I’ve just come back from Never Neverland. Otherwise known as “Post” at Camp Ojibwa in Eagle River, Wisconsin. (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please take a moment and read this.)
The calendar might read August 2014, but up there it’s always summer and it’s always smack in the middle of childhood.
Here boys- and girls- never grow up. It’s an enchanted place where eagles fly to their nest, fish harken to a whistle and camp fires burn forever in the hearts of the young at heart.
It’s become an annual ritual for me and for so many of the Ojibwa families. Here at Post, it’s not what you’re doing- water skiing, sailing, fishing, playing tennis, hiking, biking, lazing away on the pontoon boat- it’s what you’re not doing that’s so important.
In Eagle River I never:
1. wear a watch.
2. worry
3. hurry
4. think
I go up with my brother Kenny. This is his forty-eighth consecutive summer there and so far, he’s still sixteen – and holding. Here’s Kenny.
(The night vision goggles belong to his granddaughter Eliza. Or so he says.)
This year I moved out of the Dads’ Lodge and into posh digs. My very own cozy, one bedroom apartment- complete with private bath en suite. Take a look at some vital camping equipment.
And here’s my fellow camper- rooming in the condo behind me. Her name is Daphne Kramer and I couldn’t have asked for a sweeter neighbor.
The weather is always perfect in Eagle River. Sunny, clear blue skies by day. Chill, crisp, “good sleeping” weather after dark.
And this year Mother Nature outdid herself. She thoughtfully provided all of us with the one rainy day. The damp leaves smelled exactly like the north woods of camp seasons long ago.
On that rainy Monday, Kenny and I took a break from the activities and went to the town of Minocqua. An adorable toy town with a beautiful water front about thirty minutes from Eagle River. As we drove there, Kenny laughed and reminisced about the Ar’Ber’s long-gone great hamburgers, Spang’s pizza and how awesome it tasted late at night, and the “kahula” typo on Mulgard’s Supper Club drinks menu.
He waved a salute to the cemetery- home now to Otto, legendary camp baker and good friend. And we took a little tour of the back roads and scenic byways.
At dusk one night I got a text inviting me to a singles’ cruise on Catfish Lake. It was so beautiful- a super moon over the horizon held us in thrall- that I wasn’t even miffed to find out that the only other singles aboard were Eliza age six, Susannah age four and Delia age one.
There are several ways to get to Eagle River from here. You can take 94 to 43 to 29 to 45 to Meta Lake Road to Camp Ojibwa Drive.
Or just think of lovely things and your heart will fly on wings.
Second on the right.
And straight on ’til morning.
With love from ER from ER.
Now here’s your map.
Glad you’re back from ER, ER … all without any trips to the ER!
Er…thanks, DR. From ER
Great tribute. Always great to be 12 again!!!!!
And always fun to be there with you and your wonderful family. Love to all. And thanks.
Great post Ellen. You captured it.
So glad you thought so. See you around the pontoon boat next year. Love to the clan.
Well, it’s about time Ollie. I could feel every word you mentioned about camp, Eagle River and Minocqua. For me Minocqua also has great memories. You see, I was a counselor at Kawaga for two years. Long story, we’ll talk about it some other time. I can only tell you that Eagle River is one of the top spots in the world in the world as far as I concerned. Glad you had such a great time and welcome back. Allan
You are my Eagle River maven and I’m glad you approved of this post. I thought of you all the time up there. Glad to be back- and writing to all of you. Thanks, buddy.
Beautiful! Makes me think of long-lost summers of my own, and of how well I remember the sorcery of that North Woods smell, and how much I miss the Midwest sometimes….
Come up next year! The more the merrier. If you can ever bear to leave Cali…
Well, Ellen, you know how I feel about the place.
I haven’t missed a year since 1956!! Even when I was doing my two year stint with Uncle Sam back in the 60’s (Vietnam era), I made sure I saved up enough leave time to head up North and to Camp Ojibwa.
The part about no newspapers, telephones, clocks (except when it’s time to hit the mess hall) is spot on!!
“Heaven, I’m in heaven. And, the cares that hung around me through the week………..”
Thanks, Bernie. Glad you thought that I captured some of the magic. And I like your Fred Astaire/Camp Ojibwa mash-up. Nice mixing.
I was 6 months old when Allan and Laurry took me to Idajoe (my grandparents’house on Long Lake) a magical place up near Eagle River. (Actually Phelps.) For almost 50 consecutive years I went up there- either with the family or as camper or then with my own family. Is it heaven? It’s Wisconsin. I could swear it’s Wisconsin.
Very lucky and very nicely said. And your son’s great tribute to a Robin Williams! Talent runs in the family.
Hello Fellow Campers
So glad you and family got to smell the pines ( ER’s version of roses)
I always feel like the clock has been turned back once I get up to Vilas county Wisconsin. It is like Mayberry RFD with a Midwest twist.
Loved your post and loved all the photos.
My son caught a 3 lb bass before we left for sunny HOT Miami.
Hope to see you next summer
Holly
Glad you agree, fellow Eagle River lover. Saw the hamburger place Libby recommended. Next year, let’s all meet on the corner.
Sounds good to me. Also Soda Pops is quite charming.
You’re so right. I’ve been there. Missing it all already.
Beautiful post about Post! Ojibwa is our shangra la, every year for the past 42! You really captured the essence and spirit of the week. Hope we are neighbors for many more!
VK
Glad you agreed. And glad I passed the noise test. See you next year. And thank you.
Forever 20 when I was a councelor and so pleased with social media nowadays, so I get to see Camp Oj and its beautiful scenery all the way from Europe. Thanx for your blog !
I am so glad this post brought back happy memories. Thank you for taking the time to tell me.
Ellen,
Thank you for writing such a great piece on Post-Camp. We have missed the past few years taking trips to other places, but nothing compares to Ojibwa. I am never more relaxed as when I am laying out on the raft, the sun is shining, it is 78 degrees, and the only sounds I hear are the sound of a loon or a small outboard 9 1/2 motor powering a fisherman in a rowboat across the lake. My favorite memories of Post also include the s’mores campfires, the talent show, the bingo night, star-gazing, and the Snipe hunts. I hope you did not miss out on those.
It is also interesting to me that all activities revolve around the next meal. 10:00 snack used to be my favorite with Otto’s sweet table being the best meal of the day. Now snack time is at 9:15 because, apparently, 4 hours is too long to wait in between meals.
Thanks you also for posting the excellent pictures. My favorite is you and Kenny in the “White Chairs” on the campus with the lake in the background. What a day!
Last comment – I am pretty sure Kenny did not give you the spelling of the “Arbor”. It was actually the Ar’Ber. I have zero idea on why it was spelled that way or what it meant, but I agree that they had fantastic burgers. If anyone knows the origin of the name, please share!
You’re right about the spelling and I’m going to change it right now. That pic of Kenny and me was supposed to be a family portrait, but we were all that was left of the family as the rest of them were off doing something way more exciting than sitting on the chairs.
Glad you liked it. Hope to see you next year- if not before. Regards to the clan. And thanks. For everything.
UPDATE: Kenny has just told me that the “AR” stood for Art Brunetta and the “Ber” was for Bert Brunetta. When they got divorced, he got The White Spruce and she got the Ar’Ber. Thanks for the history here, bro.
This is awesome!
I hope I get to read more about Never Neverland 2015. I hope you saw the awesome video put together by the Kramers and Chris–it captures a lot of history I don’t know. But the feelings you describe here I understand totally! Camp Ojibwa seems indescribable, except here!