My Happy Place

A worn out puppy on the car ride home. Tired from learning how to swim
My dad the original pirate relaxing at the lake and soaking in the rays

The newlywed pirate couple

The pirate men doing their best Captain Morgan impression

What is it about northern Wisconsin in the summertime that is just so relaxing? Last weekend we had the annual Kusnierek/Deja/Schwandt trip to Townsend, WI. Townsend is located about an hour northwest of Green Bay in the Nicolet forest area.

The three families, which consists of my family, my aunt,uncle, cousins and future cousin-in-law (the Schwandts) and the Dejas (who aren't technically related but are like a second family), have been going up for 11 years in a row now and we all look forward to the long weekend the minute we drive away after the last. This year was no exception. Most of the family got up on Thursday night and we just relaxed and caught up on the happenings of everyone. On Friday we headed to the cabin on the main lake and set up camp for the day. Though the weather was overcast and slightly cool it was great to be back on the deck, sitting in a chair and having a beer. The rain finally did move in and we packed it up and headed in to get dressed and ready for dinner. Friday night is the annual Fish Fry night at the Hillcrest Lodge. This year though, we spiced things up with our Pirate gear. We caused quite a scene and annoyed our fellow patrons with our loud banter and pirate ways, but hey who cares, we had fun. Friday night turned into a long night of drinking debauchery. There were kamikazee shots, lots of beer and captain morgan consumed and bad jukebox music being played the entire time. By 10:30pm we needed a change of scenery and headed to another bar...big mistake. The patrons there didn't like the pirate mutiny of their jukebox and pool table and our not so quite group ended up in a shouting match with a bunch of townie girls. So, it was an early night, calling it quits by midnight.

Saturday was gorgeous and we hit the lake early to get some sun and relaxation. Nursing hangovers from the night before the beer went down a bit slower today. Saturday night we hit up the Village Inn for kareoke which none of us wanted to sing so we tried our luck at the Carter casino. No luck there whatsoever and we walked out a little lighter in the pockets. By the time we got back the campfire was burning bright and we all curled up for a chat that lasted into the wee hours of the morning.

On Sunday it was back on the water for some last rays of sun before we had to pack up and head home. It was a great weekend as usual and I loved every minute of it. It is such a great get away in the summer time and with my wonderful family whom I have grown to appreciate more and more over the years. I shed a few tears on the drive home knowing that this year might be my last for awhile b/c of the move to Texas. But, Townsend will always be my happy place.