Greetings from Bearskin Lodge,
We think we may have finally
experienced our last spring
snowstorm. The ice has been slow to
go
out from the lake, but we expect it all to finally disappear over the
next
week. It’s time to start thinking about
summer plans.
As we write this, there are still a
few openings for summer
but they are booking up quickly. If
planning far into the future was too complicated for your family
schedule
(which is how it always was for us) there are still a few options open
at Bearskin, especially if you are available in June or if your family
is
the
right size for one of the larger Lodge units.
Due to the economy, there have been a
few cancellations in
beloved, “always booked” cabins during a few weeks for this summer. If you haven’t been able to get a spot at
Bearskin because your favorite cabin always gets reserved a year ahead,
this
might be a year when it’s available. Give
us a call.
There are lots of changes for this
summer. First and foremost is the return
of the
family picnic. For years Bearskin guests
looked forward to a gathering of all the guests each week for a picnic
down by
the beach. It was a great opportunity to
meet and connect with other guests; we’ve repeatedly been told that the
picnic
was missed. After we bought
Bearskin last summer, we experimented a bit with picnics and discovered
that even
without a Chef Sally on hand to do the cooking, Bearskin guests enjoyed
getting
together. This year the picnics will be
held on Monday night. We’ll do the
cooking — Andy has been practicing on our big new grill and Crystal has
promised to make her special fabulous fruit
salad. Bearskin
will provide the food for these get-togethers, but if you want to bring
a dish
to share you are very welcome to do so. It’s
going to be fun!
Other changes:
- Bearskin
recently bought single and tandem
kayaks for our guests. They will be
available for rental but will also be used for guided trips
- Many
options will be available for daytrips in
the area with our staff. The web site
will include more information soon.
- Our
new naturalist, Maudie Johnson, will be offering
programs for both children and adults this summer.
We are excited to have such a knowledgeable
naturalit on our staff.
- Andy
McDonnell, who has lived in this area his
entire life, will be Bearskin’s new fishing guide.
Andy has been out cleaning, repainting and
redoing the guide boat. It looks great!
- Runner’s
Group will meet several mornings a week
to go on a trail or road run through the woods. Whether you are an
experienced
distance runner or new to running, you will enjoy this running
experience. We have a staff loaded with
excellent runners
this summer.
- The
diving dock needed…well, it desperately
needed something. Expect to see a totally rebuilt floating raft
this year.
- Several other docks are being redone over the next
few weeks.
- Bearskin
has all new sheets this year -- very
nice.
- Spruce
Cabin 1 is in the process of receiving a
new floor and a fireplace like the one in Cabin 5.
With its wonderful screen porch and fabulous
front window view, this could become a new favorite cabin.
We have lots of painting, repairs and
remodeling going
on. Bearskin
should be looking pretty spiffy when
you arrive.
Hope to see you sometime this summer,
The
McCloughan Family &
The
Bearskin Staff
| A note to
long-time Bearskin guests: Many
of our guests have asked about Dee, the amazing woman of multiple
talents who was the face at the front desk and the voice on the phone
at Bearskin Lodge for years. Guests inevitably miss her gracious
welcome when they visit Bearskin these days. For those of you who
haven't heard, Dee is ill. Dee has good medical care, a
supportive, loving family and is a woman of tremendous faith, so
hopefully that combination of factors will help sustain her through
some tough times. We miss her dearly and there isn't a day that
goes by when we don't think about her. Many guests have asked if they
could send Dee cards or e-mails. If you're interested in doing
this,
contact us at the front desk and we will help you reach her. |
