Miller Moments: Vacation in Eagle River, Wisconsin

We spent a wonderful week in Eagle River, Wisconsin at a cabin to end our summer. Ryan did a lot of research and found an area of Wisconsin that he thought looked inviting. He also found the cabin that we rented and even got an off-season price! The kids kept saying that it was the best vacation ever and that we should come back next year. Ryan and I agreed. It was relaxing and we had lots to do right outside our door.

Most of the houses on our lake were not rentals, so there was virtually no one else around. The people who owned the cabin we stayed in had a house right beside us, but they were only there for the first day we were, and then we were all by ourselves. It was very peaceful. Every afternoon was spent swimming and the mornings were spent fishing and canoeing, reading, playing games, etc. One morning we found a local trail and went bike riding.

The cabin came with a rowboat, a canoe and a paddle boat, all of which we used almost daily. The water was so clear, you could see to the bottom all over the lake. Ryan said it was frustrating for fishing because he could see the big ones pass by his hook. Thankfully there were lots of little bluegill that would bite quickly; this kept the kids interested. We fished off the dock as well in other parts of the lake. Ryan and Cameron found a sweet spot where the fish would bite within 20 seconds. One night Ryan took Lauren and Cameron fishing and he caught a bass. It was feisty and fell out of his hands when he was taking it off the hook. It flopped over by the kids and they both started crying! Lauren kept talking about it, I think it made an impression!

There was a swim platform out a little way past the docks and Aubrey enjoyed swimming out there with Ryan. Cameron and Lauren went out there too, but didn't enjoy it as much as Aubrey. She even swam part way out into the lake with Ryan one day. It was so much fun to watch the kids swim and make up games to play. They lived in their swimsuits most days.

There were so many small fish right around the dock and we fed them small balls of bread. One night when Aubrey and Ryan were fishing the rest of us got to feed a turtle. It would swim up to us and eat the bread, then swim away and come back. Finally it got full and went away. That same night Aubrey saw a deer while they were fishing. We saw loons on the lake all week. The other wildlife sighting was a black bear. The bad thing about that was that it was while we were driving. We were almost to our cabin on the first day and I saw this bear coming out of the ditch. I yelled, "Look at the bear!" But just that quickly it turned around and went back into the woods. Only Ryan and I saw it so that was a bummer since that would have been something new for the kids.

Unfortunately, my camera battery died after the first day, so we had to use Ryan's phone. The pictures aren't the greatest, but it was better than nothing! They also aren't really in order so bear with me.

Lauren on the beach area

Another picture of Lauren at the beach

Cameron jumping off the dock. The water at the end of the dock was just right for Aubrey and Cameron, they could touch, but barely, so it felt deep.

Inside the front door

Another view of the kitchen

The VERY steep stairs to the basement. The stairs were a little scary, but the kids learned to navigate them well.

The view from the deck

Aubrey coloring in the loft

The "master" bedroom

There was a can crusher right outside the cabin, and it was the highlight of the day for Aubrey and Cameron to take turns crushing the cans. The simple pleasures of life!