Black's Cliff Resort - Birch Bark Blog

Saxon Harbor

24 Jul 2008 02:46:58 pm GMT +

[img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-24_01.jpg[/img] We took a day trip that everyone coming to the resort really should do at one point or another, we headed up to Lake Superior. Lake Superior is an hour north of us and some people have no idea the jem they are only an hour from. On our way we stopped in Mercer the Loon Capital of the world to snag a Geo Cache placed by Claire the Loon. We did a few loon calls to warm up for the Loon Calling Contest in a few weeks in Mercer. Anyone know that one of the Black's is a 4 time Loon Calling Champ from Mercer?? Are those really loons on Lower Kaubashine or The Black family..... [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-24_02.jpg[/img] We tried to go to a new beach this year at Little Girls Point but the bridge was out so we back tracked 10 miles back to our old favorite Saxon Harbor. Little to no people and room for a dog and kids to have fun without bothering other people [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-24_04.jpg[/img] Enjoying the views. A perfect day in the life of a dog, sand, sun, a stick to chew on and water to swim in [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-24_03.jpg[/img] We thought this rock looked like a huge tooth or a piece of toast.... [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-24_05.jpg[/img] End of a perfect day...

Time for Shades

22 Jul 2008 04:32:52 pm GMT +

[img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-22_03.jpg[/img] Oreo says it is time to wear shades! even for guinea pigs. [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-22_01.jpg[/img] A toast to Jack at Jack's Landing from Dan, John and Ted. [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-22_02.jpg[/img] Summer Days and big puffy clouds at the lake. Remember your shades!...

2 teens + one boat + one dad = FUN

20 Jul 2008 11:45:16 pm GMT +

[img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-20_03.jpg[/img] What causes this type of look on a 2 teens? [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-20_02.jpg[/img] A dad having the time of his life with no worries, no traffic just full throttle ahead. [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-18_01.jpg[/img] Put the 2 pictures together = summer fun on Lower Kaubashine Thanks to, Mike Frisch the dad and Danny Ross and Will Frisch for showing us what summer fun is all about...

Couple of Nice Pics

18 Jul 2008 11:55:24 pm GMT +

These pics should appeal to many different folks [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-15_18.jpg[/img] For the bird lovers the Humming Birds sensed Char was in the woods and her fresh nectar in all the feeders lured in quite a few hummers. [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-18_02.jpg[/img] For the fishermen and women readers out there how about this 12 inch crappie. I think this summer has been one of the best in 10 years for Crappie fishing. The cooler summer seems to have brought out the big ones Thanks to Karey Ross for the pics. Karey has a job as a blog photographer anytime she wants it. She managed to fill 3 Gigs of pics while on vacation. I am not sure how many a day that comes to but it is impressive...

Jack's Landing

18 Jul 2008 12:36:23 am GMT +

[img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2007-07-11_08.jpg[/img] Last October we lost a great person Jack Schmelzer after a battle with cancer. He is pictured above with his family last summer. He is missed by many but we know he is happy where he is and was smiling down this week as his family worked together on a family project to honor Jack and his connection to the resort and the Northwoods which was his favorite place [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-14_01.jpg[/img] Jack enjoyed looking out at the lake from his spot on the swinging bed and spending time with his family. What better way to honor him and his memory than a landing looking out at the lake. We spent a week bouncing around ideas and finally came to one we all agreed on and the work started between Muskie and Birchwood on the hillside [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-14_03.jpg[/img] It became a family affair with Jack's grandkids as the work crew. Jimmy and Danny above working together to get things level [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-14_07.jpg[/img] The decision makers Ken, Craig and Troy getting the particulars figured out and the lumber ordered. Ken is a Tech Ed Teacher at York High School and his precision met with the reality of building something at Black's Cliff. One thing that made everyone easy to work with is we ordered 1st run boards that were actually straight which were much easier than Craigs usual crooked seconds. Troy was not sure how to build with straight boards but Ken was happy to show him [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-14_14.jpg[/img] Ken showing his boys the ways of the level and power drill. [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-14_09.jpg[/img] Craig sneaking in when Ken is not looking and tieing an orange ribbon around the post. Craig and Jack had a on going war about trees. Craig would mark trees with orange ribbon to be cut down. Jack would come behind and cut the ribbons off. Where ever Jack is he is laughing over Craig's maneuver above. [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-14_16.jpg[/img] 1st day done and Ken enjoying the moment and the view. If Jack was here he and Ken would pretend Lucy the dog needed a walk and would be out on this deck enjoying a view together and smoking a cigar [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-15_22.jpg[/img] Day 2 brought more grandkid help. Ken got to show Katie above and Sam below how the power drill worked as well. The Tech Teacher was in his glory with a project and willing volunteers who just had to be shown the correct side of the drill to use [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-15_25.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-15_24.jpg[/img] Conversation between brothers, do you think Dad will notice the last board is not level....... no but grandma will when she sits in the rocker shhhh lets just tell him that board was Katie's to put in. Where ever Grandpa is he would say don't worry just go swimming you guys did a good job [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-15_28.jpg[/img] Char coming out to inspect the project with Sam and Katie and of course Lucy the dog. Do you think she notices the not so level board? [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-15_38.jpg[/img] Karey and Annie, Jack's daughters enjoying the new deck... Did they notice the board..... No they just blamed it on the wine they were drinking, toasting their dad. [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-15_39.jpg[/img] 1st Cocktail party on Jack's Landing [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-15_40.jpg[/img] He will always be missed but having a spot that friends and family can gather makes him feel a whole lot closer. [img]http://www.blackscliff.com/bloggie/files/2008-07-15_41.jpg[/img] Never will a orange ribbon be hung that we won't think of him and when you stop into Jack's Landing on your trip to the resort know why there shall always be a orange ribbon around the landing pole, honoring a gentle man named Jack Special Thanks go out to Judy Kelley who made the landing possible with the idea and funds to make a memorial in Jack's name. She knew what a special person he was...