Northern WI was settled and grew in size as a result of the logging industry.
In fact, one of the log cabins of the resort I used to own was built to house the lumberjacks of the Yawkey Bissel Lumber Company almost 100 years ago - complete with railroad ties as a foundation and newspaper stuffed in the walls as insulation.
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What is now Slo's Pub next door was the steam plant and next door to Slo's is the mill pond, at the bottom of
which is one of the logging train steam locomotives that ran behind my house back in the day.
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We've kept our logging roots history alive. To this day you can catch Scheer's Lumberjack Show in Woodruff, featuring real lumberjacks. Some of whom have competed in the World Championships.
The Minocqua Museum houses some of our lumbering history and if you want to take a drive, head over to Laona (75 miles) and ride the Lumberjack Steam Train and visit the Camp 5 logging museum and blacksmith shop.
Biking
My little town of Boulder is noted for it's bike trail system that is part of the Vilas County Bike Trail System.
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One of the best ways to explore Vilas County in Northern Wisconsin is on two wheels. The Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail offers riders more than 52 miles of paved trails that connects St. Germain, Sayner, Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters and Mercer.
This spectacular trail, recognized as a National Recreation Trail, winds through the Northern Highland American Legion Forest and along crystal clear lakes and rivers.
Along the trail are many scenic rest areas with picnic spots and restrooms. There are 20 different parking areas to choose where to start your ride. You will also find swimming spots for a quick cool down in the summer months, and walking trails if you want a break from two wheels.
There are several campgrounds along the trail as well as many motels and resorts on or easily accessible to the trail. From the Heart of Vilas Bike Trail, you can ride right up to a restaurant for a great meal or a quick snack.
The trail system features smooth pavement suitable for all types of riders - from flat-to-rolling terrain, manageable hills, and multiple scenic bridges. Bring your sense of adventure and Bike the Heart!
We actually have more bike traffic during the summer than we do car traffic. Bring your own bike or you can rent one from Coontail at the corner of Hwy. M and Main Street.
Fishing
Boulder Junction is known as the "Musky Capitol of the World" because so many world class trophy musky have come from our 194 lakes.
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We have musky, walleye, northern pike, smallmouth and largemouth bass. crappie, perch, bluegills, sunfish and rock bass in my lake.
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Fishing is great both
summer and winter. You can hire a guide if you like and we hold regular fishing seminars.
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My nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews with their catches...
Water Activities
With 194 lake just in Boulder alone we have several great beaches, some with picnic facilities and restrooms. Swim, water ski, tube, jet ski, windsurf, kayak, canoe, sail or just soak up the rays.
And if you're into water parks, the Waters on Hwy. 51 has a great indoor water park for the kids.
Camping
Boulder is surrounded by state forest so there's plenty of camping opportunities both here and in the surrounding area. (Crystal Lake is my personal favorite)
Theater
Campanile Center in Minocqua offers live theater performances and concerts that are really entertaining and very professionally done. They also offer arts education programs, have art exhibitions and a dance studio.
Lakeland Theater in Woodruff is our movie theater that features 7 different movies in 7 theaters. If you go on a Tuesday, all seats for all shows are $5 the entire day.
You can purchase tickets online if you wish.
Horseback Riding
If horseback riding is your thing, there's Grassy Creek Ranch right here in Boulder Junction. They take groups of 2-6 riders and assign horses based on your riding ability. Reservations by PHONE ONLY are required.
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Rock Falls is only about 15 minutes away in Arbor Vitae on Hwy. 70 East.
They also have Go-Karts, Adventure Golf and a nice picnic area.
Water Ski Shows
Quite a few of the towns in my area have FREE water ski shows. The 2 I'd recommend are the Min-Aqua Bats, the world's longest running water ski show, held in Minocqua.
These are high school age kids skiing!
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Shows are held every Sunday, Wednesday & Friday @ 7 p.m. all summer long.
The other show I'd recommend is the Manitowish Waters Skiing Skeeters. Shows are held in Rest Lake Park on Wednesday and Saturday @ 7 p.m. June through mid August.
Golf
For you golfers, plenty of courses to choose from up here.
TROUT LAKE GOLF CLUB is right down the road from me on Hwy. 51 North.
ST. GERMAIN GOLF COURSE is in, where else? St. Germain. The 19th Hole Sports Bar & Grill is just a short distance away, with an ice cream shop next door.
PLUM LAKE GOLF CLUB is a 9 hole course located in nearby Sayner. It was voted the Best 9 Hole Course in WI.
In Minocqua, there's Timber Ridge Golf Club.
Boulder Junction Sports & Recreation Park
We just finished building a brand new sports and recreation park that's just fantastic!
Tennis and Pickleball courts, basketball court, baseball diamond, skateboarding park and a phenomenal large playground for kids - complete with zip line!
My great nieces and nephews love that place!
If you're heading into Boulder on Hwy. M the park will be on your right. If you hit the Community Center you've gone just a tad too far. Look for the baseball diamond.
Admission is FREE.
Zip Line Canopy & Aerial Trekking Tours
Northwood Zipline Adventure Tours is a blast! They'll even customize activities for you and your group and there's 3 adventures to choose from. Great fun for adults and kids alike.
Reservations are required.
Little Bohemia Lodge
Besides logging, the Northwoods was infamous for the 1930's gangsters that hid out here. Al Capone built a home (fortress) near here and Little Bohemia Lodge is just a few miles down the road from me on Hwy. 51 North. This was the site of the famous shoot out between the FBI and the John Dillinger gang. Part of the movie Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp was also shot there.
It's now a supper club with bar but the owners have kept all of Dillinger's belongings left behind, his room is just as it was when he stayed there and the bullet holes are still in the walls and windows.
It's kind of interesting just to stop by for a drink and look around.
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My neighbor's grandmother, Fern was Dillinger's favorite waitress at Little Bohemia. She said he was always very polite and he tipped her $100 each time she waited on him - lots of money in those days but then I guess if you rob banks for living you can afford it.
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Just a head's up...if you're a psychic medium like my Australian friend and I are don't be surprised if Dillinger's ghost pops in on you, like he did us!
Lions Club Bingo
One of my family's favorite summer activities is Lion's Club Bingo held at the Manitowish Waters Community Center on Monday nights at 7 p.m.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and you want to get there early as it fills up fast and they sometimes have to turn latecomers away due to fire regulations occupancy. The game ends around 9 p.m.
Cost depends on how many Bingo sheets you want to play but a standard packet runs $15.
The Lionesses make food, popcorn and homemade desserts for sale during the game.
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The other Lion's Club event you don't want to miss is their annual pork chop dinner! TO DIE FOR!
Best dang pork chops you'll ever eat! They use some very expensive rub they get from out-of-state and grill the chops over an open flame. You can order 1 or 2 chops and your meal will include a baked potato, salad bar of homemade salads, roll and butter and choice of homemade desserts - for $15 if you order 1 pork chop. Drink tickets are available for both alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages.
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The pork chop dinner is also held at the Manitowish Waters Community Center but in the enclosed pavilion beside the Community Center. They start selling dinners at 5 p.m. and again, get there early!
Clean restrooms are right next door and a beautiful playground right in front of the pavilion will keep kids entertained.
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