The Gray Eagle Lodge

The Gray Eagle Lodge 2009

We -- the Mather Whitakers, Fair Oaks Whitakers and the Lessers of Novato -- spent 4 days at the Gray Eagle Lodge last week and like any good vacation, I overate, enjoyed adult beverages, and saw a bear.

Wesley caught a nice Rainbow Trout in Salmon Lake using orange powerbait and I pulled one in using green powerbait. We -- my brother and his son, Wesley, and my sister's son Alec -- caught 15 fish that morning and since Wesley and I had no interest in cleaning or eating fish, the one time experience was enough for both of us.

The Lodge's Restaurant had delicious dinners and we took full advantage of them.

Apparently, there is an underground eating contest where everyone wins and loses nightly. We competed nightly and took home medals for speed eating, weight, and team eating. Debbie and I ate the nightly specials -- short ribs, pork loin, and a full Thanksgiving Dinner, swordfish and prime rib. Somehow after a nice bowl soup, salad, an entree with sides, there was always room for a piece of lemon meringue pie -- even after a eating one of the kid's desserts

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The cabins were small, but comfortable and the Lodge staff was accommodating and anticipated our needs and wants before we knew what they were.

It was nice being with the families and letting the kids run feral for the week. At the end, we had a pile of laundry, tired kids, memories and longings to return.