Rick Borden's Blog - Life on Big Sandy Lake

Spending time with kids ~ I took my niece fishing for the second time

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:21:21 -0500

My wife Leane and I have been married for many years our children are grown up and we are expecting our first grandchild this January 15Th. So when I have a chance to take my niece fishing I jump on the opportunity as quick as I can, you see Analese lives out in Ohio and we live in Minnesota on Big Sandy lake. Last year while visiting us Analese wanted to fish so I took her and my nephew down to the dock and we fished for hours and only caught a few little ones, little did I know that this day my niece got the fishing bug bad!! Analese has been asking for one year now to come back to uncle Rick's and aunt Leanes to go fishing and of course to visit :) This year when they arrived for a family reunion she started asking right away about going fishing with uncle Rick the weather was bad with rain and wind but it came down to the last day and we went rain or shine.

Analese is 6 years old in fact her birthday was just a few days prior to this day, she loves to fish and for the first hour we did not catch a thing. The cold windy day I could see was starting to get to her and yet Analese still wanted to catch a fish.

Analese finally caught a fish and then it was GAME ON she ended up catching about 30 or so we lost count she had such a good time and I was just in heaven I thought what a great day and what an Awesome experience for my niece and I to share these memories together forever. I am not sure if I thanked Analese for this day as she was so excited to be out on the dock or as she referred to it as the bridge.

This was by far the largest we caught this afternoon and we got a few at the 7-8.5" mark so it was a great day out.

Analese started finally getting cold enough were she wanted to go back up to the cabin as the sun was going down and the cold really started to get to her. I want to thank you Analese for the day you spent with me, I wish I could bottle up all the fun we had and open it whenever I wanted. I am not able to do that so I have you on my blog sweet heart. I love you Analese, Uncle Rick

As I loaded up my truck and had Analese buckled up in her seat this is the last thing I saw as I looked back at the dock on Big Sandy Lake.

I let my dogs outside and saw this ~ Big Sandy Lake Sunrise!!

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:06:27 -0500

Just last week before I was to go out with a bunch of friends shooting some trap in the morning and off to a golf tournament in the afternoon I was letting our dogs out for the morning duties and saw the making of a spectacular sunrise over Bell horn Bay where my wife Leane and I live. I was absolutely delighted at what took place this morning.

Over the next few minutes it just kept changing and it got better and better each moment I sat out on my beach watching this beautiful sunrise happen.

The sun has not even peaked over the horizon as of yet it was still far below the tree line across the bay but you could see it was really putting on a show. You are not able to see as of yet that the morning was a real foggy one as the water temperature is allot warmer than the outside temperature this morning thus creating a really cool fog.

Living in McGregor on Big Sandy Lake is awesome and I truly love my neighborhood, the one thing you cannot see is after taking this photo I heard a fishing boat and then I did not. He had stopped as I did to take a moment to catch this awesome event that I believe we all take for granted. The beginning of another day, a new chance to make a difference in this world, another day to take a child fishing. It's days like this that happen that we miss and will not ever get back, this is why I share this day with you so you have time to reflect on what is important to you Even though for just a moment, please do!!

Please take a momment and imagine the soulful call of a loon looking for it's mate or as I did this particlar morning a flock of Canada geese flew over the top of me and again you just have to appreciate all the natural beauty that surrounds us on a daily basis.

I went on this day to meet up for breakfast with my friends and during breakfast I asked them all if they had a chance to see the sunrise today?

Silly me, they all said who was up to see that any way. Now you know the rest of the story don't you?

I hope you all enjoy the sunrise today and all that you may encounter in the future! You just never know when the good lord calls.

www.BigSandyLake.com

Northern Minnesota Fall Colors Continued ~ McGregor & Big Sandy Lake

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:44:47 -0500

One of my most favorite times of the year is fall and this year is no different, I made a promise to many of you that I would share my area photos with everyone and this past week has just been spectacular for the colors.

All of these photos have been taken from my neighborhhod and infact all from the same road 202nd place aka pondarosa point.

My wife Leane and I got home about the same time the other night and the sun was barely out and I said to her I was going out to grab a few shots down the road and I would be back in a little while. So I was off driving down the road at 25mph and then it started I did not even make it 3 houses down and saw this tree.

After taking many different angles of this tree I thought to myself, man if I do not even get another shot all year this one is awesome. I was pleased with this tree and the memories I will have for a long while to come.

So once again I was off and running, I was driving down the road taking in the sights and I noticed over the lake a rainbow was just starting to form, I parked the car and worked my way down between the yards and got down to the lake and saw this one. I wish the rain bow was a little more noticeable but if you look you should be able to see it in the center of the picture.

By now I am really excited about this trip I was on and thought how could it get any better. I looked down and right at my feet this natural display of beauty was looking up at me. You can see the rain drops still being held by one of the leaves from this day.

Silent reflections of my afternoon out around Big Sandy Lake ~ It reminds me of why we first bought a lake place so many years ago. During this photo as I was setting up a Loon was just 80 feet or so from me. I must share with you the soulful call of a Loon is incredible it gave me the chills.

Big Sandy Lake is watched during the summer months by the DNR and they do it from the fire tower. I am standing at the top of the fire tower for this shot and overlooking Big Sandy Lake. Big Sandy Lake and all of it's waterways is just over 10,000 acres of navigable waters. It has 23 Islands and the deepest part of the lake is just in front of you in this photo 84 feet deep.

Real Estate on Big Sandy lake goes from the low 200's to over 2 million for a 12 acre estate, we have new construction town homes on Big Sandy as well as new single family homes.

www.BigSandyLake.com

Big Sandy lake fall colors in McGregor Minnesota

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:54:44 -0500

With the onset of fall in full swing I wanted to capture the colors for you all as I go to and from my appointments in the next 3 weeks! I hope to bring you some of what I believe to be what Big Sandy Lake and the McGregor Lakes area is all about.

One of my most favorate places to take pictures from is the firetower off of county road 14 or lake ave, it overlooks Bell Horn bay and Webster bay. I also love the road called Ponderosa point or 202nd place.

I am looking forward to today going out once again to capture some of the fall scenes and colors.

Rick Borden ~ www.BigSandyLake.com McGregor Minnesota 55760 ~ Big Sandy Lake

Resort in McGregor Minnesota in foreclosure on Big Sandy Lake!!

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 11:16:31 -0500

Breaking news from McGregor Minnesota ~ Big Sandy Lodge and Resort is closing it's doors October 5Th this comes with an aching heart for the owners and the employee's of this wonderful destination on Big Sandy Lake. Big Sandy Lodge and Resort has 18 rooms and 53 potential homes/town homes that are currently in foreclosure at this point. My wife works or did work as the assistant general manager at the Lodge so with these hard times in Real Estate around the country it is really hitting home for us directly even more than it has been. This closing brings about a serious potential for a new owner to come in and buy the Lodge and all of the Real Estate for potentially a good deal if anyone knows of any investors please contact me I can get you in touch with the right people. Rick@BigSandyLake.com

Big Sandy Lodge and Resort has town houses for sale many of the buildings are currently up in a shell form and are awaiting finishing touches on the insides.

Big Sandy Lodge is located on Davis bay of Big Sandy Lake in McGregor Minnesota, The fishing and the hunting are awesome as well as the sunsets.

I have a link for you to go to and see the Lodge www.BigSandyLodgeandResort.com The Lodge will be missed this Fall and Winter, many people gather here for food and spirits and good company, I will keep you posted on this situation. I want to thank all the staff personally for the many wonderful times I have had at the Lodge and to the owners for the many memories my family has had as well.

Imagine a place where you can rediscover the lazy afternoon. Where your to-do list includes fishing, golfing, and swimming in the pool or on the sandy beaches of Big Sandy Lodge and Resort. After a great afternoon of being out on the lake, come back home to the Lodge and enjoy a skillfully prepared meal out on the deck and watch the sunset. This has been my hangout for the last 4 years I will truly miss this place and all of the staff who have made it what it is today....

Rick Borden ~ www.BigSandyLake.com

Big Sandy Lake ~ McGregor Minnesota 55760 MlS # 3590448

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:25:17 -0500

Wow what a great opportunity to have a 100 feet of Big Sandy Lake, this 4 bedroom 2 full bath home has all of the hard work done. It has new siding, a new roof, all new stone work, a brand new patio with awesome landscaping. This home is listed for $389,000.00 to see more information on this property go to: http://www.bigsandylake.com/listings.asp

This home has excellent fishing right off the dock and is located in a low traveled area of the lake just some pontoons every once in a while with a small island out front it gives a person a piece of mind when relaxing out on the patio.

Just imagine a place where you can rediscover a lazy afternoon. When your to do list consists of just hanging around having a campfire or fishing with a friend off the dock, maybe it is going over to Minnesota National Golf Course and playing 18 holes on a crisp fall morning.

The choice is yours....

For a free recorded description of this property call 1-888-249-1690 and enter property # 2001

Richard M. Borden ~ BigSandyLake.com Realty ~ McGregor Minnesota 55760 ~ Big Sandy Lake Cabin

Big Sandy Lake ~ 310 feet of shore line Home for sale

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:07:34 -0500

What a great opportunity to have a great piece of Big Sandy Lake to call your own Listed for $310,000.00 in August of 2008. This home has .71 acres and it's own private pond on the property so you truly have the best of both worlds.

To hear a property description of this home 24 hours a day call 1-888-249-1690 and enter ext:2101 for a description.

For a private showing on this home call Rick Borden at 763-238-8668 or call 218-768-3544

Richard M. Borden ~ BigSandyLake.com Realty ~ McGregor Minnesota 55760

25 years~ A little diddy about Rick and Leane 2 american kids in the heartland

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:10:26 -0500

Hello today is the last day before my wife Leane and I celebrate 25 years of marriage. So Leane happy 1 day before our 25Th anniversary.

I want to let Leane know that I really love her very much and as a man I sometimes do not show it express, tell, say, I put my foot in my mouth allot. I love her, but do not be fooled the love I have for Leane is by far the most real thing I know in this world today.

In a world of so much much uncertainty that looks and faces us in the eyes every day, not knowing if we will wake up in the morning or make it back from work at night, or if a loved one will survive a terrible disease like Cancer or live another year because ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) has it's grips on them or you.

I can say that my Love for Leane is certain!!

I can say that when I wake up tomorrow with a smile on my face it's because she is laying next to me, my Love for Leane is certain!!

Leane and I were married at the age of 18 and 16 with a son that was 1 month old (Matthew James Borden) I went in the military at the age of 18 and joined the Army and jumped out of airplanes for the 82ND Airborne Division at Fort Bragg NC.

A couple of times we were shipped off onto C 130's flying around for more than 9 hours with live rounds and were issued body bags not knowing where we were going? You put on your game face you mentally get prepared for everything they have trained you for. You can taste the Adrenalin in the back of your throat. Looking at the faces of my fellow soldiers that I had trained with for so long, I wondered will we make it back? Will I see my children again? Will I have a chance to tell my wife I love her? Will my Parachute open? We were all thinking the same thing... But did they have true Love like I did? I hoped for them that they did. It kept me going strong.

But my Love for Leane was Certain and this is what gave me the inner strength, and courage to face whatever came to me and would allow me to lead my men into battle and get us home safe! That was 1983-1987. Today Leane still gives me the butterflies with her amazing strength and courage she has. Life does not always deal you a deck of cards you want to play. Leane is the one who Say's I'm all In!!

Today is the last day before we celebrate 25 years and I want to let you know that I am very excited about the next 25 years.

Leane you have been the rock of my life and may the sun shine on us forever. God Bless you Leane.

"Your Husband Rick"

Resort on Big Sandy lake ~ Hillcrest a place to go on Big Sandy Lake

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:21:32 -0500

Big Sandy lake has many places on the lake you go to for food, fun, sunsets,nightlife and just a good old great time, one of my favorites is Hillcrest Resort located in Webster Bay on Big Sandy lake.

We first meet the owners of Hillcrest several years ago when they first bought the resort like many new owners they were making new changes to the place and were very excited about the new place. My wife Leane and I were out and about and thought we would stop in and see them and it was our 20th anniversary this day particular day. Mike and Katie prepared us a Awesome dinner and we bought a bottle of there finest champaign and toasted with all the locals who were in at the time!! It was a fun night.

It has many years now that we have been going to the Hillcrest Resort and I wanted to thank them for all there hospitality and let everyone know that this place is a great place to vacation and stop in for an Awesome dinner. I like the deck in the summer because it has incredible sunsets and I was in this week and took this one I hope you enjoy it and I will be posting more throughout the Summer. Here is a link to get in contact with them to schedule a vacation and come visit them. I highly recommend you call them at 218-426-3323 for a good old fashion vacation in northern Minnesota just 2 hours out of Minneapolis Mn.

Hillcrest is the last of its kind on Big Sandy lake they still have original rustic cabins for rent on the lake and it is a family destination if you are looking for a place to vacation I highly reccomend this resort on Big Sandy. The fishing is Awesome up in McGregor Minnesota.

http://www.bigsandyhillcrestresort.com/big_sandy_lake1.htm

This is a photo I took on a quiet night on the lake this week at the Hill.

HILLCREST

RESORT

On Minnesota's Big Sandy Lake
in Aitkin County

Big Sandy Lake Live!

www.BigSandyLake.com

Big Sandy Lake ~ Cabin for Sale 50677 218th Place $365900

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Thu, 22 May 2008 13:35:13 -0500

Ten Reasons to Buy on Big Sandy Lake ~

10. It is located just 2 hours north of the Twin Cities Metro area

9. Excellent Fishing, Hunting

8. Excellent Snowmobiling, 4-Wheeling

7. Awesome area to invest in Real Estate

6. Many places to eat and go out for entertainment

5. Savanna state park is just a few miles away

4. http://www.minnesotanationalgolfcourse.com/gc_tour_1.htm Minnesota National Golf Course.

3. One of the largest lakes in Minnesota

2. Big Sandy Lake has one of the best Fireworks displays in the state of Minnesota

1. This house is Awesome and is priced to sell

Big Sandy Lake is an Awesome lake to own a cabin or lake home on so call Rick Borden today and see if this home is still available. Go to. http://www.bigsandylake.com/218thplace.asp

www.BigSandyLake.com Rick Borden 1-888-249-1690 or 1-763-238-8668 Life's Better at the Lake

End of the dock ~ On Big Sandy Lake

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:14:49 -0500

Have you ever wondered why you stress out? Have you ever known anyone who has committed suicide? Have you ever thought about people who have a difficult time coping with life and why they do? Have you ever been so depressed that getting out of bed was a chore? Have you ever seen a grown man cry so hard for no reason? Do you know someone who just shaved their head.... just because?

The Real Estate Market Dropped out ~ I Failed to provide income for my family!

Last year I went to the doctor because I was having a hard time dealing with real simple things.. Getting out of bed, working, talking with my wife, standing in line at a gas station, you get my point I think!

It turns out I had Parathyroid-ism problems not Thyroid problems. The parathyroids are 4 very small glands that do nothing more than regulate and monitor and distribute Calcium. My Calcium was at a critical point and it turns out that I had a tumor about the size of a grape! My Hormones levels were out of control, critical should be around 70 mine were 316-340.

The symptoms of Parathyroid-ism is Deep Depression and many other nasty symptoms that I had no control over it was like having a period, going through menopause, puberty,and being pregnant all at the same time!! I was a basketcase and didn't know why? I was Suicidal every day and kept these thoughts inside of me I thought that maybe I did something wrong and was being punished for some reason because why would a Man like me have these awful thoughts like this. It turns out that I had it most of my adult life and it could have been fixed many years ago, I wished for my wife's sake and my family and friends sake that I would have. Calcium also affects how your body fires electrical wise, I had way to much Calcium a man should be under 8 I was 14.2 each tenth of a point is alot.

Today I have a different out look on life.... I call it the End of the Dock

I live on Big Sandy Lake in northern Minnesota and now when times are tough or I have to think something out or need some alone time to go to my cave, I go out to the end of the dock and this is sometimes what I see. My thoughts and my feelings I share now with people good or bad It is what I have to do to now to stay healthy. Expressing my feelings has never been a strong point of mine, now it is.

If you know of someone who is depressed or is acting a little out of the ordinary go to them and really talk to them they need you!!! I had it so masked that no one knew I was hurting badly not even my wife thats when I hit bottom and I made an appointment to see a therapist after a session or two he said you need to see a Medical doctor Rick.

I went in June and in a matter of a few months they had it figured out and I was on my way to the Mayo Clinic in Rochestor Minnesota on October 31st. Because it was so bad the doctors in Duluth could not do the surgery it was too risky for them. Today is a new day and one that needs to be appreciated for all that it is and all that it can be I am still healing from this experience and will continue slowly over time you can not erase many years of pain and suffering over night. My theropy is enjoying time on the dock! and getting to know my wife Leane all over again she is my Rock and my strength we will celebrate 25 years this July 10th.

God Bless all who read this and may you have an impact on anothers life today.

Rick

Being a Grandpa and Fishing with my son Jamie on Big Sandy Lake

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Wed, 21 May 2008 11:19:54 -0500

May 10th was the Minnesota opener and my son Jamie came up and we fished the tournament that Big Sandy Lodge and resort had this year. We started off with a great breakfast and then hit the lake fishing my son caught the only fish that day in our boat and that was OK because we had just an Awesome time talking about life and what fishing had meant to both of us.

I grew up fishing with my father Mike Borden and he brought fishing into my life and my Grandpa and my Uncle Gene who is now passed on as well as my Grandpa O'Neil. The times and the stories and most of all the memories I have are deeply embedded into me. My son Jamie and his wife Cassie are going to have there first baby we found out that weekend of opener! I am very excited about being a Grandpa and my wife Leane is very excited about this too. I look forward to spending time on the lake with our new addition to the family.

This is Jamie with his Northern that he caught on opening day of 2008

McGregor Minnesota ~ Sunset at Big Sandy Lodge and Resort on Big Sandy Lake

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Wed, 21 May 2008 11:05:36 -0500

My wife and I were going to dinner last weekend to one of our favorite places on Big Sandy Lake and as we were getting ready to leave the house I saw that the sun was starting to set so I ran back into the house and grabbed my camera just in case by the time we got to the Lodge I might be able to take a photo off of the deck.

I was too late for the deck so I drove down to the boat launch area and this is what I saw I hope you enjoy this. Big Sandy Lodge and Minnesota National Golf Course have Stay and Play Packages for golfers this summer so if you like to golf and do not have a cabin on Big Sandy Lake and want to see Sunsets like these give me a call or email us and we will get you set up!

Rick Borden ~ www.BigSandyLake.com~ 1-888-249-1690 ~ BigSandyLake.com Realty ~ McGregor Minn.

Selling Real Estate on Big Sandy lake ~ McGregor Minnesota 55760

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Mon, 19 May 2008 18:01:14 -0500

If you are selling Real Estate on Big Sandy lake in McGregor Minnesota and you happen to have a view of a Sunrise or a Sunset you are in luck I have buyers looking for these types of property on Big Sandy lake as well as Lake Minnewawa.

In todays times with all the stress from working and raising children in the Cities it does not surprise me that more and more people are heading up north to look for a piece of property Lake-shore or River property. Can you imagine if you could wake up and see this Sunrise every day??

If you know of anyone looking for Sunset or Sunrise property on Big Sandy lake or Lake Minnewawa call them and give them this number or email them this link.

Rick Borden ~ www.BigSandyLake.com ~ 1-888-249-1690 ~ Big Sandy lakes area Specialist

McGregor Minnesota ~ Big Sandy Lake Sunsets ~ Real Estate on Big Sandy

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Mon, 19 May 2008 17:50:48 -0500

This year has had some really neat opportunities for some Sunsets ~ I am a Sunset connoisseur of sorts. It all started when I was a little guy on the shores of Big sandy lake staying at Karephree Pines a Resort on Big Sandy lake back in the 70's. I just aged my self ohh well. Today I live on this wonderful lake and now call it home and have done so for 3 years now maybe its 4 years, I'm shrugging my shoulders and scratching my head!! Sorry it really does not matter. The Sunsets are absolutely Awesome here in McGregor Minnesota this year because we have had so much rain and moister in the air that the Suns rays just light up the sky so nice. here is another one that I hope you enjoy it is from my neighbors house down the street over looking Webster Bay. To see more sunset you can go to my web site and view photos on top this will take you to Sunsets enjoy. www.BigSandyLake.com

Big Sandy lake Sunsets ~ Real Estate for sale in McGregor

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Mon, 19 May 2008 17:36:02 -0500

Big Sandy lake has many miles of shore-line and this is one stretch I really enjoy this photo was taken from a listing on 202nd place in McGregor Minnesota I showed this property last weekend on Saturday to a new customer from the Minneapolis area. It was Joel's first time up to McGregor and I let him know that this property has Excellent views from the back yard towards the lake. I live just down the street from this house a mile or 2 my wife and I do not get the sunsets we get the Sunrise and let me tell you they are just as Awesome.

Rick Borden ~ www.BigSandyLake.com BigSandyLake.com Realty ~ 1-888-249-1690 ~ McGregor Minnesota

I can remember wanting to be a Grandpa when I was 15 years old!!

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Sun, 18 May 2008 13:31:08 -0500

This past opener of fishing I had my youngest some come up to McGregor where my wife Leane and I live on Big Sandy Lake. Fishing has been a part of my family for many generations and is still alive today. Jamie our son and I spent many hours on Big Sandy Lake just talking and fishing and catching up on life.

We spent a good deal talking about him and his brother going down memory lane talking about all the time we spent fishing and going to all the sports games they were both involved in. I asked my son Jamie what would he instill in his child's life that he got from his childhood?

Jamie had many things that he said he would do and by his answers I know he had given this much thought! I was very pleased by his answers he had given me....The rest of the day was spent drifting on Big Sandy and we spent as much as an hour with not a word being spoken.. I now know that our son Jamie had truly grown up to be a fine young man and that he had learned from our time spent togeather that fishing doesn't always mean Catching. I tried to teach our boys Matthew and Jamie that fishing is not just going out and catching a bunch of fish. It is about the time spent with a friend or a son or daughter or maybe just by yourself enjoying the soulful call of a Loon on the lake looking for a mate. Jamie understood this and that gave me the butterflies.

Jamie and his wife Cassie have been married for nearly 3 years and are doing very well for themselves they bought a home a few years ago and are still going to school and have great jobs. What more could a parent ask for? Our sone found a Awesome women who loves him and will be a wonderful mother some day if they have children.

It was Saturday night around 8:30 pm when the phone rang, I answered it and it was Jamie asking for his mother so I handed Leane my cell phone Jamie asked her to put him on speaker phone she did and then he said he had just got home.. His voice was a little broken up and he then told us he was going to be a Daddy!!

The time spent with my son that day was a blessing because it was like we were prepairing him for this momment he was going to find out about that evening... Now when I look back his whole childhood was about that single phrase Mom ... Dad... I'm going to be a Daddy and you are going to be Grandma and Grandpa.

Leane and I were filled with joy to find out our baby was going to have a child of his own!

So to my son Jamie I love you very much and I look forward to creating many more memories with you and your child.

Love Grandpa Rick

Walleye Fishing on Big Sandy Lake ~ May 10th Opener 2008 McGregor Minnesota

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Fri, 09 May 2008 19:31:59 -0500

Walleye fishing on Big Sandy Lake has been a family tradition for many around the state of Minnesota. It is located in McGregor which is just a couple of hours north of Minneapolis, Minnesota. I am a resident of Big Sandy lake and live close to Big Sandy Lodge and Resort which is located on the famous "Davis Bay".

Today is the day before opening fishing and I am sitting with a bunch of friends at Big Sandy Lodge and Resort. http://bigsandylodgeandresort.com/location.html Link Provided for you!! on where they are at.

I have included a lake map courtesy of the Lodges website just so you can see where it is at on the lake. The Minnesota 2008 Opener is on Saturday, May 10th which is tomorrow, Today I am sitting at the lodge with some locals Briana, Courtney, Jason Anderson who is a good man and a personal friend of mine. Also here is Mike and Lisa Kruse who own McGregorprinting@frontiernet.net Arlyce Richardson one of the owners of Big Sandy Lodge and Resort is actively signing up people for the Lodges fishing tournament.

My wife Leane Borden also works for the Lodge and has been working very hard to promote this years activities at the Lodge. They have a fun filled summer full of family reunions, weddings, and corporate business meetings throughout the season.

With opener being just a few hours away the locals and all of the vacationers are really excited about the day tomorrow. Walleye will be the main focus on opener. Big Sandy Lodge and Resort has a fishing tournament that starts out at the Lodge at 10am and ends at 2pm with a final weigh-in. The participants will meet at the Lodge after the contest for a small banquet and a fish fry. The winners will receive their winnings of a cash prize for the largest Walleye or Northern and the largest stringer!

If you have not been to McGregor Minnesota or Big Sandy Lodge and Resort you can contact me @ 1-888-249-1690 or my cell phone @ 763-238-8668 or go to my site www.BigSandyLake.com

Good luck fishing this 2008 opener and remember take a kid fishing!!

Rick Borden ~ BigSandyLake.com Realty ~ Life's Better at The Lake ~ Big Sandy Lake Minnesota

Key words ~ Big Sandy Lodge and Resort ~ Opening Fishing McGregor Minnesota ~ Big Sandy Lake opener ~ Fishing for Walleye on Big Sandy Lake ~ Friends and Family on Big Sandy Lake ~ Real Estate Big Sandy

Openeing Fishing for Walleye on Big Sandy Lake ~ Big Sandy Lodge Fishing Tournament 2008

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:40:58 -0500

MINNESOTA FISHING VACATIONS - BIG SANDY LAKE

Resort Activities · Area Activities · Fishing · Big Sandy Lake Map · Winter

Imagine spending your Minnesota fishing vacation on big Sandy Lake in Northern Minnesota. Many say it is one of the highlights of their Big Sandy Lodge and Resort vacation. This fabulous lake has three rivers that flow into Big Sandy Lake, which gives you the flexibility of fishing lake or river. The lake is best known for its walleye, northern pike and black crappies. Bullheads are found in the river beds. Fishing for walleye is most popular in the main basin. Whatever fishing you prefer, at Big Sandy Lodge you'll find bait, supplies and lake maps available in our bait house. We can also arrange for a local guide to assist you.

Fishing Big Sandy Lake for walleye is fun, but finding a large one can be challenging. The MN Department of Natural Resources (DNR) stocked the lake for walleye by various measures from 1917 until 1995 when they concluded that the changes seen in walleye abundance were marginal compared to natural growth. The walleye in Big Sandy grow slowly and tend to be smaller on average than other lakes with faster-growth rates. Northern pike, yellow perch, black crappies and tulibee are also primary game fish on Big Sandy.

When you're walleye fishing Big Sandy Lake, keep the following in mind. Walleye feed off of small fish, worms, insects and crawfish. Naturally timid, they prefer to remain in deeper, darker water. In the spring they move into shallow to moderate depths to spawn. In the summer and fall, they can be found in shallows in the morning and evenings and in deeper waters during the day. Walleye prefer to avoid the heat of the summer and some of the best can be caught during sundown to midnight. In the winter, walleye move slower in cold water, and can be found in moderately shallows in the morning, moving deeper as the sun rises.

Good luck and happy fishing!

Big Sandy Lake Opening fishing 2008 @ Big Sandy Lodge and Resort

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:35:36 -0500

Ever since I was a young boy I can remember coming up to Big Sandy Lake located in McGregor Minnesota as a young kid it seemed like it took forever to get there but I was a Little impatient to get to the lake and visit with all of my cousins and aunts and uncles! It is opening fishing once again and I am much older now but the memories are the same as when I was a young boy! Maybe I am still young at heart.

This years opener is going to be a good one I expect! You see I am going to be fishing in a local tournament at the Big Sandy Lodge and Resort it is on Big Sandy Lake in Davis bay this Saturday at 10am. My youngest son is coming in from the Twin Cities area to fish with his dad.

I was at the local bait shop today watching all the locals as well as the weekender's come in from all over the energy was powerful and the excitement was Awesome. People were buying gas and bait for the weekend they where talking about last years stories and how this years bite was going to be.

I for one am really excited as I said before about getting out and getting back on the water again I live on Big Sandy Lake and do not get out fishing as much as I would like to, I am a Real Estate Broker in McGregor Minnesota and work many hours helping out people find the Ideal lake home so they can they can fish the opener next year in 2009.

www.BigSandyLake.com ~ 1-888-249-1690 ~ Rick Borden ~ Lakes area Specialist Big Sandy Lake Mn.

Big Sandy Lake ~ Opening Fishing in McGregor Minnesota 55760

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Sun, 04 May 2008 13:55:52 -0500

Opening Fishing 2008 for my Family is a Big Deal or at least the Kids lead me to believe it still is to them and just maybe they are being nice to Dad. I am fortunate to have had been raised going Fishing most of my life either with my Father or my Grandpa Oneil who passed away many years ago he will be in our thoughts this week Big Sandy Lake is in McGregor Minnesota

This year is no different I am very excited to see both my Boys and one of my really good friends is coming up with his son Mike who is 15 years old.... My Boys are adults now! The oldest Matthew is going to be 25 in June and the youngest Jamie is married and will be 23 in September they both enjoy fishing too. We live on Big Sandy Lake in Mcgregor Minnesota and have for many years... I think one of the reasons I really look forward to opener is it is really one of the times that I will get out on the lake and see most of my friends and spend time with the Boys just Fishing.

I am a Real Estate Broker in McGregor Minnesota 55760 and Market Lake-shore properties so my weekends are spent at the office or with my clients looking at Cabins or new construction homes out at Minnesota National Golf Course or at Big Sandy Lodge and Resort. You would think living on the lake that I would spend a fair amount of time on the water..... But in reality my wife and I do not unfortunatley!

Opener is my Big weekend for my Testosterone FIX I mean just think about it every guy and gal who likes or loves to fish cant waite to get out the new boat or the new pole they just had to get at the Sportsmen Show in February and they have had it just sitting around for months!! This week will entail getting out the Fishing poles cleaning the tackle boxes and cleaning them out.

The hard part for me is the day of or the day before..... I get all excited about seeing our Boys..... You see they live a couple hours away and we do not get to see them all the time, So I will get the fire pit all ready clean the lawn chairs from the Winters wrath. I will clean my boat and make sure I have all the Life jackets ready and make sure the live wells work properly and just hope that the mice did not eat my stereo wires.

I can honestly say the best part of the opener for me is looking back at the pictures from the weekend and laughing at the stories that will come of them. Someone allways gets a real good ribbing. That following year is priceless Because that is when I pull out the photos and the stories begin!! I hope your opener is a good one and you have as much fun as I will, If you see me on the lake and I am with a bunch of friends or family please say hi I look forward to meeting you and hearing some of your favorite stories.

I will follow up with a few more stories and some pictures.

Rick Borden ~ BigSandyLake.com Realty ~ 1-888-249-1690 ~ Life's Better at The Lake

How to find McGregor Minnesota Lake Homes .......Part 2

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:33:33 -0500

With Spring in the air and the Ice starting to go off most of the lakes in the McGregor Lakes area it is time to start looking for that Cabin or lake home you may not have found last year! I would like to report that the McGregor Lakes area have listings in all price ranges but Simply put we do not have a whole lot of inventory this Spring? I am not really sure why this is but we do have a few listings under that $400,000 range and just a few more over that.

One thing about McGregor Minneosta is it is really easy to find we are 2 hours just north of Minneapolis Minnesota. If you go straight up Highway 65 out of Aonka County you will run right into us. Or you may go up Highway 35 North and exit on Highway 210 at Black Bear Casino stop there for some dinner a little poker and you are off to McGregor Minnesota.

The Best way is to use this address and you will be right in the heart of McGregor 260 East Highway 210 McGregor Minnesota 55760.

These are just a few of my listings I have out at Settlers Ridge Development. Ranging from $200"s to $749,000 we have homes that resemble a country classic farm house to the Chalet style of an up north retreat to a grand log cabin style home with so many built-in's it is awesome!

Call BigSandyLake.com Realty today ~ 1-888-249-1690 or go to our site www.BigSandyLake.com

How to find McGregor Minnesota Lake homes

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:21:43 -0500

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BigSandyLake.com Realty specialises in Lake front property on or around Big Sandy Lake in Northern Minnesota located in McGregor Mn. Big Sandy Lake is over 6400 acres in size and has just over 9000 acres of total water mass boat boating and recreation with the other tributaries that are connected to it. Big Sandy lake has 23 Islands and it is 87 feet deep in Billhorn bay it is loaded with all types of fish including Walleye, Northern, Crappie, Sunfish, and many other species.

Choose BigSandyLake.com Realty for all your Real Estate Needs call today for a free list of homes for sale 1-888-249-1690 or 1-763-238-8668

www.BigSandyLake.com Rick Borden ~ A professional Setting the Standard of Excellence in Real Estate!

How I increased my business...... and it works!!

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:10:55 -0500

With the Real Estate market the way it has been over the last 2 years things can slow up for a Realtor/Broker in these times.

This last winter I was driving around previewing property for a client and saw some for sale by owners signs they were the same ones that I saw last fall and some were the same I saw even last year!!

I started to thinking about how we... might be able to help each-other out I was looking for inventory that was sell-able and marketable in this market we are in and I was hoping to find a few people that wanted or even had to sell.

The first one was a gentlemen who had 2 properties for sale one was a lake lot on Big Sandy Lake and the other property was a rental property that he wanted to rent out or to sell it. I did a market on both properties and they both are in line with todays market trends so I made a proposal to him and he agreed to the terms.... I the end it saved the seller a bunch of money and I was able to market the property as aggressively as I felt it needed to be it wasn't long and I was a a local print shop in town McGregor Printing getting some things done and it all payed off I was letting one of the employee's know I had a lake lot that was for sale on Big Sandy Lake and he knew of a family that was looking for one!!

By the time I got back to my office I had an email and a phone message waiting for me we set up an appointment and went out for the day looking at other property and sure enough they bought the lake lot. I had to do very extensive research for the family at the local county courthouse for them but we all do these things for our clients from time to time they live 2 hours south of McGregor and it was easier for me to go gather the information and pass it on to them. We close on the lot in May and if we are all lucky we will all become good friends around the lake, I am looking forward to a campfire and some hot-dogs over the fire as well.

When it comes to Real Estate we have many things we can do to get business sometimes we have to get down to the real basics and look at what is right in front of us and that is a for sale by owner! It works for me and It will work for you.... Good Luck

BigSandyLake.com Realty is a full service Real Estate company in McGregor Minnesota representing Buyers and Sellers around the Big Sandy Lake area we sell new construction town homes and new construction Golf Course property at Minnesota National Golf Course.

Richard M Borden~BigSandyLake.com Realty~ www.BigSandyLake.com ~1-888-249-1690~ McGregor Minnesota

Big Sandy Lake~Ice out date McGregor Minnesota 55760

Richard Borden (BigSandyLake.com Realty) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:31:42 -0500

For many of us that are fortunate to live around the Lakes in McGregor Minnesota or for that matter any other lake in the nation that freezes you are well aware of what an Ice out date is. If you are not and have never really given it any thought it is when the Ice officially goes off the lake. You see until then there is not a whole lot of things that you can do around the McGregor Lakes area until the Ice goes off the Lake. Last year in 2007 the Ice officially went off April 20th. This is today the day I am posting this. Only we still have nearly 2 feet of good Ice on Big Sandy Lake and the other lakes around the area, To include Lake Minnewawa, Round Lake, Rat Lake,Horseshoe Lake,Wilkins Lake,Aitkin Lake as well.

I am predicting that the Ice will go out somewere in the range of the 28th of April ~ May 2nd In the last 15 years the ice has only gone out of Big Sandy One other time after the first of may. For Ice conditions and Fishing reports go to www.BigSandyLake.com

Rick Borden~ BigSandyLake.com Realty~Real Estate~Cabin Sales on Big Sandy Lake~McGregor Minnesota