Vacation Rentals by Owner

Guest: Connie, Marilee & Jody
Date of Stay: 10/01/10 Review Submitted: 11/08/10

We are two sisters and a cousin, from central Iowa and the Twin Cities. Our four days here could not have been more perfect, even the rainy one with games in front of the fire. Thank you for the beautifully appointed home, for planting every tree with an eye for composition and color (we were not too early for Fall foliage!) and for picking the most beautiful rocks and putting each one in exactly its perfect place on the beach. The kitchen is very well equipped, and if you would ever like to establish a personal chef who comes with the house, give me a call.

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Guest: Omer & Pula
Date of Stay: 09/01/10 Review Submitted: 11/08/10

This get-away with our adult children was a bit of an extravagance during this recession, but it was so worth it! We biked, hiked, bird-watched, swam (in Lake Superior!!), played games, read lots of non-fiction, and totally rested. We left the world behind. We feel so blessed to have enjoyed each other & this beautiful spot & lovely home. Totally lived up to expectations & then some!

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Guest: Barbie & Scott
Date of Stay: 08/22/10 Review Submitted: 11/08/10

Thank you so much for sharing your house with a phenomenal view. We had an amazing time hearing the band " Charter Kats" and also the fiddler at Tom's bar! We can't wait to go kayaking to the lagoons and cliffs on our last day. Relaxation, sun, cool breezes and the sound of charming waves nestled below. Your home is very cozy and love the lighthouse collection. Excellent location! Beautiful hikes!

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Guest: Molly and family
Date of Stay: 08/17/10 Review Submitted: 11/08/10

This place is great. My grandparents live up the road and this was a fun place to stay while visiting them. I like the leather sofa room, so cozy. I sometimes just lie there and gaze out at Lake Superior. My friend and I counted how many sailboats you have in the house, over 28!! Thank you for letting us stay here.

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Guest: Rose & Bruce
Date of Stay: 07/30/10 Review Submitted: 11/08/10

Hi! We loved staying in this house; we loved the paintings, the model ships, the nautical theme and the library. Going down by the lake and watching movies as a family were great highlights of the trip. I also loved the fire pit down by the beach: perfect for s'mores and watching the moon rise over the water. This is a great place; thanks so much for letting us stay here! --------------------------------- I liked staying here. I feel like it's my home. I like the ships. I'd like the beach if it were less rocky. I caught 228 snails in two days. I want to buy this home. I like how there are no flies unlike last year. I really liked staying here and hope the next person will too. Love, Kathryn, age 9.

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Guest: Jan & Peter
Date of Stay: 07/23/10 Review Submitted: 11/08/10

Seldom in life do you ge exactly what you need when you really need it. A cancelled trip to Colorado, two college agaed daughters willing to stay home to work and dog sit, and a Google search for last minute availability on Madeline Island all conspired to lead us to this fabulous place just when we really needed a respite from our hectic jobs / lives in Chicago-land. We rode bikes, cooked, read, did a jigsaw puzzle, had fires on the beach, visited the wonderful public library, hiked at the state park, and spent hours watching the ever changing view. Today we return home recharged and delighted to know that a place like this home exists! Thanks for sharing your wonderful home. We would love to return in the winter!

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Guest: Burke & Sam
Date of Stay: 06/26/10 Review Submitted: 11/08/10

Thanks for a great taste of Madeline Island - just two days. We'll be back!!

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Guest: Steve, Michelle, Amanda, and Sarah
Date of Stay: 06/21/10 Review Submitted: 11/08/10

You have a great home. It's a very nice place to stay. Thank you for opening your home to us.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 10/18/09 Review Submitted: 10/17/09

Truly an escape! We were blessed with a spectrum of weather. Fabulous seeing Mother nature at work in action and absorbing God’s amazing creation. Beautiful fall colors, wildlife and winds on our last day made our experience breath-taking. The warmth of your home and its beauty compliments the island’s landscape. We were able to enjoy everything it had to offer – your meticulous attention to detail made it awesome! Our stay reconnected us as a family and provided those quite, peaceful moments for all of us to journey within and then share that peace & joy with each other. Thank you for sharing your home. We would love to return.P.S. We also really enjoyed the fall festival.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 10/12/09 Review Submitted: 10/11/09

Once again we relished our time on the island and in your home.We were blessed with really quite beautiful weather – cold but mostly sunny. It allowed us to introduce our friends to the Island by way of a color tour and then hunker down in front of a fire after dinner and play scrabble.There was the morning of a light dusting of snow, but it mostly melted.We do enjoy Somtara and still might like to try a winter visit.Thanks, P. S. Our friends were surprised that Somtara was not “rustic.” Ha!

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 09/28/09 Review Submitted: 09/27/09

We relaxed to the sounds of the H2O. The leaves changed color as we watched. No Beer! No phone! Sunny 2 days …. Good conversations & going home with a resolution of doing this more often. Thanks for sharing your home. This place is “serenity.”

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 09/07/09 Review Submitted: 09/06/09

We had a wonderful time here at Somtara. We went fishing and swimming. The house is how we remembered it. The weather was great. The stay was perfect.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/22/09 Review Submitted: 08/21/09

Had a Wonderful time at your beautiful cabin. Hope to be back soon.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 07/31/09 Review Submitted: 07/30/09

Had a great time at Somtara. Our third time here. Weather cool, but sunny. Was a prediction of rain but none came – Hooray!Enjoyed the sparkling water, beautiful view, thoughtfully appointed home.Lots of good memories and great pictures. Loved State Park.Blessings to all,

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 06/11/09 Review Submitted: 06/10/09

Well it’s back to reality tomorrow and we find ourselves very sad to leave. We had forgotten how truly lovely the world is, but with our camera full, we won’t forget again anytime soon. Somtara has been an absolute joy to stay in and if we are ever blessed enough to return we certainly would. The house is so lovely and there was nothing we needed that wasn’t here. Thank you so much for sharing this special place. Hopefully, we can take the peace and joy we felt here, home with us and carry it forward as we get back to our regular lives. What a great blessing it has been to be here.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 10/18/08 Review Submitted: 10/17/08

We had a wonderful stay at Somtara! Leaf Colors were just glorious this weekend, bright yellows, blazing oranges and reds. This was our third time on Madeline Island and Somtara is now our favorite place, so serene and peaceful. Your house is beautifully appointed and meticulously maintained, we were impressed. Thank you for sharing it with us! We hope to come back in the future.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 10/05/08 Review Submitted: 10/04/08

My husband’s entry of June this year is also my sentiment of this peaceful retreat to Madeline Island – my 32nd year. This year I had the good fortune to return 4 times. I have never visited the island in winter months but would seriously consider it if just to stay at Somtara around a roaring fire. Thanks for keeping your home open to us and for the warmth & comfort you give to it with your special touches.P.S. Feel free to contact us at any time regarding specials for the rental of this beautiful place ?!

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 09/26/08 Review Submitted: 09/25/08

The cottage is empty of all of our things and the car is packed. But we pause for one last moment to hear the waves of Lake Superior and see the sun glisten on the water. So quiet and relaxing was our stay at Somtara. We had thought we’d spend more time off exploring and eating out but found we just wanted to stay here. (Except to go do a little fishing!) It is so hard to leave….

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 09/21/08 Review Submitted: 09/20/08

Thanks for a lovely time at Somtara. It has been a wonderful retreat away from the city. My daughter and I take a fall trip each year for a few days, this is our 3rd year and what wonderful memories the 2008 trip has brought us. The leaves seem to have turned right before our eyes. We had a wonderful bonfire on the beach, walks, naps, and great chats. No bear sightings! Blessings, ....

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 09/21/08 Review Submitted: 09/20/08

Thanks for a lovely time at Somtara. It has been a wonderful retreat away from the city. My daughter and I take a fall trip each year for a few days, this is our 3rd year and what wonderful memories the 2008 trip has brought us. The leaves seem to have turned right before our eyes. We had a wonderful bonfire on the beach, walks, naps, and great chats. No bear sightings! Blessings, ....

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/30/08 Review Submitted: 08/29/08

I thought the island was beautiful and the Wavse on the last day the Wodr was nice and hot. C. W., age 6

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/09/08 Review Submitted: 08/08/08

August 30, 2008Thank you for providing such a wonderful spot for our family vacation. Your home and the surrounding grounds are truly beautiful. I especially enjoyed unplugging my family from the electronic world we live in. I think my children relearned each others names this week - no electronic world to escape into. Campfires on the beach, a family movie at night, many card games - it was nice. Several nice thunderstorms too. We also hope to come back in future years if we are so blessed. And as one of your earlier writers noted, we also loved the totally random camel! ( a “double sheep” as my one son called it .... a lama)

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/02/08 Review Submitted: 08/01/08

Thank you. Thank you for this beautiful home and the opportunity to stay along your peaceful shore.Your home is perfect in every way.FYI, there is a bee’s nest under one of the benches by the fire pit.We look forward to staying here in the future if we are so fortunate. Wildlife: Eagles, Coyotes, Great Heron, Loons, Geese, Ducks.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 06/18/08 Review Submitted: 06/17/08

I’m not usually one to write in journals like this. However, my spiritual roots are here on the island - my great, great grandfather, Dillon O’Brien, taught the Ojibwa in the 1850’s in La Pointe - and I find that your home sustains my deep feelings for this special place. We were blessed with four beautiful, placid days; watching loons, gulls, geese and ducks, and walking and resting. Marvelous! Mike, P.S. Your home is elegant and unostentatious. Congratulations!

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 06/15/08 Review Submitted: 06/14/08

Thank you for your hospitality. We all loved the place. Somtara is an invitation to peace, joy and love. We will come back. Katherine This is a wonderful place to spend quality time with family. We enjoyed the peace and quiet, the fresh and beautiful colors, and the moonlight! We appreciated the well-appointed and beautifully maintained home. Marlene and John

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Guest: Nathan & Andrea
Date of Stay: 06/13/08 Review Submitted: 06/12/08

What a perfect place to "hide out" on our honeymoon. Everything was perfect. The sound of the waves lulled us to sleep each night. We will definitely be back. Thanks again, and God Bless!

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Guest: Brent & Holly
Date of Stay: 06/04/08 Review Submitted: 06/03/08

Absolutely perfect honeymoon. We were stunned when we arrived! The pictures do not do it justice. The lake is so beautiful and the town is so quaint and friendly. We loved the drive to and from town - so scenic and quiet. Being the total city slickers that we are, we have a whole camera full of random wildlife and farm animals; not to mention the totally random camel. We just about died when we saw it. Ha Ha. We really did not want to leave. Thank you for providing such conveniences as dishes, cooking utensils, etc... not to mention the overall feel of the place. The ships and nautical flare are both refreshing and stylish. We are planning to come back for our anniversary. God bless and thank you.

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Guest: Peter & Dorothy
Date of Stay: 05/15/08 Review Submitted: 05/14/08

Wow. What a beautiful place to stay and to honeymoon. We initially wanted to go out of the country for our honeymoon, but in the end decided not to. After staying at Somtara on Madeline Island, we would not have wanted to be elsewhere. Being at the Somtara was so peaceful, quiet, and relaxing. It is secluded from the busy part of the island, but was a nice drive when we wanted to go in town. We enjoyed hiking, exploring the island, playing tennis, fires on the beach, and great dinners while looking out the window at the beautiful Lake Superior. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Somtara for our honeymoon, and look forward to a return back in the future.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 11/12/07 Review Submitted: 11/11/07

Well, our 25th wedding anniversary is tomorrow and we’ve been able to celebrate again at our favorite spot on Madeline Island. Every five years has been spent on the island since our honeymoon. It is so great sharing stories of our lives back then and how we have raised two remarkable sons. The island and Somtara helps us rejuvenate our love and makes us feel so close.While we were here we had an amazing dinner over at the Rittenhouse Inn, stayed hunkered in on Saturday since the weather was so bad – but still got a walk in. On Sunday the sun came out and we literally saw the sun dance on the water. We built a fire on the beach and watched the sunset.….such a gorgeous setting to just be a couple in love.Thank you so much!

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/18/07 Review Submitted: 08/17/07

Sitting on the deck at Somtara, with a book or not, is the perfect place to be. Listening to the lake is the best song of Superior. All the rocks are so fantastic. Trying to choose one awakens the inner child in all of us and, of course, is pure delight. We have had perfect weather, magnificent stars, and a great time in this great house. May blessings and light be here forever.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 09/03/06 Review Submitted: 09/02/06

This was our second time to Somtara. It’s a beautiful spot. Hey, the only bad part was we thought we saw a bear, but we didn’t. You should get a hot tub, though.Thanks. MB – NA – KA – LJAP.S. We LOVE your beach. The girls played princess!

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/19/06 Review Submitted: 08/18/06

Great Weather. Great View. Great Accommodations. Lake Superior and Madeline Island did not disappoint.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/12/06 Review Submitted: 08/11/06

This has been a truly marvelous week spent with friends. Your home has been an elegant and welcome retreat. We are celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary and thoroughly enjoyed Bayfield, La Pointe, kayaking to the sea caves and walking the beaches – all in almost perfect weather. This is our first trip to Madeline and the area and have loved it. The recommendations we’ve had for restaurants have been wonderful but the most elegant and deliciously creative was Wild Rice.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/12/06 Review Submitted: 08/11/06

We’ve spent more than 30 years of very enjoyable times in Door County in all seasons, but this week at Somtara goes right to the top of the “Best Ever” list. We’re not sure we’d have the courage to share such a beautiful home with strangers, but we’re sure glad you did! Hard to leave……..looking forward to a return.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 07/22/06 Review Submitted: 07/21/06

Thank you for sharing your cabin and waterfront with us. We’ve rented several cabins on Madeline Island over the last five years and this is the nicest. Our 8 & 11 year-old children swam everyday almost all day! The sand bar about 100 yards out is a worthy destination. You’ve done a great job with the trees and landscaping for enjoying the views. Your decorating and fine furnishings are a welcome exception to most rental properties, including Hawaii and Colorado. We appreciated the little notes for directions around the house, and we took care to sweep up everyday. We plan to return next summer and hopefully many summers to come.Thank you. P.S. No need to add cable or satellite T.V.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 06/25/06 Review Submitted: 06/24/06

This bride had the perfect honeymoon here at Somtara: a small slice of heaven for a week. After a stressful year of planning a wedding, this is our reward. Thank you, Tom & Sara, for such a wonderful home and allowing us to enjoy it here. We were able to enjoy the beach, to get some kayaking in and see the sea caves around the point. What a lovely week. Sorry it is coming to an end. Hope to be able to return here again.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 06/24/06 Review Submitted: 06/23/06

Thanks for a great honeymoon location at the Somtara on Madeline Island! The people on the island were very friendly, the boats on and off the island lots of fun and the activities here at the cottage out of the world. After a year dreaming of spending time with my bride after all the wedding planning, this groom was happy we found paradise! P.S. We look forward returning back someday!

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 09/04/05 Review Submitted: 09/03/05

We needed peace and quiet and that’s what we got! What a neat spot to spend a week and yes, how fortunate you are to own such a tranquil home away from home. Thanks so much for sharing it with us! We’re ready to return home, replenished and recharged for winter – and life.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/20/05 Review Submitted: 08/19/05

“Deep Peace of the rolling waves to you”.Aaahhh!This has been a wonderful week. We have enjoyed the warm, sunny days as well as some rough water and gloomy days. The time, however, has been well spent with friends!There has been walking, biking, kayaking, reading, cards, games, and puzzles! Again, I say Aaahhh!The water, the sun, the woods – oh how I get re-created.Thanks for sharing your home with us. We are grateful and forever changed!

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/13/05 Review Submitted: 08/12/05

We had a wonderful week here at Somtara. The peaceful quiet beauty has provided the perfect backdrop to my reading - and my husband, AKA Captain Tim, has gotten his fill of fishing and exploring. We could not have ended up in a better spot to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary! How fortunate you are to have such a beautiful home in such a magnificent location!

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/04/05 Review Submitted: 08/03/05

Our fourth visit to the island – our first to Somtara. Absolutely the best! The house is perfectly set with a beautiful view and the layout is so functional.Our family enjoyed the beach and dock immensely – swimming, snorkeling, reading, painting, sand castles, raft building, camp fire and more.Just a couple suggestions:We loved cooking and your supplies were great except for the lack of dish towels and a drain pan.More garbage bags would have been nice.I really don’t want to leave. The sound of the waves will be greatly missed when I wake back in my real world.Thank you for sharing your home. My family had a blessed time here.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 07/30/05 Review Submitted: 07/29/05

A year later exactly. And an incredible day – The lake shimmering all the way across to Michigan. Boys – now taller than Harry! - - take morning “cross-country” runs, followed by a brisk swim off the beach and dock. Simplicity made perfect. On my own run yesterday afternoon, returning in that special afternoon light that only midsummer days possess, I heard a solo violin while taking in the lake panorama – This is why we keep returning to Madeline – …years!We almost didn’t make it this summer. We packed up the Expedition, slapped on the bikes and made it a whole half-block from home when the truck’s panel lights went wild. (Houston, we have a problem) Tow truck called – and we quickly re-packed everything in our two smaller cars and tandemed up 63 – We had a good laugh on Ferry ride over – with our faces in the wind looking toward the island. All forgotten troubles. A week of paradise ahead.As always, thank you for sharing your lovely home!

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/22/04 Review Submitted: 08/21/04

Somtara is a very comfortable place, so clean and beautiful. It helped me to relax very quickly. We loved the campfires down by the lake the best, the stars were unbelievable. We woke the kids up at 1:00 a.m. to go down by the lake to see the meteor showers on Friday early morning. We each saw 5 – 8 shooting stars. Magical. The Water (Lake Superior) was a lot colder than last year, but that didn’t stop my husband and kids – they went every day. I am very rested and excited to go home actually. That is always a sign of a good vacation for me. We are sad to go, but we’ll be back. Somtar. Thnk you for lating us com. My favorite thing was swimming and being to gather. HM (age 6)

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/15/04 Review Submitted: 08/14/04

Had a great week up here at Madeline Island – this is our second visit on the island and we love it here. It was stormy here the first few days but this place is very cozy & sweet. We are going home – I insisted to come here in fall – very rested.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/07/04 Review Submitted: 08/06/04

We were lucky enough to experience Somtara during one of the most beautiful weeks of the summer – not a day of rain and temperatures around 80 all week – gorgeous! The clear skies allowed us to enjoy a breathtaking moon rise over Lake Superior – it was stunning and something we don’t have the opportunity to experience in the city. Most of all we’ve enjoyed the sense of peace and solitude that Somtara made possible -- we’re leaving today totally refreshed and rejuvenated. Thanks for making this property available -- we’ll be back! P.S. We saw two baby bear cubs up the road! /Tom, best wishes for a speedy recovery!

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 07/29/04 Review Submitted: 07/28/04

Exquisite nearly full moon rising…Complete with shooting star….Simply beautiful!

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 07/27/04 Review Submitted: 07/26/04

Half way through our stay, but just a stellar day and a stunning night – moon rising above the lake leaching the waves with light. Today had to have been one of the finest I have ever experienced on the island. The bluest skies. The clearest water. What a treat to spend it entirely outdoors - - the perfect lake experience. The perfect freedom. It so easily reminded us why we return to Madeline. Thank you for allowing us to return here.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 07/23/04 Review Submitted: 07/22/04

Hello again.Much fun. Great dock and improved beach. We didn’t leave a note last year, 2003, but it’s good to be back. One suggestion re bathtub. It would be helpful to someone my age (greater than 29 yrs.) if there was a help handle on the wall to rise out of the tub. Also I get slick with soap so I almost fell. Laura was with last year and this year with her fiancé Mike who also loves your place. See you later.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 07/15/04 Review Submitted: 07/14/04

Somtara is so beautiful and comfortable and fun. It has everything we’re looking for when we stay on the island. The view is awesome. While we’ve been here we’ve seen hummingbird, loons, woodcock, many Canada goose families – ten goslings in rows! No bear sightings this time but we’re still looking.The Lupine is in its glory this week. The only two things I can suggest to make Somtara perfect are 1. use of the laundry (hint, hint) and 2. passes for unlimited ferry crossings! ( I can dream – can’t I?)3 Cheers for Tom and Sara

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 06/05/04 Review Submitted: 06/04/04

This was our second visit to Madeline Island. The first was two years ago and this visit was equally as calming. The lake is such a tranquilizer to normal life. We’ve relaxed so much here, read lots of books, enjoyed the fireplace and the sun, which came out a few days. There was some great conversation, good card games, and chess games. We wrestled the world’s problems and solved international relations. We also had some buns and hamburgers stolen by Edgar Alan Poe – the raven that patrols the yard. We’ve made some great meals, enjoyed the sunsets and especially the full moons. We wish the island was closer to our hometown, Chicago, because we’d come more often.

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