Chilling at Big Mantrap Lake

My family was large and our summer vacations generally involved camping at a lake in Minnesota. Over the years, our favorite spot changed; when I was in high school, we started going to Big Man Trap Lake, in Hubbard County, Minnesota. It is part of the Paul Bunyan State Forest.  No way is it glamping. It is not fancy. No electricity. No flush toilets. Water from a well. But it is a true Minnesota camp ground. Park Rapids and Itasca State Park are within easy driving distance. I haven’t been “to the lake” since 2008, when we had a sizable gathering including five of my siblings and their kids at least for part of the time. One of my sister’s and our extra sister have gone to Mantrap for a week in August for decades. After my niece’s wedding (the one with the gladiolai) at the end of July, I will spend a week at camping with a couple of my sisters, assorted nieces and nephews, and close family friends. I am looking forward to it. A few shots from trip. (P.S. No one in my family or anyone I ever grew up with called it car camping, which seems filtered into American media and blogging.

My youngest nephew, now a rising junior in high school.

My sister’s preferred campsite

My extra sister’s daughter.

Duck in the lake

Lovely view

Nieces and nephews 10 years ago. Four are missing

My older brother raises gladiolas and a lovely daughter

Campfire anniversary cake, with hot rock to cook center

Early evening at Mantrap

Poor, Belle. She couldn’t join the fun

A few other favorite shots from an earlier trip in 1981.

Dad, Fishing 1981

Mom, carving loon,1981

Campsite 1981

Join Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Cooling