Adventure Mine

I apologize that my posts are out of order and randomly dated.  Spending time in the Northwoods of Wisconsin and in the UP means spending limited time with WiFi.  The blog was backlogged and I am trying to catch up and still move forward. . . But it is still the same adventure!!!  (It just may seem that I am going around in circles if you tried to map my locations!)

My dad, stepmom, niece, nephew, 3 of my kids and I took a day trip to Greenland, MI to visit the Adventure Mine.  The mine had been an active copper mine from 1850-1920 and now is open for tours.  Originally there were 5 shafts of the mine.  Currently, only one shaft is open to tour.  We opted for the Prospector's Tour- it was a step up from the basic tour.  

First we were outfitted with hard hats and miners lights.  Then, we rode in a Pinzgauer military vehicle to climb the rough terrain to get to the mine entrance.

Our tour guide for the day, Taylor, was 15 years old and had lived in the area for her entire life.  She was well versed on the history of the mine, life during mining times and general history of the area.  She taught us about the different layers, how to spot the copper, the techniques the miners used and the dangers involved.

Throughout the tour, we were on the lookout for bats.  We saw just a few but thankfully they kept their distance!  At one point, we turned off our headlamps and used only candlelight to light the area.  With the dim light it out into perspective how challenging the miners' work was in the dangerous mines.  Taylor  blew out the candle and we all experienced true darkness!

At the end of the tour, the kids were given the opportunity to try using the tools. They saw how a lot of effort did not yield significant results.  Helped them appreciate the hard work of the miners!

An adventure at the Adventure Mine!  

Hometown Pride

Proudly displayed outside of the big music venue in Palatine sits a monument in honor of "Ma" Nugent (aka Ted Nugent's mom).  Her face and torso are etched into a large rock.

I do not know why I find this so funny and quirky- but I do!  

Question . . .

What do you get when you put 14 people in an 1800 sq foot house with 2 bathrooms for a weekend?

A FANTASTIC time!

Hubby decided to come back early so that he could spend at least a day at the lake.  My dad and stepmom were leaving their lake house and my mom and stepdad were having my stepdad's sister and her family at their lake house.  My mom and stepdad set up a few extra beds and invited us to join in the fun. There were bodies everywhere- but it did not feel cramped or uncomfortable.

There were 2 kid cousins and 4 adults that my kids do not remember meeting (or had not met) since our last visit with them was 7 years ago.  Everyone got along magically!  

There was lots of emotional support as people tried new water sports for the first time, lots of laughs as we played the Jelly Belly "Beanboozeled" game (the 14 year old boy was a good sport offering to risk getting both skunk spray and barf- which he had both- instead of their same colored pleasant flavored beans), swimming fun as we lake showered off the back of the boat, competitive gaming with RummiKube and good communal fun as we dined together. Leaving to go home was very hard to say goodbye.  We left with the promise that we would not allow another 7 years to go by before getting together again!

Bond Falls

With an overcast and windy day by the lake, we decided to take an adventure day at Bond Falls.  Less than an hour from my Dad and Stepmom's house, we could go hike and explore beautiful waterfalls. Since our last visit 10 years ago, they have made it ADA friendly and have a walkway leading you to the bottom of the falls.  

The ranger told us of two options- a harder hike to the left and an easier path to the right.  Of course the kids chose to go to the steep hill on the left. . . 

We enjoyed a 2 hour hike as we looked for frogs, crayfish and snakes.  Son #2 enjoyed throwing sticks into the water and following their path as they moved in the water.

Midway through our hike- when we can to the top of the falls, there is a small general store.  The kids were thirsty and needing a "lift" so I offered to buy them a drink,  "Anything we want?" they asked.  And this is what they ended up with . . .

They think that culinary excellence hails from the Midwest.  They are amazed that we do not have sodas like this in California!!!!

We continued our hike looking at the power plant at the top and then made our way down as it started to sprinkle rain.   There were NO COMPLAINTS on the hike- truly monumental!

Hiking in the clean air, observing nature in its finest form and hanging out without electronic or scheduling distractions was the reason why this road trip was planned.  A great day!

Happy Hour

After almost 3 weeks at the lake, my kids have become accustomed to "Happy Hour" boat cruises. They have to come expect that at about 6pm, we load up the boat and head on out for a cruise.  They have enjoyed cheese and crackers, various chips and have even helped created appetizers with grande presentation!

They are going to be disappointed in a few days when not only do the boat cruises stop- but so will their nightly snack and soda!  Maybe we will need to start a new tradition of an occasional Happy Hour as we check out the California sights from home.

Paulding Light

There is the great mystery of the Paulding Light in the UP.  In the Ottawa National Forest, between Watersmeet and Paulding, MI, there is a viewing spot where a mysterious light appears during the night.  There are many theories and it has been studied by scientists- but there is no explanation for it.  Some claim that it is from cars passing on a distant road, others predict that it is gases collecting, but many believe that it is the ghost of either an old railroad engineer or someone walking their dog who was killed by the old train.  

Thanks to websites, we were able to find the obscure location.  We turned off of the main highway onto a dirt road.  Kicking up dust in the dark night, it was eerie driving to the end of the road.  We knew we were in the correct place when we saw the lineup of cars along the side of the road.  Exiting our car, we walked to a metal barricade where a group of 20-something's sat.  There were approximately 15-20 people milling about all facing a narrow clearing in the woods.  I was unsure how long we would have to wait-- but it did not take long.  Within 5 minutes a glowing light appeared at the top of the hill.  It flickered, would shine brighter and then after about 45 seconds, it faded away.  Sometimes it was a white light, other times red or a faint green.  The light seemed to dance a bit in the opening between the trees.

During the intervals as we waited for the light to appear, the site became a social scene as people would tell tales of their visits to the Paulding Light.  One man had been visiting the site yearly for the past 20+ years.  Another man had brought his wife here on a trip from Chicago 15+ years ago when they were dating and now was bringing his teenage son and friends.  The young adults sitting on the barricade seemed to be regulars and experts on the light.  They said that on nights when the moon is not bright, the Light can illuminate the entire sky. (On our viewing night the moon was close to full.)

We watched the Light appear about six times and then decided not to fight the mosquitos any longer and called it a night.  

Taking a photo of the light was near impossible- especially with a cellphone.  The light was so far away that in a photo simply looked like a speck of light.  The next day, as we drove to Bond Falls, we pulled off to see the viewing site during the day.  

The light appears at the top of the little hill where the dirt road seems to end.

Hoping when we return home we can dig up more information or watch the SyFy program about it. We will definitely return on a future visit!

Wildwood Wildlife Park

The kids and I journeyed to Jim Peck's Wildlife Wilderness in Minocqua.  Hard to believe that Wisconsin's 2nd largest zoo is in the Northwoods! The zoo is a private zoo and even though it helps the Wisconsin Government by housing birds of prey that are unable to live in the wild due to injury- they receive no public funding.

As you purchase your tickets to the zoo in the gift shop, you are also given the option to buy Wasa crackers to feed the animals.  Clearly the many goats are aware and wait for you as you exit the gift shop!!!  We were greeted by adult goats and adorable baby goats who tugged at our shirts and shorts wanting crackers.

I especially loved this little kid standing on top of a tortoise!  There are also 2 large pigs who grunt and want crackers.  (We were warned by our waitress during our pre-zoo lunch to stay away from the pigs because they sometimes bite . . .)

In the front area with the pigs and goats were also caged skunks, porcupines, ferrets, a burrowing owl, hedgehogs, opossum, rabbits and a few others.  They rotate taking out these animals for guests to pet.  The young teenager working the area was extremely knowledgeable and answered all questions.  (Someday child #3 would be amazing and love a similar job . . .)

Next we went to a covered enclosure where baby bunnies scurried.  The sign said, "Only 6 people allowed at a time" and without monitoring, people adhered to the signage.  (You would not find that in most areas . . .). My kids could not get enough of the cuddly bunnies!

Next we went into the main part of the zoo.  You would be amazed at the animals housed there- and the proximity to which you can view them!  Minus the Puerto Vallarta Zoo, it was the closest I have been to the animals!  Highlights included the 3 black bears, 2 howling Timberwolves, the Peregrine falcon (eating a mouse as we watched!), the red footed tamarins and their babies, river otters, and the reptile house.  Tame deer roam the park and you can pet them!  The kids especially liked the albino deer.

New to the park since our last visit is the "Budgie house" which houses over 900 parakeets.  Upon entering, you can purchase a feeding stick for $1.  (It's a Popsicle stick with bird food glued on.). Birds are easily coaxed onto the stick.  The kids especially loved putting the stick on their heads so that the birds would sit on their heads.  After 40 minutes of parakeets EVERYWHERE, I told the kids we needed to move on!!!

This zoo was great!  If you ever find yourself in Minocqua (or near it), stop and visit as it is worth both the time and money.