It takes four hours to drive to Lake Vermilion, but it's the two-minute boat ride from the dock to Ludlow's 5-acre island that provides the real sense of distance.

By Chris Welsch, Star Tribune

It takes four hours to drive to Lake Vermilion, but it's the two-minute boat ride from the dock to Ludlow's 5-acre island that provides the real sense of distance. At the dock, guests crank the bell on an antique wooden phone to call the lodge for their ferry across the water on a vintage Chris-Craft motorboat. Giant white and red pines, boulders and ferns screen the artfully built cabins from each other. A cozy central lodge and the beach/dock area bring guests together in a welcoming atmosphere.

What to do: Fish, swim, hike, get a massage or just sit on the porch and enjoy the view. The resort has extensive kid programs, fishing guides and other activities.

Perk: Delivery of a fresh croissant and a daily paper. Another perk is location: Lake Vermilion is one of the prettiest in the state. Rent a boat and explore its 365 islands and 1,200 miles of shoreline.

Advisory: The cabins have well-equipped kitchens, but the Harvest Moon restaurant (on shore and a few minutes down the road) makes an appealing dinner option.

Practicalities: Near Cook, Minn. High season rates range from $2,400 weekly for smaller cabins to $3,400 for the Dream Catcher, a four-story, three-bedroom cabin with a treehouse-like deck in the tree canopy. The resort also has several cabins on shore on both sides of the island. More info: www.ludlowsresort.com, 1-877-583-5697.