Mark & Gloria Aanenson stopped by.

Gloria & I worked together at Cargill for 10 years.

We really had fun in the Fertilizer Department!

Thanks for coming by for a reunion.

The Malone twins are "new guests"at Mantrap Lodge

Ty Malone weighed 6 lbs. at birth.

Talia Malone weighted 6+ lbs.

Looks like she got all the hair!

Thanks Rob & Rowena for letting Natalie and I have lots of "baby time"!

What a wonderful surprise.

Can't wait to see how much they grown

when you all return next year.

Alex Berg's Catch of the Day

Alex caught & released this 52 inch muskie!

Nice job and great catch!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday to the best mom around. I'm looking forward to a nice weekend with you here at Mantrap! I love you very much~Sending you a big hug on your special day~

Sky got to pick out her outfit today!

She & Michael Jackson like just one glove.

She is a future trend setter.

Thanks Kareem Ahmed for your wonderful post!

MANTRAP LODGE AND THE BEST WEEKEND EVER

This weekend I had the opportunity to spend the weekend up north at a place called Mantrap Lodge. Now, if you are a man, the name sounds quite scary but don’t be alarmed…this enchanted forest is far from a trap. It’s actually the opposite…In fact, I want to be there right now.
The drive: Mantrap Lodge isn’t too far from the cities…only 3.5 hours or so (following the posted speed limit) and its also quite scenic on the way to Park Rapids…not bad for a weekend getaway.
The resort is family owned and operated so the service was just incredible. On the Mantrap Lodge entrance sign, you are welcomed by “Mike, Dianne, Jeff, and Natalie” I had the opportunity to meet all of them and they all rock including Jeff (although Jeff is a badass so you might want to bring him some licorice…he enjoys it).
Mike was nice and showed us to our cabin…which was super sweet, North Words style lodging.Natalie and Dianne were so helpful in giving us everything we needed for the weekend like trash bags and extra toilet paper.
Now, I have never really been a fisherman, but since the canoes and kayaks were free to use at Mantrap Lodge, I decided to give it a shot AND It was awesome.
I caught a few Crappie as well as a few Bass but the fact of the matter is that on a lake like Mantrap Lake, you forget yourself in the wilderness. Time gets lost out there. I must have been out there, just me and my buddy Justin for 5 hours and we didn’t even realize it. The lake and surrounding area look like something out of a movie. There are barley any cabins on shore and some of the lake/forest is a part of Paul Bunyon National Forest (or something like that).
Other than the fishing, we enjoyed grilling out and hanging by the pool soaking up the rays as well as hiking the trails.
Kids will love Mantrap Lodge. They’ve got a swimming pool, free bicycle rentals, and plenty of other things to keep them entertained as well as events such as Pizza Night. For adults, Mantrap Lodge offers a spa, a hot tub, great fishing, and much more.
I can’t really say much in comparison to other up north resorts because I haven’t had much experience with them, but I can definitely attest, that Mantrap Lodge is much more than just a place to go for the weekends, its a place to make memories that last a life time. I will definitely be going again more than once. It’s a great value and a great atmosphere to get away for a weekend, or even an entire week.
Check them out here: Mantrap LodgeCheck out there Blog: Mantrap Lodge BlogBecome a fan of Facebook: Mantrap Facebook Fan Page
*my trip was discounted in exchange for an unbiased blog post of my experience.

One of the highlights of owning a resort, is that you get to meet wonderful people. Kareem Ahmed is one of those people. He is from Egypt and had never been to the Northwoods. He really jumped in with both feet and had a great experience. He gifted us with wine & red licorice and those are two Roy family favorites. Thanks Ahmed for spending time with us and we welcome you & your friends anytime you can get away.

Erica & Tori

Hanging in the gift shop! We are so happy you guys came back to Mantrap!

My weekend with Skylar in the Twin Cities

Spending 5 nights with Sky 24/7 was just the

best gift a grandma could every have.

We had a wonderful time playing, reading books,

taking walks, going swimming at the beach

and loving the dogs, Bode & Laska.

This was our first time without mommy & daddy.

She was perfect!!!!

College bound.

Matt Kurtz has been coming to the resort since

he was a little boy. I can't believe he is

going to be in college in this fall.

Matt, you are one of my favorite guest!

Kyle Lincoln celebrates his birthday with all the guest!

Happy Birthday Kyle and thanks for

having all the guests at your fun party.

Everyone had a great time at the party.

Ross & Lisa Fink "cute couple of the week".

Watching the pinata action.

Wayne & Anita Kurtz having birthday cake.

Rachel Dellinger has "come along way baby".

We have always had a soft spot in our heart for Rachel.

She has grown up so much and is going to be a nurse soon.

Love you miss Rachel!

All the fun toys & candy are starting to come out

Cool Nolan!

We love the Roth family!!

Cute

Rhett Fink "waffle server of the week"

Thanks for your help this morning serving the waffles!

Sorry Elvis wasn't able to be here this year.

Rachel Fink & Lauren Roth

It's fun to meet up year after year.

"Friends Forever"

Lane, Mike & Lola

Mike's favorites, Lola & Lane

Sally Shelton & Company

We are so glad to have you all back at resort this year.

Thanks for a fun week.

Baptiste Desbiolles on tour from France to Park Rapids & other places.

Waiting for his plane back to

Lyon, France from Bemidji, MN.
His room is now empty....we all miss you this week.

Eating his first American "all you can eat" dinner.
Hope he fits into his new jeans!

Standing in the hand of Paul Bunyon.

Ackley, MN

Sorry you didn't get to go fishing for the

big muskies while you were here.

Nevis, MN

Thanks so much for all your hard work.

We all enjoyed your time spent at Mantrap Lodge.

Mike, Dianne, Jeff & Natalie

Dianne misses Ingrid! What a sweet little girl.

Mommy, don't let Dianne catch me.

Ingrid comes to visit Lola & me in the office.

Kathy & Earl have a keeper with this grandchild.

Travis Sauers aka "The Muskie Hunter"

This is Travis Sauers' first muskie ever!

What a fish story, his excitement and

a broken net in the process.

Nice catch-42" long.

Travis get's his second 37" muskie this week!