We have been taking our granddaughter to northern Minnesota on vacation ever since she was five years old (she is from the Chicago area and she is thirteen now.)  The traditional "first stop" overnight has been at the HGI in Middleton where we relax and unwind and start to anticipate our good times.  We swim, have dinner at the steak house across the street, swim some more.  Get up in the morning and swim again.  Then head for the cities to visit with our friends there.  Anna is big into tradition.   :)  Because we missed our trip this past year due to Spartan1's illness, she is especially looking forward to the chance for Canoecopia this year--also, she is a HUGE Jerry Vandiver fan, and she will be excited to be at as many of his concerts there as we can manage to make.  We enjoy the "Paddle Songs" so much.