5 Star rated campsite.

Camping doesn't get any better than this. This campsite had no crowds, great view, electric hook up, fresh coffee (delivered) in the A.M., shipping traffic to watch, birds to photograph, a private guide for touring the area and..........WiFi at the campsite. We've made reservations for another visit in the near future.


Plenty of time to sit and read.


Or nap.


Or watch ship traffic.

Yet another new retirement experience.

Not bad for a first time kayaker. Taking the new Future Beach Angler 160 Kayak out for a test paddle. This boat is a fishing boat. Amazingly stable for it's size and weight.



Gliding along. There might have to be a second one of these boats in our future. Easy to fish from lots of features like rod holders, dry storage, cup holder, comfortable seat and foot rest. Easy to load on the car top carrier....... and a second one would fit just fine.



Sure looks like a retirement photo to me.

Parent-player softball challenge match.

Foul ball.

Infield double.
Harassing the base runner. Nice glove Skip.

Nice toy.

Mom, daughter and sister.

A unique Ashland WI experience. July 4th "Fire Run"

Each 4th of July just at dusk and as a prelude to the fireworks Ashland WI has it's "Fire Run". A run down main street of all available emergency equipment. Fire trucks, police cars, ambulances, wreckers. If it has lights and a siren it will probably be on main street on the 4th of July, for a little over three minutes, for the fire run.

Somedays the fishing is better than other days. July 4, 2009

Taken today on Pine Lake Wisconsin. 35 lb tiger muskie.



The day was just right for fishing. Sunny, light breeze, great reports of fish activity and friends. Everything came together. Fish finder was showing fish large and small at a range of depths. Plenty of bait and refreshments. A great day to fish.

When the days over, the boat is tied to the dock and when it's was all said and done what more can you ask for.

Today for this fisherman it was the chance to have his picture taken with one beautiful fish.

Oh! and somedays the fishing isn't great.......and you still get to have your picture taken with a tiger muskie.

Thanks J&K for an enjoyable afternoon.

Fishing, camping, friends, cookout... and memories.

Wading and trying out my new 2wt fly rod.

All in all I think I enjoy this kind of fishing most. Very little gear, no boat to haul and manage and most important lots of time to think of dandelions the Wareham finger piers, Onset Bay and fishing with my dad.

Every fishing trip, near every cast, near every strike or nibble brings me back to the memories of a son and his dad fishing so many years ago. The gear has changed the waters have changed but the memories are still the same.

Happy birthday dad. Happy father's day dad. Happy memories dad.

Thanks for teaching me to fish 57 years ago.


As the five year old with the Zebco rod and reel said.......I've got one dad! I've got one!






A special thanks to our friends who helped Donna and I celebrate her retirement with a specially cooked AND delivered meal to our campsite.

Thanks to Carol and Bev for the photos contained in this post.

Going up?

A project that needs to be finished.

Please take a moment and revisit my earlier post here. This needs to be finished.






There is suppose to be a second phase to this tunnel project that is going to make this tunnel accessible to all. The second phase has yet to start. If you live in Ashland and support this effort call Ashland City Hall and ask them when they are going to finish this project. City Hall's number is 715-682-7071

If you are a Wisconsin resident who might consider vacationing in Ashland and would like to see this tunnel finished call the Ashland Chamber of Commerce 715-682-2500 and ask them to push this project ahead so you and your family can safely access the waterfront from Ashland's downtown

If you are a disabled Wisconsin resident please call city hall and the chamber and ask them when they will finish this project. So you to can enjoy the waterfront.

If you have the time and the inclination please write a letter the local newspaper and ask about the status of the project. Ashland Daily Press, 122 Third Street West, Ashland, WI, 54806

http://shutterwi.blogspot.com/2009/04/ashlands-new-waterfront-access.html

The fisherperson in the family. Catch and release.

Fish one.


...and release.


Fish two.


....headed back for another day and an open season.

Another day another bear.......or two.