COPPOLA: Ely 2013

Monday, July 15, 2013

Ely 2013

We spent an entire week in Ely this year and it was one of our best trips there yet. Our kids are at great ages to be there...they don't complain about wearing their life jackets, they can skip naps if needed, they are content playing at the beach for hours, they can wander around the island without constant supervision, and they love an adventure. Although they don't always get along, they seemed to really enjoy each others' company this week. The weather was pretty good, although we did have a few cloudy days which meant trips to town and afternoons in the cabin. Other than the four of us, Cary's Uncle Mike, Aunt Bobbye, and GG were also on the island. We had dinner together every night, but otherwise just did our own things. It was a laid-back and relaxing week with no stress and lots of time on the boat.

About a week before we left, we found out that our good friends, the Donnenwerth's, were also going to be in Northern Minnesota for Mike's annual family reunion. It worked out so great that they could come to Ely for two days before heading to their reunion. Our kids had such a great time together. Macy is 5 months older than Carter, and Drew is 5 months older the Brynn. Sometimes the big kids played together, sometimes the girls played together, and sometimes all four played together. They loved being on the beach, fishing, going on hikes through the island, playing in Studio, chasing the dog, and hunting for frogs. All four kids were exhausted by bedtime...which was great so the adults could sauna, go to the lodge for a mojito or just chat together on the deck.

Some highlights...
-Brynn is fearless on the jet-ski. She loves hitting the waves and going in circles. The faster, the better.
-Carter went on his first real fishing trip with Cary and Uncle Mike. They were gone from 6am - 1pm and apparently he was a champ...never complaining about not catching anything. :)
-You can catch about a gazillion fish near the rock by the lodge. Every time you cast it in, you were sure to get a fish, even if it was a little rock bass. The kids loved it.
-Drew kept thinking that he caught a fish when really it was just his minnow/bait.
-Raspberry lemonade and strawberry vodka is a great summer drink.
-The kids would jump from the pontoon onto a big tube and then onto a smaller tube for hours if we'd let them.
-Bug bites can cause your foot to swell to twice it's size...just ask Cary.
-Tubing was a big hit for Brynn...so/so for Carter.
-We love the Donnenwerth family and wish they lived in Des Moines.
-7 1/2 hours in the car stinks, but is getting easier as the kids get older.