Memorial Day in Minocqua: Day 3

This was our last full day in Minocqua. We headed back into town after a homemade breakfast. The day before, we saw some beautiful pottery that we just had to add to our collection. We picked that up and then headed back. Due to rain, we did not head out to fish, as planned. Instead, we had a lazy morning in cabin. We napped and read. When the rain lifted, we decided to take advantage of the grill and made a little more lunch.

That night, it dried up nicely, so we built a campfire and sat back to chat. Suddenly, a young couple joined us for a little fire time and a game of bags. We spent the night chatting with this lovely couple! It was unexpected but very enjoyable!

Here are a few more pictures from our weekend away:

Bald eagle...they are everywhere up there!

Poor little guy...

Chippy, our domesticated chipmunk friend

EEK.

This dragonfly was hanging out in my car. I think he wanted to come home with us.

Memorial Day in Minocqua: Day 2

Day 2 of our Minocqua trip started with a late wakeup, which was lovely. Sleeping in nowadays is about 7:00, but I'll take it. We had a big day on the docket. We were going to fish, which I was nervous about, kayak, and then check out the local hot spots downtown.

We got out on the lake fairly early. We had taken the rowboat out the night before and just checked out the lake. It wasn't anything serious, but still fun. This day was serious stuff. The trunk was filled with Steve's fishing gear.  I had no idea there was so much stuff that goes with fishing!

We got out on the water and I tried my hand at casting. I wasn't too great, but Steve was filled with compliments for me. I am sure it was a survival skill of sorts for him because if I felt disheartened by the process, he knew I'd want to head back in for the day.

Surprisingly, I actually found fishing relaxing. I was not so comfortable with baiting my hook, so I used fake bait or hooks with no need for bait. The nature of fishing is conducive to conversation. Steve and I had a great time swapping stories, sharing dreams, and planning for our future. All in the boat! It was great to spend this time with my guy where nothing else can distract us.

As we talked, I felt my line stretch. I pulled back and felt a tug. I had caught a fish! A real live fish! He was big too. As I reeled him in, I started to freak out. I knew I was going to have to get up close and personal with this fish. EEK! I don't like fish even when it's served up prettily on a plate, dead. A live fish...frightening. But, I put on my big girl pants and brought it in! Meet my fish:







Steve handed me "the" glove. As my heart was pounding, I slipped it on and Steve handed me the fish. It moved so quickly, that I just went with it! After the picture, I was glad to hand him off to Steve. He put him on the line and we went on to the next round of fishing. Steve's line tugged next...here is his fish:

I love that he's a little windblown...he's tough.

Steve then added his fish to the line. We were pretty excited. I was like a kiddo on Christmas! I was proud of my catch! The plan was we would bring in the fish and cook them up. Steve is positive if I try fresh fish, I will change my mind on my distaste for fish. I am still not sure about this idea.

Here are our fish together...may I add that mine is the bigger of the two. Competitive much?

However, as the weekend seemed quiet for a fishing weekend on a beautiful lake, Steve checked guidelines. Unfortunately, we were a day early for bringing fish in. So, we had to let our new friends go. They now have a fancy new piercing that will make them popular with all of their fish friends!

We decided to row in after about 6 hours on the water. It was time for a late lunch at a Otto's Beer & Brat Garden; a recommendation from Steve's brother and sister-in-law. It is a German Beer Hall with a really cute little patio outside in the back of the restaurant. We both savored our meal, as our beef jerky hadn't tided us over enough! One thing I hope to start enjoying more often in the future is beer. I don't know...I just can't seem to get into it. My wine consumption has certainly increased over the last two years! Not as a stress reliever but more of a social thing.


When we returned from our lunch and little walk around town, we decided to head out on the lake in kayaks. It was really fun!!

Handling the paddles!

My view

Victory paddle!

Brave paddler...

The lake we explored...

That night we ate leftovers in our cabin, due to rain. We broke out the cards, wine and played the night  away!

Memorial Day in Minocqua: Day 1

For Memorial Day, Steve suggested we head to Minocqua for the long weekend. He was in heaven as we were going to kayak, fish, and cook over the campfire. Two of the three I had not done more than a handful of times. I was a little nervous. However, the weekend was perfect. 

We arrived in Minocqua early in the afternoon and went directly to the store to pick up food for the weekend. I had no idea what our little cabin was going to look like. Steve said that it was newly cleaned up, so I was curious what this trip would bring. When we arrived, there was a gate that we simply punched in a code and it let us in to the little getaway property. It was speckled with little cabins, reminiscent of Dirty Dancing. We pulled up to our cabin, which was separate than the other cabins. When I looked in the dusty windows, I was a little concerned, as it looked pretty barren. There was no furniture visible, but doors were closed so I hoped there was a bed behind one of those!

Thankfully, Steve realized that we were trying to punch in a code into the wrong building! We were in the bigger cabin up the hill that was in the process of being cleaned. When they left, we lugged our stuff up the hill and stepped into the cabin. It was gorgeous! Hardly roughing it! Day 2 to come...

All our bags are packed...

Cute little dock at the bottom of the hill.

Necessity for holiday weekends...

Doesn't this look like the Dirty Dancing cottages?

Our cabin

That night, we checked out the hammock and looked at the beautiful stars that shone clearly that night. We had gathered firewood and then put that to good use. Steve cooked his famous chili over the fire and then I busted open the S'mores supplies. DELICIOUS. We had a wonderful first night!

Chop, chop, chop

I am a lucky gal! This guy can really cook...especially over a campfire!

Oh. My. Goodness. This was amazing.

A friend that joined us.

Prepping the marshmallows!

Feeling peaceful with my S'mores!

YUM!