Woodland Trails innkeeper, Sandra, with the co-owners of Tesora, Jon Dykeman who will be executive chef, with Holly and Jake Mangelsen.

Madden’s Steakhouse was the best restaurant in our area from the time it opened in 2002 until owners John and Barb closed the place in 2010.  In the eight years they were open, the Maddens achieved a 100% satisfaction rating with Woodland Trails guests.  In fact, returning guests still talk about Madden’s and the great service and outstanding food they enjoyed there.  Sadly, for the last three years, the old Madden’s space has been occupied by one sports bar after another, all failing within a few months.

But now, welcome to Tesora, an upscale restaurant that is opening in the old Madden’s location.  We attended a pre-opening reception at Tesora and met owners Jon Dykeman with Holly and Jake Mangelsen.  The hors d’oeurves were outstanding, the wine was tasty and the complete redecoration job is beautiful.

Following the reception, they have had several soft opening evenings with good reports.

We wish Jon and the Mangelsens well and look forward once again having an upscale restaurant for Woodland Trails guests to enjoy!

Particularly in the weeks after their grand opening, reservations are a good idea.  Call 715-349-7878.  If you are staying with us, be sure to mention you are a guest at Woodland Trails B&B!

Sandra with a ’55 Chevy. Since no American cars were imported in Cuba after Castro’s successful revolution in 1959, about a quarter of all the cars on Cuban roads are well-preserved American models from the 1950s like this one.

Our B&B guests often ask if we ever have a chance to get away.

The answer is YES INDEED we do!  Our most recent adventure was a trip to Cuba with Road Scholar, the educational travel people.

For anyone interested, here are our notes and photos from the trip.  Also, National Geographic published an interesting story on Cuba.

We (John & Sandra) will be away from Wednesday, August 7th through Saturday, August 10th.    Rather than close the B&B, we’ve arranged for past guests to fill in on a limited basis.  Their responsibility will be to care for the dogs, Lucky and Lady, and to watch over the B&B but NOT provide innkeeper services.

You will be given the code to the front door so you can come and go as you please.  You are welcome to use the B&B common areas plus the golf carts on the trails and the paddle boat and canoe on the pond.

Breakfast will be a deluxe Continental breakfast prepared in advance by John & Sandra.

You will enjoy a huge savings of $76 off normal rates!  For this special weekend:

• the room charge is payable in full at the time the reservation is made.  Normal cancellation policy applies (Room charge is refunded fully if the cancellation is received more than 15 days prior to arrival date.)
• our Welcome Back Special does apply for past guests who qualify; all other specials are suspended for this weekend.

We hope you enjoy a Woodland Trails first Do-It-Yourself Weekend!

John & Sandra

Innkeeper Sandra with Anthony Shore as Elvis and neighbor Deb Anderson

We (innkeepers Sandra and John) enjoyed a Valentine’s Day Dinner Show last nightat St. Croix Casino, Danbury.   The food, a small steak with shrimp, was very good.  The show featured Anthony Shore’s 90-minute rendition of Elvis.  Shore has a good voice and seems to know every song that Elvis ever recorded.  More importantly, Shore gave the audience the impression that we has having fun and was there to entertain.  The audience loved him.

We had another good experience a few weeks ago when the Lovin’ Spoonfuls performed.  This group was popular for a short time in the 60′s with hits like “Do You Believe in Magic” and “Summer in the City”.   Like Anthony Shore, the Lovin’ Spoonfuls gave the impression they were there to entertain and the audience responded enthusiastically.

Besides occasional shows like these held in their Convention Center, St. Croix Casino has entertainment weekly in their West Winds Lounge.

As you plan your next stay at Woodland Trails, check out the entertainment schedule at St. Croix Casino, Danbury!  A show at the casino can add to the enjoyment of your stay with us.

http://www.lovinspoonful.com/

We (John & Sandra) will be away on the weekend of June 7^th and 8^th.  Rather than close the B&B, we’ve arranged for past guests Geri & Craig to fill in on a limited basis.  Their responsibility will be to care for the dogs, Lucky and Lady, and to watch over the B&B but NOT provide innkeeper services.  This means,

You will be given the code to the front door so you can come and go as you please.  You are welcome to use the B&B common areas plus the golf carts on the trails and the paddle boat and canoe on the pond.

Breakfast will be a deluxe Continental breakfast prepared in advance by John & Sandra.

You will enjoy a huge savings of $76 off normal rates!  For this special weekend,

the room charge is payable in full at the time the reservation is made. 

the room charge is NOT refundable, so be sure of your plans before making the reservation.

our Welcome Back Special does apply for past guests who qualify; all other specials are suspended for this weekend.

If you will be participating in the MS Bike event, you are responsible for your own transportation.  We are located on the Minnesota border, 23 miles from Grand Casino and just 4 miles from Danbury, Wisconsin and St. Croix Casino.

We hope you enjoy Woodland Trails first Do-It-Yourself weekend!

John & Sandra

We never grow tired of hearing compliments from guests.  A bunch have come in recently with entries for our Free Night Contest for Past Guests.  Here are a few examples:

How fun to revisit your site and find our photo posted as best photo of the year – maybe I did eat the worm after you left. . . Hope to be back next summer!!! — Renna & Ross, Prinston MN.

We were just talking about how much fun we had last May and how we cannot wait to come back…and then I open the mail and see your postcard! I think it is a sign:) Every time I have a cup of tea or coffee in my Woodland Trails mug, it brings me back to a little piece of serenity at your B&B! I hope you two have a wonderful holiday!!! Thanks again! Tawnia Larson, Savage MN

We so enjoyed our last visit with the Ehns and Ossmanns and look forward to our next one! Thanks for providing such a wonderful relaxing place for our enjoyment. Nancy & Gene, Brainerd MN.

LOVED IT SO MUCH, WE ARE SENDING MY PARENTS THERE THIS SUMMER, ALREADY SENT FOR THE GIFT CERTIFICATE !!! Melissa & Ted, Circle Pines MN

Thanks for taking good care of my parents! They had a great time! Danielle & Brian, Shoreview MN

We had a great time again this year!  Tom & Amy, Cottage Grove

Thank you!
Between Returning Guests, people who were referred to us by a Past Guest and purchasers of Gift Certificates, you now account for more than half our business.  For us, welcoming back Returning Guests is one of the most enjoyable and gratifying parts of being innkeepers at Woodland Trails.

Be sure to enter our 2013 Free Night Contest.  This is a special contest is for past guests and purchasers of Gift Certificates only so your odds of winning are very good.  Last year, eight couples were winners of a free night.  Good Luck for 2013!

Woodland Trails Gift Certificates for those who want to give an experience rather than more stuff!   Purchse three or more and earn discounts. 

Notes from the Journals
Most guests enjoy reading what others have written in the journals.  In is uncanny how ofen they find a note written by a friend or relative who stayed in the same room.  We continue to enjoy  reading comments too.  Some of the best phrases we found recently are, “pampered in the woods” and “magical sleigh ride”.  Check out some of the recent comments here.

We’ve posted some new photos.  Check them out.

Jack’s Game is a Hit in 2012
John’s cousin jack was a master at creating party games.  He and his wife Lori entertained often and Jack always had a new game to offer.  One of his best was the Treasure Hunt Game which we set up for a neighborhood party.  Guests are asked to locate a couple dozen items, usually in minature version, that are clearly out of place, such as a sugar cube on top of a door frame.  All contestants have to do is spot the item and check it off a list.  When all the items have been located, they are the winner of an inexpensive prize.

Some guests try the game after breakfast and others after dinner.  A few guests have stayed up until midnight looking for the last item.

We hope you’ll try Jack’s Treasure Hunt Game during your next visit!

Doreen and friends, holders of the new Geocaching record for time and distance traveled to find their treasures.

A new Geocaching Record
Doreen, Deb, Karen and Janet were here last fall on their third annual girls’ getaway.  This year, they set a new record while Geocaching.  Working in teams of two, to find their treasure they spent over three hours and drove over seven miles on the golf carts.  By contract, Jon and Hannah, a young, computer-savvy couple, went out later and were able to find the treasure in just 25 minutes while traveling a little over two miles ont eh traisl.  It doesn’t matter, though, because the ladies had fun on their adventure!

Don’t for get, this winter we have Free Sleigh Rides and Complimentary Massages!

We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

John & Sandra O’Reilly
Woodland Trails’ Innkeepers