There’s a remote cabin in the woods. There’s no electricity or running water. Instead, there are solar panels that charge a set of batteries that power lights. There are propane tanks that fuel a stove where most of the meals are cooked on cast iron skillets. Where you’d normally find a shower there is a sauna. There’s a rain water collection system that provides water to the sink. The main form of transportation is by 4-wheel drive vehicles and it takes close to an hour before reaching the nearest town. This camp is my parents happy place.

Each year we drive 8 hours north towards Ontonagon, Michigan where Camp Whisky Hallow is located. It’s something our family looks forward to all year long, especially the kids. Camp is where our family’s made a lot of memories together and is a fond summertime tradition.

This year’s drive was pretty noteworthy. During the eight hour drive we stopped only twice… the first to fill up the gas tank just passed the bridge, and the second in Munising where we grabbed lunch at Driftwood Deli -which is fabulous, by the way. The kids are older now and more easily occupied during the drive. This year we kicked off the Harry Potter audiobook series. The kids were so into it that we have already moved onto the second book. And now we’re all motivated to finish the series so we can watch the movies together, followed by a visit to Harry Potter World in Orlando. But that’s a trip for another time… for now. Here’s the recap of our U.P. adventure for 2024:

An afternoon at Lake Superior with the locals is a must. We grill brats, play bags, swim in the ice cold water, and take long walks along the beach. The kids dig for agates and build rock towers. Our friends make us feel like family and we’re always grateful for their hospitality. This year’s unwanted guests were the black flies. Timing is everything with the biting insects in the U.P. and this year we were very unlucky.

Later in the week we checked off another item on our U.P. bucket list: a visit to the dam at Lake Victoria. The day was hot and the kids enjoyed a dip in the lake… which made their Grandpa Smith very anxious because they swam too far out for his comfort level. I assured him they are both excellent simmers and if necessary… I’d jump in after them. He was mostly fearful of them getting too close to the dam. Once a parent, always a parent!

In addition to swimming in lakes, we also hiked. Cascade Falls was dreamy! It’s about a mile and a half hike into the falls where we were the only souls in sight. The kids swam in the landing pools and made a game out of climbing up rocks where the falls poured over them. We hiked the long loop back to the truck which took us up over the bluff giving us the prettiest views.

Back at camp, we took trail rides on the 4-wheelers where my Dad played tour guide. We explored an old cave on the property that was a failed copper mine - something my Dad recalls taking my brother and I to when we were kids. Natalie and Thomas think it’s extremely cool that Grandma and Grandpa Smith own a cave!

Speaking of copper mines, another new experience for us this year was a visit to the Adventure Mining Company. Copper mining was once a big industry in the U.P. until about the 1920s when prices for copper plummeted. Our guide, Lydia who was a student from Michigan Tech., was extremely knowledgable and knew the mining caves like the back of her hand. She led us through the underground hour and a half long tour, and we learned a ton! While Natalie and I got our fill (it was dark in there!), Jeff and Thomas are already planning their return visit where they hope to experience an even longer and deeper tour into the mine.

What I love most about life at camp is that it feels like you’re in a totally different world. There’s no cell service, which greatly helps with the ‘getting away’ feeling. But in general, life at camp is slower. There’s no rushing and very little to worry about. We enjoy sleeping in and cooking dinner at a pace that requires no agenda. Sometimes we decide to head into town for the afternoon and visit one of the local watering holes. Our favorites include Stubbs Museum Bar and Henrys. Other times we hang out at camp all day and just lounge around relaxing.

This year the kids, Thomas especially, enjoyed shooting their bebe guns. Grandpa Smith set up a target range of cans and both proved themselves as dead eyes. We also carried on the annual tradition of making homemade pretzels, and man are we getting good! Auntie Annies… we’re coming for you!

The Kladders are ‘city-folk’ which makes our time away in the woods even more important. I’m grateful my Mom and Dad have invested in this home away from home and that they share it with us. Until next time!

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