Loafing at Sugar Loaf

Our 5th annual North Shore getaway to Sugar Loaf was another smashing success. Lake Superior is the closest thing we have to an ocean in Minnesoooota, and when you stay right on the water you can easily pretend that's what it is. The waves get intense and you can't see land on the other side, so its pretty much the same, sort of. Hearing the waves crash on the shore is the best way to fall asleep, and wake up, period. Whether on the ocean or a lake, its hard not to have a great night's sleep whilst all bundled up cozily in a cabin with a roaring fire and lots of blankets, with the windows open to let the breeze and sound of the waves in just a bit. It rained a couple of days and was pretty chilly except for the last day which was sunny, clear and warm, but of course we all left by about 1:30 pm so didn't have much time to enjoy it. We did however enjoy several fun activities like...

Texas hold 'em. I'm always the only girl, but somehow I usually manage to beat the boys. I had almost all the chips at one point but got kind of sick of playing and gave up my winning title so I could go enjoy the brief appearance by the sun and huge crashing waves outside.

Taking a gondola ride up the mountain for hot soup and a cold beer with an amazing view of the lake..communicating with our friends in another gondola via walkie talkie, of course.

Half assedely playing 9 holes of golf at Superior National. One of the most beautiful courses I've seen - even though it was pouring rain I managed to tee off and putt a few holes, but mostly just drove the cart and enjoyed the view. And the post golf burger/virgin bloody - why do golf courses always have the best bloody mary mix??
Staring out at the lake and watching the ginormous waves.

Warming up by the camp fire when it was warm enough to be outside, building cozy fires in the fireplaces, snuggled up with blankets reading books and magazines, laughing with good friends when it wasn't. Also hot tubbing, eating delish lasagna, a lot of sleeping and generally
just relaxing. Pretty much, the perfect weekend.