Well, Here Goes Nothin’…

I’ll be the first to admit it — I probably should’ve started this blog a long time ago. But here we are, and honestly, that’s what matters. Better late than never, right?

So why now? Why a blog? For me, it comes down to this: Highland Lodge isn’t just a place to stay. It’s a place where families gather for reunions, where couples say “I do” surrounded by their closest people, where race teams crash after long days at Road America, and where guests discover our little corner of Wisconsin. A plain old website listing can’t really capture all of that. A blog gives me space to share the stories behind the stays — the kind of things you only really get to know when you’ve spent time here.

And, sure, there’s the practical side too: having a blog helps new people find us online. (Hello, Google. I see you.) But mostly, this is about connection. If you’ve ever stayed here, you know I’m a big believer in treating people the way you’d want to be treated — with warmth, respect, and maybe a little humor along the way. That’s the same approach I want to take here.

From Boat Yards to Bed-and-Breakfasts

At 19 years old, after working three jobs at once — two of which drained my soul — I bought and remodeled a ten-room bed and breakfast. Looking back, I probably had no business doing it at that age. I wasn’t a licensed contractor, and half the time I was learning as I went. But what I lacked in experience, I made up for in determination.

That grit didn’t come out of nowhere. Growing up, I was surrounded by entrepreneurship. My parents owned multiple businesses, and from birth until age five, I tagged along with them every day. Their main company was called Boat Works (1994–2007), a 100,000 sq. ft. boat storage and repair shop in the industrial park.

I followed my dad around those aisles of boats, learning to ride my bike between them, eavesdropping on conversations with customers and employees. Some of my first friends weren’t kids at all — they were welders, painters, mechanics, and boat captains. I didn’t know it at the time, but those early years taught me the value of hard work, community, and treating every walk of life with the same respect.

Definitely wasn't a licensed contractor

School Wasn’t Easy

Of course, not everything came so naturally. From the start, school was a challenge. I struggled with reading and math, and eventually I was diagnosed with dyslexia. I can still remember the sting of trying to read in class while tears rolled down my cheeks because none of the words made sense.

I was placed in a special education program, where classmates teased me relentlessly. My teacher often left me with worksheets while she scrolled through Facebook, insisting I “wasn’t making any progress.” By fourth grade, I was reading at a first-grade level.

The hardest part wasn’t the work — it was the words spoken at parent-teacher conferences: “She’ll never get a job. She won’t even be able to sign the back of a paycheck.”

That moment broke my little fourth-grade heart. But my dad, sitting across the table, snapped back with a line that still fuels me to this day:

“She won’t need to sign the back of the check — she’ll own the company.”

Thirteen years later, he was right.

What You Can Expect Here

This blog won’t be a “perfectly polished travel magazine.” I’m not here to throw fancy buzzwords at you or pretend life at the lodge is always picture-perfect. Instead, think of this as pulling up a chair in our pub with a drink in hand, swapping stories about what makes this place so special.

Here’s what I’ll likely write about:

• Behind-the-scenes lodge life — the stuff you won’t see on the booking page, like how the firepit becomes the unofficial gathering spot or why breakfast burritos have developed a cult following.

• Tips for weddings and group getaways — rehearsal dinners, family reunions, Sunday brunches, you name it.

• Local highlights — the restaurants, shops, and hidden gems that make this corner of Wisconsin worth exploring. Supporting local is huge for me, and I want our guests to really experience it.

• Reflections from innkeeping — the good, the funny, and the “jeez louise, did that really just happen?” moments.

Keeping It Positive

Let’s get ahead of the question: “Are you going to spill the tea about bad guests?”

Short answer: no. That’s not what this space is for. Sure, every innkeeper has their share of wild stories, but those are best saved for a campfire with a strong drink. Here, I want to focus on the positives — the happy weddings, the hilarious family moments, the way strangers arrive as guests and leave as friends. Negativity might get clicks, but kindness is what keeps people coming back.

Why I’m Excited

Starting this blog feels a little like opening the door to a new guest. I don’t know exactly who will walk in or what stories we’ll share, but I’m glad you’re here.

Whether you’re planning a wedding, a reunion, a weekend at Road America, or just looking for a quiet countryside stay, my hope is that this blog helps you get a feel for what Highland Lodge is really about. We’re not a big resort. We don’t have hundreds of rooms or a corporate playbook. We’re just a small lodge in a small town — and that’s exactly what makes it special.

Here, it’s about slowing down, spending time with your people, and making memories you’ll talk about for years to come.

So here we go — the start of something new. I’ll keep it real, I’ll keep it fun, and hopefully I’ll give you a reason or two to come see us in person.

Thanks for reading the very first post. I’m glad you’re here.

— Elle