The Drive Home
Every vacation has two drives. The one that brings you here. And the one that takes you home. They may follow the same roads, pass the same small towns, and stop at the same gas stations, but somehow they never feel the same. The drive north is filled with anticipation. The drive home is filled […]
The Last Night
You never notice it at first. The vacation still feels like it has plenty of time left. The beach towels are draped over the deck railing, the fishing rods are leaning against the cabin, and the cooler is still full enough that no one is thinking about packing. Then someone says it. “I guess we […]
10 Things to Do Between Hockey Day Minnesota Games
10 Things to Do Between Hockey Day Minnesota Games Hockey Day Minnesota isn’t just about what happens on the ice. Sure, you’ll spend plenty of time cheering from the stands, but every tournament has a little downtime. Whether you have an hour between games or an entire afternoon before the Minnesota Wild take the ice, […]
Rain Changes Everything… and Somehow Nothing
No one hopes for rain on vacation. A week before your trip, you refresh the weather forecast more times than you’d like to admit. A sunny icon feels like a victory. A cloud with raindrops can be enough to make you wonder if your plans are about to unravel. At first, it’s easy to think […]
Why the Brainerd Lakes Area Is the Perfect Home for Hockey Day Minnesota 2027
Some places host hockey tournaments. The Brainerd Lakes Area lives hockey. When Hockey Day Minnesota arrives in January 2027, it won’t just be visiting another Minnesota town. It will be coming to a community where frozen lakes become neighborhood rinks, where kids spend winter evenings chasing pucks under the lights, and where hockey has always […]
The Soundtrack of Gull Lake
Long after a vacation ends, it’s often the little things we remember. A favorite meal. A perfect sunset. The first fish. The last bonfire. But sometimes, it’s not the sights that stay with us. It’s the sounds. Close your eyes for a moment and think about your favorite lake vacation. Chances are, you can hear […]
Where to Stay for Hockey Day Minnesota 2027: Why Cragun’s Resort is the Perfect Home Base
Where to Stay for Hockey Day Minnesota 2027: Why Cragun’s Resort is the Perfect Home Base When Hockey Day Minnesota comes to the Brainerd Lakes Area in January 2027, one thing is certain, lodging will book quickly. Whether you’re following your favorite high school team, cheering on the Minnesota Wild, or making the trip to […]
The Chair That Always Finds You
Every vacation begins with a plan. You want to get out on the lake. Play a round of golf. Take the kids to the beach. Rent a pontoon. Explore the trails. Try the restaurant everyone recommended. There are photos to take, memories to make, and just enough excitement to convince yourself you’ll fit everything into […]
More Than a Game: Turn Hockey Day Minnesota into a Legendary Winter Weekend
There’s something different about hockey in Minnesota. Maybe it’s the sound of skates carving across outdoor ice. Maybe it’s the steam rising from a cup of hot chocolate on a January afternoon. Maybe it’s the way complete strangers become teammates for a few hours, cheering from the same set of bleachers. Hockey Day Minnesota has […]
One More Cast
Of course, it isn’t always about fishing. Sometimes it’s one more jump off the dock. One more lap around the lake. One more marshmallow over the fire. One more hand of cards. One more walk before bed. One more sunset. Whatever the activity, those three little words have a way of stretching time. It usually […]