Black's Cliff Birch Bark Blog

Excerpt: Spring got put on hold for a couple of days. Winter made a return Our maple trees stopped dripping and froze up Before the snow and cold the trees were producing a lot of sap. With the cold I had to break up the frozen sap left in the bags. It was sad to see the trees stop flowing... Read more

Excerpt: First for anyone who just needs a pic of the hillside this morning. Snow is just about gone and cold wind off the lake For anyone who just wants to know what the guys are up to, Steve was wandering around wondering what to do today. He walked in the basement and came out with 3 projects and I... Read more

Excerpt: Warm sunrise started out the day Guys continuing their projects. Steve continuing his job of carpeting a path for Murry and Linda this summer to the beach. Murry has volunteered the financing of the project Meanwhile Troy working on some carpets inside of Muskie Heading to the beach, Cliff was basking in the sun. Time to get those ice... Read more

Excerpt: A lot of warm weather had made a lot of changes at the lake. Cliff looked like he was sleeping in the sun. The hockey rink was looking like its own small lake Shore line showing signs of spring Strange black streaks in the ice always give a person pause when walking past. Time to get Cliff tied in... Read more

Excerpt: Who needs the NCAA March Madness picks when the only real pick that matters is picking the day Cliff will plunge into Lower Kaubashine for ice out. Here is our list of entries this year March 19 Acelyn Zierke March 25th Briza Bryden March 26th Craig Novak March 28th Conner Novak April 1st Baeah Bryden April 4th Jen Bryden... Read more

Excerpt: It is the beginning of March and time for Cliff to come out of the closet and head to the lake for Ice Out 2015. You could almost hear his thoughts looking out at the lake sitting in his chair. After 2 very late ice outs the last couple of years, Cliff is ready for a shorter sit this... Read more

Excerpt: -22 degrees this morning for Cliff's 2nd day at the lake. He was looking a bit frosty this morning. No melting yet. Being so cold out the guys have been busy on a few indoor projects. They installed these old windows from Norway Pines in the downstairs bedroom of Bear Den. We were thinking this would open up the... Read more

Excerpt: It was a beautiful weekend in the woods with fresh snow. Saturday warmed up enough to enjoy the outside Even Mack pried himself away from the woodstove to head to the lake Troy headed to the lake for I think his final time snowblowing the rink off. After this we might let it go to nature Mack agrees The... Read more

Excerpt: http://fox6now.com/2015/02/24/frozen-once-again-apostle-islands-ice-caves-could-open-this-weekend/ Check out the above link for article about the ice caves on the Apostle Islands possibly opening up this weekend. They are deciding today if they are opening. They only open for a short period of time when it is completely safe to go out to them. Last year was one of the longest years they were open. Before... Read more

Excerpt: Great time of year to come up. We start out lower spring rates this coming weekend starting at 125/night. The snow is still here and more on the way on Tuesday. Ski trails in good shape. We skied the Madeline trail on Saturday, great conditions! We had other folks up snowmobiling. This crew is snowmobiling all week and reporting... Read more

Excerpt: It was a cold, but fun weekend in the Northwoods. Jake brought the Lawrence University x-country ski team to the resort for their 2nd year of skiing Winter Park. This group will all be skiing the Birkie next weekend in Hayward. Good luck to all and see you next year! They skied til they dropped at Winter Park. But... Read more

Excerpt: Cold sunrise at minus 20 and a minus 30 wind chill but we still had school. Just had to remind teens that you let a car warm up before taking off in this cold. Mack is set for the cold. Always cracks me up how thick of fur he grows about this time of the winter. His paws look... Read more

Excerpt: Perfect for Valentines if you are tired of giving candy and flowers, how about socks. I can ship a pair for 3 dollars and anything over that for usually 5 dollars for what will fit in a priority bag at the post office. Above picture is my shoe size 6 - 7 no wools. The bright pink pair and... Read more

Excerpt: Pretty quiet at the resort today. This Pileated Wood Pecker came to visit us at lunch. They are the biggest woodpecker we have. You can usually hear them drumming on the trees. They are not around the resort much when guests are around. We usually only see them when it is quiet. There is more snow on the way... Read more

Excerpt: Big flakes came down blanketing the resort in a fresh layer of snow. Cold is to follow. It got us to go to town and do some shopping At one of the antique stores I found this nice pair of green oars. I am always looking for fresh oars to add into out large supply of oars. Oars last... Read more

Excerpt: My brother in law, Bryon took this picture of wind across Lake Minocqua this morning at -27 wind chill Burrrr..... I borrowed his picture so my fingers would not have to suffer going out and taking a pic. Thanks Bryon! Warming up later in the week, but today it is time to stay home and sit by the woodstove... Read more

Excerpt: Cold temps have kept out snow in good shape. All trails in the area are reporting good conditions. Some fresh snow would easily bump them to excellent conditions if Mother Nature would cooperate Cold temps have the guys working on a few indoor/outdoor projects Steve is working on getting a new/old bathroom door up in the office. Those who... Read more

Excerpt: The hockey sticks are calling to be used for another game. There is a birthday party of 11 year olds with Max and Sam, my nephews coming over to stay in Muskie. Hockey is on their list of things to do with their friends while at the resort. They have never had a sleep over cabin time with friends... Read more

Excerpt: We had another light snow fall today. About 2 inches of fresh snow. After the warm temps it was good to get a fresh snowfall. This will especially help the ski trails. Under this pile of snow is next summer's firepit wood Fresh snow in the balsams, always pretty ... Read more

Excerpt: Mack's snow report this morning Snow was slowly adding up and now with 5 inches of snow coming in last night and today it is time to enjoy the snow For some of us enjoying the snow means shoveling off the gator and plowing Don't let him fool you that he only works in the snow. He is known... Read more