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Published: August 5th 2005
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MINOCQUA-Wisconsin
Oh yeah, Wisconsin. Who woulda thought? So I departed the “garden spot” of Yuba City for a family style lake trip with my godparents Pat and Gloria, their kids (Tracey & Stephanie) their spouses (Julie & Michael) and their grandchildren (Sarah 10, Samson 7, and Charley 15 months). So for those of you like me for whom Wisconsin is not on the top of the “must see” list, I think you would be surprised. As you can imagine, I had to get an atlas to locate it, but it was well worth it. I flew from Sacramento into Chicago and hopped a small 30-seater into Wausau, then had a 90-minute drive into the Lakes area.
When I say lakes, I literally mean hundreds all linked and connected. It is stunning. We had a lake house on the edge of the Kawaguesaga—which connects to two larger, well-known lakes Minocqua and Tomahawk. The water is warm and clean, we spent most of our time out on the pontoon boat, jet boat or the jet skis. The kids could not possibly go fast enough on the ski. I myself tend to be a little more cautious-but kicked it up pretty good (Edward
The Min-Aqua-Bats
Just like the Go-go's eh? you would have been proud!) I even hit the red line at over 55mph a few times.
Most of our meals were around a big dining room table and masterly prepared by Pat (delicious!). However we did hit the “must see” local spot Paul Bunyon’s Cook Shanty. Just look at the sign out front and you get the idea. It is all about comfort food fried chicken, ribs, beans, coleslaw, pasta, potatoes and chocolate cake—All U Can Eat! Really, it just doesn’t get any better. We followed that up with a famous local water-ski show. The MIN-AQUA-BATs (no lie, that’s their name). They are all in high school and college and do a whole show (very go-go’s album cover) with tricks and flips, barefoot skiing, jumps and pyramids. It was impressive-and a good showcase of the local culture.
So with more time out on the water Gloria (who had previously been content with riding as a passenger on the jet ski) wanted to drive! While I was cruisin’ her around I could tell she had “the need for speed” and wanted to take over. So after a quick operations training-she was off. I was cracking up as we
Paul Bunyon's
Need I say more?? could hear her from the boat all whoopin’ and hollerin’ as she hit the wakes. She loved it, and got even braver loading up Sarah and Samson and taking the “S” turns at full speed! It is rumored that she has rented additional jet skis next week after we all depart….
Have I mentioned the wildlife yet? I seem to be finding it in the strangest places this summer! In addition to the deer and critters roaming the lake area, Minocqua has its very own “Up Close and Personal Zoo”. This zoo has a portion of the animals’ just cruising around the park-no cages, fences-nothing. Which was great with the bunnies and turtles. We got to pet a porcupine etc. Samson had a great time and even got to feed a bear. I was not as pleased however, when a goat charged me and sniffed up my skirt! But after we discussed it, he got right in line so it turned out okay.
Pat and Gloria’s close friends Erv and Sue live part of the year in Minocqua. As do their daughter Heather, her husband Charley and their 5 boys (yes five!) who are such cuties! They are
a great family and were very kind in hosting us for dinner, boating with us and making sure I had a real locals experience.
So all in all Wisconsin, was a great trip-thanks Pat and Gloria!
CONCERTS…
First it was BECK. At the Santa Barbara bowl, my darling friend Ben got great tickets. The show was excellent and followed up with dancing downtown with Ben, his roommate Nelson and college friends from Colorado and Vermont.
Then it was Toby Keith with Scotty Emerick at the Mid-state Fair. Front row center….no joke, best seats in the house. Felicia got them from the on-line ticket outlet-which I can only assume was a complete computer malfunction. So Christina, Felicia and I got the hook-up! The concert was excellent, we made it on the big screen a couple of times and even got a “shout out” from Toby. Sadly, He called us " the three lonely girls in the front"—but still. This does not even mention the “moment” that the adorable Scotty and I shared…
I have no idea what will come next…but I will keep you posted.
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bill
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my childhood
I spent my early years on summer vacation in Minocqua - went to see the ski show every night we could!! I loved it. Remembered the water being really cold then, I probably wouldn't even go in it now. Tha