Author Archive

You may have noticed that our popular website, DevilsLakeWisconsin.com has had a bit of a facelift for the new season.  We’re really proud of the fresh new look, but that’s not all we’ve got in store for the new year!  Our Skillet Creek Journal articles, blogs, photo galleries, news and notes will also be moving over on DevilsLakeWisconsin.com. A natural fit!  What’s more, in 2012 we will be working with local radio WRPQ 99.7 FM and the Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce to bring timely state park, outdoor and community tips, events, weather and other useful information to you through regular features on WRPQ 99.7 FM (Available right from your car or campsite of course!) and through our new “More to Explore” section of DevilsLakeWisconsin.com. In “More to Explore” you’ll find all the stuff you want to know about outside the borders of the park including Baraboo Hills shopping & dining info, weather news, maps to everywhere, more natural areas, tips on hiking, biking & paddling with your family and so much more.  I could just ramble on, but I’ll stop right here, and simply invite you to join us over at DevilsLakeWisconsin.com this summer and while you’re here, make it a point to tune into 99.7.  We look forward to seeing you!

Oh, and remember,  for daily pics and your daily fix of the Devil’s Lake area vibe join us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SkilletCreek

After some amazingly warm January days, winter has returned with fury this morning.  Forecasters are predicting between 5-7 inches in the Baraboo area today.  We can tell you that while city streets were not too bad this morning, roads up in the Baraboo hills were already snow covered and slippery by dawn.  The upside of today’s snow is that with temperatures predicted to remain in the 20s & 30s over the next few days, cross country skiers and snowshoers may finally get the opportunity to play.

Have a nice picture to share from today’s snowstorm?  We invite you to share your Baraboo area snaps on our Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/skilletcreek.

There has been some confusion about tomorrow night’s candlelight hike/ski at Mirror Lake State Park.  We have just confirmed with the park office this morning that the event will go on as planned, sans skis. The unseasonably warm weather has us leaving our skis at home, but it will be a warm, wonderful evening for a January hike by candlelight. The current forecast calls for a high near 40f, which means the temps should be around 30f when the event kicks off. The friends of Mirror Lake State Park will be there with warm treats and tending to the warming bonfires.  The event kicks off at 6pm at the main parking area by the beach.

Sauk Prairie’s Bald Eagle Watching Days are coming soon! Events will be held on Friday Evening, January 13 & all day Saturday, January 14 throughout Sauk City & Prairie du Sac, WI.  For more information just check out the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council’s list of events. Click here.

Here it is 2012 already and Devil’s Lake State Park‘s centennial year is over.  On Christmas morning local resident, Derrick Mayoleth completed his 100 mile paddle around Devil’s Lake to mark the anniversary.  What does it take to paddle 100 miles around Devil’s Lake.. Well, persistence and a willingness to paddle in any weather.   We’ve posted a gallery of nearly 200 photos showing the season’s changing from autumn to winter all from the sea of a 16 foot kayak.  Click here for our Flickr gallery.

If you’re the type that happily avoids Black Friday and Cyber Monday in search of more unique and meaningful gift ideas, we’ve got some great local shopping ideas for you.  Coming up this Friday & Saturday you may want to check out Goat Crossing Studio’s Open Studio event.  Goat Crossing Studio features the work of local artist Jean Stephany and is located just outside of Baraboo on County Road W.  Her studio will be open from 3pm to 7pm on Friday & 10am to 4pm  on Sunday.  Jean has unique and one-of-a-kind gift ideas for all budgets. For more details visit www.goatcrossingstudio.com or check out the Goat Crossing Facebook page.

The International Crane Foundation’s gift shop will be open for holiday shopping December 1-3rd for their “Shop for a Cause” event.  You’ll find a variety of gifts for crane enthusiasts and nature lovers including; jewelry, clothing, gifts, stationery, art and books. Look for products designated as eco-friendly, fair trade and made by ICF partners around the globe working where people and cranes live together.  This is a great opportunity to find unique gift ideas, and support ICF at the same time.  For more information click here.

Glass Display At The Very Merry Holiday Fair

On Friday, December 9th & Saturday Dec. 10th visit the Very Merry Holiday Fair in Baraboo.  The Very Merry Holiday Fair brings together 45 of the area’s finest artists for this unique holiday show.  Friday from 5pm to 8pm join the Very Merry Artists for the opening Gala and of course, shopping!  A 5$ donation is required for the Gala evening.  There will be free admission on Saturday from 9am to 4pm.  This is one of our favorite local holiday shopping events!  For more information visit www.theverymerryholidayfair.com

Of course, in the meantime we encourage you to visit our local Downtown Baraboo shops. Each year we’re surprised by some of the unique gifts on offer at our local shops and galleries.

Oh, and lastly let me invite you to visit our own Skillet Creek online shop for some unique gifts for the outdoorsy type in your family.  We are still offering Devil’s Lake Centennial logo gear until December 15th.  We’ve also released our Great Big 2012 Devil’s Lake State Park Calendar featuring some wonderful shots of the park.  Also be sure to check out our Hike! Paddle! & “Ski!” park sign products while you’re there.   Click here to visit our online shop!

Happy Holidays!  And thank you for supporting our community!

Downtown Baraboo’s annual Christmas Light Parade will begin at 6pm, next Saturday, November 19th (2011), on the square here in Baraboo.  The annual event draws thousands of families from around the area to take in the lighted floats and holiday music that kick off the Christmas season in Downtown Baraboo.  In addition to the lighted floats and school bands, the parade features a variety of animals, big balloons, clowns and more.  The event concludes with Santa Clause taking a precarious ride in a firetruck’s aerial bucket to the top the Al. Ringling Theater marquee to light the Christmas tree, an interesting endeavor to say the least!  Come early to stake out a good spot along the parade route! For more information visit www.downtownbaraboo.com.  Also check out our 7 Last Minute Tips link below.

USEFUL PLANNING INFORMATION

• Read our 7 Last Minute Tips for the Light Parade!

SKILLET CREEK Photos

• 2010 Christmas Light Parade Gallery
• Archive of 2003 to 2008 Baraboo Holiday Parade Photos

Why go kayaking on Devil’s Lake in a snowstorm?  Well, you get the experience of paddling in the artic, the high winds, the cold and the snow stinging at your face, but at the end of the day you get to go warm up on your own comfy couch!  That’s exactly what I did yesterday for day 24 of my 100 miles to Winter paddle to celebrate Devil’s lake State Park’s 2011 centennial. For the full story and a bit of video click here.

Baraboo’s popular coffee shop, the Coffee Bean Connection, reopened yesterday at it’s new location on the corner of  5th & Oak Streets just off the downtown square. Despite the first snowstorm of the year the shop was filled with customers much of the day.  The local paper posted a nice article, of course you know what we do around here, so below is a slideshow of a few pictures of the new shop…

If you cannot see the slideshow, you can go directly to our Flickr gallery here.

So, you’ve heard this story before. Photographer takes picture and everything seems fine until they get home and start actually looking at the shots.  Usually, that’s when they find a previously un-noticed ghost standing behind their aunt Mable. Well, after taking a few shots of the Merrimac Free Ferry this morning I found something on one of the stills… UFOS!  Apparently there was a UFO invasion going on in Merrimac this morning that could only be seen when photographed.  Read the rest of this entry »