Cottage #2 at Hilltop Cottages Resort
Last week my family and I had a lovely vacation at this little cottage we rented for the week. Our friends Steve and Lisa have been going to Hilltop for many years and contacted us when a cottage opened up for the same week in June that they always go. We reserved it immediately. So not only did we have a great vacation, we also got to spend lots of time with our best friends.
There are ten cottages at Hilltop. Cottage #2 is small, functional, spotless, and welcoming, with a well-equipped kitchen. Four rooms and a screen porch with a gorgeous view of the lake.
Richard and I planned the menu together and brought all of our groceries up in coolers that we stashed in the boat.
Four kayaks were available to take out on the lake anytime we liked, no charge. Same with the paddleboats. We also hauled along our beat-up aluminum fishing boat and docked it there for free, so we could just untether it and go fishing at the drop of a hat. There were two duck families that camped out on the lake shore. One Mama Mallard had ten babies, and the other had eleven. They’d eat the bread right out of your hand, and sometimes the baby ducks would miss their target and you’d feel their raspy little bill close on and scrape along your finger. It was so darned cute. Then of course each cottage came with its own chipmunk who would hop right up in your hand and eat the peanut right there. It was like we lived in a northwoods version of a Disney movie for a week.
The kids were constantly down at the lake (Abby with her life jacket on!) playing on the shoreline, finding snail shells, going out in the paddleboat, and just generally being kids in the sunshine.
Jess and I went out on the kayaks early one morning and observed the loons with their baby, and listened to their calls carrying across the still, peaceful lake.
All four of us went fishing almost daily and caught lots of little bluegills. Richard and Jess cleaned them out in the clean and spacious fishhouse.
In between, there was lots of family time, some shopping in town (with a very happy Jessica spending her saved-up allowance), time with Lisa, mini-golf, horseback riding, and general all-around goofiness.
This reminds me of the great vacations our family has experienced in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. We couldn’t go this year, but already have the place booked for next year. Enjoy!!
It’s unparalled up there, isn’t it? Just gorgeous. The woods exude complete calm. My family used to have land in the northwoods. I’m so glad my kids get to experience it as well; definitely worth saving up for!
Nothing compares to the Northwoods.
Okay, I knew I liked you guys a lot. But once I saw the Keen footwear, you were solid gold. Rock on, fellow Keen enthusiasts! You guys looked as if you had a great time.
Dan of Hebron Acres
LOL Thank you for the great compliment, Dan! Keens are so versatile, aren’t they? They are 3-season shoes around here. I so admire your blog as well. Your posts are incredibly well-written and a pleasure to read. Keep ‘em comin’!
I’ll keep ‘em coming. Thanks for the kinds words. Hopefully, I’ll be able to climb down off my soap box if our nation’s leaders ever pull their head out.
Thanks for sharing. What a great vacation. Love seeing these pics of your beautiful family.
Aw, thanks Susie. Putting this post together was like taking the vacation all over again. It was such a wonderful time. I am looking forward to next year’s week at Hilltop already!