Black's Cliff Birch Bark Blog

Excerpt: Steve headed out on Lake Katherine with his buddy Darby and the dogs for some ice skating before the snow gets too thick. These are the islands of Lake Katherine Lake Katherine is just 5 minutes from the resort and beautiful any time of the year Three dog skate pull. Darby did teach them how to stop which is... Read more

Excerpt: Time to clean out the sheds. Ever wonder what is hidden in the sheds.... we wonder too sometimes. Craig has spent a week out at the wood shed cleaning and organizing the back end of the storage shed Lots of old ski boat parts. If you happen to have a 1950's boat that is red we happen to have... Read more

Excerpt: ... Read more

Excerpt: We had a very nice visit with Mark and Kathy Lammers. Lots of memories shared and stories retold. Mark and Kathy started coming to the resort with their grandparents back in the 60's staying in Birchwood Here they are with their Katherine Taylor their grandma and friend, Eleanor Tungett. Summers on Lower Kaubashine have been a part of their... Read more

Excerpt: Nothing like a late summer slalom around the lake. We have been busy working at the woodshed. All this wood looked like..... This a couple of days ago and soon to look like.... Look like this. There is always something going on at the woodshed this time of year and lots of piles of wood being made and chopped... Read more

Excerpt: When the weather starts to get a little colder like it is today, Birchwood always looks like the place you want to be. Warm and inviting with the lights on. Everyone needs a few days in Birchwood... Read more

Excerpt: It started with one duck coming into the swimming area torturing a golden who can't swim but really wanted to meet the duck... Staying just far enough from shore as to make the golden who does not swim think twice about chasing it One duck by itself... There came a squawk and a 2nd joined in the fun Before... Read more

Excerpt: The Walsh Family enjoyed their 30th summer at the resort this week. Lots of bluegill fishing was done There is nothing better than bluegill fishing with grandpa putting on worms.... taking off fish..... Repeat as needed... put on worm.... take off fish... This picture is what it is all about. The magic of a dock, a grandpa, a floppy... Read more

Excerpt: I know many lakes in the south get very green this time of year from run off. Not up North. The late summer is some of the clearest waters. It is fun to spot the fish through the clear water Blue gills swimming in the shoreline Just waiting for someone to drop a worm in for them to steal... Read more

Excerpt: Tim Ophus who stays at Hilltop Resort was nice enough to share these pictures with me that he took heading back to Hilltop before the storm rolled in. Awesome pictures Tim! Looking over at our resort. It was windy and temps dropped quickly Thanks again Tim... Read more

Excerpt: We had a special anniversary at the resort. Howard and Jean Berchtold celebrated their 60th anniversary with their kids, grandkids and great grand kids at the resort this week. Howard and Jean have been with us since the mid 70's spending a week or two with their family at the lake This year they did something special and rented... Read more

Excerpt: Little Lauren started out with her whole family on the raft First went big sister Abigail and Uncle Mark You are out of here dad! Wahooooooo queen of the raft.... with big sister sneaking up from behind. Enjoy your moment Lauren... Read more

Excerpt: It is summer beach party week. The crew is loving the new dock and bench. There has been no missing the old white dock. Everyone has slowly adjusted. Only tradition break was to drag a few of the green rockers out on to the dock The temporary Kings and Queens of the raft For now it is all about... Read more

Excerpt: After trying several new "used" motors the last couple of years on our old 1956 shell lake ski boat we finally bit the bullet and bought the old boat a new life with a Evinrude Etc motor from Ryden Marine in Minocqua. Hands down this was one of the best decisions we have made in awhile. The old motors... Read more

Excerpt: Last September we lost a very special lady and friend, Char, pictured above in her rocking chair with her family and friends around. Char was one of those special people in your life you will always remember and treasure. She touched the lives of many who did not know her in other weeks around the resort. She insisted I... Read more

Excerpt: There are some moments in life that are perfect and you wish you could hold on to them. That is what most Grandparents and parents feel for their kids. Donna Pyfer shared her pics with her grandkids Delaney and Bryce this week. If you could just freeze time I am sure Donna would Delaney learning fishing from Grandpa John... Read more

Excerpt: Steve found this rare flower around Red Pine. Any guesses on what it is? He figured it out but was throwing it out there to challenge all the flower people out there Steve, Troy and our boys have been busy out clearing and building a dog park for the resort. We have had this great area and not used... Read more

Excerpt: Our annual horseshoe tournament came this week. For the first time we did not have our leader Mr Tungett to inspire us to leave the beach and go to Hilltop to throw some shoes. We lost Mr T last year but his spirit lives on in his tournament. His daughters Eleanor and Linda holding the horse shoe plaque made... Read more

Excerpt: The days have been great and we have been breaking in the new dock The lake levels are about as high as they go as we have had more and more rain Rain and sun and floating with unicorns.... does not get better than that Only thing better is getting your dad to grab a pink float and float... Read more

Excerpt: Those of you that follow blog or have been to the resort know we had to redo our front entrance sign. My brother inlaw Bryon created our totem pole gate 20 years ago and it needed a little TLC before it came down on someone or something. We took it down in the spring and Steve rebuilt the triangle... Read more