NORTHCENTRAL REGION

Northcentral Region NORTHCENTRAL REGION

Experience the Magic of a Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride

EAGLE RIVER – Rocking W Stables in Eagle River turns winter into a magical time when they bring out their big Belgian and Percherons draft horses for sleigh rides for families and others from early December through New Year’s Day. Group rides are available from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

After spending a day out on the snowmobile or XC ski trails, kick back and relax with a memorable ride. By the time the ride ends, you might find yourself humming, “Over the river and thru the woods, To grandmother’s house we go…”

Led by the gentle horses, the sleigh or wagon weaves its way through beautiful wooded trails of the Northwoods with a halfway point of a warming bonfire, deliciously rich hot chocolate, and Christmas cheer! The rides last about an hour, and you just might see wildlife such as white-tailed deer and red squirrels near the trail.

Rocking W’s bigger sleighs each hold 20–22 people, and they have three of those big sleighs if a large group wants to go together for an outing. They have two vis-à-vis sleighs. One passenger can sit next to the driver of a vis-à-vis sleigh, and four to six people can be seated in the back, which has two facing seats. If romance is in the air, cozy up with a loved one in one of their cutter sleighs.

Rocking W Stables is located at 1890 Pleasure Island Road, just off Highway 45 on Eagle River’s north side. Call 715-617-6779 for information or reservations.

letsminocqua.comletsminocqua.com

Let' s Northcentral RegionRIDE UpNorthAction.com | Winter 2020/21 17

Stomp the Swamp Snowshoe Race

WAUSAU – For more than 15 years, the Stomp the Swamp Snowshoe Race has been held on Nine Mile Forest, just outside of Wausau. Yet they’re not done stompin’ it down. The 2021 race will be Sunday, January 3, with a start time of 10 a.m.

The organizers have sent out registration forms to prior participants. Those new to the race can go online at cutemoose.com and follow the link to the “Stomp” website and registration form. Just be sure to get payment to the sponsor by the Friday prior to the race. Also, pre-registration only this year, as there is no onsite registration.

The race options are a 5K and a 10K. There is no 1K kids’ race this year. Any child under 12 year of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

How racers will be staged will depend on the number of racers entered. This is a timed race, with results listed on webscorer. com. All finishers will receive a medal.

For more information, check the website or call 715-348-6230 or email jjpunke@aol.com.

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Mush on Over to Exciting Sled Dog Races

MERRILL & WAUSAU – In true Northwoods fashion, winter is going to the dogs—you should be so lucky! Of course, we’re talking about sled dog races in Merrill and Wausau this winter.

These dogs are true athletes, born to run across miles of frozen tundra during their participation in an amazing sport that pairs canines with humans in what’s called sled dog racing. Races are held each winter in Merrill and Wausau.

Race classes include 2-, 4-, 6-, and 10-Dog Adult Sled, Junior 2- and 3-Dog Sled, Skijor, and Open (if venue allows). For the latest information, go to facebook.com/WisconsinTrailblazersSledDogClub/ or visit the respective chamber of commerce website.

The Merrill Winterfest Sled Dog Races are scheduled the weekend of January 23–24 at Pine River Young Learners School, W4165 Highway 64, Merrill. This is another ISDRA-sanctioned race with cash purse and trophies for the top six places. The

event attracts more than 100 mushers from throughout the Midwest and beyond. The top races are pro caliber, but there’s room for kiddie and celebrity racers too, as well as newcomers. There’s a wide range of outfits, from 2-dog teams up to 10-dog teams and including skijoring.

The Willow Springs Round Barn Sled Dog Rally will be the weekend of February 20–21 in Wausau. The event will be hosted by the Willow Springs Garden, 5048 Hillcrest Dr., Wausau. Races get underway at 10 a.m. both days. There will be various classes as noted above.

Larger-Than-Life Displays Are a Winter Hit

It’s the season of oohs and aahs, and there’s no better place to take in the Christmas season and beyond than the great Northwoods!

There is so much to see and do that we recommend making reservations for a weekend of outdoor fun and indoor relaxation in a whirlpool. Your family will be taking home great memories, and, if we might add, how about a Christmas tree and a wreath or two from one the Christmas tree lots located here.

So let’s unwrap a few of those travel tips!

Rhinelander’s Lights of the Northwoods

This holiday season, experience a magical display of thousands of twinkling lights on decorated trees and unique lighting features illuminating Hodag Park in Rhinelander. The annual “Lights of the Northwoods” comes about with the help of sponsors and many volunteers.

The lights are on from 5 to 9 p.m. on these dates: December 11–13 and again December 18–20. Admission is by a nonperishable food item for one of the three area food pantries, or by a cash donation.

You can either drive through the park or go for a stroll on the walking path as you take in the 60 displays with a combined total of 150,000 lights! Consider doing both if you have the time, as some displays are better viewed on foot. There are new displays this year, including a salute to the Armed Forces.

You may spot Santa making his way through the park, but there won’t be any concessions available or Santa visits for the children this year. They will leave the lights on through New Year’s Eve if you can’t make those other dates.

Eagle River Ice Castle

Up the road at Eagle River, another civic-minded group anxiously waits for at least 13 inches of ice to form on a local lake. Then they quickly go to work harvesting upwards of three thousand blocks of ice. Once shaved down to 12 inches square, the ice blocks are transported to the downtown where the magic begins.

Layer upon layer of the shimmering blocks are transformed into an ice castle worthy of any Magic Kingdom. Each year, the design changes. While it’s very pretty during the day, come night, they turn on the colored lights to take your breath away. Many a photo has been taken, and daresay we, maybe a few marriage proposals!

The ice castle doesn’t go up every year because the ice has to be thick enough for machines and workers to be safely out there harvesting. The ice castle generally goes up between Christmas and New Year’s Day or the following week.

Minocqua’s Giant—and We Mean GIANT—Snowman

What’s 30 feet tall, with an 8-foot-wide head, 16-foot-wide belly, all sitting on a 23-foot base? It’s none other than Snowmy Kromer—so named for the unique and authentic Stormy Kromer cap perched on the snowman’s head. It’s a size 96 Stormy Kromer specially made by Stormy Kromer Mercantile up the road in Ironwood, Michigan.

You’ll see Snowmy on the front lawn of the Let’s Minocqua (chamber) office just south of the U.S. Highway 51 bridge in Minocqua.

When there’s sufficient snowfall, chamber staff and volunteers begin the build. There’s a bit of “happy dance” involved—stompin’ each tier to compact it. A snow fence holds it all in until it’s sprayed with water and freezes solid. They use a cherry picker to place the large cap on the head, with cutout buttons and an orange traffic cone for a nose. It sports a smile as wide as a trophy musky. Take a picture next to it, but for safety reasons, don’t climb on Snowmy!

EAGLE RIVER – Seven days of thrilling snowmobile racing spread over two extended weekends will unfold this January at the World Championship Derby Complex in Eagle River.

Up first is the 20th annual Vintage World Championship Snowmobile Races set for January 8–10. Then the 58th annual World Championship Snowmobile Derby, January 14–17, will send riders flying around the one-third mile ice oval.

The Vintage includes a full race schedule Friday with the first-ever Vintage “Friday Night Thunder” later that evening. The evening lineup includes fireworks, select classes, and a “Sweet 16” race. Saturday will see a full schedule of racing. Sunday’s races include the LCQ race and end with the World Championship.

The World Championship Derby the following weekend will include a first-ever Pro Enduro Championship with a maximum of 20 sleds. Friday features World Championship time trials, Outlaw time trials, Formula 3 time trials, Enduro hot laps, and other races. Friday Night Thunder returns with fireworks, select classes, and the Sweet 16 race. Saturday will see a full race schedule, including WC qualifiers in the early afternoon. Mid-afternoon will be the Pro Enduro qualifiers. Saturday evening features “King of the Elements” SXS, followed by Pro Stock and Pro Mod races. Sunday features LCQ race, class finals, and the World Championship race at 2 p.m., followed by the first-ever Pro Enduro race at 3:30 p.m.

The USSA World Series of Snowmobiling Racing & MIRA Enduro Races will take place February 20–21 at the Derby Complex. Also planned is the Arctic Derby Dash, featuring UTV racing, February 26–27.

For ticket information, go to derbycomplex.com or call 715-479-4424.

Discover PHELPS....

Where Time Slows and Happiness Soars!

Phelps is a place where you can leave your worries behind and enjoy some good old-fashioned rest and relaxation or find the excitement of a lifetime. The unique flavor of a small town surrounded by the unspoiled beauty of the Chequemegon-Nicolet National Forest makes Phelps a traveler’s paradise — 365 days a year.

Regardless of the time of year that you choose to visit, #PhelpsOnTheLake provides plenty of ways to make the most of your days, whether you chose to spend them On the Lakes, On the Trails, or In the Woods.

So what are you waiting for? Discover the relaxation you need and the adventure you crave in Phelps!

P.O. Box 217 • 2429 Hwy 17 • Suite 1 • Phelps, WI 54554

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Barnstormers Pave the Way for Great Snowmobiling

SAYNER/STAR LAKE – Snowmobiling has come a long way from the early days, when trails were nonexistent and machines faltered en route to the rider’s destination. Today’s machines are incredibly reliable and comfortable, and a vast network of well-groomed and signed trails awaits snowmobile enthusiasts.

The Sayner/Star Lake Barnstormers Snowmobile Club was among the very first to build trails—there were no snowmobile trails in Vilas County when the club was founded back in 1969 with 27 charter members. Today, their trail system of about 80 miles is recognized as one of the best signed and maintained trails systems anywhere.

Their system includes the state’s oldest snowmobile trail—Trail 51, which runs through the heart of the Northern Highland/American Legion State Forest— along with their other trails bordering with and stretching from Arbor Vitae, Boulder Junction, Conover, Eagle River, and St. Germain.

With 190 family members strong, the Barnstormers epitomize the sport that includes family members of nearly all ages. A number of families have multiple sleds, with many youngsters starting out with Kitty Cats.

Like other clubs, the Barnstormers are busy before the first snowflakes fall. They sign and brush trails, build new trails as needed, host fundraisers, maintain tractors and groomer drags, recruit new members and groomer drivers, and apply for state funding that, along with fundraisers and membership fees, pays for new (and expensive) equipment and gas for grooming—all done by volunteers!

Rest assured, when the work is done, the trails are beautiful—especially so through the forests of the great Northwoods.

You’re invited to join the club! Members take part in trail rides and enjoy special events. Barnstormers offer a family membership for $30, which includes the AWSC membership and allows you to get a discounted trail pass for those whose sleds are registered in Wisconsin. Go to saynerbarnstormers.com to learn more.

Your Area Northwoods Real Estate Specialists, Ed & Chris Raasch

303 N. 4th Street Tomahawk, WI 54487 Office: 715-224-3800 Make us your “home” page

Chris Raasch, Broker Owner 715-612-7926 chris@woodlandlakesrealty.com Ed Raasch, Broker Owner 715-612-7925 ed@woodlandlakesrealty.com

Snowmobile Ride Set

The Lily Sno-Birds Clubhouse is hosting the Langlade County Snowmobile Council’s annual Ride-In on Saturday, January 30. This event, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., is open to the public. Lily Sno-Bird Club will be serving food and holding raffles. The ticket drawing for prizes will be at 3 p.m. The clubhouse is located at W4505 Turtle Lake Road, White Lake.

Langlade County Snowmobiling at a Glance

There are more than 500 miles of groomed snowmobile and ATV trails within Langlade County. The scenic trails traverse glacial terrain, upland hardwood, cedar swamps, and farm fields, as well as small streams and lakes. The City of Antigo allows snowmobile access through its jurisdiction. Winter trails are closed to ATVs when the temperature is above 28 degrees, as damage to the packed trail can occur with temperatures above that point.