We had a lot of travel back and forth to the cottage in the past week so I will sum it up in one post.
Opening weekend of hunting was a success as usual for us. Carrie shot a nice doe on Sunday morning. Sunday night I headed for the cottage by myself to get a few things done in the garage. On the way there from Neillsville it was raining pretty good and also pretty foggy. The part that was a bit un-nerving was the Amish were also on the move heading both north and south on Hwy 73. Not normally an issue, but they are hard to see when it is not foggy out so I slowed a bit as I did pass 8 buggies. To the cottage late Sunday November 21.
Monday I got up and dug a trench from the house to the garage to lay a wire for the power to the garage. I finished the trench early in the morning and then headed to Minocqua for some pvc to complete my project. That project ended up taking me all day. At the end of the day, I did have the new power in along with all the lights working. Tuesday I got up and it had snowed overnight and with the temp down into the teens. The ground had frozen solid overnight so it was good I finished trenching prior to that. I ended up installing a light for the outside of the garage. That took a few hours by itself. I then headed for lunch at 10 point and then out to check out some hunting land. I ended up heading home to change and go hunting on some public land in Oneida county. Saw nothing.
I got back to the cottage, packed up and headed back for Neillsville. Carrie met me there with Cam on Thursday morning. Friday after the morning hunt, we packed up and headed back to the cottage again for the weekend. Arriving around 4 or so, Cam wanted to ride the four wheeler and plow. Saturday we got up and I worked with Cam to teach him how to plow the snow with Carrie's ATV. He loved every minute of it and plowed and plowed and plowed. Meanwhile I worked on the snowmobiles getting the oil changed. That alone took an entire day up. We did break in the middle of the day to get a few things in Minocqua. Dinner at home was lasagna that I had made earlier in the day.
Sunday we packed up early and headed out as Cam wanted to get to Addie's birthday party. I dropped Carrie and Cam in West Bend and headed home to unpack.
It was a fun weekend and good start to our winter snowfall. I also think I found a new plowman.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Late Fishing Weekend
We managed to get away on Friday October 15th to the cottage for one last late fishing weekend. Bob, Carrie, Cam and myself made the trip north for a day of fishing. Arriving on Friday, not much was going on. Saturday we started by raking and blowing leaves off the lawn. I worked on the four wheelers to get them clean from the weekend before. By 10am, we were all cleaned up and ready to go fishing. Carrie made a few sandwiches but then at the last minute determined her back was hurting to much to sit in a boat for a few hours. She stayed back and rested for the day. We fished for about 5 hours and did really well. We came back with 27 keepers most of which were large perch. I would say this was one of our best days on the lake in the past year or so. Bob and I cleaned fish when we got home and then changed to head out for dinner. We ended up at the Fireside near Rhinelander which was a nice sit down supper club. Back home by 8pm or so and fell asleep on the floor.
Sunday we did a little four wheeler riding, finished raking leaves, put some of the summer furniture away, and generally cleaned up around the house. Back home to Pewaukee around 4pm.
It was such a nice October weekend with temps in the mid 60's both days. I will be back again this week to change the garage over from summer to winter and then - winter officially can begin.
Sunday we did a little four wheeler riding, finished raking leaves, put some of the summer furniture away, and generally cleaned up around the house. Back home to Pewaukee around 4pm.
It was such a nice October weekend with temps in the mid 60's both days. I will be back again this week to change the garage over from summer to winter and then - winter officially can begin.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Just Cam and I
Cam and I headed up on Friday night for some guy time. Saturday morning it was raining so we made a plan to go geocaching up near michigan. At the same time, we stopped to take a look at a property on a small lake. The drive was long for Cam (1 hour 10 minutes) but the property was nice. I liked it and think it would make a nice homestead. From there we went geocaching in the Land O Lakes area. We ended up finding 3 caches in the area. It rained the entire time but we had our rain gear so we were dry. From there to home for lunch and then we loaded up the RZR to head out to Harrison Hills for some fun. It was still raining a bit so we both put our gear on and braved the elements. Tons of puddles and we both laughed a lot on the way. Toward the end, Cam actually fell asleep riding with me which musta been pretty hard with my driving. Back home for dinner and relaxing.
Sunday we got up and loaded up the boat to go fishing. Out to Lake Katherine again sitting in the middle in 21ft of water catching one after the other. Cam was bored with all the fish we were catching so we quit around 11:30 and headed back to the BCR to clean fish. All cleaned up, we packed up and headed home. Back to Pewaukee by 4:30 or so.
I love our weekends when it is just us. Not saying that its bad when Carrie is there, but I really do like spending time with just Cam sometimes also.
Sunday we got up and loaded up the boat to go fishing. Out to Lake Katherine again sitting in the middle in 21ft of water catching one after the other. Cam was bored with all the fish we were catching so we quit around 11:30 and headed back to the BCR to clean fish. All cleaned up, we packed up and headed home. Back to Pewaukee by 4:30 or so.
I love our weekends when it is just us. Not saying that its bad when Carrie is there, but I really do like spending time with just Cam sometimes also.
Labor Day Weekend 2010
Carrie, Cam and I headed up on Friday September 3rd for the long weekend. Traffic was bad at the bridge and it took us an hour longer than usual. Unpacked and relaxed.
Saturday the weather was cold and windy for most of the day. Cam and I worked in the garage on the blue ATV as it was having starting issues. We ended up heading to Tomahawk for a new solenoid as I assumed that was the issue. No luck there. We quit that project and headed for Minocqua and went mini golfing. Cam loved it but he kept hitting into the water. Part of me thinks on purpose? After we headed for The Minocqua Brewery for an overpriced but good dinner. Ice cream on the way home and off to bed.
Sunday the weather was much better. We had planned on taking the blue ATV to my dad's to fix that along with work on Cam's snowmobile. After about 100 pulls, Cam's snowmobile started but was running a bit rich in the higher rpm's. The carb needs a good cleaning. We worked on the ATV also only getting to a point where we needed to pull the primary and secondary clutch but needed 2 different pullers for that. Meanwhile, Cam and Carrie rode ATV's at grandpa's land. In the afternoon, we headed back to the cottage to do some fishing. We ate a quick early dinner and then headed out to Lake Katherine. We had really good luck which was good but unfortunatly for me means I need to clean fish. We came home with about 20 gills, perch, crappies, and one walleye.
Monday we had planned on looking a home in the Phelps area. We arrived in Phelps around 10:00am and wandered in the home for about an hour. We really want this home but it was just out of reach by a tad. No big deal, we will continue to look and find that perfect spot someday. A long drive home. A good weekend for us. We had a great time.
Saturday the weather was cold and windy for most of the day. Cam and I worked in the garage on the blue ATV as it was having starting issues. We ended up heading to Tomahawk for a new solenoid as I assumed that was the issue. No luck there. We quit that project and headed for Minocqua and went mini golfing. Cam loved it but he kept hitting into the water. Part of me thinks on purpose? After we headed for The Minocqua Brewery for an overpriced but good dinner. Ice cream on the way home and off to bed.
Sunday the weather was much better. We had planned on taking the blue ATV to my dad's to fix that along with work on Cam's snowmobile. After about 100 pulls, Cam's snowmobile started but was running a bit rich in the higher rpm's. The carb needs a good cleaning. We worked on the ATV also only getting to a point where we needed to pull the primary and secondary clutch but needed 2 different pullers for that. Meanwhile, Cam and Carrie rode ATV's at grandpa's land. In the afternoon, we headed back to the cottage to do some fishing. We ate a quick early dinner and then headed out to Lake Katherine. We had really good luck which was good but unfortunatly for me means I need to clean fish. We came home with about 20 gills, perch, crappies, and one walleye.
Monday we had planned on looking a home in the Phelps area. We arrived in Phelps around 10:00am and wandered in the home for about an hour. We really want this home but it was just out of reach by a tad. No big deal, we will continue to look and find that perfect spot someday. A long drive home. A good weekend for us. We had a great time.
Monday, August 30, 2010
August Fishing
We left Friday August 27 and stopped by to pick up Bob and Donna for the trip up. As usual, Bob made it to Fond Du Lac and then needed someone else to drive so he could sleep. I drove but made for sure that he did not sleep. Arrived late and unpacked.
Saturday we went to look at a lake lot that I had found online. We trailered up to Squirrel Lake just west of Minocqua and lauched. We headed for the lot which was located on Squirrel Lake Island. Once there we realized that it was not the perfect lot. The hill at the lake was steep and there was a hole in the middle of the lot which would make it difficult to place a home on the lot. Not impossible but much more than we were willing to gamble on. We fished for a few hours not catching anything and then headed home. I quickly mowed the lawn while Cam rode around with his ATV with the trailer as Grandpa had put a trailer hitch on for him.
We had dinner early and then Cam, Bob, and I headed out fishing again. We did ok right at dark and caught a few nice ones and took a few home. We stayed out until about 9pm on the lake. It was the perfect night to be out there. Cam had a good time with the flashlight and then later watching UP on my iphone. Home to clean fish and to bed.
Sunday I got up and headed for my dads to help him with his computer. After, I met the rest of the klan at the boat launch. We headed out from the landing to a quiet cove out of the wind. As soon as i put my bait down, the gills were there and they were big. We caught one after another for about an hour and then without warning, they simply stopped biting. We moved a few times to find them but all we could find was a few undersized bass. We left around 11:30 to head home to clean the fish. Overall a good few hours of fishing.
Home to West Bend around 5 and then to Pewaukee by 5:45. Next weekend - more of the same.
Saturday we went to look at a lake lot that I had found online. We trailered up to Squirrel Lake just west of Minocqua and lauched. We headed for the lot which was located on Squirrel Lake Island. Once there we realized that it was not the perfect lot. The hill at the lake was steep and there was a hole in the middle of the lot which would make it difficult to place a home on the lot. Not impossible but much more than we were willing to gamble on. We fished for a few hours not catching anything and then headed home. I quickly mowed the lawn while Cam rode around with his ATV with the trailer as Grandpa had put a trailer hitch on for him.
We had dinner early and then Cam, Bob, and I headed out fishing again. We did ok right at dark and caught a few nice ones and took a few home. We stayed out until about 9pm on the lake. It was the perfect night to be out there. Cam had a good time with the flashlight and then later watching UP on my iphone. Home to clean fish and to bed.
Sunday I got up and headed for my dads to help him with his computer. After, I met the rest of the klan at the boat launch. We headed out from the landing to a quiet cove out of the wind. As soon as i put my bait down, the gills were there and they were big. We caught one after another for about an hour and then without warning, they simply stopped biting. We moved a few times to find them but all we could find was a few undersized bass. We left around 11:30 to head home to clean the fish. Overall a good few hours of fishing.
Home to West Bend around 5 and then to Pewaukee by 5:45. Next weekend - more of the same.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Tom Ryan Annual Piggy Roast
Friday August 13th we headed for the BCR. We arrived to a hot house, unpack and head for bed.
Saturday we got the trailer loaded up and headed over to Dad's for the day. After unpacking, Cam and Brandon went four wheeling for a bit. We did a little minor work, ran a few errands to pick up a few things. Throughout the day we played by the pond catching whatever would move. Around lunch time, we went fishing at Lake Kilarney off the dam. We caught quite a few small bluegills. After an hour or so that got boring so we headed back. The party started about 3 or so with the pig coming out around 5. We ate, drank, and had a good time with family and friends. Home around 9pm or so.
Sunday we had planned on either going fishing in the boat or ATVing out to Harrison Hills but due to an unfortunate packing mistake, we did not have any long sleeve shirts or pants as it was only around 58 or so out. SO - we mowed lawn, pulled weeds, cleaned the garage, and rode around ATV's. After we left, Grandpa made a trailer hitch for Cam's ATV so he could pull our little trailer.
We left about 12:30 or so and home around 4:15.
Saturday we got the trailer loaded up and headed over to Dad's for the day. After unpacking, Cam and Brandon went four wheeling for a bit. We did a little minor work, ran a few errands to pick up a few things. Throughout the day we played by the pond catching whatever would move. Around lunch time, we went fishing at Lake Kilarney off the dam. We caught quite a few small bluegills. After an hour or so that got boring so we headed back. The party started about 3 or so with the pig coming out around 5. We ate, drank, and had a good time with family and friends. Home around 9pm or so.
Sunday we had planned on either going fishing in the boat or ATVing out to Harrison Hills but due to an unfortunate packing mistake, we did not have any long sleeve shirts or pants as it was only around 58 or so out. SO - we mowed lawn, pulled weeds, cleaned the garage, and rode around ATV's. After we left, Grandpa made a trailer hitch for Cam's ATV so he could pull our little trailer.
We left about 12:30 or so and home around 4:15.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Porkies Revenge
Carrie and I headed to the BCR on Friday July 30th for an overnight on our way to the Porcupine Mountains. Cameran was billy big riggin with grandpa for the week. We arrived late due to a slight detour around the EAA traffic which turned out to be more than we bargained for.
Saturday we got going and headed north arriving around 8:30am. We self registered at the park office and we were off. It was raining a bit and the temp was around 65. Once our packs were loaded, we were off down the Big Carp River Trail which starts at the top of M-107 or Lake of the Clouds. It was a foggy for most of the higher terrain but we still managed to snap a few pictures.
Heading down the Escarpment, we took a break to fix Carrie's boot. She had already started forming a blister on her heal and we were only about 2 miles in. We rested, applied some moleskin and we were on our way. It was downhill most of the day with a few exceptions. We made it to the Big Carp River and rested at a campsite to check on Carrie's issues. Now they were on both heals and were quarter size. More moleskin and quick snack and we were off.
At one point we needed to cross the river. I first thought we were going to be doing it barefoot but Carrie was certain we could get accross without getting wet so we treid that. All went pretty well for the most part.
From there we climbed a ridge and walked along the river the rest of the way to Lake Superior. We did stop to reinforce the moleskin with some duct tape as she was still having issues. 9 miles later we arrived at the lake and found a campsite.
The rest of the day consisted of swimming in the lake, napping, eating, and playing cards. Carrie ended up with half dollar size blisters on both heals.
Sunday we got up around 6:00am and packed up camp and were rolling around 7:25am. We seemed to be making good time but according to my guide book, it appeared we were not. At somepoint my knee really started hurting on the downhills to a point that I had to have both trekking poles to manuver down. Up and flat, I was good to go. The same thing has happened in the past when backpacking so this is nothing new. About the time I start to compensate for a crappy knee, the ankle on the other side starts hurting. I wobbled like an old man for most of the day.
We took a few breaks during the day along the way. The last 2 miles or so was uphill so we were trying to prepare for that. Naturally that sucked the entire way up. It was a hard walk for both of us and we made repeated stops along the way. At some point, we could hear motorcylcle on M-107, but they turned out to be really loud as the road still did not come for some time after that. 9 Miles back out on the Lake Superior Trail and our car was still another mile straight up m-107. We attempted to hitchhike the remaining distance only making it to the gatehouse below the hill before dropping our packs, changing our shoes, and walking in flip flops to the car.
Once there, we picked up our packs along the road and then headed for the beach to clean up. It was a nice sandy stretch where we swam for about 10 minutes and then changed at the road and headed home but not before stopping in Land O Lakes at Black Oak for a bite to eat. Home around 8:30pm.
It was a long hike for us old people.
Saturday we got going and headed north arriving around 8:30am. We self registered at the park office and we were off. It was raining a bit and the temp was around 65. Once our packs were loaded, we were off down the Big Carp River Trail which starts at the top of M-107 or Lake of the Clouds. It was a foggy for most of the higher terrain but we still managed to snap a few pictures.
Heading down the Escarpment, we took a break to fix Carrie's boot. She had already started forming a blister on her heal and we were only about 2 miles in. We rested, applied some moleskin and we were on our way. It was downhill most of the day with a few exceptions. We made it to the Big Carp River and rested at a campsite to check on Carrie's issues. Now they were on both heals and were quarter size. More moleskin and quick snack and we were off.
At one point we needed to cross the river. I first thought we were going to be doing it barefoot but Carrie was certain we could get accross without getting wet so we treid that. All went pretty well for the most part.
From there we climbed a ridge and walked along the river the rest of the way to Lake Superior. We did stop to reinforce the moleskin with some duct tape as she was still having issues. 9 miles later we arrived at the lake and found a campsite.
The rest of the day consisted of swimming in the lake, napping, eating, and playing cards. Carrie ended up with half dollar size blisters on both heals.
Sunday we got up around 6:00am and packed up camp and were rolling around 7:25am. We seemed to be making good time but according to my guide book, it appeared we were not. At somepoint my knee really started hurting on the downhills to a point that I had to have both trekking poles to manuver down. Up and flat, I was good to go. The same thing has happened in the past when backpacking so this is nothing new. About the time I start to compensate for a crappy knee, the ankle on the other side starts hurting. I wobbled like an old man for most of the day.
We took a few breaks during the day along the way. The last 2 miles or so was uphill so we were trying to prepare for that. Naturally that sucked the entire way up. It was a hard walk for both of us and we made repeated stops along the way. At some point, we could hear motorcylcle on M-107, but they turned out to be really loud as the road still did not come for some time after that. 9 Miles back out on the Lake Superior Trail and our car was still another mile straight up m-107. We attempted to hitchhike the remaining distance only making it to the gatehouse below the hill before dropping our packs, changing our shoes, and walking in flip flops to the car.
Once there, we picked up our packs along the road and then headed for the beach to clean up. It was a nice sandy stretch where we swam for about 10 minutes and then changed at the road and headed home but not before stopping in Land O Lakes at Black Oak for a bite to eat. Home around 8:30pm.
It was a long hike for us old people.
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