Learning about #Lakelife and more – my first Wisconsin summer
Stephanie Hardi is a guest blog contributor who moved from Denver, CO to Wausau in 2019.
Our whole family is learning to be lake people instead of mountain people!
Like most people, our summer plans were cancelled, shifted and reimagined due to COVID-19. However, one thing that remained for us was to spend a lot of time in the outdoors. I am so thankful that it was safe to enjoy outdoor activities in central Wisconsin– continuing to explore the area has helped lift our spirits throughout the pandemic.
We spent our first summer in Wisconsin learning to be lake people instead of mountain people, getting used to the humidity, and discovering the impressive mountain biking community that central Wisconsin has to offer. Here are my favorite activities that we discovered so far.
Our beautiful view from the dock at Bass Lake.
We loved the seclusion of our campsite at Game Lake.
Spending Fourth of July week at Bass Lake near Deerbrook, WI. We stayed at a beautiful house on the lake and we loved spending our days on the water and the evenings sitting lakeside by the campfire. I now know I can embrace this whole #lakelife thing. Bass Lake is also home to a golf course, and with nearby hiking, biking and horse trails, I think this Northwoods literally has something for everyone to enjoy. We also liked that the community was peaceful and home to many year-round families who were friendly and educated us on the area.
Camping at Jack Lake Campground/Veteran’s Memorial Park. The Jack Lake Campground and Veteran’s Memorial Park is about 15 miles north of Antigo and is a lovely campground that has 48 individual campsites with electrical hookups situated along the shore of Jack Lake. However, we really enjoyed the nearby Game Lake campsite that is a more “tent camping/hike-in” campsite. It was incredibly peaceful nestled in the pine trees and along the shore of Game Lake, and we felt “off-the-grid” which is exactly what we were hoping for. Jack Lake is also home to an excellent fast and flowy 8.5 mile-single and double track mountain bike trail that is seriously not to be missed. And if you don’t bike, it would make for a nice long hike or run!
Discovering the mountain bike community in central Wisconsin. Our favorite activity this summer has been exploring the mountain trails in the area. My husband and I are both avid mountain bikers (he’s pretty dang good, while what I lack in skill I make up for in determination and stubbornness). When we moved to the Wausau area last fall we knew there were some single track trails in the area, but we have been so impressed by the passion and investment the community and organizations such as the Central Wisconsin Offroad Cycling Coalition (CWOCC) have dedicated to area. Our favorite areas to ride so far are Nine Mile County Recreation Area, the Ringle Trail System and the Underdown Recreation Area.
We can’t wait to explore the water next!
I know we have barely made a dent in the summer activities in the Wausau area so I’d love if you would share your advice for me in the comments below! We haven’t even explored kayaking or canoeing yet so that’s definitely on the list of to-dos! Tell me what else I’m missing!
I’ll be a guest contributor on the IRONBULL blog this year, chronicling my experience of moving from Denver to Wausau. If you’re interested in following along (and giving me any tips!) be sure to subscribe!