Black's Cliff Birch Bark Blog

Excerpt: The maples are starting to go on fire It is still not peak, just parts here and there. We have not been that cold so that has slowed down the color Wildflower looking peacefully at the lake More maples down by the water starting to turn In other news, Troy and Ben have been busy refilling the shed. Next... Read more

Excerpt: It was a magical, foggy lake morning with the loon fishing off the raft Looking for a fish. Sun slowly burning off the fog The loon continuing to fish in the distance The Lawon Family happily enjoying their morning coffee with the loon. Does not get much better than this Oh and Happy Birthday Joanne... Read more

Excerpt: I was eating a hot dinner an looked out at the lake and had to leave my dinner, grab the camera and run to the lake. These pics are dedicated to Paul and his need for a new screen saver. Enjoy everyone and especially Paul Makes me wish I had grabbed my SLR so the pixel ratio was higher... Read more

Excerpt: Fall is such a beautiful time of year in the Northwoods. But also brings the end of the season and a few losses Last week we lost a wonderful lady, Char Schmelzer, this week we lost another neighbor in that week, Aunt Betty. Char and Aunt Betty were resort neighbors and spent many hours enjoying each others company over... Read more

Excerpt: Troy and I loaded up the red ski boat and headed to Lake Minocqua. Our cleaning was done for the day and time to go play It is a different view when cruising from the lake instead of being in Minocqua or driving across the bridge Time to remember what bouy's mean and slide under the bridge Cruising the... Read more

Excerpt: I received one of the saddest calls in a long time. We lost a member of the Black's Cliff Resort Family. Char Schmelzer past away yesterday. She and her husband Jack drove into the driveway in 1972 and became part of the resort. Jack past a way a few years ago and Char and the rest of the family... Read more

Excerpt: We are getting peeks of color around the resort. The maples are giving hints of what is to come This maple is by Shamrock and Kaubashine and always one of the prettiest in the resort when it goes ... Read more

Excerpt: Those out there who are taking care of their parents with memory problems will understand this entry. Laurel's dad will never remember this trip out onto the lake. Laurel knows though through research the the feeling of euphoria with people like her dad lasts for 3 days after doing something enjoyable. For her this trip was not about a... Read more

Excerpt: It has been an absolutely beautiful weekend at the lake. Last round of summer weather before the color starts and fall temps It has been a golden weekend in more ways than one Jackie Thompson brought up the hit of the weekend. Little 8 week old Rosie. How can you resist an 8 week old golden retriever puppy. Answer... Read more

Excerpt: We headed out on a family day before school starts adventure. Jake had been to Cathedral Point in Boulder Junction before and told us about this great rope swing we could go to. We waited for the right weather and everyone off of work and it worked out to be the day before school started. Perfect. Catherdral Point is... Read more

Excerpt: End of summer and 4th trip to the mechanic with the boat and FINALLY we have it! Took til the end of summer but the old boat is finally working the way it should. Took all summer and 4 trips in out of the lake to get it but I can now say it is working as well as... Read more

Excerpt: With temps in the mid 50's and rain for the last 3 days it was so nice to see the sun today. Everyone in the resort is putting away their sweat shirts, hats and coats and taking out their swim suits and headed to the beach today. Coming out of hibernation. There was lots of fires, and games played... Read more

Excerpt: We have had a couple of days of big wind coming through. The wind was so intense it blew the raft away from the swimming area. The seagulls on the raft don't seem to mind. This group of them has been on the raft lately more than people. We were just lucky to keep most of the chairs on... Read more

Excerpt: It has been a rainy week and the sun finally came out and caught all the greens in the gardens by Birchwood The seagulls have been gathering on the raft Slowly they all left Going.... Going.... Where did they all go? Gone. Better not be any left overs from those birds on the raft or there will be an... Read more

Excerpt: FIrst of all the really good news for most people. Most people being anyone who does not have to truthfully tell their boss that we do not have internet in the cabins and they can't do any work on vacation. Now you can! From Eagles Nest to Norway Pines we have high speed internet. Never thought I would be... Read more

Excerpt: It has been a beautiful week of warm weather and sandcastles We had some low hanging big clouds that were chased off by the sun It made for some great pics to make Paul happy for his screen saver. ... Read more

Excerpt: The resort is full but the beach was strangely quiet yesterday. Beautiful weather! Kicking back on the dock just one family. I think I know them..... Great day for not big ski boats but paddle boats and paddle boards Or a nap in the bushes... Read more

Excerpt: Some of my favorite girls of summer were at the resort this week. Norah and Marin Chu for the last 4 years have collected pop tops for Ronald McDonald House while at the resort on vacation. They remind everyone at the beginning of the week to put their pop tops out on their steps on Friday and they will... Read more

Excerpt: Just another day at the office for Troy. Headed out to do some work Locking down the anchor to the raft after negotiating the traffic to get to work Almost got it! Meanwhile back at the beach it is a dog's life. Mack surveying the work He realizes I am making fun of him Old beach picture of then... Read more

Excerpt: The Wisconsin Department of Tourism contacted me in June looking to do a story on a family who had been coming to the resort for several generations. We have several families like this one even dating back to the 40's and another to the 50's. I put them in contact with several of our families and they picked the... Read more