Eagle River a perfect summer getaway!

Throwing parties is something that I genuinely enjoy.  I have had success executing neat themes.  I love adding an element of surprise for my girls.  Last summer my sister in law (SIL) Ashely, invited us to join them for a getaway to Eagle River, WI.   She had planned her vacation over Giana’s birthday weekend.  I saw this as an opportunity to skip the bash and spend quality time with family.

 

The Birthday Compromise!

A clever friend of mine had also avoided a party for her son’s 7^th birthday.  She told me to offer a monetary payout in lieu of a party.  She suggested that a portion of the money given, be put into her savings account.  To a six soon to be a seven-year-old kid, that is just learning currency, anything over $100 is huge!

 

The deal was made $100 spending cash, $50 into savings, no birthday party!  However, we would still celebrate in the great outdoors.  We would be boating and fishing with Uncle Matt, Aunt Ashley and cousins Blair and baby Jayde!

 

My friend with the grand compromise also found a Steve Madden purse that she knew would be the perfect means to deliver the cash to Giana.  Isn’t she sweet?

Wild Eagle River Lodge

 

The Wild Eagle River Lodge is located directly on Duck Lake.   Some units face the lake, while others are surrounded by woods.  Wide paved walking paths weave throughout the resort.   BBQ grills,  fire pits, and playgrounds are position along the way.

 

There is an onsite restaurant called the Blue Heron available to guest and also host private events.   A pool house with vending machines is off the reception area.  The back of the resort has a sandy beach area, boat rentals, and free canoes/kayaks. Free firewood is stacked and provided for the fire pit areas.

 

Amenities

They even had free s’mores and popcorn supplies set up for the kids.  If your kids are between 5-12 years old, take advantage of the kid’s club scheduled activities.  Despite the fact of our children weren’t old enough to utilize the club,  they encouraged us to participate.   They called our kids over for s’mores.

 

The resort gives you a glamping experience, the feel of camping in a clean condo.   Yet you don’t have the hassles of packing all the supplies.

 

Each unit includes life jackets which were found in the front closet.  The kitchens had all your necessary cookware and utensils.

 

[stextbox id=’custom’ bwidth=’2′ ccolor=’8397b4′ bcolor=’D0B0C3′ bgcolor=’8397b4′ cbgcolor=’8397b4′ bgcolorto=’8397b4′ cbgcolorto=’8397b4′ image=’null’]Travel Tip:  If your planning to cook, keep in mind, they do not supply any spices, waters, paper towels or coffee.  I think a salt and pepper shakers in each unit could be a great suggested addition.  Bring a tupperware dish for left overs or pack aluminum foil and storage bags.  [/stextbox]

 

Games such as volleyball and bocce ball are available along with other sports equipment such as soccer balls.  These can be borrowed from the front desk.

 

A small gift shop offers basic necessities, however, if you need any supplies plenty of convenience stores are within a couple miles.   Ice cream parlors,  hometown bars, and restaurants are also located near the resort.

 

Travel Tips

We booked two condos at the Wild Eagle River Lodge.  Each unit had 2 bedrooms, one room had double twin beds, the master had a king bed with an attached bathroom.  We requested that the units be in the same vicinity.  Now knowing the layout of the resort, I would suggest asking for a first-floor unit facing the beach/piers.

 

Bring lawn chairs and beach chairs, they have a limited amount.

 

We were traveling with children newborn-6 years old.  They have early bedtimes.  It would have been ideal to have a patio walkout unit.   That would have allowed us to sit outside and use baby monitors to keep the kids on their sleep schedules.

 

My first SIL taught me a meal tip for traveling in groups on our first family getaway to Castle Rock Lake.  When you have several families traveling together, assign each family a complete meal instead of collaborating dishes to comprise one meal.  Each family/couple is responsible for cooking for the entire group for that meal (or multiple meals depending on how long you will be traveling).

 

That way you only need to cook once or twice during the duration of your trip.  This meal arrangement ensures you pack fewer condiments/seasonings and you don’t have dishes overlap.  Genius!

 

Chain of Lakes

We both brought an additional family member to this trip.  Ashley brought her niece and I brought my nephew both were in their early 20s.  They relieved us for one evening out, which gave us a chance to check out all the hometown establishments.

 

Extraordinary

 

We rented a pontoon for a day and boated on the chain of lakes.

 

Eagle River’s water source is the Missippi River.  The area boost 28 linked freshwater lakes.  My SIL and BIL are boaters so my analysis on the boating/lake is based on their evaluation.  They felt that the pricing for pontoon rental was very reasonable.  We did not have the best weather forecasted weekend.  The policy to cancel the rental was flexible, allowing until 9 am the day of our reservation to cancel.

 

The pontoon rental itself was in fair condition.  Unfortunately, there was no USB or Bluetooth set up for audio, and the door didn’t quite click close.  Ashley asked for a map of the lakes and recommended sandbars, stops the information was not very forthcoming.  It seemed they would let any novice take out a boat.  We spent a couple hours at a recommended sandbar.  Enjoying the sun, drinks and most importantly time as a family.

 

Travel Wisconsin!

To sum it up Eagle River has all the trappings of a Northwoods summer getaway.  Therefore, I give it the Laufty Life stamp and would return for a second visit.  The resort was clean with ample amenities, the location was ideal, also offered several free engaging activities.

 

This place is a small town charmer.  Good food, tasty drinks and down to earth people!  Even though its now winter, you may want to book your condo at Wild Eagle River Lodge here  now before the ground units are gone.  Not into glamping?  Check out this camping post.

 

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