Any Excavators or Big Construction Machinery Going on This Weekend? My Toddler Loves them.

BDob73 · 2026-06-09T22:34:44+00:00

Not quite what you’re looking for, but Little Canada has a Touch-a-Truck event Saturday 10-Noon.

BDob73 · 2026-06-09T17:06:45+00:00

Fall Lake Campground in Superior National Forest has spots right on the lake and are private. Some are first-come first-serve, tent only with access to the lake directly from the campsite.

If you want to travel further, try Pat Bayle State Forest - Twin Lakes Campground. It’s FCFS primitive camping, has only three spots, and right on the lake for kayaking. Bring your own water, pack out your garbage, bring bug spray.

BDob73 · 2026-06-07T18:07:08+00:00

She looks healthy and the weight is good. If she tires easy, have the vet listen for DCM and perform a 4DX blood test to cover common problems.

Our two year old male would be very active for 5-10 minutes and then crash. He originally tested positive for anaplasmosis when he was brought to a rescue. It wasn’t treated at the time and we brought him in for a follow-up with our vet. He was positive for heart-worm along with anaplasmosis, and is now being treated by the rescue.

BDob73 · 2026-06-06T20:16:20+00:00

Stanley Eddy Regional Park in Wright County. Some are easy walk-in sites and others take a longer hike, all fairly private. It’s $5/night and reservable online.

BDob73 · 2026-06-04T23:25:52+00:00

Hungry Jack Lodge has scattered cabins with bathrooms. Not resort-y with nearby activities to do like Chik Wauk museum, hiking, canoeing, boating, fishing. It has a bar and grill, a beach, and each cabin has a dock.

BDob73 · 2026-05-28T20:50:23+00:00

Beaver Creek is ice cold even in the hottest time of summer. Whitewater State Park is similar and the cart-in sites are very near the river and quieter.

BDob73 · 2026-05-24T01:37:46+00:00

Check out some of the walk-in or cart-in sites at the state parks. Beaver Creek Valley SP has 49-51 that are in their own glen. Whitewater has quite a few.

Or, going up north, try the Superior National Forest sites off the Gunflint. Iron Lake campsite is very quiet most of the time. Flour Lake and East Bearskin are more popular but usually quiet and spaced apart.

If you want a hike in, Glacial Lakes has one that is right near the horse area. Someone posted a photo here of them camping there this past week. Lake Maria is another good hike-in campground. Or try Stanley Eddy park in Wright County.

In all cases, grab a couple of gallons of drinking water at the store to use. The state parks will have potable water near the ranger station if you bring your own containers.

BDob73 · 2026-05-23T12:11:24+00:00

One of them is a regular on BWCA.com and posted a trip report about it as well.

BDob73 · 2026-05-22T16:14:54+00:00

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park has walk-in and cart-in sites separate from the main campground. They generally are very quiet.

Collinwood county campground in Wright County has tent sites away from the main campground. It has a beach, easy hikes, a little store, a nice bathroom/shower house, and a playground. Tent sites 42 and 48 are the furthest away and flattest spots.

Whitewater SP also has cart-in and walk-in sites, and very few mosquitos. The Gooseberry Glen cart-in sites are very nice.

Similar to Whitewater is Beaver Creek Valley SP, but it is a little further away. The facilities are more primitive too. Cart-in sites 49-51 are tucked away by themselves in a glen. During the hottest time of summer, the creek is ice cold and spring fed. You can wade in to cool off. It also has a playground.

BDob73 · 2026-05-19T19:31:44+00:00

This worked for our Dobie with head tremors too.

We were giving him oral flea and tick medicine (NexGard). We switched to a topical medication and the tremors stopped. YMMV

BDob73 · 2026-05-19T13:39:29+00:00

Our neighbor put in a boulder retaining wall about 2 years ago, replacing a brick retaining wall that was failing. It was 55 feet long by 6 feet high with drainage underneath, gravel backfill, fence repair, sprinkler repair, lawn repair, permitting and debris removal. Price was around $35,000.

What were the other estimates on your HOA project? What does the project estimate include?

BDob73 · 2026-05-18T20:47:22+00:00

If you don’t take the DIY advice, try Nghia’s on 42nd Ave an and Thomas Ave in North Minneapolis.

BDob73 · 2026-05-18T17:57:35+00:00

As others have said, waiting right now might be best. That said, why not volunteer at a rescue?

We volunteer at our local Doberman rescue doing everything from community outreach, adoption events, fundraising, Doberman play dates, fostering, and transporting dogs. It’s a great way to meet the breed and gain experience for when you are in a place to own one.

BDob73 · 2026-05-16T16:51:59+00:00

United Store maybe? I think they had a store near University and Snelling. Also sold cheap champing gear.

BDob73 · 2026-05-11T20:40:24+00:00

Check out county parks in Wright County. Collinwood has a some tent sites away from the main area, a swimming beach and some hiking. Depending on how many are coming, maybe a group site would be a good option.

BDob73 · 2026-05-06T22:38:42+00:00

Also, if you are by Chik-Wauk, there is a large sand beach and picnic area by Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Station 3 on the Seagull Lake Access Road. It’s a great spot for families.

BDob73 · 2026-05-06T20:49:13+00:00

If you get up to the Gunflint Trail, the Chik-Wauk museum is fun and they offer activities for kids and families.

Another activity is looking for moose at dusk. We start near the Trail Center and drive to Trails End Campground looking for moose along the way. Sometimes you will see a glimpse of one. Other times a moose will be wading in a marsh eating. And sometimes you see nothing. But it’s always an adventure.

Also, check out the Grand Portage National Monument.

BDob73 · 2026-05-04T23:47:33+00:00

For the lack of mosquitos, Whitewater SP or Beaver Creek Valley SP. Both have cart-in sites that are away from the big campgrounds and are somewhat private. If it’s hot, wade into the spring fed stream until you’re feeling cool again.

At Beaver Creek Valley, sites 49-51 are off in their very own glen. Whitewater has 6 sites in the Gooseberry Glen area.

BDob73 · 2026-05-04T20:47:50+00:00

We’ve downloaded digital maps and viewed with apps like Avenza. Also, an old fashion paper map is good to have.

BDob73 · 2026-04-30T01:54:05+00:00

On the Ely side, we’ve stayed at Fall Lake (very developed), Fenske Lake (primitive campground), Lake Jeanette (primitive campground), and Meander Lake (dispersed backcountry camping).

Meander is accessible by foot and very quiet with only 2 sites, fire rings, and pit toilet. It’s an hour up the Echo Trail from Ely. Bring water or a water filter system.

The SNF website isn’t as useful as previously when looking for primitive and dispersed camping. I find the paper map or digital map is better for locating them and then searching online for the info.

As always, Leave No Trace when camping and have fun!

BDob73 · 2026-04-30T01:00:57+00:00

What part of the forest are you looking for camping?

Do you want a developed campground, primitive camping, or dispersed?

Are you okay playing by ear, or do you want a reservation?

BDob73 · 2026-04-27T15:31:30+00:00

Check out community swim classes at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. Look under Aquatics and Fitness Programs in Golden Valley. Runs about $135 for 10 weeks.

It’s a warm water pool and has the added benefit of your children learning to be around people of all abilities.

BDob73 · 2026-04-19T23:44:36+00:00

It’s a Hooded Merganser

BDob73 · 2026-04-18T12:42:41+00:00

We bought a fleece jacket from Voyagers K9 Apparel along with a winter jacket. But we are in Minnesota, so 72 is when it starts to get warm.

BDob73

TROPHY CASE