Smiles: Eight Years Ago Today

Big Mantrap Lake, August 2008, Reunion

Eight years ago today I was camping at Big Mantrap Lake, a state campground in Minnesota’s Paul Bunyan State Forest. My family have been camping at Big Mantrap Lake since we were young. Nothing fancy about the park—the campsites are listed as primitive. During the week, we often had the place to ourselves. You can swim, fish, boat, kayak, and just enjoy being in the woods. In 2008, we had a family gathering at Big Mantrap for a few days. Ten of my fourteen nieces and nephews were there. It is amazing how they have changed over time—one now teaches French, another is a biologist and photographer, one is a computer scientist, and one just graduated from college. The youngest is now fourteen and starting high school. I love their smiles.

CFFC: Smiles