Geocaching By Boat
Ah, boating and geocaching–it doesn’t get much better than this. We decided to include a 5-terrain cache on our third day in a row of boating. The location was Big Island on Lake Minnetonka.
Big Island always has had something of a history. Back in the late 1800s in the days of grand Victorian tourism, the lake was ringed with eloquent hotels including the Lafayette Hotel of railroad baron, James Hill. It was said to be the most luxurious hotel, west of the Mississippi. Big Island was one of the attractions of the visitors to Lake Minnetonka, with its incredible amusement park. Imagine this wonderful family trip to the eighth largest lake in the state and then ferrying over to this fabulous amusement park. Even by today’s standards, it sounds so fun.
Unfortunately, time took its toll on these stately hotels and alas, the grand amusement park. Very little remains of the park, just some pathways and residual structures. It is eerie to walk the grounds. One can almost hear the laughter of yesterday’s children and the squeak of the ferris wheel.
Today, it still is something of an amusement park, but the entertainment is provided by the boaters visiting the lake and tying up. Champagne is replaced by Mike’s Lemonade and Coronas. Thus, we opted to make our trip on a weekday to avoid the drinking and debauchery. Luckily, the beach was deserted. We easily beached the boat and walked ashore.
The cache was an easy beach and grab. After signing the log and dropping a coin, we got back on the water, happy for our journey into the past and glad to enjoy the island during its quieter times.
Top Ten Worse Boat Names (and ones you’re likely to see on Big Island)
10. Wet Bar
9. Make It Extra Strong
8. The Bar’s Open
7. Two For Ones
6. It’s 5 o’clock Somewhere
5. Martini Cruise
4. One For the Road
3. What Will You Have?
2. Shaken, Not Stirred
1. Over the Limit
Photo by magnusdigity
