Black's Cliff Birch Bark Blog

Excerpt: I stole this picture from a friend who was snowshoeing on the Willow Flowage this weekend at sunset. If you have never taken the time to explore the Willow it is truly a treasure worth exploring especially if you have your own boat in the summer. Otherwise snowshoeing at sunset on ice is also a great way. It is... Read more

Excerpt: Who is in charge of the resort when we are not around.... Watch out is all I can say she runs a tight ship. Thanks for watching the place Sue, we got to see 2 great basketball games in Rhinelander both JV and Varsity won, and the resort was still standing when we returned. It was funny all the... Read more

Excerpt: This is a good example of how much snow has come down the last couple of days. Looking at the National Weather Service they are calling for an additional 5 inches between now and Saturday morning inch today, tonight and then Friday night 3 inches. Bearskin trail in Hazelhurst this morning. Talked to John the Groomer guy and he... Read more

Excerpt: It was snowing out on the lake today. Who is this dog that goes running out on the lake with no qualms Light snow coming down I have no idea what you are talking about that I had issues going out on the ice. Quit trying to ruin my tough guy reputation with the ladies. I am nordic dog... Read more

Excerpt: I had this picture sent to me by Mike Forer of his Great Grandpa, Grandpa Ott on the beach steps with his daughters Flo Tomensky (Mike Forer's grandma), Carol Frisch and Rae Hogaboam in 1983. My memory of Grandap Ott was that he crowed like a chicken each morning at sunrise and gave out lollipops on the perch every... Read more

Excerpt: Apparently I was sipping to much egg nog when writing out all the confirmation letters before New Years. I put the rate of 1080/week for all the 2bdr reservations. If you look at the rate sheet it is actually 1070/week. My mistake. Lesson learned, next year do not drink Steve's egg nog while writing out the letters.... Read more

Excerpt: Ted and Mark arrived from Virginia for their annual week of woodsplitting in January. There is just something about spending time together up Nort, that makes these 2 fly half way across the country to help us fill the shed up for summer Troy trying to keep up with them piling. Packer play off game this afternoon will bring... Read more

Excerpt: The Kryzanowski crew heading out skiing. They are reporting that skiing at Winter Park has been surprisingly good a few rough spots here and there but other than that very enjoyable. "The Guys" in Birchwood also returned for their weekend ski. Kevin last year took a bit of a tumble into everyone's favorite rocker. Happily thanks to a furniture... Read more

Excerpt: Free skiing at Winter Park check out below. If you are sitting at home this weekend wondering what to do, head on up north. We lower our rates to mid week rates all wekend and free skiing at Winter Park! What more could you ask for. I have Wildflower and Restawhile open at 115/night and Wigwam and Norway starting at... Read more

Excerpt: Light snow was coming down all day. It is nice to get the crusty ice snow covered up with fresh snow One of the biggest winter jobs cutting up wood for Ted and Mark to split next week. The woodshed has emptied out about 1/2 way and it is time to fill it. Ted and Mark fly in from... Read more

Excerpt: Everyone will be happy to know all the summer confirmation letters made it in the mail on Monday.. Good to think of summer but also I am afraid deposits are due January 20th, you can blame property taxes being due January 31st on the due date. Letters are still done the old fashioned way, rollodex, paper, folding and addressing... Read more

Excerpt: Steve took this picture at New Years of fight super moon through the trees Happy New Year! Around the resort we had Troy's ice candles burning creating a small amount of warmth in the cold temps We spent the weekend getting 200 spring, summer and fall confirmation letters ready to send out. They are headed out in Tuesdays mail... Read more

Excerpt: Its the calm before the storm. The last time to wear shoes outside in the leaves. There is snow storm after snow storm predicted in the next week and I have lost track of how many inches. I just know I will have to put this shoes away tomorrow morning and break out the snow boots to help with... Read more

Excerpt: Pine Siskins at our feeder at noon enjoying a snack Later in the day around 4pm Thursday I took this picture of the Bearskin Trail definitely showing the wear and tear and rain damage. Snowmobile rentals were not letting their snowmobiles out today. I saw sleds out on the trail and lakes but not recommended. Talked to skiers today... Read more

Excerpt: We just recieved a cancelation on Shamrock for New Years. I will rent it out to smaller groups for 2bdr rate. Give a call if you are interested... Read more

Excerpt: When we first were open in the winter and I found bundles like this in the snow around Christmas and New Years I had no idea what they were. Thought maybe someone was decorating for Christmas... After 18 winters of being open we are much wiser now to the traditions of Russians. Apparently lashing one another on the back... Read more

Excerpt: Kids having fun on our ice rink playing boot hockey. Ice was to ruff for ice skates but ok for boot hockey Grabbing a ride across the lake and having a great Christmas Snowmobile flying across Lower Kaubashine. Trail I believe has not been marked across the lake yet so this snowmobiler was riding fast and giving it a... Read more

Excerpt: How deep is the snow? I would say somewhere around a foot - foot and a half. Our bear in the front yard is slowly being buried. We had about 5 additional fluffy inches of snow come down since Monday. Having a new 16 year old driver you really get an appreciation for snow covered highways We shall see... Read more

Excerpt: On the way to school this morning this deer nicely posed along the road in the new snow Looking warm and fluffy in its winter coat Stopped to check out the Bearskin this morning. Tracks running up it. I believe these tracks were from the kids heading to school on snowmobiles. Saw 2 of them at the elementary school... Read more

Excerpt: As with everyone else this time of year, time is precious and life gets hectic getting everything ready for Christmas. Put on top of regular Christmas stuff 10 cabins of people arriving and more coming and going and you see why there has not been a blog entry for a few days. (a basketball game Friday and a 12 hour... Read more