I got the chance to spend a week with my family in the northwoods of Wisconsin this past week. My brother also brought his quadcopter and got some cool aerial video while we were having fun. I made a highlight reel from our GoPro footage. The song is “On Top of the World” by Imagine Dragons.
I also took lots of photos that can be seen here in a PASS gallery. Below are a few of my favorite photos:
From Milwaukee to ‘UpNorth’ Wisconsin it’s a 5 hour drive and I love it. The countryside is so beautiful, filled with rolling hills and farms and fields. (I’m purposely being vague about the exact location of ‘UpNorth’)
We officially feel like we’ve reached ‘UpNorth’ when we drive through Minocqua, WI and pass by the Paul Bunyan sign & cook shanty. If you’ve never been, it’s definitely worth a stop for a meal and of course, the gift shop!
From there, it’s just a little ways more…and we arrive at this welcome site.
The sun setting through the pine trees.
Beautiful day out on the lake!
The last night I was at the house I went out onto the pier to try to get some starry night shots. I could not have done it without my brother because I am TERRIFIED of the dark. The night sky in the northwoods is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It seriously takes your breath away. So, we sat out there for an hour as I snapped away. There were more clouds in the sky than I had hoped for – but I took what I could get. I’ll just have to wait for next year to get more!!
Below: I love this shot. It’s looking up into the Milky Way. I’m obsessed with stars and the sky and planetariums and all that kind of stuff. So as you can imagine, I felt like I was in heaven!
One of the days, as a storm was rolling in across the lake I took this panoramic photo that I thought was pretty cool. The sky was awesome. I was hoping for some lightening and maybe even a funnel cloud but the storm turned out to not be a quick summer thunderstorm. Probably for the better!
And here’s the link to the time lapse video I made (with the GoPro) of the storm coming in.
Friday is always Fish Fry for dinner day. The fish is all freshly caught by my step dad and whoever else goes out fishing with him. Mostly walleye fish and it seriously is the best fish fry on the planet. It might be in part because we all help with the preparation and it’s quite a bit of work. After the fish is caught, my step-dad cleans the fish. Then my mom cleans the fish again and makes sure he didn’t miss any bones. Then the fish gets dipped in a secret batter mix and then breaded with crushed saltine crackers, seasoned and then into the deep fryer. It comes out perfectly cooked, golden brown, and not greasy. It’s THE BEST. Below the girls are in the kitchen getting ready to start dipping and breading the fish.
Charles, my brother, is ready with one of our favorite Wisconsin beers, Spotted Cow!
Below: Appetizers consist of an array of Wisconsin cheeses, of course!
Below: Bill is deep frying the fish – normally he does it in a giant iron pan over the open fire, but it was raining & windy out so this was the alternative.
Speaking of rainy & windy… and COLD… that was kind of how the weather was the following day. But, we were determined to get outside and have some fun. Below: My brother, Russ and I, geared up to go kayaking!
After kayaking a few of the kids were adventurous enough to get on the tube to go tubing!
Uncle Russ was the driver…
Are you girls sure about this?
My sister, Tracy and her husband, John, standing out on the pier watching the action…
Then we headed out on a pontoon boat ride around the lake.
Charles was the Captain
Calan had the job of eating cheese-its, which he took very seriously.
Although, he did take a break to be co-captain and drive the boat.
Hey look, everyone’s out on the pier!
And Uncle Russ is flying his quadcopter! And Charles is wearing the fat shark virtual goggles and thinks he’s flying!
Inside, eating lunch. Griffin & Calan are ‘toasting’ with their milk.
The kids are playing cards at the card table.
Below: My mom and me
Lisa and Griffin working on some cool project involving digger stickers.
Getting ready for dinner, we’re having Imagery Wine with our meal! LOVE Imagery Winery!
Talking and laughing and having a good time!
Stepping outside and watching a little bit of the sunsetting on the lake. So beautiful!
The house from the water.
The whole Klotz family came over after dinner to hang out and tell stories! YAY! They’re here!!!!
Russ had to show them his quadcopter in action and Michael enjoyed wearing the goggles because of how cool they made him look!
Telling stories and having a good time!
Morning story time with Russ and Calan and Griffin!
Tori and Griffin and Calan
The weather finally got a little bit nicer!
Let’s go swimming!
Grandma and Griffin
The girls took Calan for a tube ride and he loved it!
Captain Griffin.
We love playing bags!
Tori and Ashley driving the ranger.
My mom and Bill – love them and so grateful for their love and generosity and taking care of all of us while we are all up at the house!
My brother, Russ, and me
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Leo - great story Vanessa and it may my day. Please continue to share these stories because they need to be told.
Michelle Rodriguez - Hi Vanessa, I wanted to tell you that the last post you uploaded, touched my heart in a big way, I’m glad to see how hope touches the hearts of many people, I hope to see more post like this, actually increase my deepest desire to see a hope like San Pedro Sula in El Salvador. Thanks Vanessa
Vanessa Embling - Thanks so much Leo!!
Vanessa Embling - Thank you Michelle! I’m glad that you were encouraged by it and I look forward to hearing about how God is working and moving in El Salvador!