Detroit Lakes, MN and time with the Hatlies





 We headed up to this part of Minnesota so we could visit Guy and Judy Hatlie at their summer home on Lake Sallie. The closest campground we could get to them (we only make reservations two weeks in advance so we don’t get too ahead of ourselves as to where we want to go so the 4th of July was tough to do on that short notice) was about 30 minutes away in Perham. 

Our campground  was located on the south shore of Big Pine Lake. This county in Minnesota boasts more lakes than any other county in any state in America.  I believe it. We got lucky with this campground. This place had boat ramps, a swimming pool and all the hokey things you want your kids to do on the 4th. We barely spent any time in the campground though. 

The Hatlies recommended that we try a restaurant in a neighboring town so our first night we drove to “Blackboard.”  It was a former one room school house that now serves great local food. We sat outside on an enclosed porch and had a great dinner. To get to this restaurant we had to drive on small county roads. This place is near nothing but corn fields. In the winter the indoor dining room stays open for the “snowmobiling set.”  The Hatlies did not steer us wrong, dinner was amazing. Phil tried Walleye for the first time and loved it. We fasted all day so we could have dessert.

 


The ride back to our campground was a little sporty as there are deer everywhere here.  The sign on the road to our campground has the warning “Intensive Deer Crossing Next Three Miles.” And boy is that sign right. Every time we drove up to our campground over the next three days including the night after our Blackboard adventure, we saw at least 2-3 deer on the side of the road.  

The next day -the 4th- we headed up to Lake Sallie  to visit the Hatlies. They live on a beautiful lake. We started with brunch which was fabulous and then it was time to participate in the boat judging to decide which one had the best 4th of July themed decorations.  




 




 The Viking ship won. 

After the parade we went for a tour of the neighboring lakes.
Muskrat, Little Detroit and Big Detroit. So much fun. 








We finished the day back at the campground making smores and trying to keep Ricky calm during all the fireworks. 



All in all a good day! 

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