This summer we were making sure to get up to the cottage as often as we could. Even when I had a shoot out of state before Father's Day.
While Scott was still in Illinois, the kids and I drove to the cottage on Thursday evening. Scott would be flying in to Rhinelander Friday morning and we'd pick him up there.
My dad suggested we go out for breakfast before picking him up. We dried out R&T's "not so" Dinky Diner. I wish I could have went to their old location but this was a nice restaurant. They had games and a play area for little kids.
I thought we'd just pick up Scott at the entrance when my dad said we should park and go in. I didn't think in 2026 that you could still meet people at the gate.
I flew into Rhinelander since I didn't want to miss Father's Day up at the cottage. To my surprise, Mr. Mike, Brooke and Theo met me in the tiny terminal.
On the way back we checked out my new billboard for the Three Lakes Area visitors bureau.
As we drove closer I laughed out loud when I realized it was me trying to water ski.
The best place.
Theo and I had to share a hammock since Brooke didn't bring the kids hammocks with. I didn't mind hanging with my little bud.
I figure they're always too busy to sit in a hammock.
I had to go into town to get ingredients for my dad's birthday cake. Meadow came with me so we also stopped in our favorite shops downtown.
Meadow got herself a new notebook at Mind Chimes bookstore.
She's always catching butterflies, dragonflies or grasshoppers.
I had received a couple cake mixes at work and decided to make a marble cake with them.
It was a bit on the chilly side, but that didn't stop Theo from taking a swim.
The present we got for Gail in Japan had a new home.
For dinner Mike suggested we get the fish fry at Moondance over in Sugar Camp.
Neither of us had heard of this place before. I guess my dad had stopped last winter snowmobiling with his brother.
It's pretty low key, but expect a wait at the bar and for your table.
We could barely get a drink when we got here, and by the time we were leaving it had cleared out. Note to self: go out for dinner at 7:30.
Some of the best fish we've had in these parts.
On the way back we stopped at the Three Lakes Night Market.
These 3D printed Hodags were rad.
Theo got to check out some of the emergency vehicles.
Neither of our kids were up for hugging Bluey and Bingo.
3 years ago. Maybe.
We'll take any excuse to stop by Little Dipper. My favorite shop in town.
Back at the cottage it was cake time.
I was told to take a good picture. I guess I failed at that. The cake was good, the frosting was a wee bit buttery. I just wanted Brooke's go-to chocolate cake recipe, but it wasn't my birthday week.
I misjudged the recipe. It wasn't until I started making the frosting that I realized it wasn't a chocolate frosting. Ah well.
My dad wanted cookbooks for their Instant Pot. We have been loving ours so I found a few he would like.
Nobody else probably agrees, but this cool June has been perfect.
I would rather be swimming in the lake but I'll take fewer tourists.
You heard it here folks, she loves to sweat.
Chips and dips and dominos. The game, not the pizza.
Well, maybe the weather wasn't quite perfect.
Theo and I wanted to try out the new tube that Chelsea got. It started down pouring during our ride.
Tubing would have to wait.
That's more like it.
This is like 10 minutes later...
I signed up the kids for swim lessons this summer. Both have only had one class when they were toddlers. While they're decent swimmers, I want them to be more confident in deep water.
A few more sprinkles did pass through.
Theo was having a blast. Except he was wishing his cousins were here too.
That's the shot.
Theo was the only one brave enough to brave the lukewarm temps.
I have to laugh at tubes for kids these days. This isn't a tube it's a couch. They will never know the thrill of being thrown off the wake and slamming into another tube while hanging on for dear life.
Well, you could just take out the old tubes.
Meanwhile I somehow had time to make two Detroit-style pizzas for everyone with our new Nordic Ware pans.
On Father's Day morning I got my present from Theo and Meadow (I think she should get more of the credit since she drew it): an illustration of Donkey Kong and Pauline.
It wasn't much warmer out, but Brooke, Theo and I rode the new tube to Pine Isle.
Actually it's called Opi's now.
Brooke may not like the new name (Opi's is short for Old Pine Isle), but it was just nice to have it back open after a year and a half.
I was so worried they were going to millinealify the inside, but it was the same minus the new bar.
I like that they try to source as much as their food locally that they can.
We shared some pretzel bites and french fries.
This was a pretty good way to celebrate Father's Day.
On the way home I picked a Chinese buffet in Rhinelander.
It was okay.
Until next time, Northwoods.
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