Fall always reminds me of fall at Aqualand. The busy season was done and the visitors were mostly folks out to see the fall colors, special tour groups and parents with kids not old enough yet for school. My sisters and I were always the first ones on and the last ones off the school bus. We got dropped off at Aqualand, where we would pilfer a little caramel corn, (which was bagged and sold in small packs to feed the geese), maybe talk Grandpa into buying us a soda pop and just settle in to chat about the day. I remember volunteering one fall to bring in pollywogs and snails for my classroom's new aquarium. First I stopped at the Musky pond, where I knew the snails lived clinging to the rocks that lined it's rim. I stuck my hand in to scoop a few out and was startled at a swift grazing along my knuckles. Pulling my hand back quickly, I looked into the pond and straight into the eyes of a hungry muskie who must have thought my fingers looked tasty.  Wow! I had my snails and I got out of there quick. Next I headed towards the deer forest, where there were pollywogs by the swarm. This late in the season, their legs were beginning grow and they would be cool to watch as they finished their development. I skipped along the path in my special new poncho. Mom had sewn it for me along with most of the rest of my new school clothes. It was red corduroy and I wore my prized possession, a Donny Osmond Fan Club pin on the lapel. Inspired by my Mom's collection of movie star autographed photos, I had written to the Osmonds and had gotten not only an autographed photo, but this pin as well. The other extremely exciting thing about my new school outfit was that the ugly black or brown lace up corrective shoes I had always had to wear for my flat feet had been replaced this year with the latest in corrective shoe styling- the buckle version. I felt so much more with it, sophisticated and hip that year. Arriving at my destination, I crouched down at the edge of the shore, leaned forward and reached to grab a fist full of the black 'wogs that were swimming there in a group. Suddenly, I felt a push against my back, and I caught my fall by plunging my hands and about half my poncho into the pond water, dropping my catch. Something was pushing me, very hard as if to shove me head first into the chilly pond. I turned my head back and could just make out the six point buck in velvet treating my red-caped back as a thing to charge, like el torro. His rounded velvet horns were not sharp, and he hadn't taken a running start, just determinedly leaned into my exposed end. I don't know if it was the color, the stranger, though many people walked among these tame deer every day,or the low target at the edge of the pond but he was pushing against me with all his might. The only way out was to jump a few steps into the pond water and dodge around him, which I did. I ran back to the gift shop in tears, for both my poncho and my brand new shoes seemed ruined now. I don't even remember the rest of the story, other than that dad helped me go and fetch the pollywogs. But I remember that cold pond water, that red poncho and those first cool shoes. When I smell the crisp air of fall I remember the feeling of being snapped at by a muskie, pushed by a buck and the humiliation of my pride. I remember the feeling of Aqualand and all the animals as the zoo yawned before a long winter's nap. In those last weeks before shut down, I harvested.  Gathering pine cones, pretty grasses and dropped feathers was easy now that there were many less visitors to compete with.

Putting plastic on the shelves of giftwares, moving the exotic birds to warm winter quarters, shutting off the water and draining the tanks.  Lights off and Aqualand was ready for the rest of the time, the time others never saw when we still fed everyday, cleaned and watered and attended to the needs of our wildlife family.  Time was spent re-painting signs, building new enclosures, parts and pieces.  The coffee break moved to the work shop- the ultimate man cave, where neighbors stopped to sit on five gallon pails and broken spoked chairs, talking of hunting, fishing, wood gathering and football. 

Fall is beautiful isn't it?  To me it seems to be hinting towards the wild, dark night of winter in the northwoods, where people are the vulnerable ones, and the weather, wild animals and woods rule supreme. Grab at the sunny warm days, celebrate the colors, sounds, smells and tastes-  and speaking of taste, enjoy some company and the wonderful taste of fall craft beer at the new form of Aqualand where the muskies don't bite and the deer don't use you as target practice... :)

Counting the Cost

tonight I had wine with my girlfriends for the first time since early last spring. It was such a blessing, such a wonderful reunion. It reminded me of the night last April when my husband and I sat with our close friends and wept a little as we said goodbye- knowing that everything was about to change. We knew then that we would miss the weddings of two of their sons, both like sons to us also. We would miss two other weddings, a family reunion and anything and everything that we would normally make a priority in the course of a typical summer. Family and friends have always been such a priority. But opening a business just in time for the summer season in northern Wisconsin meant a lot of sacrifices would need to be made in order to really make things go. We walked away from many things in walking towards the summer and the Aqualand Ale House. People didn't understand, people thought we were crazy. In some ways, people felt we were letting them down. Our unavailability for certain times and certain things meant that some would question us, some would feel short changed. But we discovered some wonderful things this summer. Those who love us best came to visit, sitting patiently when we jumped up from even a short conversation to take care of the thing we saw that needed to be done. They cheered us on, took a trip to an area that would not normally be on their radar. These friends were the wind beneath our wings (yes, hummingthe song a bit as I type). Our staff became our friends. We looked out for each other, cared for each other and knew that someone had our back no matter what each busy day might bring. By summer's end we were a well-oiled machine of service. But by far, the best surprise were the loyal friends we made of so many of our guests. By Labor Day weekend I was overwhelmed to realize I recognized so many- as people entered the Ale House so many remembered my name and entered waving, "Hi Sue", as they joined us for a meal and a beer. I met old friends of the family, family members of locals whose families had been friends to my father and mother, my grandfather. I loved hearing people share their memories of Aqualand. I loved even more when folks asked after my parents, my sisters. But when I overheard someone mention "Pat Wilsie" I always stopped to shake their hand. These were the ones who personally knew my grandfather, and since he passed away in 1977, I knew this was a special memory that I wanted to hear more about. We opened the Aqualand Ale House for several reasons. On the one hand, Dick needed a business to run as had always been his dream. On the other hand, I needed to get a bigger footprint in the North Woods, from whence my strength has always come. Our interest in and love for the craft beer industry was just a piece of a bigger picture of our strong belief in the cultural significance of the small businesses and the artisan crafts. As the big guys gobble up small towns, there is a growing surge of support for the anti- big guys, and we hope to be chief among these. We hope to bring jobs to this small, tourist focused town. We hope to give visitors another reason to come and to stay in Boulder Jct for a day or a weekend just like Grandpa did so many years ago when he opened the original Aqualand. Moving into the fall and winter season, we hope to be a light in the darkness of winter, encouraging folks to know that within our walls are warm friendship, warm food and warm hearts. No one needs to fear being ignored for we are all in this together. We hope the winter brings music, conversation, laughter and community. Winter can be long in northern Wisconsin so lets stick together. Every book club, ladies night out, holiday party, birthday party, celebration amongst friends, business lunch or dinner will be wlecome. Bring your friend and your cribbage board and stay the evening with us- I will play the winner... :) Cheer on the Packers, order ahead and we will make sure your favorites are on hand. We plan to bring in our old tinny piano, so if you play piano, sing or something else and just want to share the night, you are welcome to put out the jar. We hope we become a light in the darkness, a friend in the cold, a reason to get and celebrate whatever the season brings. We love you all-we have your back and we feel very blessed to have found each and every one of you!

Bittersweet

Labor Day weekend symbolized many things for me at the Aqualand Ale House. My husband, the main thrust behind the Aqualand Ale House since it's opening in May, took his first weekend off to attend an annual Army buddies reunion. This meant our son Dan and I had to be on duty to resolve every issue that the holiday Thursday through Sunday might hold. The biggest changing of the guard this weekend was saying goodbye, good wishes and much love, to our remaining student staff members and to our awesome chef John, who is headed onward towards his dream of a four year hospitality degree this fall at UW Stout- our own alma mater. We welcome some great new faces, but cannot help but look backwards to those who helped us birth this baby known as the Aqualand Ale House. Like soldiers in the trenches during time of war become very close very quickly, we have become fast friends and family with our original cast of characters. It has been a successful summer- we are humbled by all our many new friends. I quickly noticed this weekend how many of the faces are familiar to me now. A wave and a nod, a "heh" and "how are you", were as commonplace this weekend as initial conversations and new acquaintances. Many of our new friends were disappointed that they would not get a chance to say goodbye to my husband before heading south for the winter, or, in the case of many camp counselors, back to school and on to other lives. By Sunday I carried with me many names, notes and good wishes to pass on to my pony-tailed prince when he came home. Our staff had said early goodbyes to him, but it was bittersweet to be his proxy in those last minutes, during the last glances, hugs and stray moments where we all had "something in our eye". We had opted to be closed on Labor Day proper, and my son and I drove home late after closing so that I could have a true day off with my just returned spouse- a day that would be the sum total of our personal summer vacation. Monday was spent visiting some other folks taps, trying some other friends food, and napping, hot tubbing, napping again and sitting together on our porch swing for the first time of this most busy summer of our lives, recapping the highlights of our new life. This morning, fall could be sensed in the air. A cooler night was followed by a cool day. While I couldn't do it this weekend, today we definitely saw that it was time to tap Oktoberfest- at least one of the three specials that my husband has already gathered in addition to Pumpkin Ale and Dead Guy Ale- all fantastic treats for our very first Colorama season. I found myself looking forward; full of energy for planning a special fall event. Our kick off and the first of what we hope will be regular tasting events. A Chilean wine tasting we are planning for September 12th was the catalyst for a new Pinterest page full of decorating ideas, invitations and props. I love the fall in Northern Wisconsin- I love Boulder Jct and I love decorating for a party. I think that for this first special event with our new staff and a new season, I will choose to decorate with bittersweet- as a nod to those who we know we will miss who are off to new or other places,as a symbol of this season of harvest, and to be an early bit of orange inspired by the turning of the maples, oaks and tamarack. I hope those of you who travel north regularly, those who call the north home and those who are planning your very first trip will grab your flannel and come raise a glass with us from 5:30 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, September 12th. My husband and sons will post official invitations and notices within the next few days, but I just cannot contain myself- I am excited to try some new events and so I am spilling the news early- We need to have you RSVP for this one, so we know how much wine and snacks to have on hand. If you want a seat at the table, which will be under the canopy of the breezeway between the Ale House and Frog House, which will be embellished with little white lights and deck heaters, a fire bowl, miscellaneous decorations and some very good wine, let me know- I would love to have the table filled with friends before my husband can even blink an eye! A bittersweet season, maybe, but still there is nothing better than Northwoods air when it begins to bite and the harvest moon peeks pregnantly atop the pines. Come toast it with us- Please say you will!