Vacation Destinations
TRADITION PLAYS A BIG PART IN FAMILY VACATION DESTINATIONS
BY SUE WEBBER
Minnesota ’ s ample lakeshore , woods , and cabin destinations provide idyllic memories of lazy summer days spent swimming , boating , hiking a trail , or soaking up rays
on a sandy beach .
But tradition plays a very strong part in many families ’ destination decisions . Some people have their destinations emblazoned in their hearts and minds from childhood on . Others create their own annual go-to memories once they establish their own families .
Here are four Twin Cities families ’ versions of Up North perfection .
Submitted by the Linnerooth family of Woodbury , who have been going to Fair Hills Resort in Detroit Lakes for 50 + years .
LINDA LINNEROOTH , Woodbury
Greg Linnerooth and his family started going to Fair Hills Resort in Detroit Lakes when he was about 5 years old , according to his wife , Linda .
“ There were other Linnerooths going also , so it was kind of a family reunion ,” she said .
Now , Linda and Greg , their grown son and daughter and four grandchildren continue the tradition . We always go the week of July 4th along with many other guests ,” Linda said . “ We have quite a group of longtime friends we see during that week . We have about 50 Linnerooths attending that same week so cousins get to know each other .”
The resort offers something for everyone , she said , including a golf course , kids and teens activities , sailboats , canoes , pontoon rides , evening activities , musical shows , and a talent show .
The annual July 4th parade on the premises is a “ real down home event ,” she said . The staff , who are mainly college kids , put on the shows and comprise the parade , in addition to their jobs as waiters , waitresses , housekeeping , and recreation directors she said . “ They have the most spectacular fireworks display we have ever seen ,” Linda said .
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The resort offers a real treat for people looking for a complete rest . Cabins are made up for guests each morning , and a bell is rung when it ’ s mealtime .
“ No much has changed in the 50-plus years we have been going , and I think that is a big part of it ,” Linda said .” You can always count on things being as you remembered them . The first time we went back with our grown kids and their kids , son Mike was thrilled because the screen doors to the cabins had the same sound when they slammed as he remembered .”
KENT ROBBINS , Shakopee
Kent and Joy Robbins of Shakopee first visited Naniboujou Lodge , 15 miles east of Grand Marais on the shore of Lake Superior , in 1981 , and their regular visits have continued ever since .
“ It ’ s 45 yards from the largest freshwater lake in the world , next to the Brule River ,” Kent said . “ The woods and the bluffs are our heritage . Naniboujou is in our blood . It has one of the best kitchens on the North Shore . I couldn ’ t imagine my life without the North Shore . Your troubles are suddenly very small when you get there . It ’ s an absolute jewel . That ’ s why people keep coming back there . We look forward to it .”
The lodge , built in 1928 and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places , is decorated in a celebrated Native American motif , and features the largest stone fireplace in Minnesota . The 35-40 no-frills guest rooms are simple . They have fireplaces , but no TV , phones or Wi-Fi . Cell phone reception is slim to none . No smoking is allowed anywhere , and no alcohol is served .
JAY ECHTENKAMP , Medina
Photo by Kent Robbins
As a kid , Jay Echtenkamp remembers his family going to Park Rapids on a vacation every year . He continued the tradition , and since 1999 has owned Breeze Campgrounds on the shore of Eagle Lake ( part of the Potato Lake chain ), near