40 years later these girls recreated their teenage road trip...

in 1973 four girls hit the road on the most epic road trip they would experience in their entire lives. 40 years later, they revisited that road trip by way of a nostalgic excursion to camp wandawega.

As I we were pulling into camp last weekend, we caught them packing up their cars, their stay with us had come to a close. I could see from across the parking lot that they had a big stack of vintage magazines- (always intrigued by anyone who brings vintage magazines to stay a stay with us, i had to get nosy and see what these ladies were all about:)

so glad I probed.. because they shared with me a pretty amazing story of their journey.

They meticulously chronicled every detail of their adventure in a log book.

On the cover it reads:

"Nothing should be valued more highly than the value of each day"- Goethe

The girls on the first leg of their journey which they called 'rocky mountain high'. (Notice their hand made sign on their car's camper top).  

The same girls, some 4 decades later, coming together to celebrate the 40th anniversary of that trip and birthday of their friend Kay. 

This is the newspaper clipping that was tucked in the back of the book (the inspiration an catalyst for it all)

They logged the entire experience in an old photo album.
Every dollar spent, campsite made and boy they met.

...Mapping their route along the way...

The first page of their journey started like this:

"WISCONSIN  TO ILLINOIS TO IOWA....
The western adventure began at 4:15 when we arose & started our journey. Mario called for Judy, and heard 'Rocky Mountain High" one last time at 4:45...."

Their book was packed with amazing, blurry- candid polaroids. In airports. Parking lots.

Campgrounds. Gas stations. With boys. On the road. At monuments. 

I especially loved that they kept a tally  - down to the dollar- of each of their contributions to the 'kitty'.  They said it was mainly gas, living out of their trunk and living life.

Another page featured their lingo from the trip. Each entry more cryptic than the one before... it was the language of their sisterhood.

They sat in our camp kitchen- reliving their trip through their journals.

When they were packed up and started back to their cars to head their separate directions home.... they ran back to give me a stack of magazines they brought with. (amazing 'seventeen' magazines, circa 1969-1970).

They said that they want to come back to Camp Wandawega next year to make it an annual get together.

Part of me hopes that they don't come back (next year) --- but maybe in 2016 instead.

I'd much rather know that they hit the road to recreate their original adventure next year. Retracing their steps of their teenage years.  (and then bring their new album to camp to share & compare)!


Ladies, it was lovely to meet you. I am so greatful for the time you spent sharing your memories.
Ya'll are a true inspiration- I hope that someday I'll be hitting the road with my friends to relive the younger days. and I hope that you guys are doing this well into your 80's... looking back at your photo album from this year - also your younger day.

HGTV episode now airing (Camp W tour)

This was a fun little visit from the fine folks at HGTV.

They came to visit us last winter, we gave them a tour of the grounds, and a lengthy history on the place.

It's now on air, and running as part of a series featuring folks that have converted old buildings in to homes. 

Tune in to HGTV to the show 'you live in what' or itunes to download the season episode.
(And check back - for when i can find the exact show link!)

Some information about the show:

"A ferry. A train depot. An ice cream factory. With imagination, tenacity and a few bucks, people have turned the most unlikely places into personal palaces. Meet gutsy visionaries who found beauty in dilapidated commercial spaces, turning them into wonderful one-of-a-kind homes."

Some outtakes from the episode:

 

 

the last line of this story made me cry.

Which is more than a little embarrassing, given that I sit in an open-cubed newsroom style office -
and I'm making a mess of my keyboard and mascara.
But sometimes you just can't help it. Today is one of those days.

Thank you, Jourdan for the lovely story.
You are always, always welcome back.

here is her story.

the lakehouse: WE GOT INSIDE. I am blown away. ITS A TIME CAPSULE.

I didn't know if we had just walking into the Moonrise Kingdom house or onto the set of the Notebook... but we've been utterly seduced.

Typically, lakehouses are stripped of their character by layers of bad 80s wallpaper and new formica countertops. This one shows very clear evidence of nearly a century of a family of lake lovers.  (Thank god) 

(I'm not gonna lie, it made me really sad to see so many generations of summers and family memories - all coming to an end with the sale of this house.... I met Mrs Hann last summer and she is as charming and lovely as you can imagine)

So with a tinge of guilt ....

I hope this post helps this little piece of history find its way to new owners who will love every detail as much as we do.

Oak beamed ceilings. (With forged nail detailing)

Cedar shake walls and a beamed exposed ceiling in the old store.

Original wrought iron light fixtures and brass ones too.

Oars and 1940's transistor radios and beach furniture dating back to the 50's.

Original farm kitchen cabinets with a gazillion coats of paint.

a big fat white cast iron farm sink (sigh).

Here are some quick shots I just took with my phone-

more details below no what's what.

one of the original signs hanging above the garage entrance & an antique beer advertising thermometer from the days of when it was a lakefront store.

the interior of the old lake store features a concrete floor and vaulted oak exposed beam ceiling a cedar shake wall tell us that the front portion was once screened in.. the back room was used for store storage. (the front room is surrounded with windows, the backroom has none- probably for security purposes). the place is still full of Hann family heirlooms. 

this photo was taken in 1936 and shows the position of the Hann property as it relates to the beach and boat dock (still intact). notice the retaining wall (it needs to be restored).  

more details from the interior of the former store / guest house. the wood, trim, shingles, everything has been kept in such fab condition. all you would need to do is paint the floor, furnish and kick back.

two of the bedrooms in the main house. (the upstairs features 2 bedrooms and an open living area space. the bottom has the masterbroom.)

there is currently only one bathroom in the house (in the center, no windows).

the kitchen is perfectly farm rustic. i love the old cabinetry, and the huge white porcelin farm sink. the window looks out over the (huge) yard.

 Beamed ceilings (detail of the finish and nails. perfect.)

Views all around.

the house is full of textiles dating back to 40's through the late 60's.

underneath the shag & linoleum are pine floors (so we're told). the room shown here on the right is currently called the 'laundry room' but it looks like it was once also a bar, craft room and sewing room. its HUGE and has tons of storage, built-ins, and super tall ceilings.

shown above left: one of the upstairs bedrooms (there are 2 up there)

and david showing the access to the attic (which is currently completely insulated)

THE IMPORTANT STUFF:

The basement has been completely rebuilt, new concrete pour, 

all electrical box, water heater, furnace and mechanics are fresh + new.

(see pics)

HOW FAST WILL IT GO?

We just left  the house an hour ago

and as we were walking to the car,

the realtor's ('Connie') cell rang for an inquiry

and a car pulled up for a tour. 

GOOD NEWS:

If you want it, there is still time.

Connie (the realtor) said that she would start taking offers- the listing is so new (days old) she doesn't have one on paper yet. - it typically takes a few daysfor the owners to accept an offer once its made. (To leave room for others who may be also interested, to also make an offer)..

MORE GOOD NEWS:

For ease of getting a loan, all the local comps were pulled and It appraised at $210k. But the owners want a quick sale, so they dropped it to $180k.

Whoever lands this house will have the feeling that  they've won the lottery

and I think karma is gonna kick in on this one... 

It will go to the folks who were meant to have it, love it and do right by the Hann family and the amazing community history it has here on this little lake.