Birthday Road Trip to Kohler
We arrived at Sandhill Cabin in a torrential rain storm, which finally cleared and showed us just what Wisconsin sunsets are made of! The cabin is about 20 minutes from The American Club, down a winding private road in the wilderness.
There have been many milestones this year- from graduations to birthdays, that we have tried to make the most of- while appreciating our health and creating cherished memories from near and far. This summer we had planned to ride The Belmond Royal Scotsman (formerly The Orient Express) through Scotland to celebrate my 50th birthday. Back in March, it seemed obvious this trip of a lifetime was not going to happen.
Then in May I came across an article in Chicago magazine “Eight Great Road Trips for the COVID-19 Era” which featured a “Luxe Family Getaway in Kohler.” Quite frankly, they had me at “posh rental cabins in the woods” and I was already online booking The American Club by the time I read their suggestion to “book a private chef.” July couldn’t come soon enough!
After a lakeside lunch at The Tavern on Woodlake, we headed to our cabin in the woods. That evening our friends came over to celebrate my birthday with us. We all enjoyed cocktails on the wraparound porch and take-out dinner with a view of this insane sunset, and a full rainbow.
While The American Club has several properties in Kohler to choose from, the secluded Sandhill Cabin in the woods was the perfect choice for our getaway. We were looking to be “socially distant” while still being active and enjoy spending time outdoors. The resort will even shop for and deliver groceries to your cabin, so essentially you don’t even have to leave your own little piece of paradise. It was a bit warm to use in July, but Sandhill Cabin does have their own private Sauna Hut, seen above.
We were super impressed with The American Club’s attention to detail and cleanliness throughout the resort- masks were required at all times in public areas (unless seated at your table in a restaurant) and temperatures were checked upon entering all buildings. There are several restaurants on property to choose from, all offering outdoor dining. The American Club itself is not yet open to the public, so it was blissfully quiet and not at all crowded throughout the property. Our stay was also from a Sunday to Wednesday so we barely saw anyone while we were there!
The early bird gets the worm (and hopefully the fish!) Our son was off fishing before sunrise with a local guide, recommended by the resort. They headed out on Elkhart Lake in search of Bass and Walleye- and caught both!
We met up with them around 11AM (we were on vacation after all) and cruised the lake on a picture perfect day- still water, sunny skies, and a slight breeze. I hooked a big one, and after working up an appetite, our guide Mark docked at The Osthoff resort where we grabbed lunch at the beach side concession stand and cold beers at the Lake Deck.
Sometimes on vacation it seems like all we do is eat- which is kind of true! Dinner that evening was at Whistling Straights, an award winning top golf course that was set to host the 2020 Ryder Cup, on the grounds of The American Club. Situated along Lake Michigan, with sweeping vistas and wandering sheep, you feel as though you have been transported to Ireland. We watched another stunning sunset while feasting on an amazing dinner- and even spotted two bald eagles! (It’s a horrible quality picture but you can see them in the bottom right photo.)
Finally it was July 28th, my actual birthday- although I have been celebrating for a couple weeks now! We had lunch on the patio at their other golf course, Blackwolf Run. The patio overlooks the 18th holes of both the River and Meadow Valleys courses. The view was just as delightful as the walleye sandwiches served on sourdough bread. (So good in fact we came back the next day on our way out of town for more!)
After lunch we headed to Sports Core, which was originally built as a workout facility to promote good health amongst the working staff at Kohler. We have only visited The American Club in the winter, so we had no idea that this beach and lake existed! We rented a paddle boat (with Henry fishing off the back) and cruised around the lake. There were kids laughing and jumping off a bridge into the water, and anglers on the sandy shore- a picture perfect way to spend another beautiful afternoon in Wisconsin.
Next up, we headed back to our cabin for a private lobster boil dinner that we arranged with the concierge. The American Club provided a chef for us who imported lobsters from the coast, and a lovely server who set the table with candles and made sure our glasses were never empty. While we sipped champagne in another rain storm on our porch, Chef Joe began preparing our first course- a favorite salad he makes for his own family with peaches, butter lettuce, and local cheese. So fresh, bright, and yummy.
We enjoyed chatting with Chef Joe and Nanette while he prepared our lobster boil with corn and potatoes. He explained how he would serve the lobster with Beurre Monte, a melted butter sauce that just took the lobster to the next level! The spices he boiled in the pot with the potatoes and corn imbibed a ton a flavor into both, which meant we ate every single bit on plate! Yet there were more lobsters to cook so Chef Joe boiled those and packaged them up for us- and we made lobster rolls at home the next day!
Lobster on my birthday has become something of a tradition for us. Last year we were in Maine- where we had lobster for literally every meal! Two years ago we were on Cape Cod, at a lobster boil at The Chatham Bars Inn. Who knows what the future will bring… Scotland next year? Or lobster at home- either way, I’m a happy girl!
We have never hired a private chef before, but having this incredible meal prepared in our home (away from home) while we were able to just sit back and relax is another silver lining to this new lifestyle we have all been forced to adapt to. More time at home, more family time, less travel to faraway places, has provided a peaceful alternative to the negativity and hatred that surrounds all of us. Let’s hope we come out on the other side better, healthier people, living in a more socially just society, with greater acceptance of everyone and an appreciation for what we have. I’ve been alive for half a century now, and am hopeful for our next generation and what the future will bring. Cheers to 50 more!
You can watch some videos from our trip below!