A 39th Birthday Cottage Visit and Ice Skating "The Glide" in Boulder Junction

Back at the cottage for my (early) birthday weekend. Where else would I go for my birthday? I'm a simple man.

Grandpa cleared a rink and a little loop for us.

Theo just wanted dig in the snow.

Meanwhile Meadow and I went cross country skiing on the Anvil Ski Trail. Meadow said she would only go with me if we did a trail with hills. We hiked this a few years ago and it was quite hilly. 

She was an old pro on the hills while I wiped out. 

We didn't make it too far as Meadow complained her boots were too tight. I made her check the fit a few weeks ago and she claimed they were fine...

Was a beautiful trail in the Nicolet National Forest.

After grocery shopping Brooke joined me out on the makeshift rink.

Not quite the same as having the whole lake but it would do. 

We've been talking about going to Twin Pines Bar & Grill east of Rhinelander for years. Why not go for a Friday Fish Fry on my almost birthday?

It's always busy whenever we drive by so we've been curious. 

Could this be the perfect Northwoods tavern?

The kids got burgers.

We stuck with fish.

I got some cheesecake and G.G. kept on requesting a piece. I'd give it to her and she would claim it didn't count. If you want a slice, order one!

They even had mom's favorite quarter game. 

This place was super cheap. The food was grade A. And the vibes were elite. We will be back.

The kids tried to beat their grandpa at Kings Corner.

Keeping myself busy and my brain off of a certain president by reading "The Greatest Story in Sports."

The next day we traveled up to Boulder Junction to skate The Glide, the first forest ice trail in the USA.

We had been so excited to go since we heard about it. Of course it started snowing hard on our drive over. They went through with a plow right when we started. 

It was magical.

It's about a mile loop. I thought mom would make it around once but she gave up quickly. At least she tries. 

The trail was built on a little used cross country skiing loop. This year it's .8 miles, but plans are to expand in coming years.

Meadow was lapping us all even after getting Gail back to the rink.

I thought we were done, but Theo wanted to go around one more time.

On the way back we stopped at Marty's Place North for a drink and apps.

Another place I have been wanting to try. 

I asked for a grasshopper and the young bartender looked at me like I was crazy. He wasn't sure if they made that. Of course they did.

We're going to try and reserve this table for New Year's Eve next year.

We ordered some apps as we were promised meatloaf when we got home.

Mmmm...

We made another stop at the ice castle in Eagle River on the way back despite the kiddos protesting.

I had never seen it so busy. We decided to skip the line to sit on the throne.

I made some new luminaries with buckets. I love this idea. 

Before breakfast I got a quick ski in around the lake. 

They sure love the big swing.

I thought we'd be back in a few weeks for Theo's birthday, but it might be a while with lots of plans in March and April.

Meadow loves Pepe.

Every time we pass this old building it seems to be sagging a little bit more. I said we should take a photo whenever we pass it to see it's slow decline. 

DQ stop on the way home? Why not.