Building the Legacy

When starting our business adventure, we understood it would take some time to get to our destination to create a vacation rental that practiced and demonstrated sustainability efforts while teaching at the same time. We are very strong in our belief that we, on this planet, are facing a ticking clock as it relates to the planet's ability to sustain its population.

We knew we were also creating a legacy that would be handed to our children, and then their children after them.

My children had not been to the property for two years, as they were both having babies and our property would not be "baby-friendly". With another grandchild on the way, we all determined this would be the only time to fit in a family trip with the kids and grandkids.

Lorraine and I took off around 7:30 AM on a pretty uneventful trip. We arrived in Black River Falls around 11:30, filled up our portable water tank (for showers in the camper), picked up some side salads at Hansen's, and arrived on the property around noon.

We did our cleaning and unpacking and some basic work. Lorraine swept the stairs. We then replaced our safety ropes on the kayak lifts with safety cables to reduce the risk of kayaks falling from the sky.

My son, Josh, his wife, Chelsea, and their daughter, Maddie arrived around 6:00 PM. Josh and Chelsea are expecting their second child in January. Maddie is almost 2 years old. She is my precious princess, much as my daughter was to me. I love her to death.

My daughter, Molly, her husband, Nathan, and their son, Beckham arrived around 9:00 PM. Beckham is only six weeks behind Maddie in age. He is my little buddy.

I have a blast with both of my grandchildren and they make me feel and act like a little kid. I was excited to have my core family with me on this trip. I was excited to have my grandchildren there for the first time. I was excited for my kids and their spouses to see the changes we have made since the last time they were there.

We had a good night of campfire talks/laughs before bed. Nathan was sleeping in their car with their dog. Josh, Chelsea, Maddie and their dog slept in the front bed of the camper. Molly and Beckham slept in the back bed of the camper. Lorraine slept on the dinette bed with our dog. I slept on my cot in the building.

It was a cold night, with temperatures in the low thirties. I did not get cold until early the next morning and was up out of bed around 6:30. Most were not far after me. French toast and sausage links for breakfast tasted awesome.

After cleanup, it was time to try the new (used) DR Brush Mower that had required some repairs. It worked great and is going to be a game-changer more than I had anticipated. It will allow us to cut a path into the forest to begin to clean up some of the damage that has occurred related to the Derecho of 2021 and the winter damage of 2022-2023. Just as the ATV/wagon is a game changer to help us work better and smarter, so it is with the DR Brush Mower.

We stayed near the building for most of our time there. There is rock around the building and I feel the tick issue is not quite as bad if not in the woods/grass. The mowers had mowed for me on Friday morning. I always feel that if I go after a mowing, that they have blown most of the ticks away from our driveways/walkways. I don't want my grandchildren being bitten by ticks.

I had transported a propane grill on this trip, which will allow us to grill food now. I also bought and set up an 8' table with (2) 6' benches. These will work much better for eating meals than our old and dirty picnic tables.

Lunch was hot dogs on the grill, along with some fruit salad and chips.

We then decided to take them to Perry Creek. The Perry Creek Natural Area is just a beautiful area to see in the area. Fall, specifically, is really special. There are some neat water drops/slides, tall sandstone bluffs, and colors that boggle your mind in the fall. In the fall, the ticks are also less of an issue than in the summer. The trails are narrow and you can't help but rub up against the plants growing into the trail. This is where you will pick up ticks. In the fall, they are starting to migrate to the leaf matter.

If you have not noticed, I am a bit of a paranoid tick-watcher. But I have had Lyme disease and others have had the same issue, so I go out of my way to try to protect the best that I am able to.

After we departed Perry Creek, and after a few stops, it was back to the property. We enjoyed fire and time together. The grandkids, as usual, kept us entertained and busy. It is somewhat rewarding to know that this will all be theirs's someday, carrying on the vision that we have started.

When I say "we", I am meaning my family. But more so, all of the friends that have provided input and work into this project. This is their legacy also. Many of the ideas we have implemented are THEIR ideas. Their input and involvement is immeasurable and I never take it for granted.

Supper consisted of "smash-burgers" that Josh made on the flat griddle. Coupled with our side salads from Hansen's, it was a great supper. The rest of the evening was campfire, ATV drives, and entertaining, and being entertained, by the grandchildren.

Sleeping arrangements Saturday night were the same, but this time I wore an additional layer and slept really good. Breakfast burritos in the morning and some cleanup and the kids were off to head back home. After closing up shop and winterizing the camper, Lorraine and I also headed home.

Our family is so special to us. We are very blessed to have the greatest children in the world (as most of us who have children do, right?). They both have great spouses. And they have all given us the most beautiful grandchildren in the world. Life is good. Love is good.

The legacy continues to evolve.