Deep Woods On

                                                   Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

Now, that is as deep in the woods I have been in a long time.

Four days of true camping (I didn't say back-pack camping). 

We had "pit toilets" as they called them and nothing else.

Closest town to buy ice was about 30 min. away.

We did see a black bear about a mile or two from camp

on one of our ice runs.

We came prepared for some good ole outdoor fun.

Bikes, canoe, fishing gear etc...

Setting up camp.  Lots of work, but you are so happy to

be there it is actually fun.

This was our nuisance chipmunk.  You have heard of nuisance bears

at campgrounds.  Well, this guy knew where the grub was.  The last campers at this

site left some dog food, which as you can see he has stuffed into his cheeks.

He came back every meal looking for a handout.  People think it is so cute to

feed a chipmunk, but bears eat the same things chipmunks do.  If this chipmunk figured it out,

how long before the bears do?

Ah, a fire.  One of the best parts about camping.

You can't have a fire with out a Fire Hobbit.

Because I am all slouched over manning the fire I look like

I don't have a neck or waist.  Kind of hobbit-like.

So, my kind husband proceeded to call me the Fire Hobbit

the whole time.

You also can not have a fire with out wood.  Another very

labor intensive part of camping, but still fun.  I can say that

because Mike was doing all of the work.

I thought Mike took an awesome picture here so I decided

to share it.

It was a great day for canoeing, not so great for fishing.

These marinated venison steaks where crazy good.

A little wine to wash it down with never hurts either.

You are looking at a carmel apple pudgie pie.

Words can not describe how good this was.

Biking Anvil Trail. 

It was such a great trail.  Not as technical as what

we are used to, but that is what made it so enjoyable. 

I think we only did about 7 miles of the trail.

We took a little break at this cabin along the trail.

It has a fire place inside for cross-country skiers to

warm up by in the winter.  Hmm, sounds like a plan

for this winter.

We had a nice little path down to the lake right from

our camp site.

It was so relaxing to just sit by the lake.

So calm and quiet...

Until the Loons start.  I know where the saying

"crazy as a loon" came from.  They sound like a crazy person

screaming.  Totally freaky if you don't know what it is.

The best part of this hike was that there wasn't any garbage along the sides

of the trail.  I figure it is because we were so deep in the forest that the

people that toss their beer cans are not going to hike that far.  We

did about 8 or 9 miles that day.

I could do this all day.  Me and a hike in the forest.





Oh yeah, Mike can come along too.



This little guy was so cute.  I just had to hold him.



 Ok, we knew you all were already thinking it.

Go ahead, you can officially call us "Tree Huggers".

Mike had to give fishing one more shot.

I guess the fish didn't like what he was

serving up.

On our way home we made a stop at an old fire tower in Mountain.

It was 100 feet up.  100 feet is a lot higher then I thought it was.

You can barely see Mike's truck from the top.

But boy what a view.  You can see for miles.

I guess that was the point, eh?

Wild Kingdom

This past weekend we took our nieces to the Milwaukee Zoo.

Mike and I hadn't been there since we were kids, but we remembered it fondly.

We were hoping to build some memories like that for the girls.

Below are just a few pics of animals from the zoo.

No need to bore you with too many of these pics.

It is better to go see them in person anyway.

There, that wasn't too bad.

Now onto people pics

Bella with her best lion impersonation

Bella on a pony.

She made sure I didn't let go.

Kylie and Bella

I know the lighting is bad.

Kylie, Bella and the biggest kid of them all...Mike.

(don't forget Ella (Bella's stuffed animal) in the little cage on the wheel.)

How's that for making memories?

Off to a Good Start

Camping 2011

Take a break from life for a few moments and join us on our first two camping trips so far this summer.

First up, camping with the Pond side of the family

Hank(Mike's sister Cheri's dog)

One of the two cutest beagles ever.

Cody(Mike's parent's dog) the other cutest beagle is not pictured, but he was there

"Ok kids, watch uncle Mike show you how to build a fire."

Pyros in the making.

Ah, that's right, just relax.

Jerry (Cheri's husband)

Official goofball and camp cook.

He makes one awesome breakfast!

Does this boat look too small for 3 adult males or is it just me?

Mike showing no mercy on his niece.

"You want to play tether ball do ya? Take that!"

At least she is forgiving.

Bella's first fish with a little help from uncle Mike.

And of course her proud dad, Jerry.

Now, on to the Hoelzel camp trip

We all met down by my brother Scott, in Mississippi

The first order of business was Emma's (Scott's daughter) ballet recital.

This was the only pic that turned out half way decent. Emma is

on the left. It doesn't do her performance justice. She was awesome!

Beautiful Emma, and proud mom and dad (Scott and Nancy)

Here are the brave host and hostess of this crazy family trip.

Scott and Nancy opened up there house for a week for all of us to stay there.

That was a whole lot of Hoelzels under one roof.

Here we have father, grandson and son.

Tom, Alex and Scott

Dad and Penny in New Orleans

New Orleans is interesting to say the least.

This guy had to be roasting. It was at least 90 and very

humid that day.

Me and my sis.

Here is the crazy crew, minus Penny (taking the pic) and

the kids.

What more could you ask for?

Canoeing to your campsite...priceless

There it is.

One of my favorite pics.

Me, my bro, and my sis.

You can't go camping with out making pudgy pies.

This one was EPIC!

Mike making breakfast and Scott supervising.

A little break from canoeing.

Frisbee in the river.

(look at Mike way back in the "what nots"...)

I guess you had to be there to get that one

It looks all nice and peaceful, but there are plans being hatched that

involve ramming into the nearest canoe in an attempt to tip them over.

That's right, nothing is peaceful with the Hoelzel's

Gabe, my nephew from my sister's side.

You wouldn't know it from the picture,

but he was one sick pup with a cold.

Which he gave me. :-(

Post camping/canoeing Rummy 500 card game.

Wait a minute...Alex, is that a beer in your hand?

Isn't that your dad right next to you totally not paying

attention?

Yeah, that's what I thought.

Jackie...one cool dog

Going for a little sail on the Gulf.

Taking it all in

Boys will be boys...make that men will be boys.

Mike and Scott having a good old time.

There was one thing missing from this trip.

Everyone kept saying "Chris would be loving this".

We missed you Chris. Maybe next time.




On our way back home we stopped off to see some friends in Memphis

Miller, Stephanie and Kellie at Memphis Pizza Cafe.

Neal was there too, but i didn't get a pic. Sorry Neal.

We stopped in Memphis on our way down as well and went to the same

Memphis Pizza Cafe with some other friends.

Needless to say, it is the best pizza thus far.

So, there you have it. Two family camp trips.

The beginning of a yearly tradition.

We hope.