Alexa PenaVega – Celebrity & Fisherwoman
Top Mom-Approved Places to Fish and Boat
Lake Getaways
Colleen & Catie’s Picks
Colleen
Treeland Resort at Hayward Lakes, Wisconsin – Beautiful lakes are located deep in the unspoiled Chequamegon National Forest, located in Northwest Wisconsin, about a 6 hour drive from Chicago
Accommodations –
Concourse Hotel, Madison, Wisconsin – Good midpoint stop on the way to Hayward, located in the Heart of Downtown Madison
Hayward Lakes, Wisconsin – Variety of lodging options at various campgrounds and resorts including cabins for large families, cabins on the lake, and RV/Tent camping
Restaurant/Food – Old Southern BBQ Smokehouse – Delicious, down home BBQ with Award-winning sauce and great sides such as Cornbread, mac n cheese, coleslaw
Adventurous Activity – Fishing – “Home to FIVE World Record Muskies.” Hayward Lakes has world renown fishing- including Walleye, crappies, large and small-mouth bass, perch, and of course, Muskies. It’s a fishing person’s dream!
Catie
Torch Lake, Michigan – This glacier-carved gem is often compared to the Caribbean, thanks to its incredibly clear (albeit quite cold) blue-green waters. Located in the lush land of northwest lower Michigan, about 5-6 hour drive from Chicago
Accommodations – AirBnB or Bed and Breakfast around the area, or Stone Waters Inn, located in Bellaire, MI about 10 minutes from Torch Lake.
Restaurant/Food –
The Dockside – Charming restaurant that sits at the mouth of Clam River where it meets Torch Lake and has one of the best sunset-watching decks around.
Torch Lake Cellars – A great vineyard with all local wines that overlooks the whole area on a hill.
Adventurous Activity – Water Skiing and the Sand Bar – A whopping 19 miles long!
“What’s” with the “Trip Sisters”
What’s in Your Suitcase?
Grand Trunk Parachute Nylon Print Double Hammock – Do-it-all, hang-anywhere nylon hammock. Available in over 15 prints and holds up to 400 lbs – $69.95
Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter Pro Hammock – Portable hammock with mosquito netting, so you can relax in nature without dealing with the bugs! – $89.95
What’s on your phone?
The SkyView App – App that allows you use your phone’s camera to help identify celestial objects such as constellations, planets, or passing satellites. Good for families and kids!
What’s the tip?
Don’t Drink the Water or Get it up Your Nose – Untreated freshwater can contain dangerous bacteria. Avoid drinking the water or getting it up your nose.
Consider a Life Jacket – Especially important for kids (but also for adults too!). A life jacket keeps you afloat. Very important if you’re in a river or someplace with a current.
Avoid Boat Exhaust Area When Swimming – If you’re swimming around a boat, stay away from the motor exhaust. Carbon monoxide fumes can kill as you slip into the water if you inhale those fumes that hover right above the surface of the water.
Never Swim Alone – Make the buddy system the standard because realizing your buddy is nowhere to be seen in a minute or two vs five minutes later can be the difference between life and death.
Think (and Look) Before You Jump – Before you take that running leap have someone in the water checking for depth & debris. Take a look so you’re footing is sure because slipping into the water does not end well.
