Remember the lazy days of summer? When people actually enjoyed and were permitted to just putt around and relax?
Seems those days are fewer and fewer in number. Instead, many of us keep our phones, Blackberrys and/or computers glued to our sides. We frantically rush from one task to the next, or better yet, try to tackle 12 tasks at once!
The summer family vacation - often a road trip - was the thrill of the summer, looked to as an adventure, with ample time spent planning, anticipating and building excitement.
If it seems even the family vacation has become just another thing to pack into the schedule, another item to cross off the to-do list, then it's time to stop.
Maybe you should enjoy a glass of ice-cold lemonade, take a load off and stay here at home. With gas prices at ridiculous levels, you finally have the perfect excuse to put off that trip to see uncle Lucifer.
ADVERTISEMENT
Traveling is hard on the pocketbook, hard on the environment and it can be downright exhausting.
And with the vast array of local and unique festivals in the coming months, family entertainment will be easy to find.
Among those coming up in the next few weeks, the Fond du Lac Reservation holds its 14th Annual Veteran's Pow Wow July 13-15 and Moose Lake hosts Agate Day July 14. Later in the month, Carlton has its annual Carlton Daze Celebration July 26-29, and Cloquet brings another Friday Fest July 27.
The first weekend in August will see a trifecta of fun with Brickyard Days, the Mahtowa Folks Festival and the Moose Lake Corn Days Festival.
Then there's my personal favorite, Ma and Pa Kettle Days, Aug. 10-11. Anything with a name that good might just be worth the short road trip.
It's all happening right here in Carlton County.
Lisa Baumann
