Down the Open Road: Friends, Food & Fishing

Nelson Lake, located just a few miles north of beautiful Hayward, Wisconsin, is home to a variety of fantastic north woods resorts, restaurants, lodges and taverns. Part of the Totogatic Flowage, the Nelson Lake area is touched by unspoiled wilderness, bordering the lake (2716 acres, max depth 33’) to create a largely undeveloped shoreline. Fish include Pan fish, Large mouth Bass, Small mouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye.

Click on the link below to view a map of Nelson Lake.
http://nelsonlake.net/nelson-lake-wi-map.html

It is here - on the Island - that our friends, Pat & Larry, reside in the summer months on 40 acres of their "peace of heaven".

In a cabin that Larry built, living a simple life with their two Golden Retrievers, Buck & Barney (the “Boys”). (Note: Miss Kay, who is a little black kitty, will be a new member of the family very soon.)

We originally met Pat and Larry last April when we were staying at BJ’s Campground (outside of Big Bend National Park) and from there the rest is history. It’s amazing when you click with certain people, feeling like you’ve known them for years. That’s how we feel.

We arrived at Sunrise Bay Campground on a Wednesday to set up our home for a few days right on the lake. Wild flowers are essential for the RV.

Little did we know that we would be enjoying four days of non-stop fun. Pat, Larry and the “Boys” took care of us the whole time. This consisted of pontoon rides to and from their cabin on the island, awesome campfires, good food, a new game (anyone for Spinner?), becoming one with their family (pretty awesome family at that too!) and of course, fishing.

Anyone for a swim?

Let me pose for the camera!

Barney with his goggles on

The familiar Loons on the water.

An Osprey nest

Food Alert….Food Alert! Larry smoked some salmon with his famous teriyaki & brown sugar recipe. Other foods included zucchini/crab quiche, tomato-basil onions, grilled corn on the cob, veggie medley (fresh from their daughter, Terri’s, garden), watermelon and grilled steak. Libations were also readily available!!

A feast fit for a King!

Fish Alert. . .Fish Alert! We are not the only ones that are “fishing crazy” either. Terri (their lovely daughter) loves the sport and reigned Jeff into catching some Bass one evening. A very good time was had by all.

Classic Car Alert. . . Classic Car Alert! The community of Minong (about 15 minutes from Hayward) was having festivities that included classic cars, so we all packed up in Larry's truck and headed for some fun. Jeff selected these pictures to put on our blog.