Black Oak Lake
Before I finish Dad’s Journals about Land O’Lakes I want to tell you something about the cottage we had on Black Oak Lake. I remember many wonderful memories about spending time here on vacations when we lived in Baraboo and Rockton. The Ferry’s and Ely’s also have homes on the lake and now the Concerve School is also located on the lake.

August 1st, 1995
Dearest Dick and Ethel,
These are memories of the cottage. I remember carrying rocks to build the dock. In the picture Dad is probably packing up for the winter. A kitchen is inside the open back door. I remember the big table in dining room around which we all did our home work and the oil lamp on a chain that we could pull down. Two bedrooms ,one for Mom and Dad, the other for Grandma and Grandma had a bench a little down the hill so she could watch her family swimming. I think she came in also early on once or twice.
We were out there after school had started and usually ran to catch the bus with high spirits. We slept on cots on the screened porch and woke with the morning light. Dad would stand on the dock watch in hand and say”take 10 deep breaths, dive in and swim under the water to the log” (it was really a dead-head but he didn’t care for that term) So we did.
Then Mom met the people next door from Minneapolis newspaper, who believed in nude sun bathing and swimming, so Mom thought it a fine idea. We did. Until the red-headed boy came by in his speed boat with a camera.
When I wanted to swim across the lake (1/2 mile) Mom said No unless the boys go along in a boat which finally got an OK.
Across the lake behind the path the deer used to come down to drink. There was a little island several yards off shore. I swam out to it and claimed it as mine.

Much love, Betty