Frosty week

We have had a week of frost that coated the trees and anything in its path. I was able to catpure a few shots. Click on images to view them in a larger format.

10 point buck

I'm back!
sorry for the slacking in my part....its been a bit busy around here.
Anycase, updating the blog with the top deer in the hunting crew staying at Sleeping Fawn Resort. And the biggest buck goes to David Terhaar of Stewartville, MN. Both David and his son Matthew spotted this 10 point buck just a few miles north of the resort. Congrats David and Matthew Terhaar!

MEA weekend suprise

The trumpeter swans return to Stocking Lake.
This Sunday late afternoon returning from a drywall job I noticed the swans feeding off the lake bottom right at the resort docks. It was a treat to watch within a distance away not to disturb them. Much to my suprise the swans swam towards me, making my view just 30' away. The Swans made their way along the bay and ended up coming back to the resort dock area, assuming the catch was plentiful in the area.

Trumpeter Swans land on Stocking Lake

Our truely great regular guests, Tom and Nona had this to say, and to share photos with all of you, enjoy.

Always an adventure at Sleeping Fawn Resort...
The group photo of trumpeter swans on the water was taken along the west side of Stocking Lake (North). As you can see in the photo, they were not stressed by our canoe as we slowed and then turned out to the center of the lake to avoid the family. We continued on our canoe ride around Stocking, our favorite activity on this remarkable lake. Some time after we made the far end, down by Hoosier Beach, and turned for home, we again saw the swan family off in the distance ahead of us. They had crossed to the other side, our home leg, and were swimming near the old beaver lodge below what we call Deer Hill. While they were still a quarter mile or so in front of us, we suddenly heard a horrific racket as the six big swans flapped their wings to take off, and loudly encouraged each other to lift, lift. They were flapping straight for our canoe, sort of walking, running along the surface of the water and slapping the water with their wings while trumpeting like mad! We were quite a distance exactly upwind from them, but Nona had the sense that she better prepare to duck as they seemed to take forever to climb off the water. I grabbed my little one-use camera and hoped for a shot, but the swans were hidden behind Nona who was in the canoe bow. I turned the canoe, ever so slightly, so they could see us... and I could see them. Still, closer and closer, flailing and honking... and they were still just above the surface of the water. Coming right toward us! "Pull up, pull up!" I mouthed to the lead, adult swan. They were clearly not gaining altitude. "What should we do?" Nona whispered back at me. They would be upon us in no time! What could we do? We certainly did not want to scare them off. Seemingly about in our laps... but in a flash as if on cue, the family of four immatures and two adults caught good air and up, up they went. Click! Off toward Lower Bottle Lake. Silence. In our now so small and insignificant canoe, we sat stunned in awe. "What happened here?" We quietly chuckled together with joy for our good fortune to have shared moments with this family of trumpeter swans -- each of us migrating, and hoping for a good life. Always an adventure at Sleeping Fawn Resort.

(click on image to view large size)

foggy Sept morning

Here are a few photos taken Sept 18th during a nice cool morning. This fog didn't break till 1pm.

MN FilmTV visit

Both Katie , Director of the Park Rapids Chamber of Commerce and myself, a Chamber board member took Christopher Grap, Production Services Manager of MN FilmTV on a tour of the Park Rapids area. Christopher was visiting the area, capturing a few photos and taking notes of all sorts of things found throughout the tour of the Park Rapids lakes area. We visited all the small towns like Dorset, Nevis, Emmaville and Osage and stopped by a couple resorts, Itasca State Park and all sorts of things in between. Christophers visit will put Park Rapids on the map for future film. The MN FilmTV is a go to place for film directors to contact them asking for referrals to specific shots, locations or icons to be used in future films or still shots.

zz fawn weekend winners

During the Spring Expos and Sport Shows I offered 2 seperate weekend giveaway drawings in 1 of our 2 bedroom cabins good for anytime during the 2008 season. Both winners from this drawing ended up booking the same weekend in late Aug. Unfortunately the weather didnt cooperate to well. It was somewhat breezy and rainy.
One of the couples, Eric of Brainerd, MN and Erin from New Hope, MN spent a very relaxing, non electronic-including cell phone experience here at the Fawn. They wanted time to just unwind, enjoy cookouts on the BBQ grill, hit the lake on one of the paddle boats, and I had the pleasure to spend time with them for an evening of smores and wine around the well built campfire. Eric and Erin are a genuinely great couple and wonderful new friends. Lots to talk about. Looking forward to keep in touch with them.
Erin was nice enough to e-mail a few photos , one with them on the paddle boat, another with a view from their cabin picture window, and Eric viewing the cabin journal.
Both agreed it was refreshing and very relaxing and hoped that they could make this an annual event.

nice catch

Phil of Byron, MN caught this nice Largemouth Bass in late Aug. Here is a picture of his catch.

lost turtle?

I came back from town running errands and noticed a group of guests viewing a large snapping turtle that was up by the office door, approx 350ft from lake. Did it want to reserve a room? probably not, but it sure was lost, we captured a few photos and left it be. Here are a few photos I thought I would share with you.

BINGO WINNER

Last Tuesday we had a lucky winner from the resort playing bingo at the local bingo fundraiser located at Mantrap Valley Conservation Club in Park Rapids. Ryan Enerson, age 11 of Grand Forks, ND suprisingly yelled BINGO on the first four numbers called out. the Club gives out a $75 jackpot for anyone able to do so! The club mentioned that no one has won the $75 jackpot in over 10 yrs.

spectacular nights

Peggy Ladwig of Lonsdale, MN captured this shot of the moon coming over the pines from accross the lake, this is just one of many great perks of being at the lake.
(click on image to view larger size)

The Rochester Gang

The Olson's, Lund's, and Fencl's from Rochester, MN sent us this group shot taken under our towering Norway Pines. Rob and Justin also sent a photo of this whopper of a large mouth bass caught and released on Stocking Lake during their visit. We look forward to seeing this fun, outgoing group next year. (click on image to see larger version)

lake george fishing

Ron and Julie, a couple seasonals of ours went fishing with me 9 miles north of the resort to lake george, I finaly got myself a walleye, it weighed 2.5 lbs and 19"...sure made my day.

baby loon update

Its been a good few weeks now , and the baby loon is growing fast. We saw the baby loon was off the back of the mother within a week and feeding on its own now. I have a few shots taken just a few days ago, the loons sure like to visit the resort floating raft.

airstream dream

Kelly Roth of Sheldon, IA arrived in this classic airstream. Kelly informed me it pulls very easy...this Airstream is 32ft long....a true campers dream.

Fargo Half Marathon photos

Jana, one of many runners at the Half/Full Marathon finaly sent a few photos from the run. enjoy, and don't ask what was up with the hair.

At last, a baby Loon on Stocking Lake!

Our resort guests, Mark and Lanette Wignes of Rochester were happy to share these images taken of the baby Loon riding the back of the mother. a big THANKS goes to the ESB Lakes Association for the funding of a man made Loons nest and the Tweedales for placing the man made Loons nest out on Stocking Lake.

mammoth moth or is it?

On a early June night as we were playing cards down in cabin #4 and this giant moth landed on the window screen, it seemed to be attracted to the light from the kitchen. We captured a few shots of it hoping someone could tell me what this really is. Any idea?

Rainy days

We have had a couple rainy nights (much needed)

I'm out trenching the rain to flow away from the hill so it doesn't wash out the driveway as I am sportin my American Express umbrella.
cheesy eh!

RECYCLE CENTER

Yes, I finaly finished one of my many goals here at the resort. A recycle center for all plastic, glass, cans, paper, and cardboard to help with waste and doing our part in offering a place for guests to bring recycling too. Thanks goes to John of Texas, John, Ben, and Matthew of Fargo, and Jim of Fargo for assisting in the assembly of the shed.

Family gathering at Sleeping Fawn

The Paulson Family from Cedar Rapids, Iowa was gracious to e-mail us a family photo of their vacation June '06. Curt Paulson included a few nice things to say about their stay. We look forward to seeing them again real soon.

Thanks Curt for the photo!

grin from ear to ear

Here are a couple proud kids sportin their catch, sisters- Sammi (wearing the cap) and Hunter from Gatesville Texas sure are enjoying their time here at the resort. You will be seeing more of these two in future blogs.

Whatta catch!

Chris Lang from Minneapolis MN landed this nice slightly under 5 lb. Largemouth Bass over the Memorial weekend. The Lang family have been enjoying the resort for the past 3 seasons now.