Black's Cliff Birch Bark Blog

Excerpt: I wandered down to the lake imagining 6 - 12 more inches of snow..... Troy has nicely kept the beach steps clear of snow and getting down to the lake the thought of going off his shoveled paths into feet of snow was not happening. Even for a nice picture of fog on the lake. These pics were all... Read more

Excerpt: We hosted the Lawrence X Country ski team this weekend. It was a weekend full of food, skiing, saunas and lots of laughs with this group. My son Jake and his girlfriend Michelle are part of the group and they shared their amazing weekend in pictures. Thanks to them for sharing This is the reason they ventured to the... Read more

Excerpt: Our summer pic from yester year... This boat is still out in our shed waiting for someone bored to do something with it. One of the spring tasks we no longer do is tar the old wood boats. Craig and Dave would do this every spring to the fleet. Thankfully steel and fiberglass boats do not need this. I... Read more

Excerpt: Does anything really change.... This picture is from the 50's... but it could have been taken this last summer as well This has always been one of my favorite pics I took a few years ago. People have changed but the fun and memories remain the same Nope it does not change much just the faces and the swim... Read more

Excerpt: When you are 14 and you want to earn some money for something and you live at a resort there is always something to do. Grant is our chief kindling splitter and the pile was just about empty as was his wallet Such technique Learned over generations Another pile that is empty is our wood pile next to the... Read more

Excerpt: I am hoping this is the final time I take a picture at -20 degrees. Temps look to be warming into 20's and gasp.... I see a 31 in the forecast as well I I sure hope so, so we can go back to doing one of this and.... Some of that........ Read more

Excerpt: Before we get to Charlie's dilemma I thought I would show how deep the snow has gotten. The birdbath shows how deep it is if you step in fresh snow. It really is time for snow shoes This picture is for Ted Tempel. Under the snow somewhere is the front yard bear. His eye is just sticking out This... Read more

Excerpt: As it is cold out and I have not been out taking pics and someone this weekend did not send me their ice fishing pics (Murry) I grabbed a pic that was sent in by Dan Christian. Dan found this oldie but goodie in his files this winter. I thought folks might recognize a few of these hooligans from... Read more

Excerpt: I pictured Charles and his ball dilemma the other day on the blog. Charles (aka Charlie or Chuck depending on his mood) also got to go ice fishing this weekend. I have never seen a dog with a coat as short as Charles that enjoys the cold like he does. Then again gives him a reason to sit by... Read more

Excerpt: My husband comes in the office as I am doing paper work and asks me if I want to come take pictures of them taking down a tree that is very close to Red Pine. My eyes light up at the prospect of entertaining pictures of trees crashing, hopefully not on anything important. Here is the tree in question... Read more

Excerpt: I came around the corner to this scene with Steve up a ladder. Me: "What are you doing up there" Steve "Dad told me to do this a few years ago when snow was on the roof so the branch would bounce off the roof and not cause damage" Me: "And you thought today was the correct day for... Read more

Excerpt: If there is anyone in America right now that does not have snow outside their window this is for you..... but I think those people are only in Miami today and maybe the west coast Our greeter bear getting slowly buried. This is snow depth we usually see mid February just before everything starts to melt away at the... Read more

Excerpt: Sunset on Lower Kaubashine in the cold... did I mention cold? I have no idea the temp at the time but it was cold... I had warm socks on.... where did these amazing warm socks come from.... oh I know Mack running to stay warm Snow is getting deep on the lake Is it time to go in yet... Read more

Excerpt: I took some walks around the resort at night as well as during the day. At night we still have our trees lit up and it is nice to walk through and see the trees More new snow came down and it is starting to really pile up around the place ... Read more

Excerpt: If you were 12 - 14 and had to get back and forth to school what would be your choice of travel. Yellow School bus on the right or kick ass snowmobile on the left with your buddies tearing up the trail with your books in your backpack. I do not need to tell you what is the most... Read more

Excerpt: We have had an 80 degree temperature swing this week from - 50 wind chill to a balmy 30 degrees today. Fresh snow came down last night and it is a beautiful warm day to be out enjoying it After a burst water pipe in our basement, frozen septic line in Bayview, frozen water line in Restwhile and all... Read more

Excerpt: The snow is getting deeper and deeper. I figured all the kids looking forward to swinging on the horse swings this summer would like this picture. These old swings have been remade many, many times and originate from the 40's or 50's. Steve made the latest pair a few years ago, copying from the old pattern. How many generations... Read more

Excerpt: Happy to let everyone know the one eyed bandit in Arizona is doing well. Craig had retina surgery for a torn retina this week. I will leave out the gory details but will advise everyone that it is not a surgery you want to volunteer for. I am praying my retina stays intact. The doc says all looks well... Read more

Excerpt: Lower Kaubashine at -22 this morning. School was back on after 2 days off with windchills going down to - 50. Minus 22 this morning was cold but nothing like the - 50 wind chill from the last few days. Cars started and off to school everyone went Burrrr...... raft and boats under the snow somewhere. Only casualty of... Read more

Excerpt: We had warmer temps for one afternoon this weekend and we decided to take advantage of it and head out on a ski trail. Schlecht Lake trail is 5 minutes from the resort on the way into Minocqua just before Settler's Mill golf. The trails in yellow on the map are lit at night during the ski season and... Read more