The Beach (Inn) at Herbster Wisconsin

With the winds from the Northwest this weekend Brian and I figured the best place to find waves to surf would be on the South Shore. Looking for a place to stay that took dogs I found the Beach Inn in Herbster, Wisconsin. What a great little place to stay. Just across the road from Lake Superior we had easy access to a huge long sandy beach with plenty of waves rolling in. Even though the waves weren't all that large this weekend they were still lots of fun. It didn't take Brian and I very long to figure out that the rip tides were a fast fun way to return out beyond the waves. Staying at the Beach Inn, we were extremely spoiled by being able to gear up in a nice warm cabin. The hot shower after was a great way to warm up after three hours in the water. Meyers beach is just 14 miles up the road from Herbster...another great place to find waves on a Northwest wind. We had also brought our sea kayaks with just in case the waves didn't come. They never left the rack on my truck even though there are some great places like the Sea Caves and Barks Bay to explore. One more note is that there is a city campground right on the beach also. Looked like a nice place. We had a great weekend!

Snow? Already!

With the sightings of snow I bought my ski pass and am ready for the slopes! I noticed this year Welch is offering a college pass. Full time season pass for $99. Just have to show your college ID everytime. Just wanted to put this out there for my college friends. Pray for wind, rain, and now snow...those calm sunny days can be frustrating ;-)

German Apple Cake

Here's the recipe for that cake I brought with to Lake Superior. I'm going to give the original recipe and I'll add how I changed it. I never follow recipes completly by the letter...so here it is. Enjoy!
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil..I used canola
1 tsp real vanilla extract

2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp cinnamon...I also added 1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

4 cups chopped peeled tart apples..I used almost 5 cups of Haralsons
3/4 cups chopped pecans or walnuts..I used 1 1/2 cup walnuts

Directions: Peel and chop the apples and soak them in a bowl of cold water with a splash of lemon juice added. Set that aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla. In another bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Add to egg mixture and mix well. Here I found the mixture to be very thick so I beat another egg and added about 2 tablespoons oil. Drain the apples well. Fold in apples and nuts. Pour into a greased 13x9x2 in. pan. Bake at 350 for 55-60 min. or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Frosting:
1 pkg. cream cheese, softened...I used 1 and 1/2 pkgs
2 tsp butter...I used about 2 tablespoons.
2 c. powdered sugar...I didn't measure. I just kept adding until it was the thickness I wanted.
Directions: Beat cream cheese and butter together and then add powdered sugar. Refrigerate the left overs.

A Tale Of Two Stoneys

Brian and I went up to the North Shore today to check out some surf. When we got to Stoney the lake was off the hook! A north wind was driving the waves and they were almost 7ft and breaking everywhere. We hooked up with Roger and Billy and some others that were out. I tried to paddle out but the surf was too aggressive for me today and both times I was thrown back to the rocks. Not "fun" for me today but the gentlemen out there had a blast! I still love being up on the North Shore. I wouldn't have wanted to be anyplace else today.