Happy New Year from the RentWisconsinCab

Happy New Year from the RentWisconsinCabins.com Staff!! #2015 http://ow.ly/i/7YDqS

Know Someone With a Cabin?

Do you know someone with a cabin looking for any extra income? Check out our website to see how we can help! http://bit.ly/1z4hxdL

Sights and Sounds from the Whispering Pines Retreat

Our memorable getaway to Eagle’s Nest Cabin
Minocqua, WI October 2014

Late morning.

Late morning at the Eagle’s Nest.

Before heading out on any road trip with my wife and 2 daughters, the routine is to use our garage floor as the staging area for all the items that need to get packed: Luggage, food, coolers, life jackets, coats, extra hiking shoes & boots, collapsed kennel for the dog, fishing tackle, etc. Staring at the items I thought – no way this will all fit. But, let the shoving, sliding, and stacking begin. The last item to get packed was a 1-piece fishing rod that still had a lure on it, but I didn’t think much about it.

…I should have removed the lure.

After 3 hours on the road we arrived in Minocqua, WI. It was after dark, so winding our way through the thick northwoods and finding our cabin was going to be tricky (our first time to the Whispering Pines Retreat). We were nearly there, so our daughters started to perk up. Our 10 year old started bouncing around and her hair got stuck in the fishing lure. She was startled at first, than saw the humor in the situation. “You caught one dad” she said. After some more joking and a quick stop to “release” her, we arrived at the Whispering Pines Retreat.

Even at night, I could tell the resort had lots of open spaces and towering pines. There are 2 rentals on the property, both are on the lakeside of the road and spaced out for privacy. Each cabin was clearly marked with a sign above the door. First was the Bear’s Den Cabin

from the lake.

Bear’s Den as seen from the lake area.

as seen when you enter the retreat.

Bear’s Den as seen when you enter the retreat.

– then 200’ feet further was our Eagle’s Nest cabin. Thanks to a nice breeze, we were treated to the whispering of the pines.

Towering pines everywhere!

Towering pines everywhere!

There are plenty of WOW factors at the Eagle’s Nest:

• Just as advertised, the rental is very clean.
• The kitchen is well stocked.
• The amazing 4 season porch (80% of it windows) stretches the entire length of the home. It has its own entrance too. Our dog spent lots of time here, sitting in the sun and watching squirrels.

4-season porch overlooks the yard and lake.

4-season porch overlooks the yard and lake.

• Satellite TV (which we rarely used).
• 2 bedrooms with additional sleeping in the living room nook, and in the 4-season heated porch.

Extra sleeping nook in the living room.

Extra sleeping nook in the living room.

Before I knew it, our daughters were unpacking their luggage – in the master bedroom! “Payback for leaving your fishing lure in a dangerous place”, said our youngest.

After a peaceful sleep we realized how amazing and private this retreat property was. And, just like Christmas morning the kids were up first, “the lake looks awesome,” they yelled. The Whispering Pines Retreat is pet friendly, so we were able to bring our miniature dachshund. The first thing we all did was walk down to the lake. More WOW factors:

Beach, boats, dock and a level yard leads to it all.

Beach, boats, dock and a level yard leads to it all.

• Clean beach
• Sandy bottom and swimming raft.
• There’s a private dock for each cabin
• paddle boat, kayaks, row boat (my daughter rowed and I fished)

This is what "Cabin Time" is all about.

This is what “Cabin Time” is all about.

• Lake is large enough to power boat and ski on too
• Walking path around the lake
• Big in-ground firepit with seating
• Located on a dead end street. No thru traffic is a bonus.

Bring your yard games!

Bring your yard games!

The grass yard between the lake and cabin was a great surprise and the kids used it to play soccer and Frisbee golf. Vacation rentals create so many memories and Whispering Pines delivered a doozy: Our kids were sitting in the grass just outside the cabin when 2 deer walked within 20’, stopped and stared at them.

We’ve stayed at a few vacation rentals, and you can tell when an owner/manager goes that extra mile to make sure renters have a great experience. Shari and Rodney are courteous and professional vacation rental owners. Their home is on the resort grounds, and so is their cleaning crew. Does that mean they’re always at your cabin? Nope. In fact, don’t be surprised if Shari tells you during check in that, “you’re on your own, but we are here if you need anything.” Make sure and ask them about things to do at the cabin and areas to explore nearby. They have plenty of tips on how you can “live like a local”.

Since we ate at the cabin often, we appreciated all the extras: 2 types of coffee filters (my wife tells me the brown filters are healthier); supremely stocked kitchen with dishes, all sizes of pots and pans; washer and dryer; extra towels blankets & pillows; bags for clean up; lots of reading materials and much more. The lakefront had plenty of boats to easily plop in the lake. We enjoyed reading the guest book at Eagle’s Nest – that’s how we discovered the walking path around the lake.

I’m not sure what was more impressive, the sunrise when the far shore lights up…

Sunrise as seen from the deck area.

Sunrise as seen from the deck area.

or the sunset. Watching the sunset over the lake (from the dock, deck, or 4 season porch) is something I could do over and over.

Sunset as seen from the beach area.

Sunset as seen from the beach area.

There is one other fishing resort on the lake: Verna Lake Resort. Just look for the vintage red cabins that reflect off the lake!

Also on Verna Lake is the Verna Lake Resort.

Also on Verna Lake is the Verna Lake Resort.

Thank you Shari and Rodney for the wonderful late October stay at your Whispering Pines Retreat Eagle’s Nest Cabin.

Joe Mogensen, Founder of RentWisconsinCabins.com with vacation rental owner Shari McPherson, Whispering Pines Retreat

Joe Mogensen, Founder of RentWisconsinCabins.com with vacation rental owner Shari McPherson, Whispering Pines Retreat

What an increbible treasure. We hope to be back real soon.

Joe Mogensen, Founder of RentWisconsinCabins.com
And family: Donna, Jessica, Brooke, and Lucy

Photobombed by our youngest!

Photobombed by our youngest!

Exploring the Bearskin hiking trail.

Exploring the Bearskin hiking trail.

What a memorable sunrise this was.

What a memorable sunrise this was.

Ten Commandments for the Hunting Widow

Ten Commandments for the Hunting Widow.

Have You Been to the Best Pumpkin Patches in Wisconsin?

This list is compiled by our followers of RentWisconsinCabins.com and written for other viewers to see where the great pumpkin patches are this fall. 

Anyone with children, or a child still inside them knows the excitement of a pumpkin patch, but do we really know where the best ones are in Wisconsin? We tend to ask other moms and peruse a little online, but if you know anything about pumpkin patches, it’s hard to experience the true nature of THE PATCH until you get there. You either leave unhappy or elated that you chose that particular patch. We asked our followers where their favorite patches are. Here is what they came up with:

Pecks Farm Market, Spring Green– The parking can be overwhelming but don’t worry, this patch is big enough for everybody. The market is supplied with traditional and nontraditional fall goodies such as jams, gourds, candy, cider, baked goods, taffy, licorice, mushrooms, fruits, vegetables and more but there is also a cute little store connected to it with your favorite Halloween decorations and fall décor, making even the craft maker and baker happy. Pecks also offers a variety of animals in its free animal petting zoo such as deer, goats, mini horses, sheep, rabbits, and can even get a glimpse of the chickens and peacocks. Be sure to stop by the kittens and give them some love. Kids can jump in the giant inflatable pumpkin, enjoy the corn maze, go on a hayride, pick pumpkins and tour the haunted houses. Check their website for additional attractions and events throughout the season. Pecks Farm Market East

Vesperman Farms, Lancaster– Have fun getting lost is what they like to say here! This farm has plenty of pumpkin picking but perhaps is looking for more entertainment? Enjoy the petting zoo, duck races, the pumpkin catapult, mini and large corn mazes, and hayrides. Pick your seasonal fruit and enjoy honey from the bee colony they have there. Don’t let fall pass you by and round up the kids in the minivan. Open 7 days a week and all major credit cards are accepted. Vesperman Farms

Busy Farms, Fort Atkinson– This is an outdoor, enhanced classroom for people of all ages. Enjoy feeding the animals, 4 acre trivia corn maze, pick your pumpkin, choose your favorite gourd or small pumpkin and see how far it can be thrown. Get your face painted and collect eggs. Enjoy a demo on sheep sheering, play plinko with your eggs, join in on a rat race, explore tunnels of fun, participate in a gunny sack race, shoo in the roosters, race a hog and watch a puppet play. The opportunities are endless and never ending. Busy Barn Farms

Pearce’s, Walworth– This locally owned farm stand stands by its produce and takes pride in its fresh produce. You can see the pride in their work as they also are a great attraction in the fall. Enjoy hay mazes, tunnel races, run through the corn maze and test your braveness at the new haunted houses and even ride a helicopter ride!!! Pearce Farms

The Little Farmer, Malone– This true authentic apple orchard and farmhouse offers a sense of fall comfort right when you walk in the door due to all the apple baking and that isn’t all the smells. They really should advertise free smells because it truly utopia when you set foot on this farm. Pick your pumpkin after you board the free hayride to the field or pick your own from the previously picked area. Enjoy the handicap accessible hayride that takes roughly 25 minutes through a beautiful area of color changing woods and lands you right in The Little Farmer- a barn with chickens, a cow, super hungry goats and sheep. Explore the corn maze where the boast they can “corn fuse” you for atleast 20 minutes or watch the little tikes on the playground. Be sure to stop in the shop for all kinds of goodies you can take home. The Little Farmer

Treinens Farm, Lodi– I was certainly blown away by this farm as this hardly a farm and more a paradise for the young at heart and the real young ones. Voted consistently as one of the best corn mazes by U.S. Today, MSN, The Travel Channel and many more, this is a must check out spot. This sports one of the largest corn mazes at 15 acres (that is equivalent to 15 football fields) and 12 different kinds of pumpkins, so for those that strike out lucky all of the time, you are sure to find “just the right one”. Enjoy activities such as pony rides, gemstone mining, pumpkin slingshot, Jacob’s ladder, 40 foot shoot tubes, a bounce house and milking contest. Don’t miss the zombie apocalypse on Oct. 25th!!  Treinen’s Farm

RentWisconsinCabins.com offers vacationers a great search experience. Our one of a kind “Narrow Your Search” tool quickly finds all the cabins, cottages, lodges and homes that meet your search criteria. Best of all, you always book directly with the rental owner or property manager to guarantee you get the best (no commission) rate. Travel On!

Wisconsin Holiday Vacation Rentals…It’s Time to Start Thinking…

Wisconsin, Fall, Colorful, Road trip, Driving, Autumn

While we snuggle in to the warm indoors and relax by the fire, we begin to appreciate the comforts of fall. It is hard to ignore that soon the craziness of the holidays are going to encompass our world. What better way to unwind and be thankful for the people around us than to spend quality time with them? Enjoy your next holiday vacation at a cabin meant for just that. So grab a pumpkin latte and a bowl of popcorn and start your research with us. Listed below are PET FRIENDLY cabins with a furnished kitchen (perfect for meal time) and open during the holiday season:

Loon Call Lodge, St. Germain– If you are from Wisconsin or in a surrounding state, you probably have heard of St. Germain as a great summer getaway but that isn’t the only season that boasts beautiful scenery. St. Germain is dotted with lakes and fall color and when snow blankets this area, there is a charm about this town that doesn’t go unnoticed. This cabin gives you a true “Up North” feel and sleeps up to 13 people and has a fireplace to warm us up in the chilly nights after a day of exploring the adventurous ATV and snowmobile trails right outside your back door.

loon

 

Log Gables Lakefront, Lake Delton- This cabin is hardly small as it is 3,000 square feet but cozy it is! Gather a large group of family and and friends and enjoy this 9 bedroom, 3 bath vacation rental complete with a Jacuzzi and ample room for everyone. Take in the gorgeous landscape and lake! Just 3 miles away is Christmas mountain for some downhill skiing and ladies, there is Tanger Outlet Mall, a huge draw for families! Close to the Wisconsin Dells.

log gables

 

Kettle Moraine Farmhouse, Whitewater- This is truly for nature lovers as the landscape is in the heart of the Kettle Moraine Forest. This 3 bedroom vacation rental makes you feel right at home and offers a washer and dryer, furnished kitchen, fireplaces and even WiFi. Located right on an ATV/snowmobile trail, this farmhouse is 20 miles from LAKE GENEVA for unique shopping and rejuvenating spas.

kettle

 

Water’s Edge, Friendship- This 3,600 lodge opens up to 3 bedroom suites with full baths, TV and separate exit on to the outside deck, making you feel separate from the others but together at the same time. This lodge has WIFI, and a fireplace with a fire pit outside and right on the ATV trails so load up the snowmobiles and trail blaze ahead. Choose to have a dinner together? Use the fully furnished kitchen to make our meals together and catch up on the day.

watersedge

 

Cedaroma Lodge, St. Germain- We realize St. Germain is on here twice but with the criteria we had, this lodge was more than well-qualified to be on our favorites list. This Lodge has a playground, bikes, horseshoes, and a basketball hoop for the kiddos that keep them occupied while the adults catch up on quality time. It also has a fully furnished kitchen and sleeps 13, a perfect size for a holiday group. If there is snow on the ground have fun snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice fishing, or cross-country skiing. Enjoy the WiFi and cable television at night or bundle up and get cozy by the outdoor fire pit.

cedaroma

 

RentWisconsinCabins.com is a website dedicated to making your search for your ideal Wisconsin vacation rental simple. We start you off with nearly 700 irresistible properties. You quickly “Narrow your Search” using our one-of-a-kind search tool & interactive map. Here’s the best part: you book directly with the rental owners or property managers. Booking direct assures you get the best rental rate. Why pay more for the same rental found on third-party booking websites.

The 5 Best #Fall Roads in #Michigan

There is a part of us that really loves fall. We can’t kid ourselves. The crisp air and the hot cocoa invites us in for some football, comfort food, the slow switch to fall scent candles, and a warm fuzzy blanket. This fall, get outdoors and enjoy the reoccurring miracle of nature that happens when the leaves change color and give off vibrant hues that paint the perfect fall picture.

fall1

1. Glen Arbor- take Highway 22 along Lake Michigan to view the serene lakeside and vivacious fall color that is a scene rarely replicated by other areas in the region. Experience a vast lake behind all the beautiful color that highway 22 can show off. Be sure to check out the Sleeping Bear Dunes as well!

2. Ludington- US 10 provides ample opportunity to check out the beautiful arrays of fall color ranging from yellows to passionate reds. There’s plenty of scenic lake views of Lake Michigan and other lakes as well that makes this one of the favored trips in Michigan. To view a map of the possible routes for your fall color tour, check out: Ludington Fall Color Tour

3. Eagle River- Hop onto M-26 and hit the cruise control button because you will need it. As you pass wineries, churches, and lighthouses, it will be hard to pay attention to the actual road. You will be under a blanket of mesmerizing fall colors. Don’t forget to roll your window down slightly to take in the fall smells as well!

4. Cadillac- Dubbed as an unforgettable experience,  Cadillac is home to  several train fall color tours. While fall is amazing and the trees stay mesmerizing for a couple of weeks, one thing you have to experience is the locomotive tour. Sit back and relax while taking in the color transformation. Tickets do sell out fast so prepare ahead of time. If trains are not your cup of tea, plan on the middle of October for the best scenic drive.

fall2

5. Ironwood- Head north on 513 towards Black River Parkway that twists and turns by forests and flowing waterfalls and takes you straight to a harbor on Lake Superior.  Add Copper Peak, a ski flying hill to the itinerary because the view is majestic from the observation deck, 1881 feet above sea level and sits 18 stories high. You can see Minnesota, Porcupine Mountian and the Apostle Islands, weather permitting.

Generally, we say that all of Michigan is great and we encourage everyone to stay at least a week and travel around to experience everything each area has to offer; from the sugary sand beaches that stretch for miles, to the forests and wildlife areas and bustling cities like the Grand Rapids. Michigan is truly an unforgettable experience.

For a list of vacation rentals head to www.RentMichiganCabins.com. We invite you to book your Michigan vacation rental DIRECTLY with the rental owners and property managers! Booking direct guarantees you get the best rate AND you avoid ugly double-booking pitfalls.

fall3
Here’s a UP bonus suggestion: Brockway Mnt. Drive. Upper Peninsula chose the road as the region’s “favorite natural wonder” in a poll conducted by WLUC-TV.

Relax. Enjoy your search. You’re on Michigan cabin time now.