My Annual Northwoods Itch

Early this morning I made my way out to the deck at Rainbow Haven Resort with a cup of hot coffee to enjoy the early morning sunrise. While still late August, the air this morning had a cool freshness to it that included a slight hint of lake aroma. Somewhere near the end of August each year I experience what I have come to refer to as my "Northwoods Itch! The Northwoods holds a piece of my soul I think. It's a magical place for me with the northern pine and spruce forests, blue sky waters, Canadian Shield granite and Loons calling on the lakes.

Each year sometime in mid to late August, usually about the time a cool breeze blows in at night or early morning, the "itch" hits. This year it arrived on August 23 at about 7am on my deck. This year it was a bit different though. This year I had the benefit of looking out on my own lake front view and seeing a slight fog roll by and watched a few fish jumping out beyond the boat dock. This morning, we also had four Bald Eagles make several rounds on the lake right in front of us.

This year the "itch" wasn't quite so intense. I didn't get the urge to get on-line and book a cabin up north. I'm enjoying my cabin experience this year on the shores of Lake Taneycomo in southwest Missouri. "Rainbow Haven Resort" is named for the abundant Rainbow Trout population residing in this warm climate, cold water lake.

I truly love my Northwoods adventures when I get them. I'm enjoying the idea of re-creating a wonderful experience for guests here in Missouri that feel the same way about the Ozarks that I feel when I'm in the North. Make no Mistake, I LOVE the Ozarks. In fact when we moved here from Iowa 25 years ago, we strongly considered the Northwoods as an option. The Missouri Ozarks won our hearts and here we are today living out a dream of sharing the Ozarks we love with hundreds of guests every year. You can believe me when you look at the second picture which is taken right in front of Rainbow Haven on the Fishing Island at sunrise.

You can come and "Lodge" with us 12 months out of the year at:
Rainbow Haven Resort
Cross Timbers Cabins or
Branson Treehouse Adventures

Take some time and "Scratch your Itch" and book a stay at one of our cabins, treehouses, lake resort or campground.

You won't regret it!

By the way. We are having a "Big Fish" contest from Sept 1 through Dec 31, 2017 for guests of Rainbow Haven ad Cross Timbers. Come on in and do a little fishing with us.

Subscribe to the "Updates" of your choice at the right side of this page to keep up with us and the big adventure.

Christmas Camping

We are now approaching our second "Christmas in Camp" and looking forward to the quiet season that goes along with RV Life during this time of year. While we enjoy the business of the regular season and the wonderful guests that frequent our RV Park, Winter is just as special in a different sort of way. Our Full Time RV Life didn't begin with really any planning or forethought. It began with the purchase of an RV Park where we decided to live for a short time in the existing owners apartment residence. After a year and the hiring of a full time Park Manager, we suddenly had placed ourselves in a rapidly approaching "homeless" situation. Since our manager and her husband would be moving into the apartment we had been occupying, we needed to find a solution quick!

During the stress of trying to figure out do we buy or rent something, Shelley suggested, "We own a campground, lets get a camper and just pick a nice spot until we figure something else out." A week later, we were full time RVer's.

Part of what made the decision easy was being near other full timers in our camp and seeing their easy going, simple lifestyle. Many were full time Workampers for us and others were just living the Full Time RV life and, seemingly, enjoying it immensely.

I think the most appealing part of the life was perhaps the sense of community that develops in a campground among the full timers. The typical "large" RV may only be a couple hundred square feet of living space. This naturally results in finding ways to extend the living beyond the walls of the camper. The immediate space of the site is the first "expansion living space." After that, the central fire pit, the office coffee and pastry station, The pool area and then the pavilion all make up part of the connection to the Camp Community.

When that much outside interaction is taking place, a sense of family develops very naturally. In our camp, the full timers have decided that it is important to gather for meals on a monthly basis and take in the local shows, attractions and entertainment together. (Did I mention that we are situated just on the outskirts of Branson MO with it's hundreds of tourist destinations) The frequent meals and gatherings typically include invitations that are extended to the many part timers and even many of our nightly guests. This extends the camp family experience to others. Often times the food part of the experience is accompanied by a music gathering as well!

But back to the Christmas Season. This year there seems to have been an extra effort in camp to adorn the campers, many of the buildings, the treehouses and cabins, random trees and other unsuspecting structures with Christmas lights. When driving through camp this season, there is definitely a festive atmosphere on display.

This morning I made my way to the office for coffee and a donut. Randy already had a nice warm fire going in the community fire ring. Kim, his wife who is also our office manger arrived soon as did my wife Shelley. A couple of our workampers stopped by as they were preparing to travel back home to Michigan for Christmas with their family.

Others drifted in and out of the warmth of the campfire either out for a walk or tending to camp business. Today, the fire even included some of the show ticket people from town who were bringing this weeks show specials to the office. Soon we will be hearing the Saturday version of the two Silver Dollar City Steam Trains as they carry guests in the colorfully lighted Christmas Train rides. Once evening arrives the sound of Christmas Carols will echo through the woods and into camp from the giant musical Christmas tree there.

Do I like Christmas in Camp?

I like Camp period!

Christmas is just a special time in camp and an experience that one should not miss! Even if it's just a weekend.

You are welcome by our fire and welcome to a cup of hot coffee.

Come and See us Sometime. Share some of our Christmas Joy.

If you do not have a camper OR if it's already winterized for the year, we have cabins and treehouse cabins that are available all year.

www.bransontreehouseadventures.com
417-338-2500

Another Treehouse in the Inventory

Belle Arbres Treehouse just days before completion

We were able to complete our most recent treehouse cabin just in time for the Thanksgiving weekend, this year (2016).  We had a "Free Night in the Trees" contest to come up with the name for this treehouse. The winning submission was "Belle Arbres" which means Beautiful Trees. Since this cabin is situated over a hill down in the trees, It was a good name.

Treehouse building is just one of the many enjoyable parts of the Camp and Cabin Lifestyle. To me there are very few life pursuits that would offer as much opportunity for a leisurely life with options for creative expression.

A few years ago, I decided to coin the term "Martin and Shelley's Big Adventure" for what Shelley and I did for a living. Since camps, campers and cabins (including treehouse cabins) makes up about 90% of life for us, you can imagine that it is indeed a big adventure! I'm not sure why it took us until our 50's to figure out that a life of adventure is far superior to what we did before.

Nevertheless, here we are, living a full time RV life in camp, carving out a life by sharing our passion and interests with guests who visit our various cabins, camps and resorts. My encouragement to everyone that I meet is to pursue your dream. If that dream involves camps or cabins, then you've chosen a good one!

If you are ever in the Branson MO area, make sure to visit us at:

www.bransontreehouseadventures.com
www.crosstimberscabins.com
www.rainbowhavenresort.com

We'll keep the Campfire burning for you!

MAKE SURE to subscribe to our news at the right side of the page. You never know when we will announce a cabin night for FREE!

War Horses at Rest

They deserve a break. Both our war horses worked hard today
ferrying our gallant customers to and fro upon Lake Taneycomo,
where they vanquished many-a-fish on this fine day in Rockaway.

The caption with the boats is just a little bit of "Craig Lingo". He cracks me up. If I can EVER get him to commit some of his poetic ways to these blog postings I know you will fall in love with it.

The work horses are, of course, our boats at the Rainbow Haven Resort and Marina. The gallant customers were a group of fishermen who frequent this area every single year. Fishing by day watching the game by night from both inside and outside.  Guys, boats, fish and football.....

Try it sometime...... They certainly seem to enjoy it!

 

Subscribe to our news and updates to keep track of the great outdoor adventures we have at camp, the cabins and on the lake!

 

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A Treehouse.......When Nothing Else Will Do!

I have people ask me all the time, "What do you do for a living?" I LOVE that question. My answer is that I never figured out what I wanted to do so I decided to grow up and be a kid! When I get the quizzical look that usually follows, I reply with " I build treehouses for a living!" And it's true, But, They're not the childhood, back yard type of treehouse forts where you could stage a respectable defense in a green apple or walnut fight!

No, these treehouses are the grown up "adult version" treehouse that will either inspire romance or adventure, or perhaps both! Our treehouse cabins are designed as romantic or whimsical. I guess that's a good way to describe them. The romantic cabins have fully functional bathrooms, kitchenettes, jetted tubs for two, flat screen TV's with satellite, private decks, tree decks connected by swinging cable bridges, some have fireplaces and even outdoor showers (part of the Adventure!) Okay, they are private outdoor.........or at least semi-private outdoor showers.........Or at least private from peoples point of view. Birds and squirrels may see you!

Some of the treehouses (Ben's Hide Away for example) are built more for fun and big groups. It boasts three treehouse cabins on one site with the entire site being dedicated to just one group at a time. Each treehouse sleeping up to five in beds. We also allow tents to be pitched on the site extending the number of guests that can occupy this site at one time.  No indoor plumbing here but there is an outdoor fully functional restroom and outdoor kitchen with private showers just a few feet away. (The swimming pool is just a few feet away as well much to the delight of the kids who stay there!)

When ONLY a treehouse will do, we have the treehouse for you. As we continue building, we will be adding new levels (and heights) to the fun and adventure!

You can experience an adult version of a childhood treehouse adventure at Branson Treehouse Adventures.

You can also follow along with our other camp, cabin and lake adventures by subscribing to the email updates on the right (view in web browser mode if you can't see them on your phone)

See you on the Dock, or around the Campfire, or on the Lake............Or in the TREES!

Campfire Chocolate Cake

A few postings back, I presented my KISS (Keep It Simple Silly!) version of Dutch Oven Biscuits and Stew. As it turned out, it was by far the most popular posting of this blog. I'm not sure if it was because of the looks of it in the oven was so delicious looking or if it was in it's simplicity!

I'm going with simplicity (even though it IS delicious too) But in keeping with the "simple" theme, here's the perfect dessert! Dutch Oven Chocolate Cake! Of course you may need to invest in a second Dutch Oven.......can't see a problem there!

SO here it is

Dutch Oven Chocolate Cake Ingredients

1 16 oz package chocolate cake mix
1 3.9 oz package instant chocolate pudding
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

     Lightly oil or spray 12 inch Dutch Oven; line with parchment paper if desired.
     In large bowl, whisk milk with pudding mix until thickened.
     Stir in cake mix; mix until well combined, batter will be thick.
     Spread batter in prepared Dutch Oven.
     Sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips.
     Bake for 30-35 minutes or until edges pull away from sides.
     Allow to cool before lifting from oven with parchment paper.

Remember that cooking with a Dutch Oven requires the oven to be placed over hot coals but not directly in the fire. The lid has a lip to contain hot coals placed on top. Check the contents periodically for progress.

Subscribe to our news and updates to the right. We will keep you up to date on ALL the goings on in camp, at the cabins, around the fire, in the trees and at the dock!

Autumn in Camp

I realize that you may be reading this at some point in the future when it's like 104 degrees in the middle of July, or 28 and in the middle of January. But right now....It's 58 and early October where we are. It's early enough that it shouldn't be quite this cool, but a rain and a cool front came through last night making it legitimately feel like fall.

I don't know what else to say that the picture doesn't already tell you. Fall seems to be EVERYBODY'S favorite time of year for camping. When you Full Time it, there's never a lack of opportunity to enjoy a nice fire, maybe some s'mores, some prefer a glass of wine or steaming cup of coffee or tea! You really don't need a special occasion. Grab a chair, build a fire, breathe in the cool autumn air,enjoy the smell of the fallen leaves and look up at the stars. This time of year, even they seem to be brighter!

If you haven't been infected by the camper/RV bug yet, there are always cabins available that will give you the same experience. We have a hard time deciding which we like best, campers or cabins. One of our annual traditions is to head over to Cross Timbers Cabins in the fall for a couple days of leave raking and clean up. Even though it's only about 20 minutes away from the Campground, we always spend 2 or 3 days there. We rake and clean up around the cabins during the day, enjoy a campfire in the evening and then slip into the Jacuzzi tub at night! I guess you figured out that we time our trip to the cabins when cabin 3 is available! The leaves will always be there!

I suppose that no matter what season you're in when you read this, a camper or a cabin will always be in season. Check our Websites to reserve your next big adventure!

Acorn Acres RV Park and Branson Treehouse Adventures
Cross Timbers Cabins
Rainbow Haven Resort

You can also subscribe to our news, updates and special offers on the right side of this page. Send us your name and email address and we'll keep you updated on everything that's happening around camp, around the cabins, around the dock and in the trees! Treehouse cabins that is! Yep.....We do treehouse cabins too!