1969

Friday-Who said we were anxious to leave? Dad got off work at 4:30 and at 5:10 we were out the driveway and on our way. We'll go half-way tonite and finish up tomorrow. Stopped at Schreiner's Restaurant (Editor's Note: Home of fabulous clam chowder and pie...and still in operation in Fond du Lac.) for a yummy meal, then on to Clintonville. Found one of the 2 motels in Clintonville and settled in for the night about 9:30.

Saturday--After breakfast, we're off on the last leg of our trek. Pretty much traffic yesterday and today, but we're taking it slow. A big cheer went up when we reached Sayner! Almost there! Stopped for gas and a few groceries, then to Walt's to rent a canoe and on to camp. Second big cheer when we saw the Starrett sign and turned in. Things looked pretty crowded this year. No. 5 was taken as well as all the sites along the lake. But the folks in #4 were packing up, so we stopped and asked them to save it for us.

The Shades are here and camped next to us in #3, so we chatted with them while waiting. Set up camp leisurely and were through by 4:00. Mom and Dad have awful headaches and discovered we hadn't eaten lunch! Dumb! Dumb! So Mom whipped up soup and sandwiches and we ate an early supper.

The children are just great this year. So helpful and pleasant. Left Hilde home with Grandma and Grandpa, so we're all more relaxed. After supper the kids went for a swim, then Mom and David pooped out on a campfire building project. All you need is some Coleman fuel. Dad built a beauty and we roasted marshmellows. Walt brought the canoe and the kids are practicing now, while Mom sits beside the fire penning this and Dad is socked out in the Bug Tent.

Sunday-Up about nine. Dad decided to try the Brule River today, so he took off after breakfast. Used all the County Roads and it took him 3 hours! Then no fish! Too bad Dad.

Meanwhile, back at camp, Deby and David took Mom for a canoe ride all around the lake. Dad says we have to practice, so we can go down the river. Kids swam and Mom puttered around. The lake is really high this year. Rose about 5 feet. Our favorite beach across the lake is completely underwater--as well as the kids favorite fishing spot on the point.

After Dad got back, we had an early dinner so we could do some family fishing. Went still fishing for walleyes at Wild Cat Lake. Not even a nibble! Deby said "Yes, Dad, we're STILL fishing!!!"

Stopped at the Corner Store for some good ice cream cones on the way back and then hit the sack.

Monday--Wake about 6 AM to lots of thunder--but little rain. Mom was awake long enough to tell everyone to get all gear away from the sides of the tent and we all went back to sleep till 9 again.

Beautiful sunny warm day today. Decided to take a ride into Boulder Junction so Mom could get some moccasins and a rubber mattress to float on in the lake. Turned out David got mocs too and so did Deby, plus some surprises and she about blew all her money. Poor Deby. Had lunch at the Rustic Kitchen and toured the antique shops, then went back to camp for a swim. The kids wanted to swim the lake. Mom thought they were crazy and suggested a bay first. David started out with Dad and Deby paddling the canoe next to him. They just kept going and David made it all the way. Only used the cushion a couple times.

About half way back Deby jumped in and swam back to shore by way of a few side trips. (She doesn't swim too straight)!

Deby and dad have taken off for he Cisco Chain to try their luck. Sure hope they get some fish. Haven't even seen one yet and we're sure getting hungry for some!

David caught the first fish. Not big enough to eat, but practically huge for Starrett Lake. He and a buddy were fishing off the point and caught some little dinkers too. Finally got him to come back to camp about 7 for some supper. Then we took out the canoe and Mom navigated while David fished. Mom slipped in the lake getting in and we took off with one wet foot. Good thing it was warm. Few nibbles and one super small dinker which caused all sorts of trouble.

Dave had to use the net to land it. The fish got off the hook in the net, but the hook got all tangled in the net. Dave finally got it loose and promptly caught it in his sweatshirt. The more he fiddled with it the worse it got and the darker it was getting and the buggier it was getting. So Mom had to paddle back alone in the dark while Dave held the flashlight with one arm out of his shirt. Finally got back and up on shore! Tried another poopy campfire. All we did was burn up paper. Oh well. Went to bed to await Deb and Dad. Wasn't long when they returned with nothing big enough to eat. I'm getting hungry!

Tuesday--The noisy neighbors with their barking dog, Charlie, who came in yesterday, left this AM. Also the Bennets, friends of the Shades. Things are quieting down a bit, but there sure are a lot more campers than usual. Coney Island, as one of the Rangers calls Crystal Muskie, must really be crowded. They are sending the overflow to our little paradise.

After breakfast Dave and Dad took off for Palmer-Tenderfoot. Dad caught a Northern and bass and some little dinkers, but David got ed. Fishing sure isn't very good this year.

Built a beautiful fire tonite. David discovered pine needles are good fuel to keep things going until it gets hot enough. It was so nice, Mom and Dad stayed up till 11 PM watching the fire and the stars. Saw the Milky Way--but not the Northern Lights yet. Zan Jones was right. The bugs do go to bed around 10. We have never stayed up late enough before.

Wednesday--Today is laundry day. Tried Saynor, but too crowded, so we went on into Woodruff. Did some grocery shopping on the way back. Thought we'd swim at Muskie this afternoon, but it was quite cloudy, so decided to fish instead. Went over to Escanaba. NO luck. Mom caught the only dinky fish. Fun tho. Will try it again sometime.

Had a yummy dinner when we got back from fishing and gathering wood on the way home. Fixed Zan's recipe for chicken and we had good corn on the cob and salad. Oh!!Good!!

Deby set up a gorgeous fire and we all sat around and relished the quiet.

Thursday--Tried out my new griddle--not too good. Makes good toast--but a little difficult for bacon, eggs, and toast. Maybe I just don't have the hang of it yet.

Dad went fishing with one of his swimming students fathers--who was camped across the lake. Mom cleaned up camp and then we all went for a swim. Another beautiful day--warm and sunny.

Sitting around catching up on the log while my soup cooks. Used the broth from last nites chicken. Hope it tastes as good as it smells.

While Mom and Deby were swimming earlier, David took a hike to get the beautiful stump Mom saw yesterday. My little stump turned out to be bigger than we thought. But Davy dragged it all the way home from the blacktop road.

Dave on the hunt for the giant stump!

Had a beautiful campfire tonite with our stump. Invited the Kjos' over. Dad had gone fishing with Mr. K and had taught his son Jeff, in swim class. Mrs. K's mother is camping with them and she is also the mother of Buster and Tom Fect from SHS. Small world. Wally and Dave were taking a walk around the lake and ran into them. Nice people.

After they left the Shades stopped over for a while. After midnight--more like 1:30 before we got to sleep.

Was really windy at Musky and we had fun riding the waves. Stayed about 3 hours, then Deby and Mom went into Sayner for some shopping.

After dinner we went for a deer drive. Saw only 2 deer. It's been so warm and dry the deer aren't moving. They don't stray very far from their water when it's like this. Everyone kind of pooped so we all snuggled in to read.

About 4 campers moved in after 10 PM tonite. What a din. Heard a rustling around outside about 11:30 and saw our friend the raccoon scouring our garbage pail. Cute little fellow. Watched him for the longest time. Much later Mom awoke to clattering pans and Rocky's big brother must have paid us a call. He was up on the picnic table knocking things down right and left. Probably mad that he couldn't get into something.

Q: What do you get when you cross a raccoon with a skunk?

A: A dirty look from the raccoon.

Saturday--Another glorious, hot, sunny day. Decided today would be a good day for our canoe trip. The Shades had made the Trout River trip a few days ago and recommended it highly. It only took them 2 hours and we all figured it would take us three being as we're novices. We've changed our minds about overnite canoe trips. Too much lugging and not the right equipment. We'll save that for when the kids can pull a little more weight (or freight) as the case may be.

Loaded the canoe on the boat trailer and headed out. Put in at the culvert on 51.

The first 10 minutes are the only fast water on the trip and we were a little apprehensive. But we really had fun! You go wooshing along with hardly any paddling. Have to know how to FEND tho. You agilely stick a paddle on a log or rock you're about to hit and slide by. Really fun and we only scraped bottom twice in low water. Pretty good for amateurs.

Hurray! Thru the rough water. Smooth sailing from there except there was a head wind almost all the way and we really had to paddle at times to make any headway in the spots that opened up into small lakes. Met two groups of campers (1 boys, 1 girls) going up river, but then didn't see a soul the rest of the trip.

Came upon a series of beaver huts in one area. Didn't see any beaver, tho. Deby thought she saw an otter, saw 1 duck and 1 fish big enough for Dad to try for. Every time we'd stop for Dad to wet his line, though, we'd almost run aground, so Dad didn't get much fishing in along the way. We do better in fast water--because you have to zig-zag anyway--then we do in slow. But we covered an extra mile sideways. Sure was peaceful and Mom got some good sun.

Changed paddlers at the Indian Road. Flipped a coin and Deby won so she took Mom's place for a while and then she and David switched. Reached our destination, Hwy H in record time--2 hours and 45 minutes. Not bad! George Shade said he'd pick us up between 4 and 4:30 so we had a little wait. Dad and the kids went up on the bridge and watched crabs (Editor's Note: the infamous fresh water crabs? Perhaps, Mom meant crayfish.) Counted 18. Davy said some were bigs and some were little and the big ones were huge.

George dropped us off at the car and the kids kept him entertained on the way back to camp.

Now for a swim. We were really hot and the good old lake felt good.

After supper Lynn Shade came over and we compared notes on our previous years escapades. Then Dad took Linda's boy friend and his friend into the Saynor Pub to watch the Packer game. Lucky. Someone has a radio in camp and it's mighty loud, so I guess I'll keep up with the game.

Wally's back--Packers Lost. He took Mark and Rick (Linda's friends) along and they put in 50 cents each on the last ticket at the bar (Wally's) and won the pool. $10.00. They were so excited. They said it felt strange to win money when the Pack lost, but they sure were happy.

Sunday-Spent a slow, lazy day around camp. Warm and sunny and beautiful again. 8 days in a row! Dad and the kids enjoyed the lake, while Mom puttered around trying to make herself beautiful.

Went out for dinner with the Shades tribe. Had a lovely dinner at Clear-View Lodge on Big St. Germain Lake. Wally and I order steak for two ($5.95). When the waitress set the steak in front of me I asked Wally what he was going to eat. Then she set one the same size in front of him and we couldn't believe it. We decided it was a good place to eat and cheap enough if you knock off all the extras.

After dinner we took a walk around the grounds to see how the rich vacation. Lynn stepped on a huge, square slab of concrete and wondered what it was. I answered in my haughtiest voice "It's the patio." We all got a chuckle at this and at the people saying, "it was nice, but so many bugs!" There were a few gnats around.

The kids petted the fawn they had penned up in front of the lodge. (For the back to nature spirit I guess.) The boys and kids played pool while Lynn and I agreed how lucky we were not to have to stay at a place like this where we'd be shelling out the money all the time. Real Northwoods Snobs!

The Shades took off for Minoqua then to pick up a college boy who was coming up to stay with them this week--and we took off for camp and bed.

Monday-Got up rather late today 11 AM. Deby and Linda decided it would be a good day for horseback riding so after breakfast (?) Dad and Mom hung out the bags and then Dad drove the girls into Woodruff to the stables. Mom did a thorough house cleaning while they were gone. We have a weird odor in our tent (Editor's Note: dead rat fink?) and can't find it. Even after a good cleaning and airing. Finally decided it must be the citronella candle we light at night, that has permeated the pores of the tent. Took it out and we'll see what happens. About ready to spray it with deodorant!

Girls are back and Deby had a glorious time. Nearly fell off once, but hung on tight and her horse, Paco wanted to turn around and go the other way, but Linda came back and helped her out and they finished the ride. Deby's already planning a family ride tomorrow, that's all she can talk about. She's ready to go again, despite the saddle sores. Deby and David spent most of the rest of the day expounding their excellent horsemanship qualities. We'll see!

Low on groceries and ice, so decided to go into Boulder to shop. Mom wanted to find another T-shirt...it's been so warm. Couldn't satisfy, old, fussy Mom, so headed back for dinner of yummy chile.

Then off again to Escanoba Lake for some evening fishing. Our luck is bound to change soon---I hope! We're all getting hungry for fish.

It's David's turn tonite! He got all the bites. Last a good size perch at the boat, then threw back a smaller one, then a beautiful walleye bit off his hook just as he got to the boat. Poor Davy. He was really mad. Our meal just swam away, hook, worm and all. He caught one more perch (9.5 inches and 1/3 lb.) keeper just before we left at dark. The ranger picked off some extra scales for David to save and look at under his microscope when we get home. Showed us how to count the life lines on the scales.

Dad cleaned the fish when we got back to camp and Mom promised faithfully to fry it for him for breakfast.

Sat around the campfire a while to get warm. It's turned quite cool tonite. Maybe the fishing will improve now.

Tuesday-Awoke early (7 AM) to screaming little maggots that moved in yesterday. Sure is a lot noisier around here this year. Have had only 1 or 2 quiet, peaceful days. Seems like you have to train everyone else's kids how to act in camp. Don't be grumpy, Mom, it's a thousand times better here than anywhere else on earth.

Cold today and cloudy for the first time since we arrived. Stayed in our bags as long as possible. At least Mom did. Dad was up and out before 7 (trying to get that walleye David lost last nite) and the kids are berry picking.

Mom finally had to go up the hill and needed some coffee too, so she rolled out about 10 AM.

Kids back and starving, so Mom fried David's fish for him and we had eggs and berries. Dad's not back yet.

Dad's back. Caught lots of little Northerns--underr 22 inches and a Musky 24 inches. Threw the Musky back and then learned when he got back that there is no size limit for Muskies on Escanaba.

Cooked Dad some noonfest and then the family dropped Mom off at the Woodruff laundry and they went horseback riding. Story of the day--Dad's horse sat down on him. Not once, but twice!! Sure wish we had a picture of that! Giggle, giggle!

Sun was out for a while, but it's quite cool tonite so will use our tent heater for the first time and stay inside tonite. Dad and I were just about asleep when we heard the garbage pail rustle. Our friend the raccoon was back. Shined the light out the tent window and discovered a whole family. Three babies and Mama. They were just darling. Mama stayed off under the boat while the babies had a heyday in our garbage.

Wednesday--The Schades had an unexpected visitor yesterday. One of George's former scouts, who is now on the road, Bill (or Bill Bunyon as David calls him). Mad arrangements with Dad last nite for a fishing trip to T-P. Dad, Big Bill, Young Bill and George. Big Bill borrowed a pair of Dad's fatigue pants (they were both the same waist size) and he looked so funny! They were about 2 inches too short. Anyway, they got him outfitted and away they went.

Got back about 4. Mom had read all day and the kids fished. Boy, did they fish. When they ran out of worms, they used leftover hotdogs and even caught fish with them. I can't believe it! Had a grand total of 26 fish. None big enough to eat.

When the boys returned, Big Bill was the hero of the day. Caught 3 nice Northerns. Young Bill had a nice Musky strike, but he got away. He really enjoyed himself tho. Kept saying "That's the way to fish!"

Decided to have a two family dinner, so Lynn and I went to get the extras while the boys cleaned the fish. Mom made cole slaw and we had the usual fish dinner of fish, slaw, beans and rye bread. Just delicious! After supper, Big BIll got out his guitar and we all sat around the campfire singing and listening to Big Dave and Big Bill sing and play. Nobody knew "Temptation" tho.

An enjoyable evening. One of the memories we'll remember a long, long time. How fast the time seems to be going this week.

All tucked in our sleeping bags and ready to drop off, when the "coons" were here again. Such a racket! Two of them decided to have a difference of opinion and they were screeching and running and bumping around our tent. The woods were quite alive tonite. Heard a screech owl and the hoot owls were calling back and forth, also the loons.

Thursday-Deby and David up early (the mist was still hovering over the lake) to fish. Deby said the skunks were around too last nite. The odor was still lingering at the point.

We're moving slowly today--sunny and warm again. After a noon breakfast of fish (the kids caught last night) and eggs we (Mom) decided we'd try dunking our worms at Blueberry Lake.

Discovered Blueberry Lake would be great for the canoe, but we couldn't get the boat in, so we decided we'd try Nebish Lake today.

Were we glad we did! Came home after 4 hrs. and sore behinds, but 27 perch. What a ball! Mom got the prize for the most (11), Dad (8), Deb (6), and David (2). Got home about seven after checking out our fish with the ranger and had a late fish dinner. Soooo good. David didn't talk for a full 10 minutes. Just kept eating fish. Went to the corner store for an ice cream cone and then sat around our fire awhile and did dishes about 10PM after the bugs went to bed.

Friday-Another gorgeous day. Warm and sunny. We all needed shampoos, so after pancakes and sausages, took the canoe and paddled over to the beach across the lake. Slowly! David decided to swim the lake again. Only rested 3 times with the pillow. Mom was so nervous!!!.

There was barely any beach, but the water has gone down some and it was shallow enough to beach the canoe and for us to hop out and swim and clean up a bit. Kids had fun catching tadpoles. Deby wanted to swim back and we started off. She had to buck the wind tho and it was pretty tiring so part of the time she hung on to the front of the canoe with her hands and feet...leaving her backside to lead the way.

One of the boys at the corner store told us about a tiny lake the town folks like to fish. He said they got 15 inch perch like crazy. Had to try it. Took the little woods road in and in and in thru the forest--must have been a snow mobile trail from the markings and finally arrived at Wildwood Lake. Pretty lake and so quiet! Well we caught a lot of perch, but they were real dinkers! The town folks must have cleaned out the big ones. Had tons of fly bites too. Ugh!

On our second trip around the lake--you can row it in about 20 minutes, we saw two bald eagles. What a sight and what a wing-spread! Dad had seen one the other day at Esconaba, but this was the first Mom and the kids had seen. Pud (David) says that was the best part of the whole trip.

Came back to camp for our second chile dinner expertly cooked while fending off the mosquitoes. They were fierce!

Mom refused to do the dishes until they went to bed (about 9:30 tonite). Really stowed things away tonite. Everything that would fit, we put inside the kitchen. Those... raccoons really had a time last nite knocking everything off and making a racket. Will fix them tonite--I hope.

Saturday--We outwitted the coons last nite and had a full nights sleep. Deb and Dave up early to go horseback riding and Mom relaxing and enjoying the solitude.

The Schades are packing up to leave today. Seems strange to have them leave first. They seem to be our "pros in residence".

Since today is the last day for us to have the canoe, we (Mom) decided to see what Blueberry Lake was like. Bill Schade had shown David some insect eating plants he had collected over there and Davy wanted some too.

What a job! Blueberry Lake is so strange. In order to get into it you have to push and shove the canoe over a bog, then the lake drops off quite deep. It's like a shelf--a soggy shelf with the lake continuing underneath. Only one side of the lake has firm shoreline, and that is a good distance from the road.

Brought home some good specimens of Fly Traps, Pitcher Plants, and a couple of tiny evergreens we are going to try to raise them at home.

After an early supper thot we'd drive up to Presque Isle. Thot the name sounded plush and interesting. Boy, were we surprised! Presque Isle looks like the many run down towns in Canada. Two gas stations, two gift shops, a bar, a grocery store and a school. The houses were like shacks and if you closed your eyes a second, you'd miss the town. Also have an empty lake. They raise all the walleye fingerlings for most of the area up here in the lake and then drain it to stock the various lakes.

On the way back we stopped at Steincrofts. What an interesting place! There is just a small sign at the driveway and you go back in the woods a way and find 2 log cabins on Lynx Lake. Found out that the house is an unfinished shell, but has a beautiful fieldstone fireplace and chimney. They built the chimney first and then put up the house, but never finished it. The other cabin was the workshop and store. They were closed, but the young man working there said to come in and we spent a marvelous hour and a half looking at the handmade wood crafts and listening to the bits of interest the young man had to offer. Mom fell in love with a coffee grinder lamp at the ridiculous price of $14.95 and Dad and the kids bought some wood puzzles that are just great and will take us forever to figure out. Plan to go back there again before we have to leave.

Sunday-Up early--the Hippos are leaving and breaking camp with lots of noise. Dad made french toast for us and then decided to take the kids fishing. Mom spent the day puttering and chatting with the Mullins from Hudson, Wisc. who moved into the Schades' spot after they left.

Everyone back, but no fish. A nice big, big steak, tho. Dad had to cut it up to fit on the grill and we had some extra pieces left to add to our stroganoff tomorrow night. Just delicious. Better than going out.

Built another beautiful fire and invited the Mullins to share it with us.

Monday-Warm and sunny again! After breakfast thot we'd shop a bit. Wanted to get back to Steincrofts, but between Sayner and Boulder, Mom blew the budget. Well we have something to look forward to next year.

Puttered around camp enjoying our last day and trying to get a few things organized, but not really wanting to.

Towards dark our neighbors invited us over for fresh apple pie. Marg had baked it in the afternoon with a reflective oven and campfire. David says he'll build one for Mom this winter. Once again something new is learned. Back at camp we discover the zipper on the tent door is broken. Dad blows a gasket. Enough said!

Things settle down again and we popped popcorn over our last campfire. Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Tuesday--Up early (8:30?). Have to get packed and off today. Things move along well and we're ready to go by 11:30. Mom takes one last wistful look around our beautiful lake and woods and we're off to Grandma's Kitchen for Brunch. And home.

Previous<---------->Next