Elkhart Lake is just 150 miles from Chicago, about an hour north of Milwaukee and slightly west of Sheboygan. Most learn of it through word of mouth. The tiny village only has around 1000 residents.

Celebrities such as Ashley Judd, Tom Cruise and Michael Jordan have been seen there, attracted by Road America, the longest natural 4-mile road course in the country.





On race weekends, the town is flooded with thousands of visitors who park their Porsches, Ferraris or Suzuki Superbikes on the street. Sports-car, open-wheel and motorcycle racers take over the handful of local bars.

But many people come here for the lake. It is clean and deep, the third deepest in the state at 119 feet. In some parts you can see 20 feet to the sandy bottom!

As a child I spent every summer here. My grandmother's lake house, now my parents' property, has been in the family for more than 50 years. To me, summer never begins until the cottage is opened Memorial Day weekend, after the water is turned on in the non-winterized house, its shutters removed, and the heavy wooden pier put out.

Motorboats aren't allowed on the lake (except for those who are fishing) on Sundays. Instead, sailboats race on the lake, as kayakers and rowers enjoy the spring-fed waters that drew Chicagoans here by train more than 100 years ago.

Here is a picture that I took of the Elkhart Lake Railroad Station. It is over 100 years old!



And a picture of our lake house cottage:



I had a wonderful time this weekend and perfect weather, even with the annoying little squirrel! :) I can't wait to go back in two weeks!!