is for Angler

1. An aspiring angler practices his technique under the supervision of his Uncle Seth. Even if the fish aren’t biting today, Nicholas is resolute. He’ll be back. A is for Angler

2. Three boats await the next fishing expedition in the cove beside Honeymoon Cabin. Each boat will carry anglers to the ends of the lake in search of fish. B is for Boat

3. Nicholas is heading for the Main Cabin. He may be in search of games, books, or even fudge, but most likely he’s looking for Maga on the back porch. C is for Cabin

4. A long flight of stairs leads down to the Island’s back dock. Pointing north, the dock directs the barge on picnic days toward the cabin on the other side of the lake. D is for Dock

5. The eagle overlooks the Island’s lawn, silently observing croquet shots and ball games. A pair of real eagles live across the lake at the top of a tall tree. E is for Eagle

6. Against the wall of Honeymoon Cabin rest a row of fishing rods. How many rods can you spot? To the right are tackle boxes and life preservers the fishermen will use. F is for Fishing Rods

7. A gutter catches rainwater and directs it away from passersby. Who is that heading for the dining room behind the porch post? G is for Gutter

8. Hat Island is the only other island on Big Pine Lake. In the fading evening light, Hat Island blends into the forest on the far shore. Can you spot it? H is for Hat Island

9. Three thick doors keep the drinks and produce in the ice house cool throughout the summer’s hottest weather. Its ice is cut from the frozen lake each winter. I is for Ice House

10. Each morning a translucent juice glass greets Nicholas at the breakfast table. What kind of juice is waiting for him? J is for Juice Glass

11. Nicholas and Maga exchange kisses on the porch of the Long Cabin. With his kiss Nicholas is thanking Maga for a fantastic week at the Island. K is for Kiss

12. Lichen covers part of this tree on the Island’s lawn. Among the roots are patches of darker green moss, too. What’s that jutting up to the left of the tree? L is for Lichen

13. Mike is the Island’s caretaker. He steers the barge to and from the mainland as guests arrive and leave. He also ensures that everything runs smoothly in between. M is for Mike

14. A duck has laid a clutch of ten eggs in her nest tucked away in a corner of the Island. It won’t be long before ducklings are headed to the lake for their first swim! N is for Nest

15. Daddy and Nicholas are washing in the outdoor shower with an unobstructed look at the lake. We hope that no one else is doing any looking… Hey! O is for Outdoor Shower

16. The wind from a storm has strewn pinecones around the Island. Pinecones might come small or large, but all of them hold the seeds of an entire pine tree. P is for Pinecone

17. The quiet calm of Big Pine Lake is upended by a strong north wind. Whitecaps tumble over one another as they race toward the shore. Q is for Quiet

18. The raft floats on the lake a stone’s throw from shore. It offers swimmers and even the occasional loon a respite from the water’s expanse. R is for Raft

19. The roots of a pine tree disappear under the sandy Island soil. The sand is home to more than the tree, however. Whose living quarters do you see rising from the sand? S is for Sand

20. Taxidermy allows a muskie caught long ago to inspire another generation of fishers from its prominent perch above the Main Cabin’s back door. T is for Taxidermy

21. Heading home from the Island are Great Uncle Elliott and three Detchon “uncles”: Brooks, Taylor, and Parker. Chris has set off earlier in the morning. U is for Uncle

22. The clover scattered around the Island is most often white, sometimes pink, and – if you look closely – occasionally violet. V is for Violet

23. The stakes and wickets of a croquet course spread over the Island’s lawn. Using long-handled mallets, each player tries to coax their croquet ball to complete the course. W is for Wicket

24. The cords of the Island hammock form X’s as they intertwine between two trees. Together these X’s support swinging or napping in the breezes from the lake. X is for X’s

25. Another year at the island has come and gone. In the log book guests have recorded their memories from their week in Wisconsin. What do you remember? Y is for Year

26. As day wanes, a zephyr sends gentle ripples across the lake. From below the horizon the sun’s rays tinge clouds and water alike with oranges and reds. Goodnight, Island… . Z is for Zephyr

27. Uncle Seth helps Nicholas fish at the ladder. Fishermen are sometimes referred to as anglers. The fish aren’t biting today, but Nicholas is resolute. He’ll be back. A is for Angler