Gator Landing

Not every property on the lake has a nice cottage or cabin or even a shack to stay in.  Some people just have a cool hangout spot where they can chill with their buddies near the water.

Gator Landing

Gator Landing is a great place for guys and gals to pull up and park their boats for a short time.  There's a place to hang out in the shade, a bridge to pontificate on while watching the sunset, and a rock to perch upon and maybe cast a line into the water.

People hanging out at Gator Landing

This set is just wide enough to extend the width of a baseplate without exceeding it.  Leaving it as it was designed makes the set prone to coming apart while being handled.  I could use a few bricks to further secure it, but since it sits on the shelf (along with everything else, it's fine for now.

Some buddies discussing plans for hanging out at the lake

This structure has been out by the lake longer than any other (especially since it's 10-15 years older than the other sets I've got there), but no one dare touch it and try to replace it with a house.  It's a traditional hangout spot for lakegoers, and there are some things you just don't change.

A couple of people arriving at Gator Landing

Sets used: 6563

Lego Haul - 6/17/16

My wife and I bought the 71205 Jurassic World Team Pack for Lego Dimensions so we could unlock more content in the game.  Not only did we get to go to the Jurassic World world, but we got a few new abilities.

71205 Jurassic World Team Pack

With Owen and the ACU Trooper, we can cut vines, hit targets, and charge up electricity diodes.  Through in a raptor who can take out cracked walls and a Gyrosphere that can trigger switches, and we're on our way to greatness...

Contents of the Jurassic World Team Pack

...Or we would be.  Jurassic World is pretty buggy.  Every time my wife and I try to play through it together, the game and Wii U freeze up, forcing us to perform a hard reboot.

Fully assembled raptor, Owen, ACU Trooper, and Gyrosphere

They are planning a Series 2 release on Lego Dimensions, bringing in franchises such as Harry Potter, E.T., and Mission Impossible.  Here's hoping they'll patch the issues we've run into in Jurassic World.  If you wanna check out the trailer, check out the video below.  Expected release date for Series 2 is late September 2016.

Small Cottage

Everyone would love to have a nice lake cabin up here in Minnesota, but we can't all afford a luxurious Seaside Cottage.  Some people only have enough to buy a Small Cottage by the lake.  It's so sad...

No it's not.  Even having a little tiny place near the shore still means you're loaded.  Regular folks like me don't have the money for that.  And yes, even if I stopped buying Lego's.  You have to be making six figures to get a place like this.

The Small Cottage by the lake

Even though this guy has a small place, he's got a nice yard.  The lake doesn't encroach on his property as much as some of the other places out there.  Plenty of room to play backyard games like bags or built a nice firepit to roast marshmallows.  I haven't bothered with any of that yet, but someday, perhaps...

Interior shots of the Small House

There isn't much room inside.  There's just enough for a chair, table, and lamp.  Maybe I should put a radio or a bed inside.  Outside, there is a table for setting out the food.  It's a quaint little place that provides a great avenue to get away from it all and disconnect from the outside world.

Who goes out to the lake to do a grindy thingy?  The rails are garbage.

Sets used: 31009

Lego Haul - 6/10/16

I was traveling for work last week, but that doesn't mean I can't go buy Lego's after I'm off the clock.

Lego Haul for 6/10/16

I placed an order on Lego's website before I left on my trip.  I got Lego Marvel Avengers for Wii U and a 60119 Ferry.  Since I spent over $75, I also got a free 40221 Fountain.  I also got a deal for a Legoland ticket, but since I don't like in California or Florida, it's a worthless piece of paper.

60119 Ferry contents

I'm not sure what I'll do with the Ferry, since there isn't another port to move the cars to.  It's not like my Lego city is Seattle or San Francisco or whatever.  But I did want something commercial, something larger, to be in the ocean besides fishing boats, personal watercraft, and the police.  The boat looks like it can hold about 3 cars, which is nice.

Car and Ferry captain (left) and 60119 Ferry fully assembled (right)

My original goal with my Lego order was to get Lego Marvel Avengers, as my wife and I have been enjoying all of the Lego games we've bought for Wii U so far.  I added the Ferry to get to $75, so I could get the free 40221 Fountain.  I love getting the bonus sets for spending extra bucks on Lego.  It didn't cost me much, as I used all $65 I had in store credit for my order.  I got everything for $16.

The fountain will go into the park area I'm still working on developing.  Stay tuned for more details.

40221 Fountain contents (left) and fully assembled (right)

Even though I has Lego's waiting for me at home when I returned from my business trip, I couldn't go on the road and not buy any Lego's.  As I mentioned before, my wife and I enjoy all the Lego games we have right now.  So very much fun.  For my wife's birthday, I grabbed the 71206 Scooby-Doo Team Pack.  We put him to go use right away, unlocking a number of achievements in Lego Dimensions.  Shaggy isn't quite as useful, but the Mystery Machine and Scooby snack will be utilized frequently.

71206 Scooby-Doo Team Pack contents (left) and fully assembled (right)

I got a Lego catalog for Summer 2016 before I went on my business trip, but I start class again Monday, so it may be a while before I buy more bricks.  There is some new stuff I have to get my hands on.  I just hope I have enough time to go get, build, and write about them.

Full Lego haul assembled