Luke and I grew up 1000 miles apart from each other, but every year since we were born, once a summer we were only 45 minutes apart. Every summer my family has traveled from Colorado to the northern tip of Wisconsin to Madeline Island, one of the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. My family has had a cabin on the Island since 1933. In doing so we drove on a highway literally 45 minutes from where Luke was raised. I mean, come on, how crazy is that – you can’t make this stuff up! Actually you probably could, it isn’t that crazy, but I think it is a cool part of our story.
Madeline Island holds a very special place in my heart. It is so beautiful, peaceful and truly a place to get away from the world. Growing up we didn’t have electricity or indoor plumbing at the cabin. It was kerosene lamps and trips to the outhouse. Since then we have upgraded a few things and thankfully now have indoor plumbing and solar power. What a luxury. But there is no other place like it in the world. The beach, the crystal clear water, the woods, the family memories and history – I love it all. And my sweet daddy is buried there as well because he loved that place so much too. Now thankfully Luke and the boys love it as much as I do.
So we continue to make the annual journey to the Island. I have not missed a single summer in my life. This year since we were so close we managed to make it up twice. We were joined by my mom, sister, and brother-in-law, who made the drive from Denver twice! And my aunt and uncle from Madison joined us as well. (Normally we try to have a big cousin party and see extended family, but Covid made that tough this year ?.) We spent our days on the beach playing in the water. It is a super fun place to use our SUP – stand up paddle board – when the lake is still it is like glass and so fun to paddle over. When we aren’t on the beach we play in the woods, cook super yummy meals, and thanks to having extra family members to hang with the boys, I READ 2 1/2 BOOKS!!! People this never happens!!!
We had two great trips to the Island. The second one was more of a work trip where Luke’s mobile garage came in super handy. Luke, with the help of our brother in law, worked on creating an outdoor shower. He got the structure completed and will work on the plumbing in the spring. We also split a bunch of wood. I have three little boys who are excellent at running a log splitter, I am not even kidding. Even Zac can run the splitter like a pro. Teach them young and someday I won’t have to split wood ?, just kidding it was actually kinda fun.
As I grew up loving the Island and Lake Superior, Luke had a very similar experience every summer with his own family’s tradition of summers on Long Lake. It is a beautiful lake about 30 minutes away from the farm. This has been a tradition his whole life to spend a week at the lake every summer with cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. We continued that tradition again on a smaller scale this summer and rented a cabin for a week. Luke’s sister, husband, two girls, Mimi and Pops, and the 5 of us had an awesome week at the Lake. The water is beautiful and warm. The kids swam as much as possible, Luke got some good water skiing in, and I had one of the most beautiful SUP paddles to date. We had awesome cousin time. The kids are all stair stepped perfectly 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 – and we didn’t even try to plan it that way ?. We had dance parties at night with the kids, and after they all went to bed we had great card playing time with the 6 adults. Wonderful memories were made and friendships grew.
Creating memories with extended family is what the Lake and the Island are all about. Both Luke and I have been greatly shaped by our time over the years at these wonderful and magical places. The boys absolutely love being near the water and are so sad every time we have to leave either place. They are very special places to all of us and some of the best weeks of the summer.
Next up a recap of haying and life on the farm and then our plans for the winter. Thanks for following along!!
Live your Adventure,
Julie
You are, once again, making me homesick. I, too, have wonderful memories of summers in Wisconsin. It is a beautiful place.
We’ve been wondering about you and your adventures. All looks awesome! Might have known you always have such fun. How’s the motor home life? Keep us posted. Love seeing you all! XO ?