Great Western Challenge called on for North Long Lake, Brainerd, MN

[MICHAEL]

The Great Western Challenge is called on for Dec 1-3, 2017. Primary Site is North Long Lake. 5 miles north of Brainerd, MN. The boys did a great job scouting in light air. No soft spots like last year!
Watch for lodging information by the end of the day.
3 possible back up sites located near Twig, MN, 120 miles NE will be scouted this week. Just about zero chance of snow or rain with below freezing temperatures each night look promising.

Launch Site right on Hwy 371,  6 miles north of Brainerd. Note at this point the sailing area is the scouted smaller bay of North Long Lake right next to launch.


Headquarters Hotel is the Days Inn- Baxter/Brainerd. Phone is 218-829-3080. Located 4 miles south of Launch Site, just north of Brainerd.
https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/days-inn/baxter-minnesota/days-inn-and-suites-baxter-brainerd-area/overview?CID=LC:DI::GGL:RIO:National:48797&iata=00065402

Rates negotiated per night of Thurs, Fri, or Sat is $92/Night. Ask for the iceboating rate. 33 rooms are in the block of 2 queen beds or king bed. Rates include free WiFi, pool, hot tub and free breakfast. Some larger rooms may be available too.
Those that booked prior to rate deal will have rate adjusted!
No penalty for cancellation by 10 am day of stay.

[MICHAEL]

Our ice is holding fine, in case you were concerned.
Just got off a FaceTime call from my local icescout. The launch site is solid. Lake is still a 9 rating and only one on it now was a guy ice skating all over!
Monday morning we had a legendary ice surfer on it in AM. He reported “magical ice”. He covered most of the 1 mile X 1.1 mile bay. The only reason he left at 12:30 was fear of falling on the skim coat of 1/4” moisture. Today it has no shell or standing water. Reported to be 4-5” thick.
Just to verify, Meyer and I will be sailing it Wed by 10 AM. We have 3 other options North or East, just in case, but confident the colder night tonight will make this sheet of ice perfect. No snow or rain predicted.
So if you were on the fence, time to make plans to join us for the Great Western Challenge.
Wed update to include launch of trailers on ice and an alternate parking area and carry on lot 1/4 mile away. The main launch should hold 25 vehicles and trailers if we space correctly.

Lodging Update
Days Inn 218-829-3080 Headquarters Hotel just about booked up. $92
Baymont Inn 218-822-1133 same owner has a iceboating special rate of $105 a few left
AmericInn 218-829-0391 no pool or hot tub but iceboater special of $79 Thur and $89 Sat-Sun

[MICHAEL]

The Northern Cowboy Flame & Brew. The owners Brian and Dan will be happy to let us park up to 15 trailers on the lower yard next to the lake. They can be left there all night. The boats can park right on the lake next to the restaurant. Vehicles may drive down to this location on the grass. Once you unload, move vehicles to the east on the large grassy space behind the storage building and home,  as he owns 600 feet of shoreline.
Do not Park in the restaurant parking stalls!!!

We will plan to join him after sailing each day for a drink or two! Friday night is a great fish fry! Don’t forget to thank Brian and Dan, partners.
Once we reach the maximum allowed, use the original public landing 3/4 mile to the north.