Its been a busy spring but we took some time for fun and rented some ebikes from Chequamagon Adventure Company in town and took a 26 mile round trip ride with friends. It was a great ride zipping down the trail. If you have not tried an ebike we highly recommend it. They are 50/day for 30/half a day try reasonable. The Bearskin is a perfect trail to try them on
My bike we own and since this picture we bought another one for Troy cause we enjoyed the trip so much. We are ready to enjoy a summer of biking
We made it down to the Goodnow tressel, 13 miles from Minocqua. We decided we were good, now and time to go back
We made it back with 1/2 our battery life yet
Back to work at the resort.
Dock work continued. We got our new dock tops on the old docks.
Looking pretty snazzy
Straightening other docks
Getting pontoon ready to go in now that we have docks to hook it up to
Oogie off enjoying the first pontoon ride of the summer. Purl was curled up in a ball at my feet unsure of the experience
Feet back on the ground it was time to see what Cheryl had in her bag of treats
We still have Norway open for Memorial Weekend and the weather looks great. Openings still up to June 10th 2 night minimum
It is finally starting to feel a bit more like summer approaching
Steve caught this picture of a porcupine up a tree on our trails. Luckily it stayed put
We have a bit of winter clean up to do on the trails. Our big snow falls left a lot of debris on the trails
Back to work, the resort got cleaned up from leaves this week
Thanks for some help from Steve Weiloch. He helped a lot getting our leaves picked up this week. Thanks Steve!
Lots of blowers working together along with Troy cleaning up the piles
Amy took a break from cleaning cabins and making scones to do some painting. We finally had some good weather for it
Quiet spring moments before the resort gets busy
This weekend we have Wildflower still open at 160/night, Kaubashine has as special for smaller groups at 175/night up to 4, otherwise 225/night up to 7. Norway, Muskie and Holiday are also open for the weekend if you want to treat mom to a nice weekend away
May 20th weekend we are full. Memorial Weekend we have Norway open yet
June 2 – 10 I have reduced our weekly requirement to 3 nights for our remaining cabins. Restahile 2bdr, Holiday, Bear Den and Red Pine 4 bdrs are all open for this week
After June 10th we are booked out till August 19th. See our website for openings beyond these dates
I have not written much about my health journey on the blog but I would like everyone to know we had a celebration Monday as I finished my last radiation treatment. It has been a long 9 months of surgery, 20 weeks of chemo and 30 radiation treatments for breast cancer. May 1st was my liberty day! All done! Not to start living again. I stand a 85 percent chance of never seeing this return. Now is the beginning of the recovery journey. Nobody goes through all that and is the same person. There are a few more aches, scares, and a bit of chemo brain left over. It will take me awhile to fully recover but we started recovery with a jalapeño mango margarita. Thanks to all who have helped us the past 9 months and guests understanding and grace to give us space during this time
There was a lot of bell ringing around the resort
Back at the resort there has been a lot of work going on. Red Pine bathroom getting a little remodel
Kevin Carr came up to help our Steve. Kevin was happy to practice his carpentry skills
There was some comment about a bigger hammer being needed
Kevin got practice putting up ceiling tile in Muskie. All the snow we had some ice jams that did some damage. A new roof, some new insulation, ceiling tiles and a new tub arrived at Muskie
Steve did some fireplace repair. He says nobody will notice the white after a few fires and smoke
Shamrock with its new front entrance Its a great change
Out in the office we got to doing some painting. The anchors, oars, dock ladders and beach chairs have been slowly moving through the building
Bob, Tammy and Kelsy Robotka originally were going to come up and help us to rake Instead it turned into a painting morning in the office. Kelsey had fun and enjoyed meeting Purl. Kelsey was Mack’s biggest fan and she loves Purl Purl is very laid back compared to Oogie who still has puppy in him. Purl got her first treats from Kelsey and I see a great relationship forming
Kelsey hard at work. She will have lots to talk about with everyone at the dock this summer
Here is Kelsey meeting Purl for the first time. Mack and Kelsey had a very special relationship. She could be gone for a year but the minute he heard her voice he would run to Kaubashine. When we lost Mack I immediately thought of Kelsey and how she would be. I need not worry. Purl is on the job! Oogie still has a lot of puppy in him and likes to give puppy kisses and Kelsey is not a fan of being licked. Purl is perfect for Kelsey and she immediately pulled out snacks I left to give Purl and Oogie. I love it when dogs find their roll in life and Purl has found hers
Kelsey’s smile says it all. I love golden retrievers for the above pictures they are simply the best dogs. Purl has found the life she deserves after living in a barn for 4 years having puppies
While Tammy and Kelsey were painting, Bob and Troy filled up the kindling pile
The resort may never get raked but the painting is getting done and the kindling pile is full!
Next week Monday through Friday we think we will be getting to raking and blowing leaves. Docks are probably going in as well. Anyone who wants to work 9 – 2 and have a free cabins get ahold of us the more the merrier this spring
Its been an interesting weather week. We go beautiful 70’s for 5 days that allowed some of the snow to melt and the ice to start turning colors.
Mike Grady joined Troy at the beach for a few days rebuilding out dock tops for our boat docks. Mike is a retired carpenter and now only works when he has a great view. We had to break it to Mike we do not start working at 6 am like he did for 30 plus years. Sleep in and slow down is retirement carpentry
First dock done. A new high powered nail gun was a must for this job. Mike helped Troy learn to adjust the power of this new gun
In the middle of the assembly, Purl got to learn that the lake is no longer stable. Living in a barn for 4 years with the Amish as a puppy mill mom she never experienced ice and to be careful in spring. She took a plunge in the swimming area and I got to fish her out, which meant jumping in and hauling her off he ice edge she was trying to climb and get her headed to the beach wall and push her out. Purl and I can both attest to the fact that the lake is cold
Oogie, who had been tied up thinking he would be the one to take the plunge, looked down from his perch as if to say, was not me!
You were worried about the wrong golden taking the plunge
Back to work. They got all the docks built. I wish I had taken a picture of their completed docks because…..
This happened and Mike wisely decided it was time to head back to Madison. We may see him again for our raft project
What do you do when there is a foot of snow outside? If you are Steve you say home and work on a new screen door for Norway
After that you shovel off a work area at Shamorck
What could they be up to?
I know Steve is missing his building buddy Chris Moran for this one. A new pagoda over Shamrock’s door is in production. Steve has Kevin Carr, Eric Berchtold and a return of Chris Moran coming up,. This project has been talked about for years and with a little help is getting crossed off the list
In the meantime, Muskie’s right side of its roof has been added to the list. Before May 5th, Muskie will be getting half of its roof replaced. The ice dams this winter, sprang a few leaks on the right side of the cabin. Ceiling tiles and insulation along with the roof will be replaced. Muskie already was on the list for a new bath tub which was installed this week. Nothing like a leak to get things moving along to be replaced
In other dog news, Oogie decided our suet feeder was his mid morning snack. Purl looked on letting us know, nope she did not do this one
Please know Oogie will devour anything left outside. Someone recently threw bacon grease outside on the ground. Oogie devoured it and threw up on our carpet. Please be aware of what you leave outside. Garbage needs to be in the cans or taken to the dumpster. These 2 can sniff anything rotten or in their minds delicious. That includes garbage in plastic bags, it has to be in the garbage cans or the guy above (not Troy) will rip into it, not to mention attracting bears and coons. Thanks for helping us with this!
Back to melting snow…..
Anyone interested in trading helping us with spring work for cabin to stay in please let us know. Between now and May 12th we have lots to do. Leaf clean up and painting will be starting as soon as the snow leaves. We are hoping for next Monday April 24th to start if mother nature cooperates. We are almost full May 5 and 6th so we can not do it those dates but any others are open especially during the week if anyone wants to come up get ahold of us. We ask folks to help from 9 to 2 and the rest of the day is free.
I am told spring is here… not sure I believe it but we did set up our 43 taps around the resort. So far the trees know there is a spring joke as well and have been slow to get flowing. We have one pot on our wood stove slowly peculating away boiling down
There is a ridiculous amount of snow in the forecast for Thursday and Friday I will not even type about
When spring is slow it is time to enjoy and break out the snow shoes. Steve, Chris Moran, Eric, Heather, Kids and dogs all headed out on the trail with the snow shoes. Troy and I came behind in our boots as they knocked down the trail That worked until they headed across the swamp and we took a drier trail
Down the trail we go
All returned safely with the kids asking to go again. Time to get to work. There have been some projects going on at Red Pine and Bear Den A little tree removal. Trees were used for a secret project at Bear Den, but I can say Red Pine’s kitchen and upstairs bathroom are looking great! More pictures to come
Steve went shopping for Troy.
You are looking at the replacement boards on our small docks at the beach. I am hearing they might be used on rebuilding the raft as well.
Stay tuned. It needs to stop snowing for many of our projects to take off. When will that be?
It is officially spring and we have tapped our 43 trees. Waiting for warmer temps to get the trees flowing this week. We have had some minor runs of a couple of gallons but the weather looks much better starting today for sap running
The dogs were intrigued by the Martin family ice fishing last week
The snow on the lake has gotten quite thick. Raft has disappeared under 2 feet of snow
Dogs wanted me to hike out in this much snow…..
Quit taking pictures lets see what they are doing out there please says Purl and Oogie
So then this happened. I walked over an area they had fished a few days ago and accidentally put my foot into one of their ice holes. I sunk though 2 feet of snow into slushy water the ice hole had kicked up
It was a surprise to have my foot go down suddenly 2 feet. I knew the ice was safe but I sure got a wet foot and said a few choice words as my knee recovered from the fall. Purl was trying to figure out what was wrong while Oogie was happy to go exploring. Martin’s came over with a snowmobile to help but I was ok just very wet
Time to follow safe steps back to shore and change clothes
Oogie looking down trying to figure out what my problem was, I was not bounding up the steps looking for squirrels
How many goldens have looked at me in the same lacation on the steps.
The Martin’s shared pics of their catch I missed getting. Perch were definitely biting
Back at the top anyone want to try dunking basketball from a snow bank?
I had Birchwood open June 24 – July 1 if anyone is interested. It is for up to 5 people
June 2 – 10h we have several cabins open. I will consider nightly rentals with a 3 – 4 night minimum get ahold of me with nights you would like I will see if it fits in.
May reservations have been coming in steady. If you are interested don’t wait. May 6th and May 13th weekends have cabins open May 20th weekend we have Bear Den open. Memorial weekend have Kaubashine open. After Memorial cabins open starting that Monday
They say it is spring….. but we had 3 inches of snow come down last night. The snow piles grew as Steve plowed around the resort
Icicles hanging everywhere. Spring is somewhere but not here right now
It was warmer Wednesday and Thursday and Troy and I got 30 taps hung up on the trees. We have 10 more to hang when it warms up again. The taps were flowing so the trees have confidence spring is coming
Highs not above 35 for a few days so the taps have shut off again until it warms.
Amy sells her syrup at the resort, and says her trees were all running as well. She and her son got a reverse osmosis system to take out most of the water in the sap this year to make the cooking time much less. Troy and I will cook ours as usual on our wood stove long and slow.
Purl and Oogie update is they are learning to share and Purl is slowly settling in. She is a picky eater and loves anything meat that is not he dog food. Hoping she learns I am not disappearing and she can relax a bit without her eye on me all the time.
A few updates.. I do not put much on the blog about my health but wanted everyone to know all is well I finished chemo Feb 3rd and start radiation next week In between the two we took a trip to Tucson to see our middle son Ben and his wife Ali in Tucson. Our youngest son Grant and his girlfriend Bex came along as well It was a great trip. The resort was in good hands with Amy, Steve and Jen and Chris and Amanda Moran. Meanwhile we enjoyed a week and a half away exploring the country. Now we are back for the last hurdle hopefully 6 weeks of radiation ending April 26th.
It was a great trip but we were ready to head home for more than medical appointments
We came home to a resort buried in snow. While we were gone it just kept falling. If you need a little more winter we will have it for awhile
Before we left, while doing errands in town, a golden retriever emerged from under a desk at our electricians office. She was being fostered by Maggie the front desk lady. She informed me she was a foster and had been rescued from an Amish puppy mill. Purl spent the first 4 years of her life living in a cage in a barn with lots of other dogs in other cages having puppies She came with sawdust encrusted in her hair from the bedding. She never played with toys, been in a house or had much love. I was the first person she ever came out from Maggies desk to meet. She looked me in the eye, leaned on me and gave me her paw. That was it, I headed home to talk to Troy. Troy being a smart husband knew when your wife is recovering from chemo is not the time to say no. Thankfully he agreed and Purl stayed with her foster mom until we got back from Arizona. Oogie is showing her the ropes and she is slowly emerging and learning to enjoy life as dogs should. Her days locked in a cage in a barn are over. I hope everyone loves Purl and hears her story and learns to never, never buy a dog you do not meet the parents. Amish puppy mills supply about 25 percent of puppy mill dogs in America. Their puppies are in stores and many are sold on Puppy Finder and Puppies.com some through puppy brokers who buy litters from Amish and sell them. Rescues will tell you all breeds and designer dogs can be found in puppy mills like this. Please do your research before buying a puppy, meet the parents! Oogie came from a kennel I researched and I meet his parents.
All that being said. Welcome home Purl. You have won the lottery and deserve the new life you have earned at the resort with so many people to love you.
As soon as we got home Troy and Steve started ripping out some of the last carpet in the resort at Muskie
New floors going in Muskie’s bedrooms. So much better than carpet for us to keep clean. The last carpets are in Eagles Nest, 2 in Red pine and 2 in Bear Den
I am told Red Pine is on the list for floor like this in its upstairs bathroom.
I know there are several projects in the wheel house as the weather permits us to get to them. We have several groups who have contacted me to come up and help with our opening this spring. Winter has us in its grips for awhile before we can get to raking, painting, putting in boats and other projects. Stay tuned
Tapping trees for maple syrup is not the agenda soon but more snow needs to melt
Our spring rates are now in effect starting at 160/night of the 2 bedrooms. Give a call to come watch it all melt with us
Its been too cold to get my fingers out of my gloves to take pics the last week or so. Today is the turning point and is warmer so my fingers came out and I snapped a few
Oogie seems oblivious to the cold. He just likes a snowbank to climb on to stick his nose in to find a ball
I love the hats that come out in the winter. Mark and Ted Tempel were visiting from Virginia. They are usually here in July and enjoyed checking out all their summer haunts in the cold winter.
Little Bohemia, Island Cafe, Ottos and Dan’s for fudge were all on the list.
Steve and Troy smartly planned a few inside projects. Today was a new water heater for Norway. Fitting this water heater in the small room we have for it will be their challenge of the day
Steve has a 2nd one for Holiday going in next week. After that inside projects will be taking out some of our last remaining carpets in bedrooms in the resort and a couple of bathrooms I know Muskie’s bedrooms are on the replacement list
Underneath the pile of snow is the summer supple of fire pit wood
Need to wander through some snow piles? We have 4 cabins left this weekend. Other weekends in February are booking up
Spring rates start March 1st. If a beach in Mexico is not on your bucket list and instead watching a lake melt, and watching our maple trees drip to make sap is on your list give a call
Summer 2023 Openings
Before June 3rd check out our website for availability
June 3 – 10th
2 bdrs Bayview and Wildflower 1475/wk
3 bdr Kaubashine JUne 6, 7, 8 and 9th at 295/night
4 bdr Bear Den and Red Pine open up to June 9th at 463/night, 4 night minimum
June 10 – 17th
3 bdr Norway 2065/week
June 17 – 24th
3 bdr Norway 2065/week
August 12 – 19th
2 bdr Bayview 1475/week
August 19 – 26th
2 bdr Wildflower 1475/week
4 bdr Bear Den and Red Pine Friday to Friday August 18 – 25th 3050/week
August 26th – Labor Day
Restawhile 2bdr August 26 – Sept 2nd and is also open Labor Day weekend
Wigwam 3 bdr August 26th – August 31 5 nights
Holiday 4 bdr 5 nights August 26th – 31 5 nights
Red Pine 4 bdr August 25 – Sept 2nd and also open Labor Day weekend
Labor Day Weekend – October 31st check out our availability chart on the website.
I will be opening up November – December 20th soon online
