We leave Madison behind and head for a lake cabin twenty miles north of The Dells. It is the weekend retreat - the "Wildlife Refuge" - for our very good friends from Racine, Maureen and Kelly. They have been together for more than 15 years, and when the Wisconsin laws allow, will be a married couple. All four of us have really been looking forward to this visit. We set up camp in their front yard before they arrived. When their neighbors called to tell them of squatters on the property, we knew we were in for a great time.
That first night, we had a fire in the fire pit with a few of the weekenders ( we think one of them probably had reported us earlier,) and it continued with a "hair of the dog" at a nearby lakeside eatery the next morning. After a tour of the area and a relaxing day waiting out the rain we had brought, we attended a party at Perry and Kim's around the corner - these folks know how to fill the weekends with fun. It reminded us of our previous life with the boat-dock party crew every one of our weekends - had to return to work just to rest up for the next one.
The next day with clear skies, we hooked up their boat and headed to Castle Rock Lake (the launch ramp is only about a mile away.)
We hadn't spent a day on the water since a July 4th 2008 visit with Bob and Camille at Lake Texoma (in our pre-blogging days.) Maureen and Kelly have a beautiful 20-foot ski rig that will zip across the water at a cool 45 mph. But with the breezes up, we limited our cruise to around 30. Lots of pretty shoreline. Lots of relaxing in the warm sun. Finished off with Kelly's trying out her new gift - a very nice slalom ski.
Next day, after a gourmet breakfast - Kelly is a professional chef and caterer (one of many great meals she fixed up for us) - we headed south for a visit to the Wisconsin Dells, one of the state's biggest tourist attractions. More fun, more eating, more people-watching, and a little shopping.
Thanks, wonderful friends, for a fun and memorable time at Mo and Kelly's Wildlife Refuge!
Perry and Kim loved you guys, notwithstanding Perry's odd humor with the Trailer Trash 1 and 2! Kim told us at least 3 times that you guys were the most interesting people she has ever met! I wish the weather would have cooperated a little more but we still managed to have a lot of fun. The first day you were there, I said to Kelly, I can't believe they're really here. Thanks for brightening up our summer! Safe travels home!
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