Back 
As summer nears its end and the nights become a bit cold to enjoy a boat ride out on the lake, I had the privilege of one last venture, hopping aboard the Breezy Belle for a spin around Pelican Lake last Wednesday.
It was my first trip on the paddle-wheel excursion boat that once formerly sailed the Mississippi River and there was never a dull moment with the night filled with laughter and a few surprises along the way.
Owned and operated by Breezy Point Resort and Capt. Jay Salinger, more than 40 passengers loaded the 100-capacity boat for launch at 6:45 p.m., stocked with a full bar and food from the nearby Dockside restaurant and sprinkled with plenty of entertainment from Salinger.
Sitting with friends and a Shakopee couple on vacation in the area, we were treated to a history lesson of the boat itself and Pelican Lake, in addition to fish stories and even a Bigfoot sighting on Gooseberry Island.
The weather was perfect as we cruised around the lake for two hours — the boat makes trips on Sundays and Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. — enjoying the sunset off the glass-like water.
And as I look forward to the changing leaves, sweatshirts and football season with fall fast approaching, one last look onto the lake off the two-story boat reminded me how wonderful summertime is in our area. One last hoorah to the season we all relish so much.
JESSI PIERCE, staff writer, may be reached at 855-5859 or jessi.pierce@brainerddispatch.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jessi_pierce (@jessi_pierce).
