Thank you! to our valued guests at Musky Joe’s Twin Pines “Restful Retreat Cabins” in Hayward, Wisconsin

​Fall:  A Time for Reflections (November 5, 2021)

Why do we do what we do?  I won’t lie, being financially stable is a great motivator, but there are many other occupations that would be a lot easier mentally, emotionally, and physically.  So why do we do what we do?  That answer is simply:  the people.

Yesterday, our weekday guest checked out, and I stopped through to do my spot check.  As I made my list of what needed to be done, I was greeted by a pleasant surprise.  A little gift and kind words. A tear was brought to my eye at the thoughtfulness and the flood of memories of all the change-overs, and guests from the past and present.  

Saturday mornings to most kids back in the 80s meant sleeping in and Saturday morning cartoons, but not for us resort kids.  Saturday mornings meant waking up early to eat breakfast before the busy day ahead of us for change-overs.  We would then head outside to sit on the steps (unless a group had kiddos our age, then we would head down for the hugs and tearful good-byes, promises to write and making plans for next summer.). 

As soon as we saw the cars pulling away from the cabins, down the hill we would race (pushing and shoving to be first the whole way).  Not all, but almost every guest would leave little special treats for us.  A fresh box of name brand sugar-bomb cereal, an extra box of ice cream bars, some candies, and SOMETIMES a pack of bacon and a whole pound of real butter (the 80’s were the Great Recession, to have real bacon and real butter was quite the treat!).  Others would bring gifts on the first day for Gramma and Grandpa.  Fresh produce from their garden’s, bushels of tomatoes or boxes of apples, some would bring Omaha Steaks and Chicago Cheesecake (Grandpa missed home quite often, and the guests that became close to him over the years would bring a little bit of the old neighborhood to him.)

Don’t get me wrong, the gifts are quite nice, but that’s not quite the point.  Everyone that passes through our drive leaves a little piece of themselves behind.  They imprint themselves in our hearts and minds for years to come.  It brings me great joy knowing that others love our little slice of paradise just as much as we do.  This week’s gift was a great reminder to slow down, and embrace what each guest has to offer.  Each one comes from a different walk of life, a different region, has different experiences and perspectives.  There is so much to gain from taking a minute to chat, and listen to the stories they have to give.  

So why do we do what we do?  Because it's more than just a job, it's a way of life, a meeting of friends at the end of the road at Musky Joe’s Twin Pines Resort!