Gladwin County Traffic Jam

This is the kind of traffic jam we get in Gladwin County!

Snow, Snow and More Snow!

If you like snow, we have it!

Here is a picture of the picnic tables at the Retreat last night (Dec 9th). A big snow storm went through Gladwin County, leaving a foot of fresh snow.

Of course, this also left us with some extra work. Roof raking is always fun. (Ha ha).  I pulled a bunch of snow off of the roof last night and it was still snowing.

Guest Photos from July 2008

Hi Ivie, Jim, Heather and Ryan,

I finally have a chance to write you and tell you that we had such a wonderful time at your "Retreat"! I can't believe it has already been a week and a half since we left there. We are now reliving our vacation thru our photos and hopefully I have attached a few of them.

I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful it was to watch my older dog Molly swim and have the time of her life. I truly believe that when I took her out the morning we were back she looked at me very sad as if to say "Where is that pond?".

I really hope we get another chance to rent your beautiful retreat and I can certainly see why you have so many devoted people that come back year after year. We thank you again and hopefully will see you again on a future vacation.

With fondest memories... Nancy, Ellen, Mike, Paco and Molly.

Memorial Weekend Just Opened Up!!!

Last minute cancellation just opened up Memorial day weekend. If you are still looking to book the Retreat in the Woods for the Holiday Weekend, get a hold me ASAP to reserve it. I'm going to send an emailer out to my past guests to see if anyone has been thinking about getting away.

Call Ivie on her cell at 989-429-0124

Fawn at the Retreat

This little girl was next to the drive in to the property. Isn't she precious?

The fawns are here. If you're staying at the Retreat, you will want to only "Look" and "Not Touch" a fawn, if you come across one. I only took pictures of this little bundle and then left her along. I'm sure that after I left, her mom came and moved her to a safer location.

Visitor Photos & Note

Good evening Ivie,

I just wanted to thank you. We had another wonderful stay at the Retreat.

I have attached a couple pictures of the visitors we had this week. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed watching them. I tried to get pictures of the racoon but all I got were eyes!

I have to admit I hated to see our vacation end.

Thanks again.

We've Got LOTS of Snow!

We got an unexpected layer of fresh snow yesterday.

We were expecting 4-5 inches and got 9!

About a week ago, we lost one of our hammock trees (and maybe a picnic table)! With all of the snow we've had this year, and the mild temperatures, our tall pine tree, by the fire pit, fell over and landed on the picnic table! We'll have to find somewhere else to hang the hammock this summer.

Happy Holidays!

Let it Snow!

We have lots of snow for this time of year. We've already been out snowmobiling.

We think that there will be a White Christmas, this year!

Speaking of Christmas, we still have the Retreat available this Christmas! If you've been thinking about getting away for the Christmas season, give us a call. It's beautiful out there right now... with all of the pretty snow.

Sorry... New Years is already booked.

Don't forget! The HOT TUB is up and running all year long!

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Summer Fun at the Retreat!

These are some photos of our daughter's Birthday Party on August 25th.

Lets burn some hot dogs!

Guest Photos from the Rudolphs!

Here are some great photos from one of our guests!

Look at this whopper Bass! And this isn't even the biggest one in the pond!

This big fishy was thrown back to get even BIGGER!

Relaxing after a long day playing in the pond.

Relaxing in the swing!

Thanks Rudolphs, for the great photos of you trip!

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Summer Fun at the Retreat!

Summer it here and it's time to play!

These photos were taken at the Reatreat in the Woods on June 2nd.

The kids were having a great time swimming in the pond all day!

Most of the summer of 2007 is booked up. Now taking reservations for 2008!

Email Us to Book Your Vacation Today!

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Cute Sign of Spring!

Springtime Newborn

I took these photos on Friday, May 25th. The kids and I were coming back from checking in a family at the Chalet, and this little guy (or gal) was standing along side Meredith Grade Road. When it saw the car coming, she/he laid down in this funny position.

She/he almost looks like Bambi on ice (without the ice).

This baby instinctively laid down to hide from us. However, to road didn't provide much cover. I got out of my car with my camera and took these photos. Shortly after I took the first two photos, I let the kids walk up to see, but I didn't let them get too close or even attempt to touch it. We just looked at him.

Soon another car drove up and we pointed out the baby along side the road. Of course, out came the camera phones. Then when one of the guys got out of their car to take a picture, the little fawn got up and did a clumsy trot for the woods. When he came to the edge of the woods, he tripped and fell. The fawn laid there as still as it could and we took the next photo below.

Shortly after I took this picture, I grabbed a small tree branch that was laying in the ground and coaxed him to move away from the edge of the road. The little guy got up and wobbled away, baaing like a little sheep. I'm sure that it's mother was flipping out. I know she was nearby, because we could here her in the woods across the road.

After the baby was at a safe distance away from the road, we let it be. We got in our car and drove away. I'm sure that mom would be showing up soon to lead the awkward little baby away to better cover.

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Gladwin County Photo Slide Show

I thought this would be fun to share during this cold winter months. I put together a slide show of some of my favorite photos taken in Gladwin County. I took most of the photos accept for three. The deer and the geese photos were taken by Bill Rivert of Sugar Springs and the photo of the people in the canoe, was taken by one of our guests at one of our vacation rentals. The rest of them, I took. Click on the photo below to visit the slide show.

ENJOY!

Snow at the Retreat in the Woods

The snow is here at the Retreat. These photos were taken before the last snowfall, so we have even more now!
Look at all the snow on the picnic tables!

Hot tub in winter. It's beautiful spending time away in the winter, at the Retreat in the Woods.

Winter at the Retreat in the Woods

Retreat in the Woods in Mid January

These were taken before yesterday's storm. I'm sure there is a lot more snow out there now. I'll take some updated photos soon.

Snow Surfing

I thought you might enjoy a little winter fun. This little mini video was taken from our back yard yesterday during the snow storm.
(Not at one of the cottages).

We have SNOW!

Well, Winter is finally here in full force. These photos were taken at my home a few minutes ago. It's still coming down pretty hard.

Here is our Snow Level as of a few minutes ago. I guess you could say it's our table snow meter.

Here is a picture of our kids sleding down our back hill at our home.
When I get a chance to go out to the cottages, I'll try to get more winter photos. I'm sure it's really pretty out there today.

Is Winter Back? We'll See!

Well... we have a "Little" snow. It's pretty sticking to all of the trees. It's not enough to go sledding or snowmobiling, though...

It's supposed to stay cooler this week. Maybe closer to "real" winter temperatures.

The lakes around here are still free of ice. This is the first winter since we moved up north in 1992, that I've seen the lakes with NO ICE on them this far into the winter season. A few days ago, I saw an active frog jump into the lake an hide. He wasn't slow or sluggish... I think he thought it was spring!

I'll get some photos posted when I take some new ones.