That's a Wrap (Leg #1)

The first leg of our (at least mine and Tom's - the kids remain at the Lodge with Grandma and Grandpa) Midwestern Summer Vacation came to an end last Sunday. After reveling in the kind of week one can only hope for while traveling and spending time with family, Tom returned home and I cruised through Madison, WI to celebrate my dad's birthday and pick up my mom on our way to my sister's house in Washington, IL.

As I mentioned previously, this summer marked 10 years of vacationing at the Lincoln Lodge in idyllic Northern Wisconsin. The kids swam and the grown-ups lounged - courtesy of our new party island - in the chilly lake. On the same lake we paddled in the kayak Grandpa built with his own two hands, towed the kids on (and tried to dump those who talked smack from) the inner tube, and caught enough fish for a traditional Wisconsin Friday night fish fry. Will practiced shooting the BB gun while Hallie picked flowers. We watched the downtown Minocqua parade, set off firecrackers, and wrote our names in cursive using sparklers on the 4th of July. We played card games and board games and watched movies and read trashy magazines (a Lodge tradition). We roasted marshmallows, ate s'mores, and fired up the grill almost every evening. We quietly observed deer and loons as well as a bald eagle, fox, and black bear. We drove into town to browse the antique shops, eat lunch and sample the ales at the Irish pub, and indulge in Wisconsin's - and therefore the world's - best ice cream.

If you find yourself longing to leave the hustle and bustle of "city life" behind in favor of a place where you can reconnect with family, friends, and nature, consider Wisconsin's North Woods. In 10 summers, this place has never let me down.