Cabin Amenities

I can’t believe the wifi is fairly reliable, because nothing else is. I must be a little dim, because it took three spills on the end table beside the sagging (but comfy) couch before I realized that the table is broken. It’s one of those tables from the 50s with two levels, the lower one for magazines and junk shoved under the upper lamp level. In this case, one of the pressed board panels on the upper level  is separating from the other two, though it can be pressed back into place. The weight of the lamp and a cup of coffee must be too much for it.

Other discoveries: don’t pull too hard on the pull string that turns on the bathroom light; sit carefully to avoid tipping over the second “double” bed – it’s really a double mattress on a twin frame; the curtain rods are wedged into the frame with the broken handle of an old pan; each of the three mini-fridges has a different non-working component; reading is challenging with a 25-watt bulb.

Round Lake Boat Adventure

Early this morning, I announced that I would NOT be swimming at our little beach. David told us yesterday that kids had thrown rocks in the water so the beach would not be sandy all over. Well, I think it’s taken a century of kids to fill the swimming area with rocks, and it is far too shallow for my taste.

Instead, we went to a public ramp on Round Lake, about 28 miles away. An easy launch, and we enjoyed being out on the water, though the “roundness” of it, and the predictable housing on its shores were a little boring for Bob. We had packed roast beef sandwiches for lunch but instead stopped at Famous Dave’s (the original one) for lunch. I liked the Moose Drool dark beer and enjoyed watching some Olympic swimming.

Several boats were stopped at a sand bar where people were swimming, but Bob preferred to let me have my swim back at the boat ramp, where I had to watch out for boat traffic. No matter: keeps me on my toes. The water was clear and cool. The afternoon was fun and we will now have roast beef sandwiches for supper.

The shack was very hot when we returned at the end of the afternoon. We brought our drinks outside and are watching late afternoon golfers. I’m hoping for some wildlife but so far all we’ve seen are a couple of wild turkeys (not us) and a deer running across the highway.

Coffee Mishap

We haven’t rented a cabin for many years. As I looked for coffee and filters, I remembered the early years of our marriage when we didn’t have much money, and a week at “the lake” was our vacation. I’ve been too spoiled by years of Hiltons and pricey ocean views. I was soon brought back to reality when I knocked over the cone and coffee dust sprayed all over the carpeted floor. I spouted swear words I didn’t know were in my vocabulary; Bob laughed loudly. “The vacuum’s in the corner”, he said, referring to the broom and dust pan. Cleaned up the mess and we are now enjoying Dunn Brothers brew in the woods.

Morning MIst

Slept soundly until I was awakened by cold feet, the first time I’ve been chilly in months. Went out to take some pictures shortly after six, thinking I was alone in the still of early morning, until I got down to the lake and saw a golfer practicing his swing in the distance. The mist was floating above the water and bullfrogs sang in the reeds. God was near.

Dinner at the Chippewa Inn

Many miles on County Road B at dusk ended with a pretty good meal at the Chippewa Inn after dismissing what the property owner referred to as “the redneck bar”. We had hoped to sit at the bar and watch the Olympic coverage but it was “drinkers only”, so we opted for food. We were immediately served a relish tray with carrots, radishes, celery, hot cherry peppers, pickled herring, cheese dip, liverwurst and an assortment of crackers. We split the fish & chips, substituting a baked potato for the chips. I was surprised to enjoy a half decent glass of cabernet sauvignon. We rode home in the dark, guided by the GPS, a gift to Bob from the boys a couple of years ago.

Barker Lake Lodge

The WiFi network name is “VIRUS THREAT”. The owners don’t want leeches lined up outside the hot spot looking for internet service. I am amazed that the old Vaio can pick up the signal.

It was a long ride to Barker Lake Lodge, but I didn’t get concerned until we drove several miles along a gravel road named “Hemlock Lane”. The “lodge” appeared to be (and, in fact, was) off limits, so we followed a hand lettered sign to the “office”, where we were immediately ushered out and pointed toward Cabin 5. I struggled onto the deck, built (or plunked) several feet off the ground. Tripped over the step to get into the unlocked cabin. A familiar smell (exterminator) transported me back to some of the hovels I occupied in Montreal when I was in my 20s. Bob has never lived in a slum and does not know that odor. Whoever created the Barker Lake Lodge website did a very creative job with the pics of the "amenities".

Our host, David Palmer, rode over to Cabin 5 on his 1950s era Cushman after we’d moved in our things. There is no firewood, no ice, no fire ring and the lodge is unavailable because it’s been rented for a family reunion. Olympic coverage begins in a few minutes.  I have already had one stiff drink and am working on my second.  I am grateful to have a good tempered husband who isn’t blaming me for leading him to this hell hole. I know why Chicago gangsters came here in the 1920s: what law enforcement on earth would follow them here!

We can’t launch our boat here at the lodge, and the lake does NOT connect to Chippewa Flowage as the map seems to indicate. Not unless you intend to walk through the passage, that is. It is rocky and shallow, perhaps partly navigable by canoe. Bob settled on boating in Round Lake tomorrow, a dozen or so miles away.

I’ve moved from the deck to a picnic table facing our neighbor’s truck. For the first time in my life, I’m thinking seriously of taking up golf. The course behind me is empty, maybe because it’s located in a cow pasture. Looks like a good place for a novice to take up the sport.

In recent years, I’ve felt a little wistful thinking about my long ago youth, spent in the north woods. I’m in the north woods this evening, and am a little less nostalgic.