Hello from… Minocqua, in the North Woods of Wisconsin—a low-key lake community where families return year after year. They love their small town charm, but have had big names as fans and visitors over the years, including Elizabeth Taylor.

Where I’m staying… We spend a week every summer at a family cabin on a lake outside Minocqua, but I’ve heard The Beacons of Minocqua is a great lakefront option right in town (they offer everything from hotel rooms to log cabins that sleep up to 14).

The best meal I had… Probably the cheese plate made by my friend Anna Covington with goodies from The Cheese Board. Don’t skip on the 19-year aged cheddar, and you also have to try the cheddar with horseradish spread. I also had a great lunch at Otto’s Beer Garden, but heard the real time to go there is on Thursday nights for live music and dancing (rumor has it they even have to secure the tables down beforehand), so I’ll be back for that next time. 

Most fun thing I did… My favorite thing to do each year is having a picnic by the lake, spending all day swimming, paddleboarding, canoeing and grilling (pick up food from the Friday morning farmer’s market, which is small but a must, according to my local friend Carolyn Goltra). My other must-do is going to see the Min-Aqua Bats Water Ski Show. Words cannot express how much joy I get from this. They hold shows all summer on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 7pm. 

The song on repeat… “Fishing in the Dark” by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

A thing or two I learned… How to square dance/line dance! I’m getting pretty good after my 12th season here. I also learned a few things about lake culture: going out for a pontoon ride at night and meeting up with friends to hook the boats together for a nightcap (and maybe a swim). I also learned how to wakesurf and waterski (poorly).

The best thing I’m bringing home… It’s a toss up between fudge/candy from the extremely picturesque Dan’s Minocqua Fudge—an old-fashioned candy store where they still spin their own fudge (get an ice cream while you’re there too)—and vintage finds from Gaslight Antiques and Collectables, an expansive antiques market on the upper level of the Gaslight Square Shops. 

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