Minnesota Ice Fishing at Wildwood Resort – March Madness!

mn ice fishing

We weren’t too happy with Mother Nature when she didn’t support our snowmobiling plans this winter.  However, what we didn’t anticipate was that our mild winter would be such a boon to MN ice fishing!  We’ve had more fishermen in this year than ever before and fishing has been really good.  Our guests have found lots of nice sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike and an occasional crappie.  Most lakes are very accessible right now with the low snow totals but be careful out there – spring is around the corner so we’ll start losing ice on those lake!

Minnesota snowmobile vacations
We have so much fun snowmobiling with friends!

We did manage to get out snowmobiling one last time a week ago.  Two back-to-back snowstorms left enough snow to enjoy the trails.  We traveled from Jessie Lake east to the Scenic Pines restaurant.  We had a great lunch (as usual) and then made our way back to our friends’ house.  We rode almost 100 miles and loved every second of it.  We weren’t the only ones with snowmobiling on our minds, though.  It was the busiest day we ever experienced on the trail – I think we saw over 100 sleds!

Minnesota family resort vacation
Just a little something to get you thinking about summer!

Jay and I have started our project list for the coming spring.  This is the time of year when we find ourselves wandering around Home Depot for no particular reason.  While most couples see a movie on “date night” we tend to go look at flooring, appliances and lumber before coming home at 7:00.  Yep.  We step out on the wild side every now and then!!  Anyway, the list is pretty extensive this year so we’re hoping for an early spring so Jay can get started.  He’s going to be a busy guy in a month or so.  (He should probably start working out or something.)  Our goal is to always provide a good value for the vacation dollar for our guests so we are constantly trying to improve our cabins and grounds.  After 13 years we struggle sometimes to see our resort with fresh eyes and can easily overlook issues that have “aways been that way.”  What is our project “Wish List” for this year?  We’re looking into different heating sources for a couple of cabins and we have to replace some dining room tables and chairs.  A couple of bathrooms need some serious TLC, Jay has to build some closets and we need to replace a kayak that we lost in a storm last year.  We will do the usual spring cleaning which involves wiping down all the walls in the cabins, washing all the dishes, cleaning carpets and washing all the bedding (again) that we used in the winter cabins.  Outside we rake the grounds again to clean up the pine needles and leaves that winter left behind, then put docks in, get the boats out of the shed and into the lake and set up the Lodge with all of our new clothing and gifts.   Whew.  I’m tired already – maybe I should start working out now, too?!

We are looking forward to getting Wildwood ready for summer!

Kim & Jay

Minnesota snowmobile vacations

MN snowmobiling
There were just a few snowmobiles on the trails last weekend!

MN ice fishing on Bass Lake

Dear Minnesota Winter: I Think You Forgot to Check the Calendar

 

Minnesota winter recreation
The girls FINALLY have some snow to roll around in!

Well, I doubt we were the only ones shocked by this week’s crazy weather.  Just as we had given up on Minnesota snowmobiling and started thinking of Minnesota family resort vacations Mother Nature let us have it.  It’s beautiful around Wildwood right now.  The trees are flocked and all that brown grass has finally been covered up.  We have about a foot on the ground and the Bushwacker snowmobile trail that runs just south of Bass Lake has been groomed for the first time this winter.  Jay and I are frustrated today because we’d love to hit the trails ourselves but we are busy with our part-time jobs and getting ready for the ice fishermen coming in this weekend!  Maybe we’ll get the sleds out tonight…for just a quick little jaunt.  That MIGHT hold us over until Saturday when we can head out for the day.  We hope you have the chance to hit the trails this weekend as well.  Feel free to plan a March stay with us if you don’t have enough snow where you are – we would love to have you!

Ice fishing on Bass Lake has continued to be really good.  Access is slightly more difficult with the deep, wet snow we got this week so we haven’t seen any truck or 4-wheeler traffic out there.  However, word on the ice is that the bluegill bite is good.  Stay tuned….

Minnesota family resorts support post labor day school start
Senator Saxhaug listening to our concerns.

I spent Tuesday and Wednesday this week down in Minneapolis at the Capitol for the Congress of Minnesota Resorts Day on the Hill.  We spent two days (in a blizzard) meeting with Representatives and Senators sharing our message about the importance of tourism in Minnesota and our concerns over the issues that negatively impact Minnesota family resorts like ours.  It was interesting to watch government at work and more than one legislator told us how important it is to take time to communicate our concerns in person or via email.  Some of our fellow resorters took their kids and it was fun to see those young, resorters-in-training in action!  Oh – and we stayed at Hotel340 in downtown St. Paul and ate at All-American Burger while there.  Both were awesome experiences!!

Minnesota winter recreation
Jay at work clearing the resort (and getting ready to play pulling the girls on sleds…)

We hope your week is going well and that you get out and enjoy winter now that it’s finally here!
Kim & Jay

Minnesota Capitol Senate Chambers
Minnesota state Capitol Senate Chambers – absolutely beautiful!

Minnesota Ice Fishing at Wildwood Resort

Minnesota snowmobiling
Our only day out on our snowmobiles this season was a beautiful one!

Hello everyone!  I feel like I’ve been away a long time.  I certainly haven’t blogged in the last few months as I intended mostly because this winter has not turned out as expected.  I really thought I would be posting weekly MN snowmobiling reports but that’s what I get for thinking!  Our snowfall has been skimpy and, as a result, snow conditions around us have been poor.  In fact the Bushwacker Snowmobile Trail that runs just south of the resort was never groomed this year.  Not enough snow!  (Boo Hiss!!)  However, we did manage to get in one good ride.  At the end of January we trailered up to our friends house on North Star Lake and snowmobiled from there.  They had about 8 more inches of snow than we did!  It was a long day – we rode as long as we possibly could – and we saw trail conditions from good to terrible.  But still – we can say we rode and that means a lot during a winter like this one.

minnesota ice fishing
What a beautiful fish! Photo courtesy of some of our wonderful ice fishing guests.

While snowmobiling options have been limited this year the ice fishing opportunities abound!  Low snow means that the lake is very accessible by vehicle so we’ve seen everything from mini-vans to Gators out there!  (For some reason mini-vans out on the ice crack me up.)   Early accounts reported the sunfish in the shallows since the lack of snow means the vegetation didn’t die off as it normally does.  However, fishermen in this weekend caught their sunnies in 18 feet of water.  Overall fishing has been good and our ice fishermen this season have generally caught their limits.  Jay has dumped a steady amount of fish guts every weekend that we’ve had guests.  It keeps him out of trouble!

We are really looking forward to the summer season already!  This time of year it’s really fun to answer the phone and talk about Minnesota family vacations.  Makes me think of summer days on our sandy beach even though I’m looking out the window on a winter scene.  I’m ready for s’mores by the fire, potlucks on Monday nights, fun works-of-art created during our kids’ activities and checking in and catching up with our guests.  Our summer has booked up nicely but there are still some prime summer weeks open.  If you haven’t planned your summer vacation at this point we would love for you to consider a visit to Wildwood!

I say “Bring on Summer!”  Until next time…

Kim (& Jay, of course)

Wildwood Resort ice fishing
What a cool photo of a bluegill in the “tube.” Again – photo courtesy of guests.

Minnesota Fall Colors at Their Best!

MN fall color tours at wildwood resort
Fall colors on Bass Lake

When we started this blog I was concerned that I would lose track of time and forget to post.  It only took me 2 months to do it!  I’m afraid that September knocked me flat.    The change from our summer rhythm to our fall groove is never very graceful.  Off season means that our guests come and go every day so we’re cleaning cabins and mowing almost every day while the cabin is empty.   Add to that a new school routine that includes a bedtime (what is that?!), homework and back-to-work for me (at my part-time job) and I can safely say that I’m glad September is behind us.

The truly incredible things about September were the weather and the fall colors!  We are just now past peak colors and I think this is the latest we’ve seen in our 13 seasons at Wildwood.  The beauty of the fall colors set against the green pines is simply breathtaking.  We’ve also had such beautiful weather to go with it that now we are spoiled.  We should have been getting more outside work done these last few weeks.  Pulling docks out while it’s sleeting isn’t very fun!

fall color tours, minnesota cabin
Riverbirch Lodge decked out in beautiful fall colors!

Thursday night marked the first night that we have spent alone at the resort since early May.  Our crazy life is one of such extremes!  We left the house that night for supper and didn’t have to let anyone know or put a sign on the door.  It felt strange but also liberating.  🙂  I have been working hard to get all of the resort bedding washed before Jay shuts down the resort laundry room this weekend.  Two extra washers and dryers makes the chore go so much faster!  I think he plans to drain the water lines in the four seasonal cabins this weekend, too.  That is always such a chore!  He has to drain the water heaters and empty the toilets then he hooks up his big air compressor and blows out the water lines to each cabin.  It takes him several days to get it done to his satisfaction but that extra work has always paid off since he hasn’t had a broken water line in all these years!  (better find some wood to knock on…)  The pine needles have fallen as well so while he lets his compressor run he usually is on the mower mulching or raking up the leaves and needles.  I’ll put the seasonal cabins to bed by bagging up the clean laundry, cleaning the kitchens and stowing all of the outside stuff.  It always feels so strange to close them up for the winter but I’m glad when the chore is done.  I think the plan is to pull out the docks on MEA weekend so I’ll post some video of that on Facebook after we do it.  It’s quite a process.

Minnesota quilting retreats, MN scrapbooking weekends, MN girlfriend getaways
Minnesota Quilting Retreats at Widlwood Resort

Did you receive the email we sent out this week?  In the summer we use it to advertise discounted and/or split weeks as well as special offers.  This month we are offering our Winter Rate of $35/night/person to anyone who mentions our blog (or the email) while booking.  October is a great time to plan a girlfriend getaway, scrapbooking weekend or quilting retreat!  We can help arrange appointments in town for massage or spa treatments, massages in your cabin, or discounted tickets to the Reif Center. (http://reifcenter.org/)  Minimum occupancy and/or 2 night minimum are required in conjunction with our Winter Rates.  You can sign up to receive our emails on our website at https://wildwoodresort.net/emailsignup.htm

Enjoy these last days of Autumn!

Kim & Jay

largemouth bass fishing, minnesota fall fishing
Fall Fishing in Minnesota at its Best!
mn fall fishing, largemouth bass fishing
Nice largemouth bass!

Peace and Quiet – Minnesota Fall Get-Aways

Minnesota fall get-aways

I will be forever amazed I think by the change in the energy at our resort after Labor Day.  Although there are still kids here the place feels so quiet!  Maybe it’s just that the pace of our resort life changes so Jay and I notice it more than anyone else would but…wow!  It’s is SO peaceful this time of year.  Our guests this week are enjoying some incredible September weather.  Warm and sunny with perfect blue sky and gorgeous sunsets.  Some leaves are already starting to turn – it seems like fall color season is just around the corner.

Minnesota pontoon rentals
The newest addition to the fleet – 2001 Bennington with 40 ph 4stroke Evinrude

Our big excitement recently (beside school starting) was the purchase of a new pontoon.  We bought a gently-used 2001 Bennington pontoon with a 40 hp 4-stroke Evinrude motor.  The set-up is exactly the same as our 2004 pontoon which makes it a perfect fishing pontoon as well as cruising pontoon.  The new pontoon has already been reserved for a few weeks in 2012 but if you have an interest please send us an email (stay@wildwoodresort.net) or call 1-888-328-5858 to check availability for next summer.  We will be getting it added to our Rates page on the website soon!

There are some neat things to do in area during the month of September.  First of all, the Children’s Discovery Museum is still open Monday – Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Wildwood has a resort membership to the CDM and our guests can visit for free.  Coming up this weekend:  the MN Street Rod Association Fall Campout hosted by the Northern Cruisers Car Club; the 5th Annual Bigfork Valley Challenge including a 1/2 marathon, 4.5 mile run and 3 mile walk; the Bigfork Valley Community Foundation Hoedown Fundraiser, 5:30p @ Marcell Family Center including dinner and dancing to music by the Miltich-LaPlant Folk Ensemble, silent and live auctions; and Enduro Stock Car Races @ Grand Rapids Speedway, Itasca County Fairgrounds.  For more information on these and upcoming events in our area please check out this Community Calendar.

Here’s another great potluck recipe that a one of our guests just sent me.  Enjoy!
Cashew Chicken Pasta Salad
• 3 cups bow tie (farfalle) pasta
• 1 (16 ounce) bottle bottled coleslaw dressing (I use Rudolph’s)
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup Miracle Whip
• 4 cups cubed cooked chicken (I usually use a rotisserie chicken)
• 1 1/2 cups seedless green grapes, halved (I slice)
• 1 1/2 cups seedless red grapes, halved (I slice)
• 2 cups thinly sliced celery
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
• 2 cups cashew halves
• 1 cups dried cranberries
Directions:  1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until al dente; drain, and set aside.
2.  In a medium bowl, whisk together coleslaw dressing, mayonnaise, and Miracle Whip. In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, green grapes, red grapes, celery, and green onions. Stir in dressing, and mix well. Place the salad in the refrigerator to marinate for 2 hours, or overnight. Mix in cashews and dried cranberries just before serving. Serve cold.

We hope your plans in the coming weeks include the very best of fall:  fall fishing, fall color tours and a relaxing fall get-away with us at Wildwood Resort!

Kim & Jay