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Testimonials |
Thanks so much for making our
vacation so enjoyable. My brother
and I have never seen a resort run
so well. And NEVER have we seen
resort owners spend so much time and
money on entertaining the guests and
their children. Minnow races are one
thing, but providing prizes????
Unheard of!! Free sundaes for
everyone?? Unbelievable! Providing
most of the food for the “pot
luck”?? Wow!! The list goes on and
on! It seems to me that there is
more to it with your family then
just providing a fun vacation so
that people will come back, or that
the idea is just “spend money to
make money”. I see a family that
truly enjoys interacting with
people, helping people, and putting
smiles on people’s faces. When Ray
came over to fix the TV it didn’t
seem that he did it because he had
to, it seemed he wanted to. When
Vanessa spent almost an entire day
shopping for prizes and food for the
pot luck and minnow races, it seemed
she enjoyed it. When Kelsea was
digging out the ice cream for
everyone, she didn’t seem to do it
because she HAD too, but because she
enjoyed doing it. Your younger
daughter too, holding that big tray
full of prizes and handing them
out…she truly seemed to be enjoying
herself. I can’t forget Evan and the
dock boys either; It seemed they
really cared! I believe God puts us
all here for many reasons. I also
believe that one of the most
important reasons is that he wants
us to nurture, care for, serve,
help, and be good to one another.
This is just my opinion, but I
believe in the end we’ll be judged
on how well we did these things. I
believe when we do these things and
do them well like your family does,
we’re doing Gods work. And when we
do God’s work, he smiles down on us
and returns that goodness to us ten
fold! If you had a suggestion box in
the lodge, here’s what I would put
in it: Ray and Vanessa…don’t change
a thing. I can’t imagine how you
could do it any better.
Kelsea….never, ever settle for
second best! You seem to be so
humble and unassuming that you don’t
even realize how much you have going
for you! Smart, ambitious, hard
working, and beyond “pretty”! In
your last year of school, then grad
school, future jobs, and even
“men”….you deserve the best…accept
NOTHING less!! And your younger
sister...I didn’t really meet her or
get her name but she seemed to
already have the foundation to be a
great person. As you go thru high
school and then collage, just follow
Kelsea’s example and I guarantee you
will be successful. I know almost
nothing about running a resort and
I’m certainly no one special. I’m
just a guy who rented a cabin for a
week, so for what it’s worth, I was
really impressed! Again, thanks so
much to all of you for making our
vacation so memorable.
Rob Ewing |
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Ray and Vanessa
Just wanted to let you know how much
we love coming to Aspen Resort. We
have been coming up there for eight
years now and couldn't ask for
anything better. Every year we say
to ourselves "it can't get any
better than this", then the next
year turns out better than the last.
Everything is perfect, the cabin,
the boat, the fishing and especially
you and your staff! Everybody goes
out the extra mile to insure a
memorable stay at Aspen!
We ended up catching a total of 47
bass in the slot(attached are a
couple of pictures of them), all
released of course, making 2009 one
of our best years yet.
We are counting down the days to our
trip in 2010. See you in July!
Jack Nolen & Wade Newton |
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 |
 Kathy
and I wanted to share with your and
Vanessa... We had a wonderful time
at Aspen. We were worried that Dale
& Jacob would be bored but as it
turned out they had a terrific time
and made some new friends. We
appreciate all that you have done to
the place along with your attention
to the details in running the lodge.
They boys are already looking at
fishing baits for next year. Jacob
has a box under his bed and is
stocking it with goodies for next
year. Dale is saving his honey for a
new fishing pole for walleye.....
;-).
Of course, Kathy... Ugh... Has been
on cloud 9... Her walleye was a
incredible way to bring the week to
a close.
Thank you again! Jim |
Hello,
My family and I were at your resort
last week and I wanted to let you
know what a great time we had. I
have already told several friends
what a perfect place it is for
families. The pool, beach, play area
was great for us. The kids
activities that we attended were a
great idea too. The cabins were very
nice and clean. Although I never got
the chance to fish, I know that my
brothers and brother-in-law all did.
We have stayed in many places and
this was by far one of the nicer
resorts and perfect for families
with kids. We really did appreciate
the fact that you were able to
accommodate us with both of the
cabins being near one another as
well. Although we usually try to go
to a new destination every year,
this will be a place I would love to
come back to and will recommend.
Thanks for nice week.
Rochelle Mateffy |
Hey Everyone!
How's the new boat?
 Just wanted to drop a line to say
that, once again, you set the
standard that few resorts can
follow. Beautiful location, spotless
cabins, unbelievable service and of
course, some of the best fishing in
Minnesota - regardless of species. I
have been to at least 20 resorts in
Minnesota and none of them come
close. I really appreciate your
effort to ensure my vacation time is
well spent ~ it is certainly hard
earned!
I have been spreading the word about
Aspen resort. All I ask in return is
to get a copy of my walleye photo
E-mailed to me. It will be my new
wallpaper.
See you guys soon!
Sincerely,
Joe Garritano
President
Penn Garritano Direct |
Dear
Ray and Vanessa,
Just wanted to drop you a note and
thank you for making our vacation an
enjoyable event!! Thank goodness for
the World Wide Web! Without it we
would have never known about your
little piece of heaven. We had fun
fishing and of course eating them!
Much needed relaxation and we had a
bit of luck when the Aspen tree fell
the other direction missing the
truck! I loved the storms we had
while there, especially the thunder
which just went on and on and on.
And it's funny how just knowing you
can't get out because the road is
covered in water that makes it just
a little more exciting!
Mason had a great time catching his
first fish and was always keeping
count to make sure everyone had a
fish to eat. And Hayley loved
playing in the sand and feeding the
ducks... which ate more bread than
we did on the trip! Oh, and the ice
cream was a big hit. Brandi and I
enjoyed chatting with Jake. He is a
really nice kid and always had a
smile... I think maybe he was
enjoying his job!
So to sum it up we had a great time
and it was definitely worth the 12
hour drive, even with bored and
screaming children... that all night
drive now seems mighty quiet!
We are already thinking of our next
trip so may see you next year!
Sincerely,
Connie & Bill Tracewell ;) |
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Thank you from Brian and Mike
Symons!
Everything was great! Tell John
thank you again.
Best fishing we have ever had.
Excellent service by all people we
encountered throughout the entire
stay. Beautiful cabin and grounds.
There is not words that describe the
beautiful experience we had.
Best regards,
Mike
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 Dear
Ray, Vanessa, Brittany, Kelsey &
Alexes,
Thank you for the nice T-shirts that
we made, the hot dog roast, and the
tube riding. I really liked playing
with Brittany and Kelsey.
Your friend,
Heather Kiser
P.S. - We're coming back next year!! |
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Dear
Ray & Vanessa,
Thank you and everyone at Aspen
Resort for a great week in
Minnesota.
We really had a great vacation and
look forward to coming again!
Thanks,
Sincerely,
Bill Woods
Michelle & Frankie
P.S. My 20-in. Bass was worth it
alone!!
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Dear
Ray & Vanessa,
I am writing a letter to thank you
for a great vacation at your resort.
It's been almost a month now since I
returned home, but my mind and heart
are still in Minnesota.
I threw in a couple of photograph
copies from when I was there. I
enjoyed catching fish every day. The
weather was perfect and the fish
cooperated.
I have vacationed in south central
Minnesota many times, but I've never
traveled as far north as Orr before.
I've got to say that your area has
much more to see and do than where I
have been before. And Pelican Lake
is much more productive than others
I have fished in Minnesota. The
smallmouth bass were probably the
most fun with the northerns a close
second.
The cabin and resort area were clean
and quiet. I don't believe I've ever
heard quiet that deafening before
:). We don't get quiet in this part
of the country... not like that.
The next time I'm "running from the
law," as Vanessa put it, I'll
certainly give you a call. As a
matter of fact I'm already dreaming
about a return trip.
Thank you, and enjoy a good winter.
Carl Gluck
Camarillo, CA
Visit Carl's Website:
www.artbycarl.com |
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 Dear
Ray and Vanessa:
Thank you again for a great vacation
at Aspen Resort. This was my fourth
year back and it just seems to get
better and better each year.
I want you to know that your efforts
keeping your resort up and making
your guests feel welcome doesn't go
unnoticed. When you visit the North
Woods from the City (Southern
California)it is hard not to act
like a tourist. Your staff, however,
doesn't ever make me feel like an
outsider or in any way less than
welcome.
Your resort is clean and quiet. I
was impressed by the energy Vanessa
expends keeping the children
entertained and having a good time.
And Ray always has a warm greeting.
Oh, and be sure to thank Elmer again
for taking me out to show me his
favorite crappie hole. That was fun.
I will keep "Elmer's Jig" handy in
my tackle box.
I put up some of the photographs and
memories I have from my vacation on
my website at www.artbycarl.com.
When the bags get unpacked and I
find my way back into a weekly
routine here I hope to spend some
time painting and drawing some of
what I saw while I was at the
resort.
Thank you again for an invigorating,
refreshing, week away from the big
city. I'm already planning for my
return visit next year.
-Carl-
Visit Carl's Website:
www.artbycarl.com |
Ray,
Vanessa and Family
I just wanted to drop you a note and
let you know how much we enjoyed our
week at Aspen Resort on beautiful
Pelican Lake. This was our second
summer at the resort and it was
great to see you and your family
again. Speaking for Kathy, Jessica,
David and myself, we want to let you
know how much we appreciate your
dedication to making our stay so
wonderful.
There are so many things that we
enjoy about Aspen Resort. It has
really become like a homes away from
home. Your location on the lake is
great, the cabins are very homey,
clean and pleasant, your family is
wonderful to be around, and your
staff is the best (David and Jessica
both want to be dockboys, or should
I say dockpersons). We formed
friendships with your family and
staff immediately. As a matter of
fact, It's not unusual for me to
find Jessica or David on the
Internet chatting with your
daughters Kelsea and Brittney or the
infamous dockboys Nick and Jake.
We met the Matthew family (John,
Lisa, Molly, Megan, and Hannah)
during our first year at the resort,
booked the same week with them this
last year, and got on the calendar
with them again for next year - two
weeks this time! We have become good
friends and really look forward to
seeing them each year also. And no
matter what John say's, I won't let
the fact that he has that BIG'er
fish on the Wall of Fame come
between us - but just wait until
next year John!! Then there is the
lake - we have really become Pelican
lake fans. The fishing is terrific,
the scenery is incredible, and the
entire area is so quiet and
peaceful. It's so easy to slow down
and relax.
What really stands out for us are
the details. Like having a great
local fishing guide (thanks John!),
or the afternoon tubing and skiing
behind your Mastercraft, or the
all-guest hot-dog cookouts, or the
nightly campfires. Those are the
little things that really make a
difference.
It's really difficult to look at web
pages and read brochures to get an
idea of what and who you'll really
find at a resort. We feel so
fortunate that we found your Aspen
Resort. It has, and continues to
exceed our expectations. Count on us
to be back for many years to come.
Take care,
Randy, Kathy, Jessica and David
Schrock
Overland Park, KS |
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Dear
Ray and Vanessa:
After returning to the Aspen Resort
for 5 years I wondered if my visits
would become routine or less
exhilarating. But this year was
better than ever! I really enjoyed
staying in your brand new Black Bear
Cabin. Wow. All the comforts of home
in a beautiful setting just steps
away from the dock!
The fishing and scenery this year
were as good as ever. I put some
photos I took on my website at
www.artbycarl.com. I especially
enjoyed watching the eagles in the
tree tops around the shore and on
the islands. The Monday evening
potluck was fun too (I enjoy
chatting with folks I haven't seen
for a year, telling fish stories).
Your resort is quiet, clean, and
user friendly. The grounds are
always groomed and the boats are in
great shape. I especially enjoyed
fishing from the new Lund Rebel. Oh,
the dockboys (and girl) were great
again this year... always a smile
and helpful as I came and went from
the dock.
My only complaint is that a week is
just too little time to take it all
in. I'm already planning my return
trip next year! Until then I hope to
use some of the photographs I took
this year in a few of my paintings
in the coming months.
Thanks again for a great time. I
hope you have a terrific year.
-Carl-
Visit Carl's Website:
www.artbycarl.com
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Ray and Vanessa,
Hello, this is a long over due thank
you for both trips up to your place
last year. The first with my dad in
May was unforgettable. We spent
every second on the water and did
not get to experience your
hospitality. The trip in August with
my family was a memory I'll never
forget. The view from the cabin was
unbelieveable. I've stayed in
numerous resorts and I myself work
in the hospitality business and I've
never seen hosts accommodate their
guests has well as you two. We're
currently going through some dates
and hope to see you again.
Thanks again,
Mike Stevenson.
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