1970

Friday--Well we are finally off--after two weeks of packing and unpacking--are we? or aren't we?

Dad found out this morning that he got the A.P. job at Homestead and we will have about 10 days of glorious camping at Starrett Lake. We certainly need the rest!

Spent the first nite in the "Wrestling Capitol of the State" -- Coleman. (Dad missed the turn off to Highway 45).

Saturday--Kids were up at 6:30 AM after a sleepless nite--so needless to say, we got an early start.

Got to camp about mid-morning. Someone was just setting up in our site. Ugh! No. 5 had the Schades' with a beautiful luxury camper, no less.

Luckily some nice folks said they were just about to leave and we could have No. 19. A great sigh arose from the Schneider clan.

Then we discovered the Bakers from Green Bay were only staying over nite and they would save old No. 4 for us on Sunday. Things were looking up.

Decided that if we were going to move down the hill Sunday, we had better not set up too much. Just pitched the kitchen tent and a few necessities.

Deby could hear the horses calling her all the way from Woodruff--so since we needed groceries, ice, etc., she got her first ride while we shopped. She had a perfect ride! Also slapped Sugar so hard she sprained and bruised 3 fingers and her wrist.

At Grandma's Kitchen tonite, because we were all pretty pooped. Dad went fishing with George Schade and Mom and the kids crawled in early. Everyone asleep by 9:30. Ahhhhh!

Sunday--Weather is beautiful and we decided not to leave camp so we could move to No. 4 when the Bakers left. Deby and David each swam the lake one way. Without resting on the pillows at all. Good work kids! We're proud of you!

Spent the rest of the day puttering. The Bakers didn't leave until 5 PM and then we all went to work switching campsites. We really feel at home now.

Monday--Today Mom and David proved they were true, experienced, super campers!

The day began at about 7 AM while Dad and Deby were preparing to go fishing at Palmer-Tenderfoot. Something mis-cued with the Coleman stove and Dad had a real blaze to fight. Finally go the fire out by closing the lid and smothering it. Thoroughly disgusted, they took off for P-T leaving Mom and Dave to ????? Mom would never make it without her coffee, and Dave didn't think cold sandwiches would be very good for breakfast. We certainly were not about to try the stove again. Dave suggested we build a wood fire. Mom thot it worth a try--had to have some coffee. So Dave went in search of wood while Mom got things set up to cook. WE DID IT! Best bacon, eggs, and coffee you ever tasted! And we had a ball cooking and working together. Even heated water for dishes and soon Mom could clean up the stove (Ugh).

David spent the rest of the day out in the canoe on his private fishing trips.

Dad and Deby got back with a small Northern and 2 perch. But you should see the ones that got away!!

After dinner we had our first real campfire with some terrific wood David and his friend Ron dragged back from the dirt road. Beautiful fire!

Tuesday--The --- stove still doesn't work right. Everyone out in left field today as far as building a breakfast fire. Mom's day.

Dad took George Schade fishing and we grumped around until they got back. No fish.

Dad took Linda and Deby riding. Deby rode El lie Mae and LInda rode Whiskey. That was some ride. Linda's horse almost ran into a threshing machine, swerving at the last minute and she almost fell off. They had a good ride until the end when some kids started crying and they had to walk the rest of the way back.

Just after dishes in the evening, the rains came. It really poured and we all got caught in the kitchen tent.

David couldn't wait--he just had to go up the hill---so as long as he was wet anyway we had him scurrying around for rain gear, etc.

Didn't last long, thank goodness and only Mom and Dad's sleeping bags got a little wet.

Wednesday-Went to Steincroft this morning and Mom had a ball. Bought a roll tray, cutting board, and a cup for Dad's pencils.

After we got back, Deby and Linda went riding and Mom, Dad and David went over to Weber Lake to swim. It's a beautiful small lake like Starrett and they are going to build campsites over there. The number ranges from 50 to 50,000 depending on who you talk to. Anyway, no one much is over there and it's real quiet and private. So far--

Today Deby rode Sonny and Linda rode Ellie Mae. Deby liked the guide-Cal, and led the ride part way. She thot that was really neat. Hasn't stopped chattering about it since.

After supper we decided to family fish at Escanoba. Ha. Lots of bites-mosquito-but no fish. Saw 5 Blue Herons that were really beautiful. The Loony Loons were there too---running across the lake--but no fish.

Thursday-Dave and Dad decided to fish Blueberry today, so after breakfast Mom and Deb dropped them off. Just as we got back to camp, the Schades were leaving. So sorry to see them leave so soon, but their boys weren't along and Lynn was quite worried.

After dishes, Mom and Deb made the grand tour of Sayner.

Picked the boys up with a basket full of fish!! Little perch and blue gills, but fish!! David was so excited because they had gone skinny dipping.

Dad was really hot and sunburned when we got the canoe out of the bog so we changed to our suits and headed for Weber Lake to swim. Starrett is just too crowded this year. There isn't one time of the day when someone isn't in the lake.

Saving the fish for breakfast and having steak tonite.

Friday-Today is laundry day. Dad and Mom dropped the kids off at Pine View to ride while we wash.

David had quite a ride (Editor's Note: WHHHHHOOOOOOAAAAAA Charlie! Awww, come on, WHOOOOOOOOAAAAA!!!!) and vows he will never get on another horse. Poor David. Those beasts are just too big and fast for him.

It's really turned hot after a cloudy morning, so we decided to swim over at Weber.

Just got to the black top when the Jones met us coming in. Never did go swimming. Turned around and chatted with them for a while and then Dave Jones and Dad decided they just had to try Tenderfoot.

Fried up David's fish chips (a thousand of them) for supper. David really enjoyed them, but Mom can do without all those bones.

After supper the kids swam and then David and Mom built a super camp fire! Roasted marshmellows and then Davey fell asleep on Mom's lap.

Dad got back about 12:30. They had lots of fun and Dave had caught 2 huge crappies. Haven't seen any that size since Mom was a girl. Took a picture cause Grandpa will never believe it.

After a late breakfast took Deby to Pine View for a last horseback ride. Mom, Dad and David went over to Lynn-Anne campground to visit with the Jones. Decided we'd have a picnic supper with them over at Weber tonite.

Shopped for groceries in Woodruff and then picked up Deby. Poor Deby!!! She made it to the car and then cried all the way to County M before she could tell us what happened. Her first ride on Sonny was fun, but the second ride on Babe was a disaster. At the first field Babe decided to get ornery and bucked Deby off. She got back up, but they walked the rest of the ride. Luckily Deby didn't break any bones, but by the time we got back to camp she had a pretty sore back.

Back at camp we got our gear together then headed for Weber. Met the Allens there too.

Had a whopping picnic and campfire. After supper the Wullimans joined us (they're camping with Jones) and we sat around the fire and Holly played her guitar and we sang and Zan made "pudgie pies". A good time was had by all.

Pudgie Pies For this one, iron pie makers are needed. INGREDIENTS: bread, any type will do butter pie fillings of your choice PREPARATION: Spread one side of bread with butter and place the buttered side into the pie maker. Spread with pie filling. Butter another slice of bread and place it butter side up on top of the pie filling. Close the pie maker and trim excess bread from the sides. Place the pie maker into the coals for about 10 minutes; then open and enjoy! Servings: as needed Preparation time: 15-20 minutes

Got back to camp about 10:30 and rolled into bed.

Sunday-Dad was up early and actually brought Mom coffee in bed.After breakfast, Mr. Allen gave David a ride on his motorcycle and then David caught frogs for Susie and Deby Allen. The Allens have decided to move over to Crystal where the water is cleaner. They're staying another week. Lucky!

Dad and David thot they'd fish one last time. So they took off and Mom and Deby spent the afternoon reading and cooking. The reading was fine, but the cooking left something to be desired. Mom tried to make biscuits without an oven and Deby tried to make instant pudding without a beater. Must say our finished products were less than perfect. Food for the raccoons if they ever come around.

After supper we took a deer ride hoping to see something. The animals have taken to the deep woods it seems. Have only seen one chipmunk in camp. We saw a porcupine! Even saw him go up a tree! And one deer! Had a nice ride tho and found some lakes Dad would like to try next year.

Back at camp for our last campfire. Seems much too short this year. We're just getting started. Maybe it's because the camp is so crowded this year and we're traveling around more. Whatever, we still hate to leave so soon and yet we're all anxious about starting Dad's new job at Homestead.

Mom played "Park Patrol" tonite. 11 PM and a group on the corner were mighty loud. So Mom shined the light at them on her way up the hill and things quieted down shortly. Dad said we'd have another Rat Fink on our tree tomorrow. Ha Ha.

To sleep and tomorrow to pack.

Previous<---------->Mom's Log Home