more cottage days

After eating our favorite fish dinner at the Al-Gen Dinner Club, the boys stopped in the game room for some classic pinball action.



Logan learned a new card game and proceeded to play with Great Grandpa and others.



The road to the cottage is a great place to ride bike and Logan put on the miles on Wendy's old banana seat bicycle. Check out those handlebars!



Logan does a little morning reading by headlamp.



Owen learns the joys of shaking Yahtzee dice. Believe it or not, some of the dice even landed on the table.



Logan and Tony search for the ever-elusive Waldo and Wizard Whitebeard.



Owen reads books with Uncle Trevor.

cottage days

Frogs and spiders and mudpuppies, oh my! Much of our time at the cottage was spent observing animals. Some large spiders were found under the pier, numerous frogs were caught and released, but the discovery of the weekend was the mysterious mudpuppy. We also pedaled, paddled, or swam the river every day.

hodag country

While in Rhinelander, we stopped at the visitor's center for a photo opportunity with the official Hodag and to purchase some merchandise. We also visited the Rhinelander Logging Museum and Railroad before heading to the playground at Pioneer Park.



Logan sits on a wooden Hodag at the museum.



The boys climbed on the trains and even got to ring the bell.

owen's new bed

Owen decided the crib life just wasn't working for him so he's moved into a bright red Big Boy Bed. Tracy took him fabric shopping and is now in the process of creating some custom sheets for the new life style. Although we are excited to see him grow, it's kind of sad that we have surpassed the crib days.

night at the zoo

Tonight was the annual MAD (Member Appreciation Day) Safari at our zoo so Tony cut work early and we enjoyed a family night with the animals. After pizza and ice cream sandwiches, we rode the zoo train, played on the playground, and watched the animals get special treats. We were also delighted to see the new exhibit featuring grey foxes.

last day in bayfield

On our last day in Bayfield we went to the Visitor Center for the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. After an informative movie in the theater, we looked at the Fresnel lens display and checked out the gift shop. Our favorite ice cream place has become a kayak store so we found a new place with an amazing array of unique flavors. The drive home included one stop at Friendly Valley Beach and one stop in Ashland for dinner at the South Shore Brewery.

east dock park

East Dock Park, located adjacent to the marina in Bayfield, is one of Logan and Owen's favorite playgrounds. We always spend hours here playing, eating, and generally running about. This year Logan impressed us with his newly acquired monkey bar and zip line skills. Both boys enjoy the musical fish and the tire monster. No trip would be complete without taking an image of the kids in the "photo" tree.

bayfield berries

Welcome to our favorite berry farm! Logan and Owen have been coming here for years and have developed into experienced pickers. Today's agenda involves raspberries and blueberries.

fish hatchery

After packing up camp, we stopped by the State Fish Hatchery. The lobby is open seven days a week and features several very nice exhibits, a large aquarium, and a viewing area that overlooks the hatchery tanks.

camping in washburn

Time once again for our annual Bayfield berry-picking weekend. After staying in Red Cliff for several years and then on Madeline Island last year, we decided to try a city park campground in Washburn this time around. Owen helped with the tent poles and stakes. Logan set up the sleeping pads and storage netting. After berry picking and spending time at the playground, we went back to camp for dinner, followed by smores over the fire. The next morning we asked ourselves, "Is it really camping if you don't have hot chocolate with breakfast?"

north shore pickup

Logan spent the last couple of days at Gust Lake with Grandpa and Grandma so this afternoon Tony, Owen, and Kayte the Dog headed to Silver Bay to pick him up. We left early so we could renew our park pass and hike around Tettegouche State Park before the exchange.

Owen eats lunch at a scenic viewpoint.



Shovel Point, Tettegouche State Park.



The Silver Bay Marina where Logan returned from the great north woods.