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Single night local motel-y/cabin sort of place?


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Howdy. I've checked the resort list posted here and searched the internet but I'm not finding what may be the true needle in the lodging stack (no description on the resort list frown.gif )

I need a one night stay on June 23rd somewhere between Little Falls and Fergus Falls; preferably as close to Battle Lake as possible.

I'm split that weekend between a family reunion in Little Falls Saturday and wedding in Battle Lake Sunday.

The places I've talked with don't do one night stays.

don't need much, would like a place my daughter (3 yrs) can play with water and sand, wife and I can cavort by a fire when wee one goes down, and if dad plays his cards right sneaks out for an hour or two of fishing at sunrise. Likely some sort of motel sort of thing.

With luck the wife will allow the borrowing a pop-up, but she's still bucking for a bed.

Anyone know of that old time joint that likely has P.O. box, listed only in the Ottertail phone book, has a wobbly toilet, the beds roll you to the middle, and gives you instructions like, "Don't have the t.v. and a blow dryer going at the same time."?

It's a stretch as I'm not looking for high speed internet, color satellite/DVD/widescreen, nature program for the kid, or the rental of a 2007 Lund with 90hp 4 stroke (hope to pull in with the 1974 camo'd alumacraft!).

Thanks a ton!

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Ashby Motel and resort fits the bill, in Ashby, just off of 94 about 17 miles south of Fergus. Not sure if that works from Little Falls, as it is farther south and West, but it fits what you are looking for. Mike and Diane are great, prices are not bad, and very clean. Just bring your own towels, as they don't supply them anymore. Check out the "Question on Pelican" thread. Hope this doesn't break the advertising rules, but I am not affiliated with them, just go there. Tell them Box recommended them.

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what about a cabin at glendoulagh(sp)state park. Primitive and inexpensive and would give everything you need.

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Me and the family spent 2 nights at the Cozy Cove Resort on Marion Lake over M-Day weekend. They rent out thier cabins on a weekly basis, but were willing to pro-rate for a 2-night stay as they had an opening. Better to make a few bucks than none at all.

Just an idea. Really nice people to work with too.

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South Turtle Lake Resort may also do a similar nightly rental - they are about 3 miles east of Battle Lake

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Wow, all these years I thought South Turtle was West of Battle Lake.... grin.gif Better quit huffin' the doe in heat...

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Thanks for all the replies!

BL motel was full, so we were going to spend a few days at South Turtle, until I got a new job and no vacation.

Didn't know about Ashby or the cabins at Glendalough, I'll look into those for sure and always good to have the reference.

I might be staying at Melby in a buddy's shack on Christina. The case of beer rent should be just about right!

Thanks again, and wish you the best on the water.

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lanyard, if you are staying on Christina, you are a stones throw from Ashy! If theprice is right, that is what I would do!!! no doubt.!

Just try to talk your bud into letting you stay there in Oct. hehehehehehe... I bet that will be a different conversation smile.gif Anyway, have fun and go say Hi to Mike and diane, they are only a few miles from whereever you are staying. Have fun!

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For Christina I pretty much got the open invite but couldn't get out there last year. Heard it was a pretty good shoot... but that's what you always hear when you're not around!

If I get the chance I'll say howdy to Mike and Diane. Always good to meet folks. Wish the wife was more that way, but since she's pretty much from the South Dakota dirt she doesn't work too hard to get along with strangers. Should've gotten me a No Dak gal, at least they let you in!

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Hey Box,

since you know the area pretty good, my guy said that Bald Eagle or Eagle just to the North about 5 miles had a nice park for kids to swim. Any shot of fish in there?

Don't matter much what it is. But if the water is clear my daughter has a blast watching sunnies come up to a Gulp! grub, it's a hoot.

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I don't know much about Eagle, but yeah it is close. I never fished there. I know there is a resort sign off of the highway (78 I think?...) Melby Outpost has decent chicken baskets for not much $$, I do know that wink.gif and every now and then the pulltabs don't kill you! heh! Have fun, and make it up there ducking if you can, it is a traditional and historically cool lake to hunt out on Christina. I used to be able to hunt it more, but not as much lately - now I have to co out in boat with crowds if I go, but if you bud has a point, wow!

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Ooooohhhh no, no point. He's got a dock. You can shoot coot off the dock. I believe he called the spot we hunted a couple years back the 'firing line'.

Did better at a WMA down the road... sometimes just the way she works.

I would like to get my dad up there. He'd get a kick out of it. He never duck hunted much as a kid, and I think it was always a dream of his. These days if I can make it out without my father or father-inlaw it's a vacation! They're like kids... except bordering on heart attacks trying to prove they can still truck across a quarter section through CRP, row straight, balance in waders and still have enough breath to pull a couple birds from a box of shells.

I have become the official unpaid guide. I don't mind it too much, more than happy to get a couple guys out that are probably my best friends; but, a guy would like to catch-up with the buds once in awhile and see more than the birds he took out of a flock fall! Ohhhh, the missing! 20 yards out, two GIANT greenheads, flap flap flappering 5 feet over the decoys... flew away- NO SHOTS!

"Hey dad, why didn't you shoot those mallards?"

"Didn't see 'em 'til they flew away"

I guess it happens to all of us, at some point we start to reverse roles, from the student who they take care of to the teacher that takes care of them. I better have more kids, leaving my cranky keister to just one likely won't get me very far in another 20 years!

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Ha! Lanyard, we are in the same spot smile.gif Cept my Dad now just goes hunting on opener, and doesn't shoot anymore - had heart surgery and organ transplants, etc. I am just glad he is still around. Heck, we still fish a ton together, and even though I tell him to dress warm he does not smile.gif I end up making him wear my stuff and I shiver, hehehe.

Me and bro are actually being "guides" for about 12-14 of his "zipper gang" buddies (heart surgery folks) out on White Bear Lake this week. That will be a hoot, two pontoons and a boat and bunch of guys who love it but don't get out enough anymore.

Where do you live? I am in WBL and me and bro often go duck hunting before work during the week. Plenty of spots if you are in the area, not always fast and furious shooting, but we have our days smile.gif

We used to go to Ashby every weekend of duck hunting, but now that Dad is older and bro has little ones, and I go to NoDak for a week or two, we don't get up there as much. Plus for us I have found some good spots near my cabin waaay east of there, but still I make it there 2 or 3 weekends for ducking. God, the countdown is almost starting wink.gif

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Box,

I live in Chanhassen, but the new job is in Little Canada! I've been blessed with 30+ mile commutes for the last 7 years of employment so it's not too bad of a hike.

However, if you've got spots up in that area where a guy could get there early and out for a couple hours and into the office by 9:00 or so that might work.

My spots close to home are all down in South/SW metro and put me on the wrong end of the commute to be even a tad bit responsible.

Good luck with the Zipper Gang! I would also recommend a Mille Lacs launch. Took my dad out for Father's day last year, it was a blast. Kind of nice... no backwards argument about where to go, what to fish with, etc. Just go. Just fish. Just hang out. Hoping to do it again this year, might take the nephew with as he doesn't have an outdoor mentor and lives out in Seattle.

Get the daughter out this weekend for the fishing contest in Windom, MN. Dang kid has caught two other fish besides sunnies: 1) 12" walleye; 1) 5.5 largemouth. All on a rod she won at a duck banquet! I love that.

Well, getting off the 'OT' thread pretty good now. I'll shoot you a pm or shoot me one, whatever, as season gets closer. It would be cool to hook up if it works out.

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I can't seem to PM. You can reach me here chris at boxmeyers you know what.

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