Playing TOURIST – past 3 days in upstate NY gathering inspiration with friends.Hundreds of miles exploring (just the tip of the iceberg). A handful of things that I cant shake.HUDSON: + The backroom on the 2nd floor of JC Rogerson Co Inc (180 years old, 5th generation, a time capsule museum of a hardware store). + The ceiling in the old firehouse-turned bookshop-in-a-bar Spotty Dog Books & Ale+ The bar & gym at @themakerhotelHUNTER: + The hot cider in the backroom at the Prospect inside @scribnerslodgeTANNERSVILLE:+ The library at @hotellilien+ The nick nack corner back booth at Tannersville Antique & Artisan Center PHOENICIA: + The Den at @thegrahamandco+ @phoeniciadiner (whole vibe & book)+ The local map section at the Nest Egg country storeKINGSTON: + The banner & wall of Nat Geo walls at @hamiltonandadams And just the CATSKILLS as a whole Driving the Borscht belt (best if accompanied while flipping through the hotels of the Catskills, Abandoned resorts of the Northeast; & Abandoned Catskills – each tell the tale the heyday of upstate seasonal resorts and how car/plane travel changed the way Americans vacationed forever- leaving so many historic roadside resorts to be abandoned & taken over by nature.All said, hands-down, the most beautiful, eclectic, creative place that inspired us most wasnt a hotel at all- but the private estate of our friends @markdarcy & Deb- (14th pic) their countryside compound was mind blowing in the kind of way that it makes us want to head up to Hudson & save another old resort. As we return to our own tiny corner on our tiny lake- feeling grateful that against all odds were still standing here one hundred years later. Hudson- well visit again soon
January 7, 2025 • Published by Tereasa Surratt • Instagram
Its in our DNA.Its been a big part of Wandawega since they broke ground a century ago. (And why we have lures in the store, made our own tackle boxes, keep the souvenir machine stocked with bobbers, the bait canteen full of night crawlers. (Youll even find a bass on our neck ties). The DNR reported that Lake Wandawega Is one of the healthiest in the state. Due to minimal agricultural runoff, few lakefront homes, and low motorboat traffic, the ecosystem thrives and provides for a healthy variety of fish.Here, we have mainly Large Mouth Bass, Northern Pike and a variety of panfish/bluegill/sunfish.We encourage folks to experience it, which is why we made our own Lake Wandawega fishing guide. (Campers will find them on the clipboards in their cabins).From the DNR:WHAT MAKES A HEALTHY LAKE?An extremely clear lake may lack the plant life needed to support a robust fishery. Ecologically balanced lakes are more important: those with a healthy mix of native plants, forested shores, minimum runoff coming into them, a good fishery and diverse wildlife. This is why Lake Wandawega (at its little 120 Acres) is ranked on The list of WISCONSINS HEALTHIEST LAKES (Selected by Wisconsin DNR lake experts)STATS:Wisconsin ranks No. 2 nationally in the number of days of fishing by nonresidents and the number of non- resident anglers nearly 400,000. Only Florida ranks higher and it has an ocean! Some 1.4 million licensed anglers fished Wisconsin waters in 2008, catching an estimated 88 million fish. The most frequently caught: panfish, bass, walleye, northern pike, trout, catfish and muskie. In all, 165 species are found in the state. -Milwaukee Magazine July 2009….Some pics by our friends including @bobcoscarelli & @nathanbobey @prezpipe
January 6, 2025 • Published by Tereasa Surratt • Instagram
Davids near 20 year dream comes true today.We finally got our first batch of Wandawega pocket whiskey (for social lubrication).The half-pint bottle got its name the pocket whiskey for its ability to be stashed in your pocket. By the 1920s, half pints had become the common companion for hunting & fishing trips, and more formal gatherings as a social lubricant says the old advertisements. Travelers would carry them on long journeys and outdoor excursions to slip in discreet swigs.ABOUT OUR BLEND: Distilled & bottled in Chicago by CH Distillery in the historic Pilsen neighborhood. A blend of straight bourbon whiskeys aged four years in oak barrels. 45% alcohol – 90 proof. 200 ML. *Best enjoyed in Elkhorn, Wis.Theres just something about the whiskey half-pint its practicality & straightforwardness is why its long been part of American culture. I had a half-pint in my pocket, and I took a drink as we walked along the street. – Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises (1926) Lennie! Hide till I come for you. Ill be back in a minute, I just got to take a half-pint of whiskey to the boss man, and Ill be back right away.- John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men (1937)You know, I was just going to take a little drinka half-pint, to be exactand that was it… Just a half-pint.- Don Birnam, The Lost Weekend (1945)I had a half-pint of whiskey in my coat pocket. I didnt really want to drink it, but I kind of had to. It was the only way I could stop thinking about everything. – J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye (1951)Im just gonna have a little drink, Doc. Ill be back in a minute just need a half-pint to clear my head.-Jack Torrance, The Shining (1980)Yeah, that was the thing. A half-pint of whiskey in the middle of the night just to get the buzz started.- Henry Hill, Goodfellas (1990)You want to be a big shot, kid? Heres what you do: you take a half-pint of whiskey, sit back, and make the deal happen. -Frank Costello, The Departed (2006) For this first batch, CH Distillery bottled up a limited run for us to share with campers, friends, neighbors, partners, guests, & our creative community.
January 2, 2025 • Published by Tereasa Surratt • Instagram
Today were celebrating something a century in the making: the 100th birth-year of Wandawega.Were grateful for the journey that brought us here. From its blue collar start to its recognition on the National Register of Historic Places, this place is a sanctuary of simple, happy times and shared memories. The honor of being listed isnt just ours it belongs to every camper, stagger and storyteller who left their mark here, and is a testament to the enduring spirit of connection, nature, and community. This century milestone is inspiring us to celebrate in a bunch of different ways in 2025 through custom collaborations, heritage products, and events that honor history. Every space, building, product, and event well be bringing you this year will be a tribute to the spirit we try our best to honor: a place where simplicity, creativity, and community thrive. We invite you to join us as we honor the past, and do our best to carry Wandawegas legacy into the future.For all of our supporters, friends, family, campers, creative partners, followers, and our tiny-but-mighty teamheres to the past that built us, the present that embraces us, and the future that calls us forward.Welcome year number one hundred – were ready for ya!.To learn more about our mission of preservation & restoration, visit our Not For Profit at THE WANDAWEGA HISTORICAL SOCIETY at wandawegahistory.orgTo hear the story of the Saints & Sinners that built the place, check out our podcast & book: American Getaway: The Very True, Very Strange Story of Camp Wandawega (Spotify and Apple Podcasts)…In 2025, we mark the 100th anniversary of the original dreamers: it was 1925 when a group of investors and developers from U.S. Bond & Mortgage Company of Chicago purchased the land around a remote lake (called both Otter Lake and Russel Lake) and re-named it Wandawega. And the rest is history.
January 1, 2025 • Published by Tereasa Surratt • Instagram
Not gonna lie. Were tired as hell. Its been a chaotic year, but were super grateful. Weve got some big things in the cooker for 2025.Cant wait to share!!1. Holy shit.2: some encouraging words3: launch DepartmentOfObjects.com4: concocted the Janitors Dept.5: created the Produce Farm stand & product line 6: opened the Grounds & Garden Shed7: Built a pair of new Rest Stops (finally)8: unveiled the Tie Bar chicago pop up shop9: @orderandexperimentation Chicago pop up store10: Launched a Bedding line @makerscollectivehome 11: Launch of 50-pc line with @thetiebar 12-13: Launch of @wallys outdoor gear14: Foxtrot line -made, but sitting in a warehouse 15: Two Hearted IPA collab @bellsbrewery 16: CW boat shed popped up in Melbourne17: @accidentallywesanderson book feature 18-19: A bakers dozen new products for the camp And some of our favorite dinner events with @landandseadept – and so may talented chefs at the @stockmfgco Campfire Jamboree, some fun brand events with @solemnoathbeer @thetiebar Two Hearted IPA, and brand events with @mrsmeyerscleanday & too many others to list From our camp to yours, Wishing you all good things in 2025 – See ya next year!..Shots here by too many friends to list @nathanbobey @bobcoscarelli @prezpipe@mandylancia( and an oldie but a goodie with our beloved angel Frankie )
December 31, 2024 • Published by Tereasa Surratt • Instagram
As were cooking up plans for 2025, looking back at some of our fun projects from this past year (this one was a good time, getting to collaborate with some great creatives & friends) Going a little behind the scenes for the making of the Wandawega x @thetiebar line. .With Photography by camp pals @prezpipe @nathanbobey @bobcoscarelli
December 30, 2024 • Published by Tereasa Surratt • Instagram
Feels like today might be shaping up to be a good window to hit this. Weve always wanted one of these.Ours was made in Canada. Shipped on a rig in 3 million pieces, assembled by our small but mighty crew – perched on the hillside by the #wandawegaHillhouse. Thinking about our next projects. The funnest (is that a word?) ones are never the easy ones…Pics by @bobcoscarelli @iamcraigsteven
December 29, 2024 • Published by Tereasa Surratt • Instagram
Our snowmobiles have been in hibernation for the past couple of seasons (hoping for a deep snow now, because theyre about to come back out of the shop). Fresh tune ups, ready for fresh powder..Weve had a dozen sleds over the years here at camp, from numerous eras and makers. (A few of them here). Our favorites to date are the Mercury 1970 250E and 250ER. (David taking the 250E out for a spin the last time we had it running).
December 28, 2024 • Published by Tereasa Surratt • Instagram
Dear Santa,Weve dogged eared every page of the 1974 Sears holiday wish book. (expecting all of this under the tree at 7:00 am sharp)Thanks.The short list :WRANGLER FAUX DENIM TENT BURLWOOD MICROWAVE OVENJARTSTV TRAY STANDPIPE RACKSTERIO 8-TRACK TAPE PLAYERPOPCORN POPPERBETTY CROKER COOKBOOKTETHERBALLFREE SPIRIT 10-SPEED ERECTOR SETA-FRAME DOLL HOUSEVIEW MASTERWOOD BURNING KITMETAL DETECTORWALKIE-TALKIE SETYULE LOG CANNED HAMTYROLEAN PLUSH HAT and the Deluxe 44 inch stocking with matching footie pajamas.Merry Christmas, hope yall get everything you want this morning and all year long.love Tereasa David Charlie & Scout
December 25, 2024 • Published by Tereasa Surratt • Instagram
Seasons Greetings from the Ranger Station. Were suckers for any sad abandoned shed. ( even when it started it life as a Craigslist find construction trailer ) one of our favorite, given a second chance with. Some of our favorite people.
December 24, 2024 • Published by Tereasa Surratt • Instagram
