Spur of the Moment Ranch

Leave No Trace…North Woods Wisconsin

Ann — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:06:40 +0000

People enjoy exploring and relaxing in the north woods of Wisconsin. They come to horse back ride, ATV, fish, hunt, river raft, kayak, boat, canoe, hike, and many more adventurous things. Whether you are staying in a cabin or RVing, please be mindful of the awesome resource that the north woods offers. Spur of the Moment Ranch participates in the Travel Green Wisconsin program and is Travel Green Certified. As a part of that program it is important for us to provide visitors with expectations of what it takes to maintain the pristine natural resource that we all enjoy; and to preserve for our children and grandchildren, that they may have the experience and memories that you enjoy today.

Please keep these few details in mind as you pass through our beautiful north woods of Wisconsin. These are passed on to us by Leave No Trace; there website is www.LNT.org. The 7 principles are (1) Plan ahead and prepare (2) Travel and camp on durable services (3) Dispose of waste properly (4) Leave what you find (5) Minimize campfire impacts (6) Respect wildlife (7) Be considerate of other visitors. Thank you for your consideration.

Fun Contest at Spur this Summer

Ann — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:38:15 +0000

Ok, last week my husband Skip was making a late day grocery run, needed something to make supper, imagine that! On the way back from Lakewood, Wisconsin about 3 miles north of us on HWY 32/64 by the Oconto River, he looked over toward the river and low and behold …….there was a moose standing. How cool is that! So the summer ranch contest will be that anyone staying at the ranch this summer, whether they be driving their car; canoeing on the river; riding horseback on the trails; ATVing on the trail, if you see the moose and get a picture we can use on the website…. you will receive a coupon for a free night at the ranch in one of our full housekeeping log cabins. That is what you are playing for! Sounds like a fun treasure hunt to me. Moose are very rare in Wisconsin, although in the last few years there have been a few sightings, usually however, they are not this far south.

ATV/UTV Registration Information

Ann — Sat, 12 May 2012 14:38:58 +0000

Effective 7/1/2012 UTV and ATV registrations in Wisconsin will require owners to display the 2 side decals furnished by the DNR, with the addition of a rear plate which is the responsibility of the owner. The plate needs to be white with a minimum of 4 inches in height, by 7 1/2 inches wide. The lettering needs to be black with a minimum of 1 1/2 inches in height; 3/16 inch stroke. The only thing that needs to be on the plate is the 4 registration numbers and two letters that follow. The owner is responsible for maintaining the plate in a legible condition; plates need to be attached to the rear of the vehicle. Plates can be made or purchased. WATVA has plate suppliers listed on the WATVA website; the link is http://www.watva.org/index.php/wisconsin-atv/atv-utv-license-plates.

The UTV registrations in Wisconsin will become permanent 7/1/21012. They will have a new decal. UTV public registratio will be $30 for 2 years. UTV out of state visitors will be able to purchase non-resident trail passes. UTV’s will be included in the ATV snowplowing law. There will be maximum passenger and seating requirements; there will be a definition of a UTV. As with the ATV’s, you can find more information on the WATVA website.

Good luck and have a fun and safe summer.

ATV Poker Run June 16th

Ann — Fri, 11 May 2012 22:28:20 +0000

Dusty Trails ATV Trail System just won the WATVA award for the best trail system in Wisconsin. Come and try it out June 16th, 2012 for the Dusty Trails Annual ATV Poker Run. Registration begins on Friday, registration is $10.00. You can also register Saturday morning between 9:00 AM and noon at the trailhead in Suring, Wisconsin. Poker hands need to be turned in by 6:00 PM at the Suring Community Park in Suring, Wisconsin. There will be food, refreshments, cash, and prizes. This will be a great time, we still have a few cabins and campsites left for this great north woods Oconto County, Wisconsin event. Campsites are for toy haulers and RV’s only, tent camping is not permitted at Spur of the Moment Ranch. Campsites have water, electric, picnic table, fire pit, dump station on site; pressure washer for ATV if necessary.

Small Town Fun in Wisconsin

Ann — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:27:42 +0000

May is a great month in Wisconsin. Spring is here, everyone wants to enjoy the outdoors; cook over the open fire; and sit out under the stars. The north woods of Wisconsin is a great place for those activities but we also have lots of small town fun for families and friends to enjoy. Memorial Day Weekend is jam packed with fun and activities. Mountain, Wisconsin is home to our Memorial Day Parade on May 27th at noon. Come on into town and enjoy an old fashioned small town parade. There will food and beverages available and live music after the parade. Bring the whole family.

Up the road a little bit you will find Lakewood, Wisconsin. The McCaslin Lioness Club has there annual Faire on Sunday May 27, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. They have a silent auction; crafters; and book sale. There will be food, pies, and beverages to tempt your palate. Take advantage of the long weekend, and enjoy making memories with some old-fashioned small town fun.

Cabin Getaway in the North Woods

Ann — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:38:43 +0000

Spring is a beautiful time of the year to enjoy Wisconsin’s north woods. While I was walking Valentine and Minime last night I noticed the explosion of Trilliums in the woods. It is like a beautiful blanket of white with a background of green folliage; just after a brief shower it was gorgeous in the late evening sun. Not a day goes by now that I don’t see turkeys cross the road on Kingston, one fanned his plummage for us the other night as it walked off into the forest. The blue Herons should be returning to Cathedral of the Pines anyday if they are not there already making their nests. My favorite spring event is the exodus of the turtles to lay their eggs; and hatch their little ones that must make the long trek back to Chute Pond and the Oconto River. If a getaway back to nature is what you are in need of, check out our cabins at Spur of the Moment Ranch.

Spring is also a great time to do a weekend or midweek cabin getaway with man’s best friend, our dogs. Oconto County, Wisconsin offers a great place to getaway and bring your dog to hike; or canoe. Valentine and Minime look forward to our daily walks, they love being able to sniff the great smells of the forest. Maybe you just need to feel the wind blow through your hair while sitting on the porch of one of our comfortable cabins. Spring in the north woods of Wisconsin is definitely one of my favorite times of the year. Have you experienced it yet? Put it on your bucket list.

Spring Trail Riding in Wisconsin

Ann — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:54:41 +0000

The horseback riding trails are open, and riders are beginning to come into the ranch. The horse and rider featured on the home page is crossing the bridge over the Oconto River on the Nicolet Trail in Oconto County, Wisconsin. Here is a great line up of horses at the river crossing. Everyone is having a great time. Others were very excited to have found the southern Lookout off of the Bonita Grade in Oconto County, Wisconsin.

They had great weather while they were here, mid-fifties during the day; 30-40′s in the evening. This weekend, we are looking at getting into the 60′s during the day. Sunny today, May 4th; just had about an inch or more of rain yesterday. Oconto County, Wisconsin has been dry, so grateful for the moisture. The horses have been quite content, the bugs are not bothersome right now. There are wood ticks out in the woods, but the guinea hens are very good about keeping them off the ranch. If you have not been to Oconto County Wisconsin trail riding, you are missing out on the fun.

Opening Day Wisconsin Fishing

Ann — Fri, 04 May 2012 01:43:20 +0000

Spring showers are bringing May flowers; and May Day also brings the opening day of fishing in Wisconsin. Bring your boats; your poles; your lures; and your off for a great season of Wisconsin fishing. Oconto County Wisconsin offers 58 lakes, all with public boat launches available for your convenience. In order to protect this precious natural resource, it is important to enlist everyone’s help in addressing the spread of harmful plants, animals, and other organisms from invading our lakes. Three simple procedures used each time you leave any lake, stream, or coastal area can help stop aquatic hitchhikers. Number 1) Simply remove visible mud, plants, fish, or animals before transporting equipment. 2) Eliminate water from equipment before transporting. 3) Clean and dry anything that came in contact with the water. 4) Never release plants, fish, or animals into a body of water unless they came from that body of water. Following these simple steps will allow future generations to enjoy fishing in Oconto County Wisconsin for years to come. Go out and catch a big one now!

Spur of the Moment T-Shirts

Ann — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:01:35 +0000

Everyone has asked for years for Spur T-shirts. Spur of the Moment Ranch will have T-shirts for sale at Midwest Horse Fair in Madison, WI on April 20-22, 2012. For all of your horse camping questions and to pick out your T-shirt, please stop by our booth #2103 in the main Exhibit Hall. For all of you who are not familiar with Spur of the Moment Ranch, it is a great resort for horse camping in Wisconsin at the southern end of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Bring your horse, you can choose to stay in your living quarters trailer in one of our horse camping sights. Some guests prefer renting a rustic camping cabin, described best as camping without the tent. Rustic camping cabins come heated with bedding; bring towels to share the bathhouse. For those who enjoy a little more luxury, try one of our log-full housekeeping cabins complete with bedrooms; kitchens; living room; fireplaces; bathrooms; all bedding and towels provided.

Remember, stop by our booth #2103 at Midwest Horse Fair. Pick out your Spur of the Moment T-shirt, make your horse camping reservation for 2012 to visit us in Mountain, Wisconsin. Look forward to seeing you at the show.

ATV and UTV Trails Open May 1!

Ann — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 17:05:40 +0000

Get ready, get set, soon it will be time to go ATVing in Oconto County Wisconsin! The trails in Oconto County open May 1; ATV trails in the area provide a full range of ATVing fun with our 90 mile Nicolet Trail that goes through many towns along the way. Stop in Gillett, Wisconsin for a great a piece of pie at OJ’s on main street. Next stop head on up the trail through Mountain, Wisconsin perhaps a refueling stop or ice cream at Scoop’s. A little further on perhaps a stop in Lakewood, Wisconsin with a visit to Sweet Memories to stock up on the sweet treats that you remember from your childhood. On the Nicolet Trail you can ATV all the way up to the Michigan State Line.

Feeling more adventuresome, head off on the wooded trails east of Mountain for more ATV riding fun. Our ATV trails now connect to the Woodland Trail system in Mariette County, Wisconsin and also Forrest County, Wisconsin providing miles and miles of ATV riding fun. Check out the play area, a highlight for those ATV enthusiasts who like to get down and dirty muddy with their machine. When your all done for the day, come on back to Spur of the Moment Ranch in Mountain, Wisconsin to relax; enjoy; cook out, and bonfire with friends under our starlit evening sky. The ranch offers a variety of lodging options: camping in your toy hauler; camping in one of rustic camping cabins; or enjoy a luxurious log full-housekeeping cabin. Make your reservations now!