We usually spend Father's Day on the island.

This year it's yours for the taking! 

Book now here.  We're #116 Judy.

Or call Mike Kickbush at 920.847.2870

Ah!  What a treat to be back on the island! 

It was opening weekend for us.  We had a lot to bring up and, as usual, a lot to do! 

The water is low.  I actually love it when it's this low.  My photographs don't do this view justice.

 The kids immediately took off exploring every corner of our property.

 Our neighbors (our only neighbors) have these beautiful rocks that are perfect for climbing.

 And throwing rocks off of.  If you look closely you'll also see fossils on them!  Every spring we rush down to see what washed up on shore when the ice melted.  This year Magnolia was the lucky recipient of a rusty chain.  She was very proud of her rusty chain.  Rightly so.

Storms took down a lot of trees this winter.  As well as our tether ball which has been lodged up high for who knows how long.  Perry stopped by and will do all of the removal for us this year.  Phew, that's some hard, hard work we won't have to do.

Perry also brought us a truckload of cedar chips so we could freshen up our paths around the property.  This one did some hard work to earn a few wheelbarrow rides.

The kids' room got a little makeover.   The sconces were updated and we brought up a dresser and other things.  I won't show it to you because then it wouldn't be any fun when you arrive!  I think it's pretty cute and the kids like it too.  

The rest of the house got some new things, a little rearranging, and a whole lot of reorganizing.

One more week of work to get everything ready.  

It's our first summer to rent!  

We can't wait to have you!  

I think you're really going to love it!

doorcountyvacationrental.com  #116 Judy

Mike Kickbush  920.847.2870

4th of July

It is a real treat to be on Washington Island for the 4th of July.  The island comes alive with so much to do.  We always hit the pancake breakfast at the Fire House.  The sausages are homemade, the maple syrup is tapped right from the trees on the island, and the coffee is good and strong.

We like to climb on the firetrucks which the fire fighters are kind enough to let everyone do.  It's a great way to kick off the day.

By evening we lay out our blanket on main street and wait for the parade to begin.  You usually see some horses and the firetrucks but it's mainly a whole of kids with fabulously decked out bikes and a few handfuls of candy tossed into the crowd.   It's never too crowded and the parade is perfectly short and simple.  If you can wait until dark, you'll see the fireworks set off over the ball field.  We usually head back to our house and catch glimpses of fireworks going off on the mainland.

 The rest of the week you might spend on School House beach.  The orange swim dock will be out. 

 Bedtime stories for kids are usually in full swing by now at the Red Barn.  Every Thursday night stories are read to kids who usually come dressed in their pajamas.  Cookies and juice usually follow.

 And across from the Red Barn you might get this scene as the sun sets.  

Then you'll head back home and dream about the next day.

The reason why I'm posting about the 4th of July on the island because it appears that our house is open that week.  So, if you don't have plans yet, book now.  This opening won't last long!

Call Mike Kickbush at 920-847-2870.  Or visit his website at doorcountyvacationrental.com  

We're #116 Judy.

Summer With Cousins

Are you starting to dream about summer yet?  Are you thinking how fun it would be to get your families together?  A summer vacation for the cousins?  Well, let me show you how can do it on Washington Island.  I have a huge immediate family and while we couldn't all fit in our house, two other homes were rented on the island.  Our home became the main hangout spot.  The rented homes weren't on the water (which can reduce your costs), instead using our house for the lake frontage.

Here the cousins hang out at the snack bar.

Roasting marshmallows on the shore.

Back at the snack bar.  Placing orders at the service window to the kitchen.

Note the "Snak Shak" sign made especially for this trip by the cousins.  And, the daily menu so everyone knew what they could order!

Yeah for cousins!  Yeah for Washington Island!

Summers with cousins are the best!

A little yoga on the deck.

Or red, white, and blue goldfish...

How about a hot outdoor shower/bath?

And maybe some rock star performances?

Collecting rocks...

Getting ready for kayaking.

Long afternoons spent on School House Beach where only four of these beaches exist in this world and it's almost a crime to take any of the rocks.  We like to bring washable watercolors and paint them.  Even without the paint,  hours can be spent simply painting them with water while watching your masterpieces disappear within minutes in the hot summer sun.

Can you see how clear that water is?!

The appearance of the orange dock is a sign that summer has arrived on the island.

Back at home it's awfully nice to share some fudgesicles while playing cards on the deck.

I don't know about your woods, but in our woods we have fairies come visit.  They love to bring candy, trinkets, and even jewels!

More painting on our shorefront.

Our waters are shallow for a long way out.  This means the water is warmer and it's a great place to park your chairs for some sun while your toes stay cool in the water.

If you're ready for some summer fun, book now!

To see our rental listing, click here.  We are #116 Judy.  

Or, you can call Mike Kickbush at 920-847-2870.

Of course if you come without kids, your vacation would look like this:

Perhaps it is because we've had no snow this winter in Wisconsin that I'm feeling a little reminiscent of this particular winter on Washington Island...  

We made our reservations in advance to secure a spot on one of the three trips leaving for Washington Island one cold winter day.  It was aboard the Arni J. Richter, the one and only ferry that can cut through ice.  Before there was the Arni J. Richter, one simply rode on a snow mobile across the ice if you needed to get to the mainland.  This day I was thankful for this ferry. 

 The ice was thick.  At one point the ferry stopped, went in reverse, and then gunned it forward into the ice, cracking a path for us to get through.  With sheer excitement  I ran to the back of the boat to watch the gulls flock and dive to catch whatever fish they could in this short moment the waters opened.

As we trudged along I watched the birds fly away and the water close up as quickly as it opened.  As if it had never happened. 

 It was beautiful, serene, and exciting.  Aside from being on a large cargo carrying modern day ferry that can cut through ice, I felt like we were pioneers in a deserted land.  Just us and the birds.

 Amazing.  Thrilling.  Blood pumping fun!

 When we finally touched land and arrived at our house, this is what our shore looked like.  Almost completely unrecognizable from what I remember in the summer.

 The next morning we awoke to this.

 A blanket of white can turn any place beautiful.  

A blanket of white on Washington Island can turn it utterly ethereal.

 And, being sufficiently warmed by our vintage Jotel stove indoors, a walk in the woods was invigorating.

If you want an experience like this click here or call Mike Kickbush at 920-847-2870.

We'd be happy to start up the stove and fluff the down comforters for you.

Of course, you'd have to be okay with no running water and using the bathroom en pleine aire :)