---

This past week, my family finally decided to take a real honest to goodness vacation. Yes, we have stayed in a cabin in Minnesota before, but this trip was on a plane to Florida. I can hear some of you out there... it must be rough flying to Florida, he must be made of money. On the contrary. We have been saving for this vacation for two years. Every time our kids had any extra change they would put it into our Florida fund. After dealing with a new publication in our distribution area, a vacation was just what I needed.

We had a pleasant flight to Orlando, with the exception of running through Charlotte's airport to make our connecting flight. Upon arriving in Orlando, it was more than obvious who was from the midwest and who was local. People were giggling at our family all bundled up with long pants on, glowing with our Minnesota tan, or lack of it.

We finally got our rental car all squared away and were diligently following my mapquest directions when it seemed that we were driving for way too long. A quick call to the resort, told me that I had driven 25 miles past our intended destination. If you have read my articles in the past, you know that family trips always prove to be interesting to say the least.

Having rented our vacation spot on the internet, I was leery of the unknown. But, come to find out, the place was beautiful. A gated resort lined with palm trees with a real plantation feel. With five swimming pools, our kids were in total heaven. Here is the unbelievable thing. Our condo consisted of 15 units of which four were rented. The complex had 30 buildings and none of them seemed to have more than four families occupying them. The best part of all was the price. We stayed in a three bedroom two bath unit with washer and dryer for $99 per night. I have stayed at flea bitten motels in Waterloo Iowa for more than $99 a night.

The trip went smoothly with a few trips to the obligatory theme parks. If you are thinking of taking an Orlando vacation soon, I would offer this advice, do it. The area is so desolate that we parked close to the front of the parking lots at every park we went to. There were plenty of times that we would complete a ride, turn around and get on the same ride again. Maybe it is the economy, maybe we just timed it perfectly after spring break, or maybe the weather scared people away. But we enjoyed mid-eighties the whole week.

Having never taken a vacation when I was a child, I vowed to take my children on as many vacations as I can. I fear that I set the bar too high with our Orlando vacation, but hey, even I wanted to see Mickey and Minnie.

To summarize, if there were things I took from this vacation they would have to be: 1. Wait until spring break is over to book your vacation. 2. Get your airplane seating ahead of time or you will be stuck between a crying baby and a man who looks like he eats crying babies for lunch. 3. Bring your ponchos. Paying $30 for basically a garbage bag is a bummer even if it does have a picture of a mouse on the back. 4. Let your kids decide what to do. They love it and it makes them feel important.

The next one is the most important of all. 5. Never, ever, ever trust mapquest. That is unless you want to view the countryside.

If you read Chuck Fitzer's article about assisting with the flood relief in Fargo last week, you know how hard all of these volunteers worked. We have been notified that members of the Shafer/Franconia Fire Department also assisted with flood relief. Chief Alan Hultman and four other members of the department also donated their time and muscle. Thanks to them for all their hard work. I am positive that their work was much appreciated by the citizens around the Red River.

We are pleased to tell you that the ice is officially off the Chisago Lakes Chain and that means that once again we will be running our lake levels each week. Thanks to Larry at the Highway Department for his weekly readings of the lake levels.

As you are reading this, we are currently mailing renewal cards to all who have not taken advantage of our early renewal specials. You will be receiving a blue card with your name, address and account number printed on it. Simply fill out the back or send in you check along with the blue card and we will promptly get you updated in our system without missing a beat. If you happen to receive a blue card and you have already sent your payment in, don't fret, disregard the blue card and enjoy your papers.

---