Whispers In The Pines

Somewhere “Up North,” nestled between Woodruff and St. Germain in Wisconsin’s boreal forest, cool breezes flow off the lakes and through the trees.  At the forefront of this month, on the heels of school ending and an entire day set aside for the tie rods on our Jeep to be replaced, members of our family headed in that direction.  Not everyone was able to come up North this year, but it was a contingency of members that was able to adequately represent each clan within the Rhines tribe.

Whispering Pine Lodge has been a respite for my parents for a long time now.  Having raised our family in Michigan’s Northwoods, Whispering Pine has helped give them that Northwoods fix.  I suppose everyone has a place their soul longs for, and that they make a connection with, and this is just such a place.  For our family, it is the scent of pines and wood smoke, the sounds of wind in the boughs and water lapping the shore, the vibrant contrasts between green, brown, and blue, the tastes of home cooked meals and ice cream in town, or the feeling of a paddle and fishing pole in your hand.  Each of these senses are the icing on a cupcake. As the old adage states, without the sweet icing, a cupcake is just a muffin.

Each of us are back home now, but the stories and conversations from our week up North are still being carried on the breezes; breezes that sound like quiet whispers in the boughs of the white and red pines.  Shhhhhhh… If you listen carefully, you can still hear those whispers in the pines.
See you along The Way….

Photo Album

The Family:

My Sisters & Parents:
Karen, Dad, Mom, Me, And Becky

(Back) Karen, Mom, Dad, Cindy, Me, Becky, Adelaide, Jodi
(Front) Maggie, Max, Matthew, Rowan

The Fishing:

Becky

Karen

Dad With A 26 Inch Pike

Cindy With A Nice Perch...Atta Girl!  : )

Jodi With A Pike
Her Goal Was To Catch One This Week - She Caught 8 or 9!

Rowan & Max Used The Paddle Boat
As Often As Possible To Explore & Catch Fish

Matthew With Grandpa & A Stringer Of Pan Fish

Maggie & Her Stringer Full Of Fish

Oh, And Then There's The Cleaning....

The Group Shots & Activities:

Cindy & I

Dad's Birthday Celebration & Cake

Getting On The Water:

Jodi Really Loved Getting Out And Exploring In The Kayak

Getting In The Water:

I Think I Could Literally Jump Off The Dock All Day Long!

Wildlife & Scenery:

Thank You Mom & Dad!!