also, adding ice to your water will help protect baitfish, however, only a few cubes because adding too much can cause baitfish to go into shock. Bedding Making sure your worms have good bedding will give them the strength…

Saving all that precious meat does come with some perils, as most fish–whether frozen whole or as fillets–are especially prone to going bad in the freezer. But with some care, and by following these tips, anglers are guaranteed a wonderful meal of nearly fresh fish months down the road. 1. Remember the old adage, “Quality in equals quality out.” Take care of your catch from the moment it leaves the water. Don’t let it flop around on the ground or…

https://youtu.be/TrlVnM8Yfyc   Roger Cormier from Midwest outdoors. I am blessed in my line of work where from time to time I get to take my boys fishing and do some shows and this is one of those segments. We're up in northern Minnesota and Crane Lake doing some multi-species fishing up here. We're starting out by fishing some bass, it's a beautiful afternoon up here and man you want to talk about fun for the kids, it's top water bass fishing experience.…

On a North Woods lake in summer, loons stick out conspicuously as large, tuxedoed birds swimming about in the middle of the lake. They can be very vocal and easy to locate, as the yodeling of one loon will often elicit a chorus response from other loons in the area. The Common Loon swims underwater to catch fish, propelling itself with its feet. It swallows most of its prey underwater. The loon has sharp, rearward-pointing projections on the roof of…

Far more important than the sunscreen you choose is the way you apply it. An SPF 50 sunscreen applied haphazardly provides much less protection than an SPF 30 (or SPF 15) sunscreen applied conscientiously. Apply 15 minutes before sun exposure. This is true of all sunscreens. Use massively more sunscreen than you think you should. A rule of thumb for a person wearing shorts and a T-shirt is to use at least an ounce (visualize a full shotglass), and make…

  Be sure to try everything so you know how to use it all. Some of these items are simple to use, others are a little more complicated:   PFD: Your personal flotation device should fit snugly and always be on—and there’s never a kayak outing where you can forgo the PFD. Whistle: Attach it to your PFD. One blast is for attention; three blasts is “help.” If you forget how many, just keep blasting away until a rescuer arrives. Communication Device: If…

Finding your way back out of the wilderness won’t always be simple tasks. That’s why a magnetized compass and a paper map—and the navigational knowhow to use them—are part of the Ten Essentials. The ten essentials was established back in 1933 to help people be prepared when venturing into the great outdoors. It's also recommended that you know how to read a paper map in case your cell phone loses power or is unable to get a good signal. This is…

Tripadvisor has over 500 reviews by vacationers who have visited the International Wolf Center. Out of the 500 reviews over 300 of them have given the attraction an excellent review.  January 2018 Laurie said: Great family experience!!! Our family did the "Wolf Family Rendezvous" and we stayed overnight at the wolf center. It was an amazing experience!! My two girls ages 5 and 6 loved it and we all learned so much! It was an amazing experience to see the…

Vince Shute Bear Sanctuary is only a 30 minute drive from the Crane Lake area. It's well worth a day trip to see the bear in their natural habitat. When bears emerge from their dens they wake up SO hungry & thirsty! Some have gone 6-7 months without eating and drinking. As they begin to wake up from hibernating, it is a bit of a process. It takes them 2-3 weeks before they start to feel normal again and before…

Great vacation photo's help remind you of the fun you had and assist in telling your story. How many times have you come home and looked at your photo's to find many were out of focus or even worse, your favorite experiences were not even recorded. Check out the following vacation photo tips to help ensure all your memories were captured. Research your vacation destination and record all the places where you want to capture pictures. Ask the locals if there…

You've made your reservation and are looking forward to your fishing vacation on Crane Lake. If you've never fished Crane Lake, here is a great article that will help you figure out how to fish on an unfamilar lake. Finding out as much information about the body of water is the first thing on my to-do list, so finding any available maps is puzzle piece number one.  Check the DNR website, bait shops, or on line map stores.  Navionics also…

Resort vacations offer plenty of activities for their guests. Favorite vacation activities involves swimming, boating, skiing and tubing. Many resorts offer boat and ski rental. It's important to know all the water safety procedures before loading the boat with kids and toys. If your not familar with the rules or are not used to driving a boat, it's best to bring someone with experience along. Get state specific regulations and take an saftey course if possible. Here are a few saftey…

You want pacy and compelling reads but ones that leave you feeling a little smarter. THE IDIOT - ELIF BATUMAN Turkish-American Harvard student navigating life, love and literature. THE SECRET LIFE - ANDREW O'HAGEN three "elusive" individuals' lives in this exploration of identity in the age of the dark web. THE MINISTRY OF UTMOST HAPPINESS - ARUNDHATI ROY Set in a world where humans and animals have been "broken by the world we live in and then mended by ...…

Do you have memories of places you visited as a child? Were you one of the lucky kids who's family went on a trip every summer or maybe enjoyed a yearly trip to a classic Minnesota resort? Do you still recall what it felt like when you arrived at your destination, the names of the friends you made, or maybe even still connect with on social media? Have you shared these places with your own children or provided them with…

Here are some fun stories that give your kids a bit of a scare, but should not cause them wakeful nights. Dem Bones - Captain Kidd and his pirates Cow's Head - Involves a daughter, a stepmothet and a cow head Haunted - A mild story about ghosts who love to bake and dance Yellow Ribbon - For older kids, Jane wears a yellow ribbon around her neck, find out why. The Hairy Toe - Not too scarey, an old…

The Crane Lake Area offers many opportunites for outdoor adventure. While vacationing in the area, get the kids into the wilderness and teach them ways to enjoy nature. Pack a special lunch and a blanket and find a pretty area to enjoy your meal Bring a bird book and start making a life list of birds you see along your hike Encourge everyone to stop and listen now and then. What noises do they hear. Examine the plants and trees.…

Looking for something to do in late winter and early spring? Try your hand at finding shed antlers. It's great fun for people who like to get out in nature and enjoy the fresh air. Key Takeaways: Learn the best time to start antler hunting Know where the bucks are bedding Slow down, it's better to cover half the ground and take your time Look within 20 to 30 yards and not further. Keep checking the ground right in front…

Fishing can be one of the most benefical sports that you teach your young children. A love of fishing can help promote a genuine love for the great outdoors. If you've already made your vacation reservation you can check the resort website for lake info. If you need more information call the resort owner and ask if fish can be caught from the dock or if one needs to rent a boat. A little research beforehand can help determine what gear…

You've planned a beautiful resort vacation up north and it's finally check in day! The car is packed and everyone is egarly anticipating the vacation ahead. Hopefully everyone had a great nights sleep as sleep deprevation leads to frazzled nerves and unsafe driving. Here are a few tips that will help keep everyone in a good mood. Pack a bag with car essentials, hats, extra clothes, sun screen and snacks so you dont have to dig thru the suitecase Prepare…

Houseboating Vacations can be a good option for families looking to try something different. Welcome to the fun and adventure of houseboating! If you're new to boating and everything that goes into planning a houseboat trip, then you’ve come to the right place. Houseboating 101 provides a solid introduction to the safe operation of a houseboat, some good tips on planning your first houseboat trip, and tricks to make the job of navigating both the marina and lake easy and fun.…

You already know how to prep for a hike with adults. Here is a great article that is full of hiking tips for the younger kids in the family. Learn simple tips that help you get ready to take your newborn, todler or grade school children on a hike in the wilderness. Key Takeaways: Learn how to choose the right baby carrier Limit first hikes to a few hours What to pack for infants Toddlers - pack extra socks, kid-sized…

There is nothing better than creating a fabulous dessert over an open camp fire and sharing it with your favorite people. Vacations are the perfect time to sit back, relax and create new family vacation traditions. Here are a few easy desserts to try: Banana Smores - Stuff your favorite s'mores ingredients into a banana and grill for a few seconds. Cake Chocolate & Berries - Cut a pound cake into squares, add to heavy cast iron skillet, add fruit…

Make your next resort vacation fun for the smallest kids in the family by having fun and easy games they can play while waiting for dinner, or to keep them occupied when the older kids are playing with their friends and the little ones are feeling left out. Here are a few beach game ideas that don't require pre-planning: 1) Beach Relay! Place buckets on the beach. Have kids fill cups with water and race to the bucket to empty.…

You can find many how to journal articles online. This article gives great tips that will help you enjoy your vacation long after you've returned to your day to day life. Key Takeaways: Use phone app - Article suggests Day One Document your Itinerary if you have one All entries do not have to be brilliant Take notes of what makes you smile during the day Make sure to write the details Sketch what you saw Journal gratitude - what…

REI gives great detail in this snowshoeing guide. People say if you can walk you can snowshoe, that is true, but it's much more fun when you have the right gear and know basic techniques. Read the entire article here: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/snowshoeing-first-steps.html Key Takeaways: Learn how to choose snowshoes and what to wear to stay comfortable Trail etiquette - Yes! How-to maneuver uphill, downhill and side-hilling Choosing poles and how to use them Getting up after a fall Video tips on how…

Sunday February 11, 2018 2pm-4pm at Rainy Lake Visitors Center Find Details about the event. Learn to identify winter birds common to the park. Learn how to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count February 16th-19th Key Takeaways: Educator is local naturalist, Noelle Grunwald Identify area birds Make a bird treat to take home Read the entire article here - http://voyageurs.org/event/winter-fun-feathered-friends/

Cross country skiing in wood This is a must-read article for all those who love our Minnesota winters and want to experience an outdoor adventure. Key Takeaways: Find best places for Cross Country skiing Best way to explore the park on snowshoes Snowmobiling in the frozen lakes and safe portages Explore the Ice Road-check ice conditions by contacting visitors center http://voyageurs.org/2018/01/24/top-10-winter-experiences-voyageurs-national-park/

March 3rd and 4th, 2018 Snowmobile Racing at its Best! This overhead photo was taken in 2016 when hundreds of spectators got to witness an amazing speed of 178.2 miles per hour on our 1,000 feet of shaved ice. On March 4th, 2017, the top speed was 177.4 mph! This is a great event for the whole family! Bring your machines and see just how fast they can go. There are classes for all ages and all types of machines!…

Article by Gord Pyzer There is a possibility that you could hook a nice Whitefish while fishing the Crane Lake Area. People who have eaten Whitefish say it tastes like Walleye, there are even some who prefer it. This article has detailed information on how to catch Whitefish averaging 5 to 10 pounds and possibly even 12 to 15 pounds. Key Takeaways Record Whitefish is 42-pounds off of Isle Royale White fish hang in the same waters that lake trout…

This is a good article for those guests that want to take a day trip into Canada. The Fort Frances crossing into Canada is the busiest crossing in Minnesota and is used by local residents and vacationers. May through June is the busiest time due to fishing traffic. Holidays can also be a busy time at the boarder crossing. Key Takeaways: Find Bridge Toll rates Duty Free Shop on the American side Fort Duty Free shop on the Canada side…