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Summer Fun

(page 1 of 6)

When the weather forecast calls for sunshine and gentle breezes, Midwesterners make the most of it by planning day trips, weekend excursions and extended vacations. Whether your perfect summer day includes a trip to the waterpark, relaxing at a lakeside lodge, touring a historic site, or staying active by walking, rolling, peddling or paddling, don’t leave home without our helpful summer guide.

Here are some ideas on how to have some summer fun.

Where to Stay

IRON COUNTY: MERCER AND HURLEY WISCONSIN

www.hurleywi.com/ 866-340-4334
www.mercercc.com/ 715-476-2389

Iron County is an area where people can really relax amid nature, says Gene Cisewski, a spokesperson with the Hurley Area Chamber of Commerce.

“There are no waterparks and no crowds, just 377,900 acres of a vast, public forest filled with wildlife, waterfalls, Lake Superior and the ancient Penokee Mountains,” he says.

Vacationers can hike or bike deep into the unspoiled woods, or cruise on more than 200 miles of extensive wilderness all-terrain vehicle trails and routes.

Adults love the sparkling nightlife on Hurley’s notorious Silver Street, and the little ones will always remember seeing the 16-foot loon in Mercer (Mercer is, after all, Wisconsin’s “Loon Capital”), camping at Saxon Harbor, and swimming and building sand castles along the beach where Lake Superior’s waters warm up and provide a shallow swimming area.

History buffs will be happy to know that all of Iron County has been designated a Wisconsin Heritage Area—a “living” example of how Native Americans, fur traders, lumberjacks and iron ore miners helped settle the region. Waterfall watchers can enjoy several charming cascades along the way. Iron County boasts six of Wisconsin’s ten tallest waterfalls, not only a beautiful site to see, but also a challenge to experienced kayakers—such as U.S. Freestyle Team member Tao Berman—who has successfully paddled over them.

Iron County is also home to Eagle Bluff and Skye Golf in the Whitecap Mountains, two mountaintop courses offering dramatic views of Lake Superior.


BREEZY POINT RESORT

www.breezypointresort.com/ 800-432-3777

Breezy Point Resort, located east of Pequot Lakes along the peninsula of Pelican Lake, has been a family-favorite for more than 80 years. The large, sandy beaches (complete with volleyball nets and bonfire pits) and crystal clear waters are just a few of the many reasons vacationers return again and again to this charming resort.

“There’s so much going on in the summer,” says Dave Gravdahl, general manager. “We have an Elvis impersonator at the Dockside Lounge, this will be the 12th year he’s with us. We have two 18-hole golf courses, a complete boat marina, tennis courts, a swimming pool, a Children’s Recreation Program, excellent casual and fine dining, and entertainment in the Marina Lounge.”

Hikers, bikers and in-line skaters can utilize the nearby Paul Bunyan Trail, connecting Brainerd to Bemidji, and those who like to fish will love the variety in Pelican Lake.

There are more than 250 lodging units available at the resort, ranging from shore-side accommodations to golf chalets with hot tubs that look out on one of the championship courses.


STOUT’S ISLAND LODGE

www.stoutslodge.com/ 715-354-3646

Stout’s Island Lodge is a rustic yet elegant hideaway located on a wooded island in the middle of Red Cedar Lake—northeast of Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Built in 1903 as a summer retreat by Chicago millionaire Frank D. Stout, this 26-acre oasis of natural beauty is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Accessible only by ferry, the estate was modeled after the “Great Camps” of the Adirondacks, with a main lodge, cabins, a three-launch boathouse, servant and guest quarters, and recreation hall. Today, guests can stay in the Main Lodge, Shore Lodge or surrounding rustic cabins, many furnished with period antiques.

There’s a clay court for tennis, a sand pit for volleyball or badminton, and the front lawn is perfect for croquet, horseshoes or bocce ball. The Tagalong Golf Course is still available for play, and families can take full advantage of the lake.

Nicknamed by the Stout family as “The Island of Happy Days,” this remarkable island sanctuary lives up to its legacy.


LUTSEN LODGING COMPANY AND REAL ESTATE GROUP

www.lutsenrealestategroup.com
www.lutsenlodgingcompany.com/ 866-663-7750

The Lutsen Lodging Company and Real Estate Group is proud to sponsor several fun-filled summer events on the North Shore. The 15th annual Lutsen Invitational Golf Tournament is scheduled for June 3-4 on the beautiful Superior National Golf Course at Lutsen. The event is open to the public and accommodation options are available through the Lutsen Lodging Company. Another sponsored event is the 26th annual Jan Horak 10K Wilderness Trek scheduled for the morning of July 4. The course goes through the Superior National Forest, along snowmobile and hiking trails.

In addition to these sponsored events, the Lutsen Lodging Company and Real Estate Group offers families and groups a host of vacation properties from which to fit their travel and accommodation plans.

“I believe what makes our lodging company attractive is our ability to tailor-fit the activities and lodging requirements with that of the group,” says Mike Larson, managing partner at the Lutsen Lodging Company.

He adds, “It’s not uncommon for our guests to enjoy this unique and pristine area so much that they turn their dream vacation into a permanent experience through ownership.”

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