We FINALLY got our new custom tipi erected!(And this one actually keep out bugs & rain)last shot interior views .As part of the Wandawega line, @crateandbarrel s Land Of Nod brand created kid sized replicas of our tipis. And also featured it on sheets, stockings, sleeping bags and rugs. ..Since then, weve upgraded our on site tipi. This one is bigger-Our old one used to have old school wood and canvas cots, this new one has actual bed frames with real mattresses and even power pack supply charge your phone. .We still lay no claim to glamping here, but its a tiny bit less rustic. .* you can stay here as part of the rustic camping cluster. .. *if you are looking for the Wandawega line, a limited mix is now sold at @crateandkids . *for more info, see Crate & Kids blog: “Stories behind the products” link on todays profile line;https://tinyurl.com/ya7cjnbe
UPDATE: although this last minute cancellation booking got snatched up a few min after we posted this notice, – we appreciate all of the inquiries, and we since weve Postponed or cancelled all of our large all-camp-takeover events for the season, we still have some other openings this summer- all on Airbnb on a first come first serve basis. ….Last minute cancellation..Who wants come Fourth of July weekend? .First to book it on the Airbnb link gets it:.Airbnb.com/p/wandawega CAMP WANDAWEGA RUSTIC CAMPING CLUSTER.This is our most rustic group accommodation in the woods.INCLUDES: (all private for this rental cluster)> New style Tipi .> A-Frame cabin .> Sterlingworth cabin (now with power) .> Fox Den boyscout platform tent .> Birds Nest boyscout platform tent> Bass Hole boyscout platform tent> The Nature Watching stand .> The Firewood ShedPrivate Grill, picnic tables, camp latrine, campfire pit all included in our in new social distancing offering.
“They operate on a Trust thy neighbor or go get a room at The Holiday Inn’ policy. Embrace it or fear it, but we think thats pretty cool.” . Thx for the feature, @antiquearchaeology !.More excerpts; “Since 1925, Camp Wandawega, a one-time speakeasy turned nostalgic campground, has been the destination for campers willing to manage with the bare necessities as they retreat and reconnect with nature. The camp rests on 25 acres of shores of Wandawega Lake, fresh waters teeming with smallmouth bass and a collection of car keys left behind by generations of eager campers who forgot to empty their pockets before cannonballing off the dock.Nothing fancy about Wandawega. You should know right now that your sleep might be interrupted by the tickle of ladybugs creeping across your pillow, and it might take a few min to get used to the creak of an 80yr -old bed frame topped with less-than-luxe 10-thread-count-sheets.But you should also know that many celebrities have retreated here & had the best time. The moment you turn the corner to camp, youll be met with a sloppy kiss from Wandawegas official welcome committee: furry, four-legged Frankie and owners/camp rangers David Hernandez and Tereasa Surratt. (CORRECTION FROM US ONLY FRANKIE WILL KISS YOU ;) Theyve pretty much left the old buildings alone except for enhancing the decor with historic memorabilia, adding amusements like books & puzzles. Yes, we said puzzles theyre part of the secret plan to lure you in and get you to turn off your phone.What a comfort to know that there are still places in the world that remind you that life can be easy and simple without all the commotion and clutter. That unplugging for a bit allows you to notice the goodness of life around you and to be present in the moment, and it gives you time to try baiting a hook or building a fire.Its places like Wandawega that engage our minds, feed our souls and remind us of the joy that comes from reconnecting with simpler joys. Make a reservation and youll have a great story for your friends. You can talk about your glorious weekend jumping off docks, hooking your dinner & catching lightning bugs. Grizzly Adams would be proud
JUST IN: New Custom Camp store product.Something our guests need and appreciate.Our own little house brand of SHOO-FLY REPELLENT.Our all natural, camp-made insect repellent comes in vintage amber glass 2.5 oz pharmacy bottles that we found through a dealer who specializes in finding dead stock pharmacy supplies for the military.3 Ingredients :> Witch Hazel> Jojoba Oil> Citronella OilOur label features the early 1900s mosquito hood that is the alternative to wearing bug repellant. Ours is admittedly far less effective than DEET, but kinder to the skin .Scroll to see shot 6 of a brand called SKAT from the 60s, amazing..Scroll to see shot 5 of our obsessive hoarding of vintage insect repellent bottles for inspiration .More at #wandawegacustoms
This is nine..A friend visiting last weekend just surprised us this morning with a text of some shots she snuck of our daughter. This first photo, my first split second thought: whos that ? I didnt recognize her.Suddenly aware of the camera in a way she wasnt last summer (when she was throwing mud pies). A little more reserved, conscious of her hair. Posture. Now shes more easily embarrassed and vocal about how annoying we are.I cant pinpoint when it happened, but our Charlie girl toddler is suddenly gone and a tween has taken her place.Moms: how much longer will she still let me hold her hand? Snuggle on the couch? Before she pushes me away entirely into her teenage years? These photos make me smile so hard that I dont realize Im crying.So This is nine.For those of us who have spent 80 percent of our waking hours (for decades) in an office will this be the first time we get to bear witness to our children actual growing up before our eyes?Thank you, @melissalouisesalvatore @alittlephotostudio for stopping time for us (pics 2,3).
UPDATE : 30 winners picked! were reaching out for addresses & packing to this week to ship! .FREE TO GOOD HOMES. . spark joy ..Were shipping out a case of these (Nested inside little swag bag of other camp goodies). Because if getting a little package of fun things in your mailbox can make folks stuck at home even 1% happier for the day- then its worth it. (And also, wrapping gifts for strangers makes us happy- like a quarantine secret Santa sort of thing ) ..These little books of fire sticks used be called feature matches. The tiny individual tear-out match sticks themselves where printed. Most commonly, they featured little scenes and people, made as promotional items for all sorts of businesses from bars and supper clubs to burlesque joints..We have been searching for a match manufacturer to make these for at least a dozen years… with no luck (at least In the US, they where banned because the methods they used to make back then was dangerous) .Finally last fall we found a maker who found a way to print them again with a match factory in Germany! … so after lots of screwing up the design and rebuilding it again- our camp customs just arrived! .. Feature matches where popular from the 1940s-60s .(Scroll to 4th shot for the vintage collection that inspired our version).Ours feature: > Map to find this teeny lake> The top 9 activities to do here> Our mantra ALL ARE WELCOME…> Diversity. (that the old school feature matchbooks didnt ever include, but should have).We think that MATCHBOOKS Are under-rated joy-sparkers: . campfire building . smores making . lantern lighting . More ideas welcome.. *Smokey says he will break your legs if you dont use these with caution & respect for the environment. .The swag bags that were shipping out include:> antique dead stock beer coaster> set of (our new) stickers > vintage camp postcard > feature matchbook & the house standard book.Play & Rest, Friends.Love, Camp ..HOW TO GET A CAMP SPARK JOY SWAG BAG: by end of day tomorrow. picking 30 comments to ship out 30 bags .These will also be in our new camp store .More at #wandawegacustoms
Whos ready to take in summer?This month (and every month of the year) we celebrate LGBTQ pride by raising the flag on our opening weekend . This past weekend was the first chance to implement our new socially distanced protocols & accommodations…and we are so grateful that the separate groups who came here made it all run smoothly (well share some of their pics here soon)..It made us grateful for the people we draw here. Accepting, creative, open minded, diverse, loving folks. Families and friend groups – co-workers, and sisterhoods of all ilk. We love them all. … One of our favorite groups we hosted in the past is @thewanderboys . The privilege of having this beautiful community of fun, big-hearted people helps to give this place (and us) purpose. These shots are from LAST summers event.. ABOUT: The Wander Boys believe that travel is the best way to learn more about yourself, and each other. So we take our wigs on the road and trek to some of the most unique destinations around the world. We get out of our shells and into our heels for one unforgettable adventure. And as we blossom as a brotherhood we thrive to give back to LGBTQ+ communities across the globe. Founded in Los Angeles, we pride ourselves as one of the most diverse LGBTQ+ communities in the creative capital of the world. The Wander Boys first chapter is 24 members and continues to grow in the City of Angels.
Sifting through 50 years of wandawega photos.. finding the shots taken here of david as a toddler, as ten year old, as teenager. .Then flash forward 20 years- hes back at Wandawega again as the new owner. As a newlywed husband. Then as a new dad…. and now a dad of a (nearly) 10-year old who loves doing all the same things that he did growing up here. ..Happy Fathers Day to the original Camper who reminds us every day that this whole thing called life blows by us in a blink, so we should all just slow down and makes some smores.. Love, Tereasa Charlie & Frankie . ..(1st shot – Grand Canyon road trip)
Guess whos pregnant ?! We cant believe Bailey is already grown up (she is our neighbors dog and best friend of our mutt Frankie). .the vet tells neighbor Joe that come July there will be puppies at camp! Baileys owners are keeping one, others are going to friends, family and the doggie daddy.Shes expecting a bunch of blonde (and maybe chocolate?) mini Baileys..Charlie said when the puppies are old enough, she wants us to lay in a grass and let them crawl all over her..That sounds like a pretty good idea to us… *UPDATE: Note for clarity for some recent incoming questions and concerns : We do not own Bailey. We did not breed her. We are not breeding dogs or involved in the selling of them. The owners of both dogs are old friends, our neighbor is not running a puppy mill. Our own dog (and first child) frankie is a rescue from a high kill shelter – we found him 12 years agorescue.Fluffydog.net. We always encourage people to first consider saving a dog that needs a home. .To learn more see todays profile line. The story Why We Rescue… of how and why we chose to adopt vs buy : https://tinyurl.com/ybwpc5ml
Close calls.The lodge phone rang. I panicked. Nobody calls that line unless its the fire department (unpublished number). .Its David: Dont freak out but I rolled the Ranger back in the woods. I need you to bring me a towel – I bashed my head and I dont want to scare Charlie. ..It was almost dark. .Neighbor Joe runs over with the first aid kit to pick out the blood encrusted weeds embedded in his noggin then we head back up the hill to survey the damage & see if we can pull the Ranger out..David had been riding the trails making the rounds for downed trees, when he rode up on a log hidden in the underbrush (and dove out as it flipped over). ..My little brother Sam happened to be up this weekend – I texted him this pic of Davids head. In five minutes he was already hauling his lineman climbing gear up the hill up on the Bobcat. (This vid of him flipping the machine upright). ..David doesnt know what he cut his head on. And I dont know how we would have found him in the dark in the backwoods if hed have gotten pinned under the machine.Its getting close to Fathers Day. and feeling extra grateful for the close calls that turned into wake up calls. and for all the dads that are also husbands, brothers & neighbors.We cant always be sure whats waiting for us on the path ahead. So err on the side of caution, friends.
