lbl history and Photo Gallery

 Posted with permission by Alex Keesling September 2022

My family comes to "The Cabin" to get away from it all. 

My grandparents had 10 kids. They built the A-Frame kit they ordered from a Sears-Roebuck magazine next to my uncle Denny's cabin on Crystal in the late 60's after a handful of cabins had already been established but the roads were still two-tracks. The lots going for sale in LBL we're only a 15 minute drive from my great grandpa's hunting property up near Green Swamp north of Vienna. Every summer my grandma would bring up all ten kids in their old beat up station wagon and my grandpa would work through the weekdays down home in Pontiac then visit his wife and kids at the cabin on the weekends. My dad and every aunt and uncle have countless stories from adventures and friends made around the lake. They came up here to get away from it all.

My aunt's and uncles started having kids. I am fortunate to be close with all 27 of my cousins. Each memorial day, labor day, 4th of July, and various weekends throughout the summer, we came up and got to make our own memories. I have hundreds. Some of the best memories of my life are from up here. As kids, when we heard it was time to "go up north", we felt an excitement that is hard to describe to those who don't know it. I'm certain some of you have heard hoots and hollars from our annual cousins weekend established 2001, a tradition that continues to this day (our apologies for the noise!). 

On a more serious note, Many of my relatives proposed or took their honeymoons here. My grandma and aunt's ashes are spread up here. Some of my relatives have retired here as my wife and I plan to. This place is in our blood. 

As we got older many family members began to buy up lots around my grandparents A-Frame cabin. My wife and I were able to close on our own cottage in September of 2020. Between our family we own 7 cabins and a handful of lots in which some of my cousins hope to eventually build.

My children are the 4th generation in my family to come up to the cabin, and I truly hope develop the same love for up north as I have, my dad has, and my grandparents have. 

In light of recent events, let's not forget that each one of us has a story similar. Whether you are new to the lake or your family was the first to build, EVERYONE comes up here to get away from it all. 

Let's not forget why we're here and why we chose to be part of the LBL community. If you see the lights on or a fire in the camp fire pit, please stop by for a beer or to say hello or to introduce yourself… no matter your stance, old board or new board, you're always welcome at the Keeslings.