Never post on Social Media when your taking vacation I have read many posts, stories, etc on why we should never post dates and times when we will be taking vacations and or leaving town.But for Robert Vegas Bob Swetz there are no worries because nobody really knows where Vegas Bob lives in Las Vegas, Alaska, California or Minnesota because there is non public record.  Sure there might be some addresses that can be picked up on fly by night information networks, but these are outdated or inaccurate.If a person was to search any assessor's page from Nevada, Alaska, California or Minnesota, it will show (NO) recent residence for Robert Swetz.There could be some vacant land showing up but NO home.I have set it up this way because Vegas Bob really doesn't want any strangers to know where h... 10/18/2016

I am writing this story for a friend of mine that had a very unusual experience back in Northern Minnesota August 1998. My friend john and his brother Greg were fishing on a very hot Summer day in August on Big Sandy Lake in Northern Minnesota. It was a beautiful August day and the sun sets very late, between 9:30pm – 9:45 pm, and the two of them had stayed out until dark because they were catching fish. After their day fishing John and his brother went back to the cabin and cleaned the fish. Then they went up to the saloon for some beers and fish stories. It became very late and Greg mentioned to his brother John that he was very tired and was going back to the cabin, John said no problem, I will be right behind you. John became very tired from the long day in the sun on the lake fish... 02/17/2011

     What is happening today in the world of finance, real estate and slightly rising interest rates for home buyers? Although there was a slight increase from yesterday's closing rates- rates are still rock bottom. If you are buying and if you are borrowing money to buy- then get moving. 09/07/2010

We took Kaitlin on her first camping trip last weekend. Tabitha and I are experienced campers, and we were well-prepared for the heavy rain we had the first night. But even the most seasoned veterans make mistakes. On our last night, I neglected to put the dry food bin into the truck before bed. A very opportunistic raccoon had a craving for junk food and coffee. Our normal "leave no trace" mantra was disturbed by a trail of Cheetos and snickers wrappers leading into the forest, and gourmet coffee grounds scattered all over our picnic table. I spent 20 minutes securing trash from the woods by flashlight, and putting the rest of our food away. The next morning, we scouted the remaining trash and food on the gound and cleaned it all up before heading home. While even the most experienced... 08/25/2010

This is not a misprint and yes temperatures in Las Vegas Monday morning at suppose to reach between 110 to 114 degrees.  Temperatures all last week were around the same and poor Vegas Bob has been working outside in this heat. People say it's a dry heat but (Hot is Hot) and it's like sticking your head in the oven. (Note): I have been drinking about (Three Gallons) of water per day with salt pills and other heat additives. Can you think of anything else Vegas Bob can do to "Beat the Heat?" I will be thinking about the Video I took at Big Sandy Lake" in Minnesota with these kids kayaking and wish this lake was around so I could take a dip to cool down. Video by Robert Swetz (Vegas Bob) June 2010 - All rights reserved  07/18/2010

     From the New York Times: Michael S. Barr, Treasury’s assistant secretary for financial institutions, said in an interview Friday that the government would try to use shame as a corrective, publicly naming those institutions that move too slowly to permanently lower mortgage payments. The Treasury Department also will wait until reductions are permanent before paying cash incentives that it promised to mortgage companies that lower loan payments. “They’re not getting a penny from the federal government until they move forward,” Mr. Barr said.     I am wondering if shame is the new step to take in getting the banking industry to do what the government wants them to do? It worked when I was young and my Mother used it, but I think there really may be a more adult way and I am wonderin... 11/29/2009

I am pleased to announce that I have just started my new position as CEO/Team Leader for the Keller Williams Integrity First office in Mesa Arizona. I am very excited to be affiliated with this wonder group of agents and owners of this Market center. I came to Arizona looking for new opportunities this past winter and had no clue this one would show up. I am very happy that Tom Drainey the SW Regional director of Keller Williams saw the potential and talent in myself and started the ball rolling for me. I also want to thank Rick Bandimere of Keller Williams in Coon Rapids Minnesota, if it were not for him I never would have meet Tom Drainey and all of the other wonder people of Keller Williams. I look forward to a very long and rewarding carreer with this Awesome company. 07/22/2009

Big Sandy Lake: is well known for the camaraderie all over the lake and throughout the whole McGregor area. I will say though that this event is by far the largest winter event that Big Sandy lake has. I as a Real Estate Broker have been sponsoring this event since day 1 and have had a hole on the Ice each and every year. One year we Had a big fire ring out on the ice and were giving away free silkscreen T- Shirts and the people loved it, another year we had Big Huge umbrella's outon the ice and we help Katie & Mike sell refreshments to the Golfers. This year however I will not be attending the Golf On Ice event. My family will be there. My oldest son Matthew Borden and his Girl friend Stephanie, will be out on the Ice swinging away for all it is worth. I am currently out in Scottsdale,... 03/05/2009

 With the changing times and the economy the way it is I have decided to learn more about the foreclosure side of the business so I am going to Arizona for some hands on training. I am a Real Estate Broker in McGregor Minnesota and my market is 2nd homes and investment properties, I also market Minnesota National Golf Course a pristine gated community with access to Big Sandy Lake and over 10,000 acres of navigable water. www.MinnesotaNationalGolfCourse.com Minnesota National has a 309 lot development called Settlers Ridge, it is Awesome call me for Play and stay information if you would like to come play a round or 2 at the resort. The golf course has rental property on the course and it is an Awesome area for a vacation. Market trends in Mcgregor currently are not very good the people... 03/02/2009

When the Real Estate Market slows down in the winter time it is time for me to get out and take a few days to enjoy what Big Sandy has to offer. I invited our boys up from Blaine Minnesota and we spent the day after Christmas on the lake with a good friend of mine. Tom Peterson allowed us to spend some time in one of his Ice Fishing Houses located out on Bell Horn Bay. WWW.BellHornBayFishHouses.com Tom Peterson below and one of his houses. After a great breakfast at the house the boys and myself headed out to the lake we arrived about 11:am at Tom's house and we were greeted by his dog who was just a wagging her tail as fast as she could. Tom was quick to greet us and helped to load up our equipment and we were off to the lake. I/we do not get to spend much time with the boys as we all... 01/02/2009

My wife Leane and I have been married for many years our children are grown up and we are expecting our first grandchild this January 15Th. So when I have a chance to take my niece fishing I jump on the opportunity as quick as I can, you see Analese lives out in Ohio and we live in Minnesota on Big Sandy lake. Last year while visiting us Analese wanted to fish so I took her and my nephew down to the dock and we fished for hours and only caught a few little ones, little did I know that this day my niece got the fishing bug bad!! Analese has been asking for one year now to come back to uncle Rick's and aunt Leanes to go fishing and of course to visit :) This year when they arrived for a family reunion she started asking right away about going fishing with uncle Rick the weather was bad wi... 10/26/2008

Just last week before I was to go out with a bunch of friends shooting some trap in the morning and off to a golf tournament in the afternoon I was letting our dogs out for the morning duties and saw the making of a spectacular sunrise over Bell horn Bay where my wife Leane and I live. I was absolutely delighted at what took place this morning. Over the next few minutes it just kept changing and it got better and better each moment I sat out on my beach watching this beautiful sunrise happen. The sun has not even peaked over the horizon as of yet it was still far below the tree line across the bay but you could see it was really putting on a show. You are not able to see as of yet that the morning was a real foggy one as the water temperature is allot warmer than the outside temperature... 10/08/2008

One of my most favorite times of the year is fall and this year is no different, I made a promise to many of you that I would share my area photos with everyone and this past week has just been spectacular for the colors. All of these photos have been taken from my neighborhhod and infact all from the same road 202nd place aka pondarosa point. My wife Leane and I got home about the same time the other night and the sun was barely out and I said to her I was going out to grab a few shots down the road and I would be back in a little while. So I was off driving down the road at 25mph and then it started I did not even make it 3 houses down and saw this tree. After taking many different angles of this tree I thought to myself, man if I do not even get another shot all year this one is awes... 10/08/2008

With the onset of fall in full swing I wanted to capture the colors for you all as I go to and from my appointments in the next 3 weeks! I hope to bring you some of what I believe to be what Big Sandy Lake and the McGregor Lakes area is all about.   One of my most favorate places to take pictures from is the firetower off of county road 14 or lake ave, it overlooks Bell Horn bay and Webster bay. I also love the road called Ponderosa point or 202nd place. I am looking forward to today going out once again to capture some of the fall scenes and colors. Rick Borden ~ www.BigSandyLake.com McGregor Minnesota 55760 ~ Big Sandy Lake 10/04/2008

Breaking news from McGregor Minnesota ~ Big Sandy Lodge and Resort is closing it's doors October 5Th this comes with an aching heart for the owners and the employee's of this wonderful destination on Big Sandy Lake. Big Sandy Lodge and Resort has 18 rooms and 53 potential homes/town homes that are currently in foreclosure at this point. My wife works or did work as the assistant general manager at the Lodge so with these hard times in Real Estate around the country it is really hitting home for us directly even more than it has been. This closing brings about a serious potential for a new owner to come in and buy the Lodge and all of the Real Estate for potentially a good deal if anyone knows of any investors please contact me I can get you in touch with the right people. Rick@BigSandyL... 09/28/2008

Hello today is the last day before my wife Leane and I celebrate 25 years of marriage. So Leane happy 1 day before our 25Th anniversary. I want to let Leane know that I really love her very much and as a man I sometimes do not show it express, tell, say, I put my foot in my mouth allot. I love her, but do not be fooled the love I have for Leane is by far the most real thing I know in this world today. In a world of so much much uncertainty that looks and faces us in the eyes every day, not knowing if we will wake up in the morning or make it back from work at night, or if a loved one will survive a terrible disease like Cancer or live another year because ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) has it's grips on them or you. I can say that my Love for Leane is certain!!   I can say that when I wake ... 07/09/2008

Big Sandy lake has many places on the lake you go to for food, fun, sunsets,nightlife and just a good old great time, one of my favorites is Hillcrest Resort located in Webster Bay on Big Sandy lake. We first meet the owners of Hillcrest several years ago when they first bought the resort like many new owners they were making new changes to the place and were very excited about the new place. My wife Leane and I were out and about and thought we would stop in and see them and it was our 20th anniversary this day particular day. Mike and Katie prepared us a Awesome dinner and we bought a bottle of there finest champaign and toasted with all the locals who were in at the time!! It was a fun night. It has many years now that we have been going to the Hillcrest Resort and I wanted to thank ... 05/22/2008

May 10th was the Minnesota opener and my son Jamie came up and we fished the tournament that Big Sandy Lodge and resort had this year. We started off with a great breakfast and then hit the lake fishing my son caught the only fish that day in our boat and that was OK because we had just an Awesome time talking about life and what fishing had meant to both of us. I grew up fishing with my father Mike Borden and he brought fishing into my life and my Grandpa and my Uncle Gene who is now passed on as well as my Grandpa O'Neil. The times and the stories and most of all the memories I have are deeply embedded into me. My son Jamie and his wife Cassie are going to have there first baby we found out that weekend of opener! I am very excited about being a Grandpa and my wife Leane is very excit... 05/21/2008

My wife and I were going to dinner last weekend to one of our favorite places on Big Sandy Lake and as we were getting ready to leave the house I saw that the sun was starting to set so I ran back into the house and grabbed my camera just in case by the time we got to the Lodge I might be able to take a photo off of the deck. I was too late for the deck so I drove down to the boat launch area and this is what I saw I hope you enjoy this. Big Sandy Lodge and Minnesota National Golf Course have Stay and Play Packages for golfers this summer so if you like to golf and do not have a cabin on Big Sandy Lake and want to see Sunsets like these give me a call or email us and we will get you set up! Rick Borden ~ www.BigSandyLake.com~ 1-888-249-1690 ~ BigSandyLake.com Realty ~ McGregor Minn. 05/21/2008

If you are selling Real Estate on Big Sandy lake in McGregor Minnesota and you happen to have a view of a Sunrise or a Sunset you are in luck I have buyers looking for these types of property on Big Sandy lake as well as Lake Minnewawa. In todays times with all the stress from working and raising children in the Cities it does not surprise me that more and more people are heading up north to look for a piece of property Lake-shore or River property. Can you imagine if you could wake up and see this Sunrise every day?? If you know of anyone looking for Sunset or Sunrise property on Big Sandy lake or Lake Minnewawa call them and give them this number or email them this link. Rick Borden ~ www.BigSandyLake.com ~ 1-888-249-1690 ~ Big Sandy lakes area Specialist 05/19/2008